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Traveling Internationally? Order Foreign Currency Before You Go

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Upon landing in a foreign country, expect a lot of lines. There’s immigration, passport control and customs inspection. But there’s one line you can — and absolutely should — skip: the airport currency exchange.

Not only does the airport currency exchange counter’s line cut into precious time abroad, but it’s typically a terrible money move. Airport currency exchange rates are among the worst you’ll find.

It’s not uncommon to see airport exchanges charging 14% more than the current International Monetary Fund (IMF) exchange rate. NerdWallet even found some premiums exceeding 17%. Some also charge additional fees on top of the poor exchange rate.

So what do you do if you need cash upon arrival to order a cab or tip the bellhop? Consider ordering foreign currency before you fly.

Most banks allow you to order foreign currencies, which you can typically pick up at a local branch before your trip. Some banks offer to ship currencies to you, and sometimes they don’t even charge extra for postage if you order a certain amount.

Plus, the exchange rate are usually quite good. For instance, at Bank of America, the exchange rates we checked in January 2024 average roughly 6% more than the IMF rates — and less than half of what the airport currency exchanges are charging.

Just check your own bank's exchange rate to ensure it's optimal before initiating the transaction.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

How to order foreign currency from your bank

While the exact process varies by bank, most major banks make it easy to order online.

Typically you can access the currency exchange webpage through your bank’s website or mobile app, or by phone. From there, you usually enter the currency you need, add the desired amount, select the pickup method and place your order.

While you can generally expect a solid exchange rate, use a trusted source such as Reuters or the International Monetary Fund to find current exchange rates and ensure you get a fair deal.

Additionally, understand all the fees involved. For example, Citi charges a $5 service fee for transactions under $1,000, though it’s waived for clients with premium bank accounts .

Or you might get charged a shipping fee. Bank of America’s standard shipping costs $7.50, but overnight shipping is $20. Sometimes you can avoid shipping fees by opting to pick up the cash at a local branch or by being a loyal customer. Bank of America Preferred Rewards program members get free standard shipping.

There’s also generally a minimum amount of foreign currency you can order ($100 or $200 is common) and a maximum ($10,000 within a 30-day period is common).

Other good ways to pay abroad

If it’s too late to order foreign currency from your bank, here are other ways to curtail currency fees :

Find an in-network ATM abroad

Major banks usually have branches abroad or partner with other banks to create a network. Using those ATMs often provides a decent exchange rate while eliminating out-of-network ATM fees.

If you end up using a non-network ATM, pay attention to ATM fees , which vary but usually run about $5 per transaction. Given that, consider limiting ATM debit transactions by withdrawing the amount you think you’ll need for the entire trip, or at least a large portion of it.

ATM availability is more common in some places than others. Macau has the highest number of ATMs per capita with 316 ATMs per 100,000 adults, based on 2021 data from the World Bank Group. Uruguay, Canada and Austria are other destinations with the most ATMs per capita.

But other countries tend to have far fewer. For example, Kenya had fewer than 7 ATMs per 100,000 adults and Nepal had only 20 ATMs per 100,000 adults, according to the same data.

Pay with a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees

Depending on the card, you might get dinged with foreign transaction fees of 1%-3% when you make purchases at non-U.S. retailers abroad.

That’s why it’s wise to carry a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card abroad.

on Chase's website

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. .

Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel. .

Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. .

» Learn more: The best no-foreign-transaction-fee cards

And more international merchants are taking plastic. This wider card acceptance and increased security are reasons travelers are ditching cash, according to the Visa Global Travel Intentions Study 2023, which polled more than 15,000 people in the Asian Pacific region between April and June 2023.

While this type of card won’t help you pay at cash-only businesses or get money for tips, it’s otherwise one of the smartest ways to pay internationally.

» Frequent travelers: Consider a multicurrency account

Try paying in cash dollars

If all else fails, offer to pay in U.S. dollars. In fact, some merchants or individuals accepting tips prefer it in certain countries. You might find vendors willing to give you an even better deal if you pay with U.S. dollars.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

American Express® Gold Card

Access over $400 annually in benefits value with the American Express® Gold Card on eligible dining and travel purchases. Learn more here.

• Money Transfer
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The fast and trusted way to send money

Millions of people check our international rates and send money online to 200 countries in 100 currencies.

You are currently located in a country where we do not support money transfers. If you have residency in any of the countries listed here , you may still be able to send money with Xe!

The xe advantage.

How much can you save when sending international money transfers with Xe?

Why choose Xe

30+ years of excellence, fast transfers.

Send money in seconds to your loved ones across the world.

Transparent Fees

We always strive to give you the best rate with simple fees.

We protect your money and data with legal compliance and policy.

Send money online, at home or on the go

The Xe app has everything you need for international money transfers. It's easy, secure, and has no hidden fees.

What people are saying

50,000 customers recommend xe, 6 easy steps, how to send money online with xe, sign up for free.

Sign in to your Xe account or sign up for free. It takes just a few minutes, all you need is an email address

Get a quote

Let us know the currency you'd like to transfer, how much money you want to send and the destination.

Add your recipient

Provide your recipient's payment information (you'll need details like their name and address).

