Exchange rate of $1.88

[wilma-bride]

Sorry I don't have too many details but I was in town this morning and there was a sign in our local Thomas Cook, advertising an excahnge rate of $1.88. Unfortunately, it said to ask in-store for details but the shop didn't open till 10 and it was only 9:15 so I couldn't hang around.

If any of you are passing Thomas Cook in the next few days, it may be worth asking what the deal is.

Just thought I'd let you all know

 

[AlanUK]

Wow! that sounds excellent

It does leave me wondering what the catch is though

If anyone finds out please post back and let us all know

 

[alisonbestford]

Not sure

My local TC was advertising a 'deal' of $1.70 yesterday if you bought £1000 worth of currency

Wonder if it's anything to do with the American Express cheque card offer they have on?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Their website shows $1.67.

 

[wilma-bride]

Apologies for getting your hopes up guys I have just phoned TC and they have advised that the rate advertised is if you buy the Amex TC Card, load $2000 and get $250 free.

Apparently the offer ends on Saturday.

 

[alisonbestford]

Ah, thought that might be it

The card does seem a good offer though

 

[Cochise]

I think after watching the boards there has been a few of these type of offers over the last few months. Almost MFI 'esque

 

[Miffy2003]

If only I had $2000 to spare I would go for this I think. Great deal!

 

[rpbert1]

i read on these boards that although it sounds a good deal they apparently load you with charges everytime you use the card , so you are not really any better off. if you do a search sure you will find it

 

[alisonbestford]

Apparently you get charged to withdraw from an ATM but not from an instore card transaction

Given that I expect to, probably, withdraw a couple of amounts from the ATM (at $2.50 a time) and keep it in the safe, I'm pretty sure I can safely say the $250 'free' will allow for anything

It sounds as though American Express are looking to stop offering travellers cheques, replacing them with the card, so I guess these offers maybe the first step to convincing people it's a good idea

I doubt I'd consider the card without the freebies but, seeing as Amex are offering.......................

 

[brer rabbit 28]

can you check the balance on this card at a cash machine?i would never remember how much i had spent to keep a track on it-would hate to get refused at a till

 

[SammieG]

also, can you get cash with this card?

 

[kristieuk]

You have to call a number or check online to found out the remaining balance on the card - unless you have kept a check yourself.

There is no charge at all to use the card, unless you are withdrawing cash from an ATM, in which case, there is a fee of $2.50 per withdrawal. I can appreciate that you might want to withdraw some cash for smaller purchases, but you can use the card almost anywhere, so you are better off using it where you can.

As Alison says, without the free $, it's not the best deal for getting currency because you can get cash or TC's from, say Travelex online, at a better rate - but with the free $250 on $2000, the equivalent exchange rate is $1.88 - $1.89 (Amex exchange rate $1.68 yesterday) - and I don't think you can beat that!

 

[tink too]

Thanks for the heads up! Our nearest TC is 35 miles away and we were going to make the trip to buy a card on Sunday...looks like we'll be going tomorrow now!

 

[dc1964]

I used the card for nearly all purchases in orlando at christmas, it was accepted everywhere, no charges at all other than the $2.50 if you withdraw cash, you can withdraw $440 dollars per day so the car so tha charge is not excessive. It was more conveinient than cash or cheques.
You can view the account on line, the transactions go on immediately or phone a free phone number on the card. Very usefull.

 

[floridafluff]

Hi, can you use this card for small purchases, say at restaurant for 20 ish dollars?

i have just phoned TC and the offer ends tomorrow, am not going until august but i think at those sort of rates its worthwhile doing.

thanks
FF

 

[alisonbestford]

As I understand it you can use it for anything

 

[floridafluff]

http://www.crowncurrencyexchange.com/

which allows you to forward order.

as I am not going until August, I can buy dollars at 1.84

now i can't decide what to do !!

There is only a minimum spend of £500 on crown currency, as opposed to £1200 on the TC card.

thought others may find this useful

TFF

 

[Miffy2003]

Thank you FF that is great!

 

[kristieuk]

So unless I'm being extremely dull, you pre - order at the rate applicable to the month you want the $ in? That almost seems too good be true - potentially you could get over 1.91?

Thanks for posting that - it makes things very interesting. Now I don't know what to do either - we're not going until November, so we could get cash at 1.87. Hmmmmm.

Has anyone used them before?