Best Value Exchange Rate

[KevMull]

FYI

This maybe useful for anyone going for the first time and not sure where to get the best exch rate on the Euro with the UK pound (like me a week or so ago!).

Note, I use a Visa Debit card with the Nationwide where I don't get charged for using it abroad (your debit/credit card maybe different).

BEST to Worst (exch rate)

1. Debit card Transactions over the Counter (1.462)

2. ATM (1.462)
(I only used an ATM once, inside the Marne Valley (Disney) Railway station)

3. Thompsons Travel/UK High St (1.40/1.39)

4. Hotel Cheyenne, Disney 'Charge Card' (1.25)
(At this low rate I never used it!)

 

[NIK]

That's interesting. I was thinking about getting the Disney charge card because my bank charges me for using my credit/debit cards abroad [criminal!] I may now look into getting a Nationwide credit card and paying everything off when I get home.

 

[chrismoo]

4. Hotel Cheyenne, Disney 'Charge Card' (1.25)
(At this low rate I never used it!)

Is this the scheme where you register your credit card with the hotel then you use your resort ID to pay for things?

If so I thought this was just down to the rate on your credit card? or are they converting it at a poor rate to sterling and charging this?

 

[KevMull]

Is this the scheme where you register your credit card with the hotel then you use your resort ID to pay for things?

Yes, I gave them my Debit card details and I would simply use the Hotel ID (which comes on a slip of paper).
I found out the rate afterwards where the check in girl pointed me towards a board showing the rates from various countries (UK was 1.25 !)
I should have checked the rate first, but I was under the impression from this forum that the Hotel ID Charge Card system was the better method !

If so I thought this was just down to the rate on your credit card? or are they converting it at a poor rate to sterling and charging this?

Hmm...seems like the latter, but 1.25 compared to 1.39 (avg UK High St rate) was a huge difference and even bigger compared to 1.46 on the Disney Park. I assume I've got it all right regarding the Hotel as it was my first ever visit!

 

[Bexx]

Hmm...seems like the latter, but 1.25 compared to 1.39 (avg UK High St rate) was a huge difference and even bigger compared to 1.46 on the Disney Park. I assume I've got it all right regarding the Hotel as it was my first ever visit!

If the rate really is that low with the charge card, I really appreciate you bringing attention to this!!! I've never used it in the past, but I certainly won't be tempted to in the future - just in case!!

I may now look into getting a Nationwide credit card and paying everything off when I get home.

I got one a couple of years ago, just for taking abroad with me. Well worth it - all thanks to these boards.

 

[Ware Bears]

4. Hotel Cheyenne, Disney 'Charge Card' (1.25)

Wow!!!

I also recommend the Nationwide credit card. It really is worth applying for it.