Holiday money exchange rates

Debncreme can you tell me more about the Europecard?

DH & I are about to embark on a European road trip for a few months and are looking for the most economical and safe way to manage our money while we are travelling.

We have used Travelex and collected at Heathrow and they were fine. No experience of other airports though.
Otherwise we use the Post Office online and have it delivered to the local PO. Their rates are usually one of the best.

A slight deviation - the Bath pound has been launched today and we already have the Bristol pound which has been up and running for a while. They hope that visitors to the area will be able to exchange one for t'other when visiting both areas. Does this mean there will be Local Exchange Rates?

Back to the OP sorry we had holiday money delivered to our home some years ago and it was most successful. Travelex sounds familiar but I am not 100% sure. Now as we stay in Europe we use a Europecard and keep cash in pockets to a minimum.

Maggie, thanks for that.
However Believe it or not I contacted them and got a quote, then contacted my usual place and voila got a "slightly" better rate from them!
Strange or what ?

Sorry Nonu, only just got back to this thread, and yes, we feel Travelex is very safe and my son who travels widely through his work, was the one who suggested we try it and We have no problems and we use it each time we travel now.

Nonu I think I have used my debit card online to buy currency. Am sure you could pay cash at Heathrow, if you buy from travel agents they will often do cash only.

I have a foreign currency card, loads in £ Stirling but you can use in any ATM. As it is preloaded you have good control and it comes with a spare so money transferred to spare with one text message if one gets lost or stolen. I carry a small amount of dollars in small denominations as well as some Euros. This has worked for me all over the world.

PITT , you get points from M/S for getting currency from them ?

I get mine from M&S too. I have an M&S credit card which gives better rates and no commission and you get points towards new knickers!!

I always get mine from Marks - their rate tends to be fair and they do not charge commission - also I can use my bank debit card (Halifax) with no charge - some banks do charge though I think.

Purple do you have to pay by credit card ?If you get them from Heathrow can you pay cash ?

Where I go in Greece it is strictly cash only, people get caught out all the time trying to pay with cards.

I have a Post Office Credit card which gives an excellent rate of exchange ( much better than getting cash here) when paying for goods abroad. Saves taking a lot of cash.
Check out the Nationwide too - I know they are good too but can't remember the details.

Personally I have never had a problem with them, but they have branches at major airports so you can order online and collect from the branch. Ordering online means you are not on the high street with wedges of cash, you just have to leave time to do it. Rates are usually better too and most do next day secure delivery.

Maggie, are Travelex safe and reputable ?
Why I ask is that some friends nearly got stung a couple of years ago , so have always been apprehensive, usually get ours from a travel agent !

Purple daffodil and MaggieP many thanks, I have worked it all out and will order tonight!

I have used Travelex several times and delivery to home has minimal charge or nothing if you are buying a lot of currency. Always have the best rate.
You can check on that, on line. Otherwise if flying you can pre order and collect at any airport at a designated place.

I use the Moneysavingexpert currency calculator which gives you rates with postage. Using this I have bought online several times, no problems at all. Have used several different companies too depending on which gives best rates.

Some charge for delivery, some don't.

Does it still work out a better rate when you have factured in any delivery charge or buy back rate ? I've never used them so would be interested to find out.