Foreign Currency

[Burnsy2023]

What's the best way to do this? Open a Metro bank account and withdraw cash? What other options do I have to get the best deal?

I know Fox knows much about this but he posts so much I can't find his words of wisdom

 

[Wizzfizz]

I'm sure he'll be here in 1... 2... 3...

 

[Rotty]

and odd one but amongst the poker community (message boards etc) £ and Euro are traded all the time (both ways) at spot rates, probably a bit scary for an outsider but I have never heard of anyone being ripped off

I bought some Euro recently at 1c better than spot with free RMSD thrown in

 

[[TW]Fox]

For cash yes, the best way is Metrobank.

Next best is a Halifax Clarity credit card which has zero fees and zero loading but does charge interest from day of withdrawal on cash. Pay it off monthly and this is a negligible amount.

Ignore FairFX cards etc, they just give you an inferior rate.

 

[Burnsy2023]

For cash yes, the best way is Metrobank.

Next best is a Halifax Clarity credit card which has zero fees and zero loading but does charge interest from day of withdrawal on cash. Pay it off monthly and this is a negligible amount.

Ignore FairFX cards etc, they just give you an inferior rate.

For metro bank is it just a normal current account?

 

[memyselfandi]

What currency?

I ask as in the things purchased thread you had some plane tickets to Japan and there can be limitations on using foreign cards there which mean that relying on just having a card may not be the best idea.

 

[koolpc]

I am going to France soon. Is it best to get a wad of Euros or do card machines charge a lot? I am with Nationwide

 

[Jez]

For metro bank is it just a normal current account?

Normal current account. Only catch is you must open in branch.

 

[Ironic Namesake]

What currency?

I ask as in the things purchased thread you had some plane tickets to Japan and there can be limitations on using foreign cards there which mean that relying on just having a card may not be the best idea.

I remember some ATMs in Japan not accepting foreign cards but overall I don't remember having any major issues there.

 

[GhostlyPea]

My HSBC Visa Debit card was fine in Japan as was my Natwest Mastercard. The main issue that that they aren't everywhere like in the UK. You need to find the 7-11s

- GP

 

[memyselfandi]

I remember some ATMs in Japan not accepting foreign cards but overall I don't remember having any major issues there.

A lot of Bank ATMs don't tend to accept foreign cards in my experience ... Post Office ATMs tend to work though ... but access isn't 24x7 to those. Quite a few shops, particularly smaller ones, don't necessary accept cards at all. It's not a problem if you are aware and plan accordingly.

My Natwest VISA debit worked fine in Post Office ATMs but I know several who got into embarrassing situations when they tried to use UK debit cards (modern VISA or Mastercard ones) which weren't accepted where they tried to use them.

 

[Burnsy2023]

Normal current account. Only catch is you must open in branch.

Not a problem a I will be in London for one thing or another soon.

What currency?

I ask as in the things purchased thread you had some plane tickets to Japan and there can be limitations on using foreign cards there which mean that relying on just having a card may not be the best idea.

Indeed, JPY spending cash.

I remember some ATMs in Japan not accepting foreign cards but overall I don't remember having any major issues there.

I never had issues when I was there last year. It'll probably be only for a few transactions anyway.