Verify your identity

For some transfers, we may need identifying documents to confirm it’s really you and keep your money safe.

Confirm your quote

Confirm and fund your transfer with a bank account, credit card, or debit card and you're done!

Track your transfer

See where your money is and when it arrives to your recipient. Get live chat, phone and email support.

Ready to get started?

Sign up and save on your next transfer, send money to over 200 countries in 100+ currencies, direct debit ach.

Direct Debit, or Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments take funds directly from your bank account.

Wire Transfer

Wire transfers will move money by transferring from your bank to ours. We usually receive money in 24 hours.

Debit or Credit Card

Card payments typically take less than 24 hours. However, card payments come with a small additional fee.

Connecting the World

Send money destinations, frequently asked questions.

Send money online with Xe easily in these steps:

Log in or register for a free profile.

Select 'Destination country' for your transfer.

Enter the amount in 'You send' or 'Recipient gets' for currency conversion. For specific amounts, complete 'Recipient gets' first.

Choose a payment method: 'Direct Debit (ACH)', 'Debit Card', 'Credit Card', or 'Wire Transfer'. For urgent transfers, use debit or credit card.

Send to recipient's bank account, or if available, arrange cash pickup or send to a mobile wallet.

Provide recipient's details and transfer reason.

For bank transfers, await a confirmation email with our bank details to make the payment.

Send your money!

The cost of sending your money to another country changes based on how you choose to pay, the type of money you're sending, and where you're sending. If you use the Xe app or go online, you can see the exact cost before you send your money. Because we use live exchange rates, the cost of your transfer might change before you finish the transaction. If that happens, we'll let you know right away. In some countries, people have to pay a fee when they use a credit or debit card for their money transfer. This fee is a percentage of the total amount you're sending. Also, if you use a credit card, your card company might charge you a separate fee called a cash advance fee. If you need to send money fast, we recommend using a card — most card transfers are completed within minutes. If you pay with a bank or wire transfer, you won't have to pay a fee, but it could take up to four business days for the money to get to the person you're sending it to.

Initiating a money transfer reveals typical durations. Delivery time estimates may change based on currency, destination, and payment method. Track transfers using the Activity screen on the Xe app or website and chat live with our virtual assistant, Lexi, for assistance.

Fastest payment options: Transfers begin once we've received your payment. Card payments are the quickest, processed almost instantly. Choose card payment for urgent transfers. Bank transfers, direct debits, and ACH are a bit slower, taking up to 2 business days to reach us.

Delivery timeframes: After receiving your payment, we send your money. Allow 1 to 3 business days for transfers to reach recipients, depending on currency and destination. For concerns, chat with Lexi to track transfers.

For your security, we do have limits on how much you can send in a single online transfer .

Online transfer limit per region: UK & Europe (GBEU): £ 350,000 GBP or sending currency equivalent United States (US): $535,000 USD or sending currency equivalent Canada (CA): $560,000 CAD or sending currency equivalent Australia & New Zealand (AUNZ): or sending currency equivalent

The payment method you choose may also determine how much you can send with us. Read our FAQs for more information and view a list of payment methods available to you.

Customers in Canada and the USA paying by bank or wire transfer: Customers in Canada need to send $3000 CAD or more to pay by bank or wire transfer Customers in the USA need to send $3000 USD or more to pay by bank or wire transfer

Since the transfer’s going directly to your bank account, the sender will need to have the bank information handy to send the transfer.

Make sure that the sender knows the following information:

Your address (your residential address, not the bank’s address)

Your bank account number

Your BIC or SWIFT code

Your bank name

Most transfers will arrive on the same day, but occasionally some recipient banks can take between 1-4 days to deposit the money in your account. Depending on the payment method and the delivery route, it could even reach you in just a few minutes.

The money will be automatically deposited into your account. No need to head out to your local bank’s branch and wait in line; just wait for your bank to notify you that there’s been a deposit in your account.

Send money directly to friends and family's mobile devices in 35+ countries with Xe.

Mobile wallets provide a fast, secure way to send, store, and receive money. Once we receive payment, the transfer is available in the recipient's wallet app within minutes.

Available to UK, Europe, Canada, New Zealand, and USA customers from app version 7.14.0 and online. Update your app for the latest features.

To send money to a mobile wallet:

Log in to your Xe account online or in the app.

Click 'Send' in the app, or 'Send money' online.

Choose the 'Destination country'.

Complete 'You send' or 'Recipient gets' field.

Select a payment method. For urgent transfers, use debit or credit card.

Choose 'Mobile wallet' as the delivery option.

Provide the transfer reason.

Pay for your transfer.

We'll send the money to the recipient's mobile wallet upon receiving your payment.

Cash pickup lets Xe users in Canada, New Zealand, Europe, the UK, and the USA send money quickly in physical form.

As a sender, pick an amount and pay. We'll generate a PIN for your recipient to collect the money at a chosen location, subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Choose it as your preferred delivery option during the regular sending process.

For new customers, select the currencies and destination country, then switch from bank transfer to cash pickup if available. If not, select another delivery option.

Pay for cash pickups with credit/debit card or ACH (US only).

