Where do people buy their dollars from?

[magentadreamer]

I was just wondering where do people buy their dollars from? I've seen several online companies etc eg travelex M&S etc and wondered where the best deals might be?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I am not actually sure where the best deals are from but I tend to accumulate mine over a long period of time and use the Post Office and one or two local Travel Agents.

I am sure if you do a search on this site you will find more useful information.

 

[tartangirl]

I find I get the best rate taking money out the ATMs in the US - good old Nationwide Flexaccount.

So, before leaving Florida I make sure I have enough to have some cash for our next trip and then just get money out the machines when I need it - same as I do in this country.

It hurts my brain keeping track of the dollar rate and trying to figure out when to buy and who from

 

[Miffy2003]

I use whomever gives me the best rate at the time! I have used M&S and the Post Office before

 

[traycie2201]

Check out the Amex travellers cheque card alot are giving free dollars when you load on a certain amount, i.e yesterday thomas cook giving $250 if you load $2000 AND $100 For $1000, this makes a good rate, also all travel agents tend to meet the best rate around, so if post office is best they will match.

 

[Miffy2003]

also all travel agents tend to meet the best rate around, so if post office is best they will match.

This is interesting. I have asked a number of travel agents where I live if they will do this and they all refused (or when said they would price match, still charged commission on top so made the rate worse again).

My personal experience is that I can get a far better rate not at the travel agents - I stand to be corrected on this, just my experience. I am waiting for Carol Foy now

 

[magicaldreams]

Our local Lunnpoly priced matched on our last trip and didn't charge anything!
They matched M&S

Try Travelex on the net, pretty good rates and you can pick it up at the airport.

The American Express Card is good, we have one.
BUT Be careful, most petrol stations will not take this as a means of payment!

 

[Amyrlin]

I use travelex ordering them in advance as they will price match.

 

[kristieuk]

For the best tourist rate around, you cannot beat http://www.thomasexchange.co.uk/home/index.asp

....except that Travelex online (http://www.travelex.co.uk/personal/rateslist.asp?content=rtl)

will price match. You just have to pick your $ up from the airport.

Saying all of that, you won't beat the equivalent rate you get for buying the Amex traveller's cheque card with the free $. There is a separate thread about this just below.

 

[Rascal1003]

I bank with LLoyds TSB and get a good rate by buying through the internet banking and having it delivered to my house.
Always get US$ Travellers Cheques. These have a slightly better rate and are accepted everywhere in Orlando just like cash (just remember to carry ID).

 

[jdybnsn]

I take as little cash as I can get away with and take the most excellent Nationwide Credit Card (paying off in full after my hols...... or it rather defeats the object !)

 

[Spook]

I take as little cash as I can get away with and take the most excellent Nationwide Credit Card (paying off in full after my hols...... or it rather defeats the object !)

Have often thought of doing this but would probably only want it for abroad. How many transactions a year do you need to keep the card active.
TIA - Jan

 

[magentadreamer]

I applied for a Nationwide card yesterday due to their not charging extra for using it abroad.

 

[tartangirl]

Have often thought of doing this but would probably only want it for abroad. How many transactions a year do you need to keep the card active.
TIA - Jan

I have both the Nationwide credit card and debit card (Flexaccount). I only ever use these cards abroad or when buying from abroad (eg. getting tickets from ticketmania).

To keep the Flexaccount active you need to keep £1 in it - I put money in before going abroad and just move it back when we get home. Not sure how many transactions are required to keep the credit card active - didn't think there was any restriction.

Needless to say it gets plenty of use when abroad

 

[magentadreamer]

I have both the Nationwide credit card and debit card (Flexaccount). I only ever use these cards abroad or when buying from abroad (eg. getting tickets from ticketmania).

To keep the Flexaccount active you need to keep £1 in it - I put money in before going abroad and just move it back when we get home. Not sure how many transactions are required to keep the credit card active - didn't think there was any restriction.

Needless to say it gets plenty of use when abroad

I did take a look at their Flexaccount and assumed it was a current account ie I'd have to change banks just to get the debit card - will go take another look if it doesn't mean I have to change bank accounts -thanks!


M&S Online - I was wondering if I used my charge card to buy dollars and paid it off in full would I be charged any thing?

 

[Miffy2003]

M&S Online - I was wondering if I used my charge card to buy dollars and paid it off in full would I be charged any thing?

It would not cost a penny extra - I always do this just after I have had a statement so in effect get 6 weeks' worth of dallars before I have to pay for them


One thing to note is that you can only have half of your credit limit in currency. However in practice I have twice gone well over the halfway point and just got a letter saying it had been approved

 

[maureen4200040]

I always use the post office as their always commission free. I been to Thomas cook in the past, but find you need to check their receipts. I asked the girl in the foreign exchange dept if the currency at T/Cook was commission free and she said yes - I brought $700 worth but did'nt check the receipt in the shop - it was only when i got home that i realised she had charged me for the dollars i brought.

I called them up straight away and explained to the agent that i had been charged commission, even though the girl in the shop told me it was commission free. I advised them i was not happy and would bring the receipt back for a refund of the commission charge. They said ok - and i went back to the shop and got my refund & a goodwill gesture from the manager of $25.

Maureen4200040

 

[jtlover]

I always buy mine from M&S they usually have the best rate and commission free.

 

[traycie2201]

The rate with the free dollars worked out to be 1.85 or near, we both got a card each which gives us $500 extra dollars free, it was a £7.50 charge for the card and easy to activate over the phone, if you have money left when you get home you can withdraw at cash machines or use anywhere they take amex.

 

[carolfoy]

This is interesting. I have asked a number of travel agents where I live if they will do this and they all refused (or when said they would price match, still charged commission on top so made the rate worse again).

My personal experience is that I can get a far better rate not at the travel agents - I stand to be corrected on this, just my experience. I am waiting for Carol Foy now

Sorry Karen, must've missed this one - I buy mine usually from onlinefx, does that say much about my travel agency rate???