Mossyoak77 Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Evening All I hope your well, Im going away in 3 weeks for a driving holiday in the u.s desert states, Where are the best places to go for currency ? I last used ICE back in 2015 just wondering if I should use post office, m&s etc instead this time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Pre pay credit card Caxton, Travelex, pre book and collect in terminal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNS Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Have a look on moneysavingexpert.co.uk - there is a pretty handy tool on there that will work out the best place / deal for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mossyoak77 Posted June 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 ah right seen travel ex when ive been through the airport, caxton will check that out now cheers nice one will have a look at that too thanks looking forward to this trip 3 weeks driving up to utah spending a week there then travelling round nevada & arizona for the last 2, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Travelex offer pretty good rates, (not quite the cheapest), but convenient for most, but you MUST order online for an airport pick up, do not simply turn up at the desk and change cash, as you will get seriously mugged.. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 The cheapest place that I found for dollars was our local Superdrug store (yes really). The assistant at my bank recommended them when I went in to enquire what the bank's rates were Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibby Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Take out a non forex transaction credit card and clear it off when you're back. I use Nationwide for this, no comission, near spot rate, and you don't have to lose a big chunk of cash turning unspent currency back to £s. Gibby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Thomas Cook, Post Office or strangely enough, Tesco are about the best recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 We have used Thomas Exchange quite a few times and had good service and rates. Are you just after cash? When we go next we will get a travel card and load it up, not sure about travelers cheques anymore which we used to use for the last 20 years in the states. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord v Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Check the rates your bank charge for using your card, mine are surprisingly good and the exchange rate varies daily. For the US I get about $50 in cash, then just use my debit card. In all works out slightly better or the same as changing lots of cash this side, just without the hassle. If you do that though: 1) tell your bank you are state side so they don't freeze your card. (Been there done that) 2) when asked, put your debit card through as a credit card. This can give you a bit of hassle at pay at pump gas stations as it may ask you for the zip code associated with the card (which obviously you won't have). No problems paying at the desk though. My other option would be a prepaid card. They are easy to top up on the go as well. Last time I used one these guys: https://www.fairfx.com were good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 For carrying cash I've found Kannoo travel one of the most competitive. I've no experience of prepaid cards but must look at these for the future. This is because using my Visa credit card recently in Singapore, Borneo, Malaysia, I found on return that HSBC , not content with making money on their exchange rate, charged a Foreign Transaction Fee every time I used my card. Another facility sometimes offered in hotels is a choice of paying local currency or Sterling. I choose sterling. The rate may not be very competitive but when compared withe HSBC rate plus their foreign transaction fee it's a better deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbie to this Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 The cheapest place that I found for dollars was our local Superdrug store (yes really). The assistant at my bank recommended them when I went in to enquire what the bank's rates were They had the best rate when I went to the USA, that was a couple of years back though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 We use a Revolut card, very easy to use, great rate and secure as can top up as and when required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Not a great fan of these currency cards. How do you give the bus driver a couple of dollars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 We have travelled the States extensively for many years, nothing prebooked, we take an "emergency" $500 cash, get it from the Post Office, usually the best rate for that amount. I then use ATM machines with my Nationwide Debit Card (no Bank charges) for cash and my Bank Credit Card for large expenditures (no Bank charges ). There is no need to travel around with loads of cash and in my experience any type of Travellers cheques/prepaid vouchers, etc., are not accepted in out of the way places. If you try to cash them at a Bank they will charge you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 (edited) I always take Amex travellers cheques, everywhere takes them. The key thing with travellers cheques is which bank issues them, if the name is familiar and Amex is, its no problem. but cards are easier than they used to be. At one time exchange rates and transaction fees were a rip off Edited June 2, 2017 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 I always take Amex travellers cheques, everywhere takes them. The key thing with travellers cheques is which bank issues them, if the name is familiar and Amex is, its no problem. but cards are easier than they used to be. At one time exchange rates and transaction fees were a rip off We have always used Amex Travellers cheques. Last time in the states I found more shops gave me the "really" look when I went to pay with them. Next time going down the card route and see how we get on with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106 Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 (edited) I find the Postie rates terrible, I use a FairFX pre-loaded currency card for most of the spending and get my cash from either The Cheque Shop or Ramsdens pawnbrokers, both give much better rates than Postman Pat. In the last 10 years I've only found one place that wouldn't take the Fair-FX card, Kentucky Fried Cat It works everywhere else including online places like Midway USA, Brownells, Optics Planet and Titan reloading so I can get all my gun stuff shipped to our friends ready to collect Edited June 2, 2017 by phaedra1106 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord v Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Not a great fan of these currency cards. How do you give the bus driver a couple of dollars? Use them to take cash out an ATM like normal. Fairfx in theory work everywhere that accepts mastercard - I never found anywhere that didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Not a great fan of these currency cards. How do you give the bus driver a couple of dollars? You still need some dollars in cash for tips etc. but it does mean you don't need to carry a big wedge when you go out for the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filzee Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Halifax are currently offering a credit card with no fees on withdrawing cash and very good exchange rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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