 |
WARNING: Getting foreign currency isn't always the cheapest way to spend abroad, first read Foreign Currency: How to get the cheapest |
Spotted a new provider/technical problem/error? Let us know at travelmoneymaximiser@moneysavingexpert.com
Remember, using the right plastic is the very Cheapest Way to Spend Abroad
The Travel Money Maximiser is repeatedly gathering information from Bureaux's websites throughout the day. This means there is a very slight chance the prices will be a few minutes out of date after a rate change. Always double check the deal before buying your currency.
If you want foreign currency in cash, the key question to ask providers is "How many euros/dollars/shekels will you give me, after all charges and fees, for my pounds?", then simply go with whoever gives you the most. The Travel Money Maximiser searches 16 online foreign currency bureaux, and finds where you'll get most buck for your bang. It takes into account exchange rates, commission fees and any delivery costs, and gives you the cheapest results for that day.
Enter the type of foreign currency you need, then either select how much you're willing to pay e.g. "I want £100 worth of dollars" or how much of the foreign currency you want e.g. "I want 200 euros". Then choose whether you want the money delivered to you, or if you are willing to collect it. The Travel Money Maximiser displays the prices from online bureaux de change, taken directly from their websites, ranked in order of how much cold hard cash you'll get.
The Travel Money Maximiser only searches online providers; primarily as it's a web tool and these are much easier to search. Luckily though, web providers almost always undercut their high street equivalents. So get a web quote and go and pick your currency up, and you usually get more than just walking into the same branch and getting the cash.
It's worth noting, there are a few bureaux without websites that will beat it marginally. These are commonly small establishments, based in areas which get huge amounts of overseas visitors, where competition on rates is very high - such as Bayswater in West London. If you live near these it's worth checking them out. If any do set up websites and delivering currency, they'll be added to the Maximiser.
Pay on a Switch card and there's no charge, yet if you pay for foreign currency on a credit card, or some bank’s Visa debit cards, it’s possible you’ll be charged an additional fee on top of what you pay the bureau de change. If possible avoid using the cards that charge and pay another way instead.
- Credit cards. All credit cards charge when you buy foreign currency, as this is treated as if you are withdrawing cash from an ATM. See a full table of these charges
- Visa Debit cards. If you have a ‘Visa Debit’ card (these used to be known as Delta), whether you’re charged depends on your bank, it will usually be around 2% with a minimum of £2.
|
Debit cards that DO charge a fee |
Debit cards that DON'T charge a fee |
|
Travel MoneySaving Articles |
The FlightChecker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
For all the Travel articles, read the Travel MoneySaving section |
The FlightChecker is a free tool that finds all the super-cheap budget airline flights for you. So you can fly away for £1 each way plus taxes and charges.
External Travel Comparisons
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