Recipients can collect money at a specific store or any branch of selected partners. You'll decide the location during the payment process.

After payment, you'll see the pickup location and PIN. Share the PIN with your recipient. They'll need valid government-issued ID and the PIN to collect the money.

If you send more than $50,000 USD a year (or local currency equivalent) you are eligible for this service.

Here are just a few things the team can help you with: Support with setting up large transfers Setting up a forward order to lock in the current send rate for up to 24 months Creating market orders to enable you to send money when a target rate is achieved Creating a regular payment for making regular, automated transfers with fixed rates, just like your usual direct debits

If you would like to speak with a member of our team, you can call us using the below details: United Kingdom (GB): +441753441800 (8am-6pm GMT) Europe (EU): +441753441800 (8am-6pm GMT) New Zealand (NZ): +6499054625 (9am-7pm NZT) Australia (AU): +61280745279 (9am-7pm NZT) United States (US): +17372557830 (7am-5pm PT) Canada (CA): +16474753660 (7am-5pm PT) Looking for more information on large money transfers? Check out our Large Money Transfer page.

Get in touch with our Customer Care Team via phone, email, or Live Chat for assistance with your query.

To help us serve you better, please keep your contract number (starts with 'C' and looks like C12345678) handy, which can be found in your transfer confirmation email or in your account online.

Phone: Xe Money Transfer Support +1-877-932-6640

Customer care representatives available: Monday to Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Midnight to 5pm (PT) Saturday: Closed Sunday: 1pm to midnight (PT)

Live Chat: Click the blue Chat With Us button in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen (if you don't see this button, we're offline just now).

We can chat to you in over 100 languages and usually respond within 2 minutes.

Email: Complete our contact form and a member of our team will respond to you by email within 48 hours and in one of over 100 languages.

Check the status of your money transfer, or take an action to get it moving, in the app or in your online account.

Track your money transfer in the app: 1. Open Track screen 2. Click transfer for status and timeline Track your money transfer in your online account: 1. Open Activity screen 2. Click Details, Share, or Resend for actions

Ask Lexi to track your money transfer: 1. Click 'Chat with us' 2. Enter contract number (e.g. C12345678) 3. Lexi provides status update

With transfer open (app or online): View transfer timeline Make changes (based on status) Access bank details for payment Upload required info Repeat completed transfers

We’ve been in the currency business for 30 years and keeping your money and information safe is one of our top priorities.

We’re owned by the multibillion-dollar NASDAQ-listed company Euronet Worldwide (EEFT) and adhere to regulatory standards in every country we operate in, along with having enterprise-grade security measures in place.

We’ve built up our reputation as a secure service on years of trustworthy transfers. We’ve processed over $115 billion in 170 countries for over 112,000 customers. We know the money transfer business, and we are committed to creating a perfect transfer experience for you.

As an international company, our business is mandated to meet regulatory standards such as:

- Europe's GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) - Canada's Privacy Act - The US Privacy Act

Our corporate traders and forward contract options minimize the erosion of your money from fees and turbulent currency values.

Travel Money

• Clubcard Prices Clubcard Prices

Clubcard Prices are available for all currencies, just enter your Clubcard number on the next page. Full T&Cs below.

• Click & Collect Click & Collect

Collect for free from more than 350 Tesco stores with a Bureau de change.

• Home Delivery Home Delivery

Free delivery on orders worth £500 or more.

Exchange rates may vary during the day and will vary whether buying in store, online or via phone.

Select currency

Error: Please select if you have a Clubcard to continue

Do you have a Tesco Clubcard?

How much would you like?

Error: Please enter an amount between £75 and £2,500

British Travel Awards 2024

Tesco Bank has been entered into the British Travel Awards 2024 for Best Retailer for Forex/Travel Money.

Votes are cast by our valued customers like you, so every vote is important to us.

If you're happy with our Travel Money service, please take time to vote for us.

Voting closes at 11:59pm on 29 September 2024.

Find a Store to get your Travel Money

With Click & Collect you can order your travel money online and pick it up from selected Tesco stores near you, or you can buy instantly from an in-store travel money bureau.

Enter a postcode or location

Search results

3 easy ways to purchase Travel Money

Click & collect.

• Order online and choose to collect from over 500 Tesco store locations Order online and choose to collect from over 500 Tesco store locations
• Pick a collection day that works for you Pick a collection day that works for you
• Order Euros, US Dollars and selected in season currencies before 2pm and you can pick up from most stores the next day Order Euros , US Dollars and selected in season currencies before 2pm and you can pick up from most stores the next day

About Click & Collect

Home delivery

• Order online by 2pm Mon-Thurs for next day delivery (excludes bank and public holidays), to most parts of the UK Order online by 2pm Mon-Thurs for next day delivery (excludes bank and public holidays), to most parts of the UK
• Free delivery for orders of £500 or more Free delivery for orders of £500 or more
• Secure delivery via Royal Mail Special Delivery Secure delivery via Royal Mail Special Delivery

About Home Delivery

Buy in-store

• Buy your foreign currency instantly in our travel money bureaux in selected Tesco stores across the UK Buy your foreign currency instantly in our travel money bureaux in selected Tesco stores across the UK
• Turn unspent travel money back into Pounds with our Buy Back service Turn unspent travel money back into Pounds with our Buy Back service

About Buy Back

Best Travel Money Provider 2023/24

Now in it’s 26th year and voted for by the public, the Personal Finance Awards celebrate the best business and products in the UK personal finance market. We’re delighted that you voted us as Best Travel Money Provider 2023/24.

