Exchange rate of $1.88

[floridafluff]

it either,

go to TC tomorrow and buy 2000 dollars with the 250 free, or ,
wait until monday to phone the co. that is offering forward buying of dollars, i tried to call today, but got an answer phone.

will sleep on it, and cogitate over my long run tomorrow, in training for the London Marathon.


FF

 

[kristieuk]

How much do you intend to take? If its over £1600 in $, you could benefit from both - the security of the card ($2000 will cost something over £1100, depending on the rate), and the convenience of the cash for smaller purchases, tolls, street vendors etc. The equivalent exchange rate isn't that much difference between the two. Something else for you think about on your run - well done on that by the way, and good luck.

Let us know what you decide....

 

[wilma-bride]

Well, I bit the bullet and went to TC yeaterday. Got the TC card loaded with $2000 plus $250 free to be credited on activation of the card. Total cost was £1205.97.

I am a happy bunny.

Thanks, FF, for the link to that forward-buy currency place. It looks great but I would be interested to hear if anyone has used them before.

 

[mark&sue]

I was told today at TC that if you use a debit card to make your purchase of the card then they charge 1.5%. I have decided to pay cash and will go back before they shut at 5.00 p.m.

The deciding factor for us is that the card is so much less bulky then all those travellers cheques and/or cash.

This board has been very helpful in making the decision. Thanks everyone.



Susan

 

[Miffy2003]

I was told today at TC that if you use a debit card to make your purchase of the card then they charge 1.5%. I have decided to pay cash and will go back before they shut at 5.00 p.m.

The deciding factor for us is that the card is so much less bulky then all those travellers cheques and/or cash.

This board has been very helpful in making the decision. Thanks everyone.



Susan

Wow Susan that really surprises me! Credit cards yes I can understand but debit card transactions are at a very low cost per unit to the retailer normally. In all honesty I would have thought it would "cost" them more in terms of time taken to count and bank the money than a simple debit card transaction.


I am glad everyone has got such a great rate!! I'm not jealous, really

 

[floridafluff]

Hi,
just been to TC and bit the bullet and parted with 1200 precious GBP, in return for 2250 finest US dollars !.
Even though my trip is seven months away, I think at that rate its worth the risk, can remember the last time the rate was over 1.88 !

now i just have to plan how to spend it all, shouldn't be a problem !


regards
FF

 

[kristieuk]

I was told today at TC that if you use a debit card to make your purchase of the card then they charge 1.5%. I have decided to pay cash and will go back before they shut at 5.00 p.m.

The deciding factor for us is that the card is so much less bulky then all those travellers cheques and/or cash.

This board has been very helpful in making the decision. Thanks everyone.



Susan

Was this in Thomas Cook? When we got our card last year, we paid partly with a credit card, partly debit card (we have an internet savings account, and didn't have enough 'cash' without waiting for the money to transfer and didn't want to miss the offer). We paid 1.5% on the credit card part, but the debit card didn't cost anything to use - HSBC was next door to TC so if there was charge, I would have withdrawn the cash!

It does sound a bit odd - no-one likes walking the streets with £1200 cash in their pocket!

 

[mark&sue]

I thought it strange but he insisted that it was for a debit card. I think he must be wrong, but as we have the cash we will go back and pay the cash. We thought we would wait til about 3.00 as this branch is at a large sainsburys and it might be quieter around then.

TC sure must be busy today!


Susan

 

[heatherbelle]

I went into Tc in keighley (W Yorkshire), and they told me the exactly the same thing about using a debit card. As it was a nationwide one, i advised her there would be no charge anyway, as they don't charge for anything.

I got my free dollars, and thanks to whoever drew this to our attention in the first place.

Apparently as well, you could have drawn £250.00 off your card over 5 days, that would have cost you £7.50 for the ATM withdrawls and then open another account your partners name and got another free $250.00.

I didn't try this, as I was too slow in picking up the deal, but a friend of mine did.

I would be interested to know what rate of exchange they got for the withdrawl in stirling though. There must be a catch somewhere.

 

[wilma-bride]

I was told today at TC that if you use a debit card to make your purchase of the card then they charge 1.5%.

Interesting that you say that Sue. I have been told that before when we have gone to purchase travel money. When I specifically asked yesterday, however, the girl was adamant that they don't charge when paying by debit card. She said that my bank may charge as it could be classed as a foreign transaction. I checked with the bank (Halifax) and they said they won't charge me either. So I await the transaction appearing on my statement to see if one/both were lying to me Made sure I got both their names just in case

 

[mark&sue]

OK just got back and now have my brand new Travellers Cheque Card. I had the cash but I asked again about the debit card. He said maestro of was ok but a VISA debit card was not?????

The three year expiry is the expiry of the card after three years you can either ask for the card to be re-issued or have your funds reimbursed to you.

I am really pleased and would like to thank everyone who contributed to this thread. THANKS


Susan

 

[alisonbestford]

I would be interested to know what rate of exchange they got for the withdrawl in stirling though. There must be a catch somewhere.

Apparently you just get stirling at the 'buy back' rate.
Still, with all those free dollars I'm sure we must come out even

 

[Mad4WDW]

Thanks for this info!

Didn't spot this til it was almost too late, and just ordered my card over the net. Should hear tomorrow if the applications been accepted (only been in this house for 11 months, and the old house I hear had some bad credit, so who knows). Anyway went for the 2000, will pester Thomas Cook to make sure I get the 250 free!

One question tho...can anyone who has used it already tell me if you need to show a passport or other ID when using the card?

Thanks again,
Paul

 

[kristieuk]

Thanks for this info!

Didn't spot this til it was almost too late, and just ordered my card over the net. Should hear tomorrow if the applications been accepted (only been in this house for 11 months, and the old house I hear had some bad credit, so who knows). Anyway went for the 2000, will pester Thomas Cook to make sure I get the 250 free!

One question tho...can anyone who has used it already tell me if you need to show a passport or other ID when using the card?

Thanks again,
Paul

We were never asked to show id. You literally use it as you would a credit card, and no-one bats an eyelid. I should imagine that there might be places that ask for id, but only if they also would ask if you used a credit card. HTH!

 

[JoeSam]

Thomson are offering $75 free when you buy $1000 on the card with no charges for purchasing the card. I did this today and worked out my rate was $1.825. Not bad but still kicking myself for missing the TC offer!!