Changing Euros

mejinks · 5 Apr 2015 at 14:49

Where is the best place to change £200 into Euros without silly fees etc. Can I just walk into a post office and do it or is the exchange rate rubbish there?

J-FRO · 5 Apr 2015 at 14:52

I used travelex yesterday, if you want to collect the same day you just need to order 4 hours in advance of collection if you buy online.

dowie · 5 Apr 2015 at 14:53

exchange rate is rubbish at the post office

best places if you absolutely have to are the specialist fx places

though do you absolutely need the EUR in the UK? Better to use a debit/credit card (ideally clarity or similar) when you're abroad

Redgie · 5 Apr 2015 at 14:55

Clarity card if it fits your situation, Travelex if not.

Jono8 · 5 Apr 2015 at 14:59

I used tesco travel money recently. They use travelex and because i have a tesco credit card i could use that with no fees. Also free delivery to your local tesco as well.

cainer · 5 Apr 2015 at 15:04

http://travelmoney.moneysavingexper...ros/collection/weeks/200-pounds-worth#results

the link above shows what you can get for £200 if you collect,
i was in the PO yesterday and the woman being seved infront of me payed £80 for 100 euro's (1.25 to the £) which is crap, always order online/phone first

Redgie · 5 Apr 2015 at 15:08

Jono8 said:
I used tesco travel money recently. They use travelex and because i have a tesco credit card i could use that with no fees. Also free delivery to your local tesco as well.

They use Travelex but their rates are not necessarily the same. I fell for that one before

Nursie · 5 Apr 2015 at 15:10

I used Moneycorp recently for a trip to Italy. Collected from their office at the airport before flying out.

Their rate was better than my bank or the post office.

Captain · 5 Apr 2015 at 15:12

I used sainsburys recently, best price i could get.

Jono8 · 5 Apr 2015 at 16:36

Redgie said:
They use Travelex but their rates are not necessarily the same. I fell for that one before

No they are ever so slightly worse, but being able to use a credit card and free delivery actually made it better overall.

[TW]Fox · 5 Apr 2015 at 17:42

Jono8 said:
No they are ever so slightly worse, but being able to use a credit card and free delivery actually made it better overall.

You can use a credit card at pretty much any FX place, but you shouldn't as it's treated by your credit card company as a cash advance with additional fees and costs. You are already getting yourself totally conned by changing cash at a foreign exchange so don't turn it into a double con by buying cash using a credit card.

thep02 · 5 Apr 2015 at 17:55

I'm sure when my ex changed £ to € late last year her bank did it for no fee and at the real exchange rate but that's only hearsay.

Tonester0011 · 5 Apr 2015 at 18:15

I never really worry about getting Euros prior to going on the continent as i get on the boats (or train) but as freight we get better rates than normal people

PO is alright though?

cainer · 5 Apr 2015 at 18:23

tbh even using my barclays debit card works out better than changing £ into Euro's (< 3%) but its nice to have some Euro cash in your pocket when you go abroad,
you will get the usual suspects saying "OMFG you dont have a clarity card??? OMFG newb" but lets be real, not everyone can get one, and its nice to have some Euro cash laying around for day trips

Jono8 · 5 Apr 2015 at 18:30

[TW]Fox;27873030 said:
You can use a credit card at pretty much any FX place, but you shouldn't as it's treated by your credit card company as a cash advance with additional fees and costs. You are already getting yourself totally conned by changing cash at a foreign exchange so don't turn it into a double con by buying cash using a credit card.

? No you misunderstand. As I have a Tesco credit card there were no additional fees (cash advance fees or otherwise). What i was saying is that through Tesco, using a Tesco credit card and having it delivered to a store it worked out cheaper than any other exchange.

I only bought some for future holiday money as i suspect the gbp to euro rate will not stay this good for long. It has already dropped below the rate i got.

I do intend to get a clarity card soon though.

dowie · 5 Apr 2015 at 18:36

thep02 said:
I'm sure when my ex changed £ to € late last year her bank did it for no fee and at the real exchange rate but that's only hearsay.

they didn't do it for 'no fee', the fee is in the spread

HPTL7 · 5 Apr 2015 at 20:02

I converted it back here in September 14.
http://www.coventgardenfx.com/
I sent it through post. Got it within two days iirc.

MisChief · 5 Apr 2015 at 23:22

Eurochange are pretty good.

iamdjdz · 6 Apr 2015 at 04:26

I use my debit card and always take money out of atms as there is usually no transaction fee, that you would get if you bought an item in a shop for example. The rate is generally better than simply changing but obviously not as useful if you only have cash in sterling.

Failing that prepay cards are worth looking into as these can have very good rates but are obviously a little more hassle and you need 'backup' money if you don't put loads on
Worth getting one you can top up online from your bank.