Best Place to Buy US$

keithmdw

Where is the best place (online or high street) to buy U$ at the best rate. Want about £500 worth.

Most places adjust the rate so they make money - but which has the rate nearest the true one?

I waited and waited and didn't buy when it was 1.92 - now it's 1.75 and I am fuming I waited!

Don't want to wait any more (going at the end of the month) unless anyone knows how the foreign exchange markets work and thinks the rate will increase.

I toyed with the idea of not getting any here and using my Maestro card to withdraw from ATMs over there (like I have sometimes in the past), but I figure they will rip me off even more than if I get cash first.

spursman

last year i done a price(rate) comparison & TRAVELEX online was the best, you order online & pick up at the airport or your local(ish) service station
i dont know if this is still the best, i'd be interested to know if anyone can better these as i'm off on my hols soon
all the best
Spursman

telly-addict

We used our Nationwide debit card to withdraw cash in the US. Nationwide don't charge a fee, many of the ATMs don't either, and even if they do it is only about 50p. Then you get charged pretty close to the 'official' bank exchange rate rather than tourist rate.

If you are short of time then opening a new account especially isn't practical, admittedly, but you could always get their credit card at the same time and not pay any charges on overseas purchases either.

pin

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1106765397,71685,

alanrowell

For cash

1) Nationwide debit card when you get there
2) Other debit card when you get there
3) Travelex
4) Marks & Spencer
5) Post Office

loveabargin

If you are local to london the best rates I get are from https://www.thomasexchangeglobal.co.uk they have an exchange booth near victoria station. I think they have other booth's located round london but sorry I dont know where. Also use a nationwide debit and credit card, I dont leave home without them.

Murphy_The_Cat

Hi Keithmdw

marks and spencer online are currently offering us dollars for $1.704. if you order via your &more card there is no cash advance fee and if you order over £500 it is delivered to your door for nowt.

Travelex are offering a slightly better rate at 1.7114 but of course if you have a credit card cash advance charge you would lose out.

MTC

fatboyonadiet

alanrowell wrote:

For cash

1) Nationwide debit card when you get there
2) Other debit card when you get there
3) Travelex
4) Marks & Spencer
5) Post Office

2.5 take the £ with you and convert it to $ there, shop around for your exchange rate and you will be much better off. Also Travelex online offers a better rate then the branches.