Additional Information

Ordering and collection.

You can pick a collection date when you're ordering your money. Order before 2pm and you can pick up Euros, US Dollars and in season currencies from most Tesco Travel Money bureaux the next day. Other currencies can take up to five days. Alternatively, you can order any currency for next weekday delivery to most of the selected customer service desks.

Please make sure you collect your money within four days of your chosen date. If you don't, your order will be returned and your purchase will be refunded, minus a £10 administration charge.

Will I be charged if I cancel my order?

Collection fees

Click and collect from stores with a Bureaux de change:

• Free for all orders

For non-bureaux stores with a click and collect function:

• £2.50 for orders of £100.00 - £499.99
• Free for orders of £500 or more

What to bring

For security, travel money will need to be picked up by the person who placed the order.

• a valid photo ID – either a passport, EU ID card, or full UK driving license (we do not accept provisional driving licenses)
• your order reference number
• the card you used to place the order (you’ll also need to know the card’s PIN)

Home Delivery

We can send your travel money directly to you via secure Royal Mail Special Delivery. You can even pick the delivery date that suits you best.

We also offer next-day home delivery on all currencies to most parts of the UK if ordered before 2pm Monday-Thursday.

Check the Royal Mail site to find out if your postcode is eligible for next day delivery

Delivery costs

£4.99 for orders of £100 - £499.99 Free for orders of £500 or more

• You’ll need to make sure there’s someone at home to sign for your delivery.
• Bank holidays and public holidays will affect delivery times.
• We are unable to cancel or amend home delivery orders after they have been placed.

Clubcard Prices

Clubcard Prices are available on the sell rate only for currencies in stock online, on your date of purchase. The Clubcard Price will be better than the standard rate advertised online on the date of purchase. When purchasing online you must enter a valid Clubcard number to obtain the Clubcard Price rate. Exchange rates may vary whether buying in store, online or by phone.

Clubcard Prices apply to foreign currency notes in stock on your date of online purchase. Due to constant market and currency fluctuations, rates on the date of purchase cannot be compared to another day’s rates. The actual rate you receive may vary depending on market fluctuations. Clubcard data is captured by Travelex on behalf of Tesco Bank.

Check out the Tesco Bank privacy policy to find out more.

Buying foreign currency using a credit or debit card

No matter how you purchase your travel money, whether it be in store, online or over the phone, you will not be charged any card handling fee by us. However, regardless of your card type, your card provider may apply fees, e.g. cash advance fees or other fees, so please check with them before you purchase your travel money.

Click & Collect cancellations

You can cancel a Click & Collect order any time prior to collection. We'll refund you with the full Sterling amount that you paid for your order, unless you cancel less than 24 hours before your collection date, in which case we'll charge a £10 late cancellation fee.

We are unable to refund any fees charged by your card issuer, so please contact them if you have any further queries.

When you get home, we'll buy your travel money back

Let us turn your unspent holiday money into Pounds. It couldn't be simpler.

Just pop into one of our in-store Travel Money Bureaux when you get home. We buy back all the currencies we sell in most banknote values and also the Multi-currency Cash Passport™. Buy back rates may vary during the day.

It doesn't matter where you bought your travel money, even if it wasn't from a Tesco Travel Money Bureau, we'll still buy it back.

More about currency buy back

How our Price Match works

If you find a better exchange rate advertised by another provider within three miles of your chosen Tesco Travel Money Bureau, on the same day, we'll match it.

Price Match only applies in store on a like-for-like basis on sell transactions and does not apply to any exchange rate advertised online or by phone. This is not available in conjunction with any other offer. We reserve the right to verify the rate you have found and the three mile distance (using an appropriate route planning tool).

See full terms and conditions below.

Tesco Travel Money is provided by Travelex

Tesco Travel Money ordered in store is provided by Travelex Agency Services Limited. Registered No. 04621879. Tesco Travel Money ordered online or by telephone is provided by Travelex Currency Services Limited. Registered No. 03797356. Registered Office for both companies: Worldwide House, Thorpewood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB.

Multi-currency Cash Passport is issued by PrePay Technologies Limited pursuant to license by Mastercard® International. PrePay Technologies Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN: 900010) for the issuing of electronic money and payment instruments. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

How much travel money will I need?

Whether it’s a burger in Brisbane or a taxi in Toronto, get a feel for how far your travel money might go with our foreign currency guides. We’ll help you manage your travel budget like a pro.

• Turkish Lira
• Australian Dollars
• Canadian Dollars
• Polish Zloty
• VIEW ALL CURRENCIES
• canadian dollars
• ALL BUY BACKS
• US Dollar Card
• Multi-currency Card

Travel Money Comparison

Get the best exchange rates when you buy or sell foreign currency online

• buy Currency
• sell Currency

What Currency do you want to buy?

