Charge for currency collection?

[ruthie]

Hi All

I know this is a bit late in the day but, we travel next sunday and are just ordering our currency. We're having a quick look at the rates but are trying to avoid a cash advance fee for paying with a debit card.
Is there any way around this? We can't think of any or does everyone just pay it?

Thanks in advance

Ruthie

 

[2Tiggies]

I always pay on a debit card and never pay a cash advance fee. Cash advance is for a credit card forex purchase. If there is a debit card charge it would be a foreign exchange fee, but I have never paid this with Thomas Cook, including last week when I bought more cash and TCs. Who are you wanting to order from?

 

[ruthie]

Hi 2tiggies

My husband wants to use his lloyds debit card to pay at the post office or m&s but lloyds charged us last time.
Do any of the other banks definately not charge?

Ruthie

 

[catherine]

I was going to use my Lloyds debit card at the Co-Op and the lady there told me there would be a charge for debit card use and advised me to go to the ATM and get some cash.

 

[2Tiggies]

Do you have a card with another bank? If you can establish that the other bank doesn't charge, you can transfer the money from the Lloyds card to the other bank card and use that. Obviously if you don't have an alternative, this doesn't help.

 

[Scarboro-red]

I work for a bank and more and more of the banks are now charging foreign exchange fees for the purchase of foreign currency when purchased on a debit card.

 

[2Tiggies]

I work for a bank and more and more of the banks are now charging foreign exchange fees for the purchase of foreign currency when purchased on a debit card.

I think they have some nerve. Eventually we will be drawing chunks of cash to go and buy our currency at travel agents in the high street.

 

[ruthie]

Hi All

We also have Barclays, and Nationwide if that helps.

Ruthie

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Yes Lloyds do charge - its very annoying, and I'm not convinced its legal charging you to spend your own money!

I order from Crown Currency - you order over the phone then make an onlibe payment from your bank account to theirs.

 

[Shazzie B]

Agree! I'm with Lloyds too. Does any-one know if I buy dollars from FairFX can you do that on-line as a transfer?

 

[2Tiggies]

Agree! I'm with Lloyds too. Does any-one know if I buy dollars from FairFX can you do that on-line as a transfer?

According to their website you can, although I have never tried it that way. I just use my debit card online. I'll see if I can find the part of their FAQ and post you a link.

 

[2Tiggies]

It's here on the FAQs http://www.fairfx.com/faq/#viewport

You do need to check with your other banks that they will not charge for this. I don't have any of the cards you mentioned that you do, so I can't tell you for sure. If you google Barclays foreign currency charges or something like that you should be able to check.

 

[ruthie]

Thanks for all your help everyone, I need to give it some more thought!


Ruthie

 

[kieras nana]

M & S,also charge,for using a debit card.i think it's ridiculous & i was quite annoyed.we are with the RBS,so not sure,if its just them,that charge or not.
tracy

 

[catherine]

I've put $ on my Fairfx card using my Llyods debit card and I haven't been charged.

 

[Twilight Terror]

Are you looking to buy in person, or online? If in person, then just go to the cash machine, get it out in cash and go it. It also means you don't need ID, unless getting TCs as well.

If it's online, then I'm not sure there's a card that doesn't charge anymore. Even Nationwide have reduced what they don't charge for. If it's online and a better rate, then factor in the card payment to the rate and see if it still works out better than going to a high street location. If not, do it in person via cash machine!

I tend to go to M&S, use my M&S credit card - that is one card in one particular place where you do not get charged for doing foreign currency! If you have an M&S card, just do what I do - use the CC to pay for it in store, then come out and make a payment straight to the CC from your debit account for the same amount! Dunno if that will be of any use to you?

 

[penlanspice]

If we buy dollars (not very much now days as we always use our fairfx card) we buy from travelex on-line and pick up at the airport, we get a price match with thomasexchange too and they send you a cheque for the difference.

We have also used fairfx for cash and they deliver to your house, you can pay by bank transfer too.

 

[Shazzie B]

According to their website you can, although I have never tried it that way. I just use my debit card online. I'll see if I can find the part of their FAQ and post you a link.

Thanks 2Tiggies; online transfer works best for me and seems a good way of avoiding any extra charges.

 

[2Tiggies]

Thanks 2Tiggies; online transfer works best for me and seems a good way of avoiding any extra charges.

I may well top up my card again. We go around the same time as you. FWIW, I am holding out and watching the rates a bit longer as they seem set to rise a bit more.