travelex

[badger1518]

hi all

can anyone tell me how long travelex take to send the currency in the post

thankyou
steve gale

 

[vicky1bfc]

We ordered from them,if you order before 2pm they will come the next day,otherwise its the day's after that.


hope this help's
vicky

 

[vicky1bfc]

We ordered from them,if you order before 2pm they will come the next day,otherwise its the day after that.


hope this help's
vicky

 

[ely3857]

Hello,

Check out onlinefx aswell, They do charge for p&p unless you have a free p&p code (readily avail from travel agents websites)

They come next day aswell



Ely3857

 

[kristieuk]

The best rate you will get is if you order currency online at www.travelex.co.uk
This does mean that you wil collect your currency from the airport of your choice before you fly, but I have done this many times at different airports, and the service is excellent.

If the rate is particularly good, I have even taken a trip out to our closest airport to collect currency, even if I'm not travelling for a while (you can only pre-order about 8 weeks in advance - but you will keep the rate you order at).

If you do prefer to have your currency in your hand before you leave the house, I think that the best rate you will find for pre-delivered currency is at
www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/currency/index.html


FYI, the Tiscali rate is 1.783 today.
The Travelex online rate is 1.8214. If anyone knows where you can get better rates than this (and tourist rate, not buying £100k worth!) please let me know!

 

[snookhams]

I would agree with kirstieuk, we have used travelx and collected the currency at the aiport, and always encountered a very good service and would have no hesitation using them again this year. They generally have one of the best rates as well.

 

[daywalker]

Well, I guess it depends when you're going. I know that when I go, I will ALWAYS get the prevailing business rate. The way to get this rate is buy getting hold of a Nationwide credit card (for purchases) and a Nationwide Flex Account (for withdrawing cash). You always get the top rate - they DO NOT charge you a transaction fee either. You don't have to buy £100k either, just use it as you would at home! If you do draw cash just be sure to take $300-$500 out, as you'll most likely pay a fee of $1-$3 in the US to use the cash point but this charge is minimal.
DON'T use the credit card to take cash out as you'll get charged a cash transaction fee and be charged interest from day 1 (As with all credit cards)
I've been using the card since the middle of last year. Irecently used the card for a US $ transaction and got a rate of $1.89.
The only downside is if you liketo buy up currency way in advance of when you go as you'll only get currency at business rate whilst you're out there.
At the moment the shift in ex rate is only small and I'm happy to wait till I get out there.
If I were there today I'd be getting $1.87/1.88 for my money. I've gotta wait three weeks for my NY trip though

 

[kristieuk]

Further to that last post, I would also recommend the Nationwide card - I have had one for about 2 years now, and the rate you get is definitely the best around, with no foreign currency transaction fees. A lot of credit cards hide this fee in the poor exchange rate you get, some add it on as a separate charge, but it is such a rip off whatever.

In NY in Feb, I was getting a rate of $1.91 (although then someone managed to get hold of my card details, and used it twice at the Ritz Carlton days after I was back in the UK, but that's another story).

However, I do still always take cash - you can't use a card for every purchase (bridge toll $1 from Tampa airport for one thing!) - and at least you know where you are then. It's very difficult to keep track otherwise, plus half way through your holiday, you have no idea what the exchange rate actually is!

 

[daywalker]

However, I do still always take cash - you can't use a card for every purchase (bridge toll $1 from Tampa airport for one thing!) - and at least you know where you are then. It's very difficult to keep track otherwise, plus half way through your holiday, you have no idea what the exchange rate actually is!

If you've got internet access it's always easy enough to check out the ex rate whilst away. If you take cash from your flex acc when abroad it gives you your balance in $ (if in the US) and you can track your spending this way too (provided you know how much was in there before you left!!). I always have bits of money left over from my last trip so tolls etc are not a worry No good for your first trip thouhg - I agree!
One other thing I NEVER do is change my currency back in to sterling, you get so ripped off. As long as you budget correctly you shouldn't have too much left over, this is another benefit of drawing cash out over there using your card (draw the cash as you spend etc.)

 

[kristieuk]

I don't actually have a Flex Account, although I have been thinking about changing. It's a good idea being able to see your account in $'s, but am I right in undertstanding that there is no transaction charge if you withdraw $ cash?

 

[daywalker]

There is no transaction charge levied by Nationwide. The only fee you MAY get is an ATM fee which can e anything from $1-3/$4. This is levied by the ATM owners (similar to the ones that charge in the UK. Chances are you'll be drawing say $300-$500 in one go anyway so this charge really is not that noticeable and still gives you a far superior rate than buying currency before you go.
I've not always been charged this fee anyway, I've certainly not been charged in Europe.

 

[kristieuk]

Thanks for that! Certainly gives me some incentive to change banks. I do hate to waste money on nothing at all. It took me ages to realise how much I was being charged on credit card transactions abroad because my card provider at that time simply built it in to the exchange rate - and since I was away and didn't know any better, I had no idea what the actual rate was. I think a lot of people don't realise, it really is a huge rip off.

 

[daywalker]

It sure is a rip off but that's the beauty of boards like this, I only found out from another board I post on!
I haven't changed my bank, just opened up the flex account for foreign currency. I just transfer my spending money (that I intend to use for cash) into it about a week before I go. It's dead easy with online banking.