How much do you want to spend, what currency do you want to sell, how much do you want to sell, buy currency, sell currency, why use a travel money comparison site.

Have you ever started researching the best rates between different travel money providers?

We know it can be overwhelming: the different suppliers, their different offers and of course, the ever-changing currency exchange rates. It's a lot of information to process and compile!

Our comparison site takes the stress out of researching and does it all for you. FInd the travel money supplier that will get you the best rate today.

• ✓ Compare Travel Cash is a non-biased travel money comparison site.
• ✓ To ensure our independence, we always use transparent, objective and verifiable criteria in our comparisons.
• ✓ Our mission is to show you the best rates so you can save when buying your travel money.
• ✓ We constantly update our exchange rates as they change for each money exchange supplier, and whilst we try to do this in almost real-time, there will be times when our data is slightly out of date (in normal circumstances, not more than 5 minute). Our travel money comparison site is designed to save you money by showing you the latest rates.
• ✓ We check out all the companies we list, ensuring they are reputable suppliers and pass our standards before we list them.
• ✓ We value your privacy.  We do not sell your data - you don't even need to give us your information to use our site.  Even if you choose to, it is safe with us, we will never pass it on to third parties.
• ✓ You won't get cheaper rates if you go directly to the supplier, at times, we may have discounts and incentives that you would not get by going direct!
• ✓ We do sometimes make money - but we don't make it from you.  We will never add fees or commissions to the travel money rates on the site.

Frequently asked questions

It's a great idea to buy your currency online to ensure you get the best exchange rate. You can often get much better deals online compared to what you can find on the high street or the airport. In fact ccording to recent surveys, 9 out of 10 tourists find that exchanging money at airports is the most expensive option.

The best thing about buying your travel money online through a comparison site is seeing all currency prices in one place, so whether you are buying euros , buying dollars or other currencies you get the best rate for your travel money and more importantly save time!

The quickest way to get the best currency exchange rate is by using our comparison tool . We compare the latest information from all the best travel money providers in the market to show you the best currency exchange rates.

Keep an eye out for the following when searching for the best currency exchange deals so you can choose the best option for buying your holiday money:

• High exchange rate - The higher the exchange rate number, the more holiday money you will get to the pound
• Delivery Charges - different currency providers charge different amounts for delivering your holiday money to your door
• Special offer - We will let you know if the providers are offering travel money deals

Commission is the fee that travel money providers charge for the service to exchange your money into foreign currency . The charge is usually included in the exchange rate they advertise. You will see that many foreign exchange companies advertise 0% commission, they are still charging you by including the charge in the rates.

All the travel money prices we quote include any fees and commissions, including delivery!

The simple answer is yes! Usually, the minimum order amount for foreign currency is £100, and the maximum is usually £7,500, although some providers allow you to exchange more.

Travel money is normally sent via special delivery service with Royal Mail. Travel cash orders worth more than £2,500 will be sent via a courier or multiple Royal Mail packages. This is for insurance reasons, making sure your travel money is safe.

This depends on the currency provider. Some providers offer next-day delivery, sending your travel money using Royal Mail's Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm service. There will be an extra cost for this and you can see how much when you compare the holiday money prices.

Don't forget, many foreign currency providers also allow you to pre-order currency and you can collect it in store, this means you can avoid delivery charges.

Most do, any holiday money that you have leftover after your trip abroad can be sold using a buy-back service that will convert it back to pounds. Our comparison tool will show you the providers offering the best buy-back rates .

Every few of minutes we compare the exchange rates and latest currency deals from the best travel money providers in the UK. You can see instantly who is offering the best deals and choose a service that suits your needs best.

Also, if you've come home from a trip abroad and have leftover currency, we compare many foreign currency buy back companies, showing the best rates to convert your foreign currency back into pounds.

Hundreds of customers order travel money through our site daily and have a great experience. However, as with ordering anything online, the process is never completely risk-free and you should always take care when transfering money to any company.

We undertake comprehensive checks on all of our providers and monitor them to make sure they meet our high standards and continue to do so. Having said that, no company is guaranteed not to come into trouble and we cannot guarantee the solvency of any of the providers listed on our website. We always recommend that you conduct your own due diligence before placing an order with any company.

There are many destinations where taking some local currency is extremely useful to make sure you are covered in places where credit cards are not accepted. Many of the smaller retailers globally will not allow credit cards, so cash is the only option.

Read our blog post on taking cash on holiday .

The best time to buy any travel money is when the pound is performing strongly relative to the currency you are buying, this means it will have a higher exchange rate, so will give you more currency for your money. The amount you receive is calculated by multiplying the exchange rate by the amount of pounds you want to spend, so the higher the exchange rate, the more foreign currency you get.

Exchange rates are constantly changing but we show you the historical exchange rate performance for each of the currencies so you can have more of an idea of whether now is a good time to buy your travel money.

Exchange rates tend to be very similar wherever you are in the world to those offered in the UK, however waiting until you are away means you may be stuck with poor exchange rates, fewer options of places to offer competitive rates or even worse, you may have to pay big additional fees and commissions. By buying your travel money in the UK there are no hidden fees, charges or nasty surprises, you know exactly how much you are getting.

