Exchange Rates?

[Caspar]

I'm off to the US (fancy some pig anyone?) on Sat for a week.

Where's best to get my currency converted?

My two local xchanges that sell USD are:

ASDA: $1.394 to the £1
Thomas Cook: $1.41


Exchange rates on the markets are something like $1.50 for USD, but where's best to get actual dollars?



/please don't break into my house, now that you know I'm away! ;) :D

[King Of Fools]

You will get a better exchange rate if you use your bank cash or debit card in a US ATM (even better if it is Nationwide).

[joglynne]

As long as you havn't left it too late you may wish to consider the Post Office. 0% commission and currently showing $1.4624 to the £1. You have to order on line to get that rate but you can collect at your local PO.

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=19300207&mediaId=19300210

[Taf]

American Express are the best around here....

[Caspar]

Cheers guys :)

Jo - I'm off on Sat! :( - too late!

[joglynne]

Cheers guys :)

Jo - I'm off on Sat! :( - too late!

I have, in the past, ordered my currency one day and collected it from the local PO the next but I wasn't sure if this was still a standard timescale.

Anyhow have a great time and remember we want pictures. :D

[Charlie_Bubble]

Best normally to exchange your money in the country you are visiting.

[squiggs1982]

Order online at travelex.co.uk and pick up at the airport on Saturday. they've got a price promise that guarantees to beat all high street and online rates. You can also get a "cash passport" card in dollars, which is just a prepaid Visa card. Bit more expensive in practice, but extremely convenient. Used in New York, one for me and one for the missus - barely used cash at all except for tips. :)

[frogstamper]

I can hardly believe how much the rate has dropped!! I went to Boston about 18 months ago and was getting almost two dollars to the pound.

[Charlie_Bubble]

I can hardly believe how much the rate has dropped!! I went to Boston about 18 months ago and was getting almost two dollars to the pound.

LOL 18 months in economic terms is a lifetime.

[lucy7]

I just got paid in euros for a one off job we did for a someone, as they knew we were going away soon to Gran Canaria.

The guy said he bought them when they were at roughly 1.70 to the pound (long time ago). He said he would not be going abroad again, so is now using them to pay people when ever he can.

Now its a euro a pound near on, give a few cents or two.
How times change?

[Caspar]

Thanks all :)

I exchanged at M&S at 1.445 USD to the GBP :)


In hindsight, the suggestions above would have proved a better choice, if only I didn't leave it to the last minute!!! :)

---------- Post added at 17:04 ---------- Previous post was at 17:01 ----------

Order online at travelex.co.uk and pick up at the airport on Saturday. they've got a price promise that guarantees to beat all high street and online rates. You can also get a "cash passport" card in dollars, which is just a prepaid Visa card. Bit more expensive in practice, but extremely convenient. Used in New York, one for me and one for the missus - barely used cash at all except for tips. :)


Worthy ideas there m8 :)

I've checked out travelex.co.uk and the come in at 1.4565 USD to the GBP.

M&S were worse at 1.455! ;) :D

[altis]

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/22/33634042-tips-for-exchange.html

and

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/22/33638400-travellers-travel-tips.html