Once you have found the best rate, place an order on the currency suppliers’ site, and pay for your currency.Each currency supplier has different payment options, including bank transfer, debit card, with some suppliers offering payment by Apple pay and Android pay. Once your order has been confirmed your order will be prepared and your currency sent to you by registered delivery, some suppliers even offer next-day delivery.

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The best travel money belts of 2024 excel in comfort, style and security. These belts are not just fashionable, they are also equipped with the latest technology like RFID-blocking to protect your personal information from theft. Particularly noteworthy is a model that offers sizes adaptable to multiple waist measurements. After all, securing your cash and

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The perfect carry-on case for airline travel fits within the usual size limits of 22 x 14 x 9 inches. This ensures it complies with most airlines’ overhead bin space restrictions. Despite this uniformity, some international airlines may have varying rules, so cross-checking with your specific airline before purchasing a case is a smart move.

What currency is used in Dublin, Ireland? A clear answer for travellers

Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, is a popular tourist destination known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture. As a result, many people who plan to visit Dublin may wonder what currency is used in the city. The official currency of Ireland is the Euro, which is used throughout the country, including

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A world of choices with Travelex.

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A world of choices.

Loads of currencies from popular destinations and multiple ways to get them.

Currencies available on the Travelex Money Card

Currencies available in cash, options to get it with home delivery, click & collect, and atms., click & collect locations in the uk including airports..

A world of possibilities with Travelex Money Card

Popular currencies

We have 45+ currencies available, with 22 of these available on our Travelex Money Card

On your doorstep, or on the fly.

Order travel money online to get great rates and choose home delivery or click and collect from stores or the airport.

Home delivery

Spend more time packing, planning, and working on your tan with home delivery.

• Fast, secure, convenient
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Order online and pick up on your way. Over 25 locations in stores and airports across the UK.

• Lock in your exchange rate 1
• EUR and USD available from as little as 4 hours
• Located in major UK airports

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Skip the queues thanks to our very smart click & collect ATMs.

• Verification code (OTP) sent to your mobile
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• No withdrawal fee

We’ve got Heathrow covered.

Order online, collect on your way.

• Get online rates with the convenience of collecting at the terminal
• Collect EUR & USD from as little as 4 hours after ordering online
• Collect Travelex Money Card from as little as 4 hours after ordering online
• Find us easily in every Heathrow terminal
• Collect Travelex Money card from as little as 4 hours after ordering online

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• 1 Lock in your exchange rates mean the exchange rate is locked in for the initial load only. The exchange rates for subsequent reloads will be set at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of the transaction.
• 2 Although Travelex does not charge ATM fees, some operators may charge their own fee or set their own limits. We advise to check with the ATM operator before using.
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Get competitive rates and 0% commission for your holiday cash

Foreign currency

Find our best exchange rates online and enjoy 0% commission on over 60 currencies. And you can choose collection from your nearest branch or delivery to your home

Go cashless with our prepaid Mastercard®. Take advantage of contactless payment, load up to 22 currencies and manage everything with our app, making travel simple and secure

Order travel money

• UAE Dirham AED
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Delivery options, available branches and fees may vary by value and currency. Branch rates will differ from online rates. T&Cs apply .

Why get your holiday cash from Post Office?

• Order online, buy in branch, or choose delivery to your home or local branch 
• 100% refund guarantee* if your holiday’s cancelled, at the same exchange rate, excluding bank and delivery charges. Just send your receipts and evidence of cancellation to us within 28 days of purchase. *T&Cs apply
• Order euros or US dollars to collect in branch in as little as 2 hours

Euros and US dollars in 2 hours

Click and collect euros and US dollars in 2 hours. Terms and conditions apply 

Today’s online rates

Rate correct as of 17/08/2024

Travel Money Card (TMC) rates may differ. Branch rates may vary. Delivery methods may vary. Terms and conditions apply

Safe and secure holiday spending

Manage your holiday funds on a Travel Money Card with our free travel app. Top it up, freeze it, swap currencies, view your PIN and more.

New-look travel app out now

Our revamped travel app’s out now. It makes buying, topping up and managing Travel Money Cards with up to 22 currencies a breeze. Buying and accessing Travel Insurance on the move effortless. And it puts holiday extras like airport hotels, lounge access and more at your fingertips. All with an improved user experience. Find out what’s changed .

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Read our travel money FAQs or contact our team about buying currency online or in branch:

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Why Travel Money

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Compare travel money exchange rates

Get the best exchange rate by comparing travel money deals from the UK's top foreign exchange providers

Why compare exchange rates?

It's important to shop around for the best currency deals if you want to maximise your holiday money. Right now, there's a 5.6% difference between the best and worst euro exchange rates available online. It may not sound like a lot, but that's an instant saving of £56 if you were buying £1000 worth - just by choosing the best place to exchange your cash. Less-common currencies offer even more potential savings: you could get 15.5% more Turkish lira by going with the best deal. For Indian rupees, the saving is 11.6%, and for Thai baht it's 13.0%. That's a lot of extra Mekhong!

However, exchange rates aren't the only important factor when it comes to getting the best currency deal. Commission, delivery fees and payment surcharges can all affect the amount of currency you'll receive, which is why it's important to use a comparison website to check the best deals for you.

Our travel money comparisons can help you to get a great deal on your currency. We compare the exchange rates from a wide range of different providers, along with their fees and any other charges, so you can see how their rates stack up after all costs have been included. You can choose how you want to pay and whether you want to pick your currency up in person or get it delivered to your door. We'll even show you exclusive online-only deals that aren't available on the high street! Comparing is quick and easy - just select the currency you want to buy, tell us how much you want to spend and we'll do the rest.

It's almost always cheaper to buy your currency online compared to buying in-store.

• Some of the most competitive currency suppliers are online-only. Their operating costs are generally lower than high street stores, so they can afford to offer you better exchange rates
• Most suppliers offer free home delivery when you spend a minimum amount
• Many high street currency suppliers such as supermarkets and the Post Office offer better rates if you place your order online beforehand. By reserving your order online, you can guarantee the supplier's online rate and still collect your currency in person at a time that suits you

If you're spending less than £300, it can be more cost-effective to buy your currency in-store because the delivery charge may cancel out any savings you might have made on the exchange rate if you bought online. However, some currency suppliers charge a handling or processing fee for small orders when you buy in-store, so it's worth checking beforehand if you're only spending a smaller amount.

We recommend you place your order at least three working days before you need your currency. Most currency suppliers will dispatch your order on the same day they receive your payment if you pay before lunchtime, otherwise they'll post it on the next working day. Your order will be sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery which is a fully tracked and insured service that's guaranteed by Royal Mail to arrive on the next working day.

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Order your holiday money with complete confidence

Get the best travel money exchange rates delivered straight to your home, or through our quick and easy click-and-collect service.

Home Delivery

Enjoy a stress-free holiday! With our wide selection of currencies, everything from Euros to US dollars or Swiss Francs to Mexican Pesos, and our reliable Royal Mail delivery directly to your doorstep, you’ll never have to worry about holiday money again.

Click & Collect

CurrencyMax makes it effortless to order currency for your next holiday online and collect locally. Whether you need Euros for your upcoming mini-break, or you’re looking for the best rate on the US dollar, we make it effortless to access the currency you want.

Sell Back Leftover

Got cash left over from your last adventure? Not a problem. Sell it back to us at a competitive rate. It’s easier than ever to ensure you get the most out of your money with CurrencyMax.

Compare our rates

Compare today’s Euro exchange rate to see how many Euros you can buy for £500

CurrencyMax

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Reasons to get excited…

• Excellent online rates
• Excellent customer service
• Quick and easy
• Secure delivery

With more than 12 years of industry experience and a reputation for high-quality service, CurrencyMAX is your top choice for currency exchange online. We offer excellent competitive rates, a simple exchange process and delivery directly to your door. Whether you need South Korean Won or Saudi Riyals, we’re your top choice for quick holiday money without the stress and expense of finding a currency exchange shop.

Buy your travel money with CurrencyMax

Find your Currency

Simply select the amount of travel money you need

Pay for your Currency

Choose a preferred method of payment

Receive Home Delivery

We offer free delivery on all orders of £700 and over

and enjoy ...

All done! Now, sit back, relax and enjoy your trip

Huge range of holiday currencies covered

Our comprehensive coverage of more than 30 different currencies means we’re the one-stop location to get all of your international currency. Whether you’re planning a tour of the Americas or hitting a cruise for your next adventure, our currency exchange services cover everything you need in one place. See our complete list of currencies here now.

Whether you’re looking for Holiday Travel Money, Commercial Foreign Exchange Services or secure Global Money transfers we have the service you need at the price you want.

And its even better that you don’t have to come to us to get these excellent rates.

Popular Currencies

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• M&S Travel Money

Buy Travel Money

Currency calculator.

Our currency calculator is a quick and easy way to check our latest foreign currency exchange rates.

What do I need to bring to collect my foreign currency?

The benefits of exchanging your holiday money with M&S Bank

Wide range of foreign currencies.

We offer a wide range of foreign currencies in our Bureaux, with more available to order online. It is easy to compare travel money with M&S Bank. See footnote * *

As well as the euro and US dollar , our range includes currencies such as the UAE dirham, Bulgarian lev , Turkish lira , Thai baht and Mexican peso .

Travel money sale now on!

Click & Collect sale on euro and US dollar available until 11 April 2023.

£150 minimum order. Exchange rates will still fluctuate daily during the sale period, but you’ll receive the best rate applicable on the date your order is placed. Rates shown when placing your order are sale rates. Offer subject to availability, buy back not included. Cancellation fee and full T&Cs apply.

SameDay Click & Collect

• Order between £150 and £2,500
• Euro and US dollars available to order and collect in over 450 stores *
• Order and collect euro , US dollars , Turkish lira , New Zealand dollar , Australian dollar , Thai baht , Canadian dollar , South African rand and UAE dirham, from our Bureau the same day

Find my nearest Click and Collect store

Click & Collect † See footnote †

• A wide range of currencies available to collect from our in store Bureaux See footnote * *
• Order and collect from the next day

Our best rates on euro and US dollar when you Click & Collect

To get an even better exchange rate on euro and US dollar , use our Click & Collect service. Pay now and lock in today's rate, then collect from a store at a time convenient for you.

CHANGE4CHANGE

If you would like to donate your unused foreign currency to charity we have Change4Change collection boxes in our Bureaux, with all the money we collect going to Breast Cancer Now. Since 2007, we have raised over £630,000 for the charity via your Change4Change donations.

Find a Bureau

Travel money buy-back service

When your holiday is over, we'll buy back your leftover holiday money at the buy-back rate on the day you return it to the Bureau de Change. That's all unused notes in any denomination we sell.

Find out more about M&S Travel Money Buy Back service

If you would like to donate your unused foreign currency to charity we have Change4Change collection boxes in our Bureau stores, with all the money we collect going to Breast Cancer Now. Since 2007, we have raised over £630,000 for the charity via your Change4Change donations.

Find a bureau

When your holiday is over, we'll buy back your leftover holiday money at the buy-back rate on the day you return it to the bureau de change. That's all unused notes in any denomination we sell. Proof of purchase may be required so please retain your receipt, just in case.

Up to 55 days' interest-free credit when purchasing with an M&S Credit Card See footnote ** **

Representative example: based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200, our 24.9% rate per annum (variable) for purchases gives a representative rate of 24.9% APR (variable). Credit is subject to status.

No cash advance fee when M&S Travel Money is purchased using an M&S Credit Card.

What you'll need to bring

To collect foreign currency you've purchased online, you will need:

• A valid UK photographic driving licence, passport or EU national identity card (Romanian & Greek National ID Cards are not accepted)
• Your card you used to place your order - both ID and payment card must have the same name
• Your order number (this can be found on your confirmation email)

To purchase foreign currency in one of our Bureaux, you will need:

• A valid UK photographic driving licence, passport or EU national identity card - both ID and payment card must have the same name

Find my nearest M&S Bureau de Change

Use the M&S Bank Bureau Finder to find your nearest M&S Bureau de Change and opening hours.

Find a Bureau de Change

Manage your existing travel insurance policy

Want to renew, change or cancel your policy or need to make a claim?

Find out more - about managing your travel insurance policy

Need some winter sun?

Planning a winter sunshine break? Use our handy guide to help with your planning.

Ready to hit the slopes?

Thinking about a skiing holiday in Europe, North America or Asia? Use our guide to help you with your trip.

Planning to travel with cash?

Our guide explains how much money you can take abroad.

Learn more about the euro

How many countries use the euro? When was the euro first introduced? Find out more.

Using your credit card abroad

Going on holiday? Get to grips with how you can use a credit card outside of the UK.

What is RFID blocking technology?

If you are concerned about having your passport or credit card skimmed whilst abroad learn more about RFID technology.

What influences exchange rates?

Discover what factors contribute to the exchange rates that you see today.

How to budget for long term travel

Going on a long-term trip? Read our guide on how to budget successfully to ensure you have the most memorable time possible.

Visiting a Christmas market?

Learn more about the many Christmas markets across Europe.

Frequently asked questions

Can i use a credit card to purchase travel money.

Yes, you can use a credit card to purchase travel money. However, please check with your card provider as they may apply fees or charges e.g. cash advance fees or other fees.

Our Bureaux accept the majority of UK issued major credit cards.

How much cash can I travel with?

You can learn more about taking cash in and out of Great Britain and declaring cash by visiting gov.uk .

Should I get foreign currency before I travel?

Buying your travel money before you travel can be an important part of pre-holiday preparation. You can use our Currency Converter to get the latest exchange rates across worldwide holiday destinations.

Where can I collect M&S Travel Money from?

You can collect M&S Travel Money from over 100 bureaux de change or from over 350 stores nationwide. You can find your nearest M&S Bureau de Change using our Bureau Finder .

Where can I get the best exchange rate?

Exchange rates change on a regular basis and vary depending on the currency you order. At M&S Bank, we offer our best rates for euro and US dollar via the Click & Collect service, where you can order your currency and collect from the next day in an M&S location local to you. If you order online before 4pm, you can collect the same day. For all other currencies, check our website for more information.

How much travel money can I order?

For orders placed via Click & Collect, there is a minimum £150 order and maximum of £2,500. For Bureau de Change walk-ups, there is no minimum order.

How do I confirm my Travel Money purchase using my M&S Credit Card?

There are three ways to verify your payments - you can use our M&S Banking App, a one-time passcode via text message or by using a card reader to verify your payment. Use our how-to videos or step-by-step guides to find out more.

Have a question about travel money or other travel products?

Ask our Virtual Assistant

Useful information

View exchange rates

Find out more about euro rates

Find out more about US dollar rates

Find out more about Australian dollar rates

Find out more about Canadian dollar rates

Find out more about New Zealand dollar rates

Find out about M&S Travel Insurance

Important documents

M&S Travel Money Terms and Conditions

You may require Adobe PDF reader to view these documents. Download Adobe Reader

* Subject to availability

** With the M&S Credit Card, you'll receive up to 55 days' interest-free credit when you pay your balance in full and on time each month.

† Next Day collection is subject to availability. Please confirm your collection date and location at the checkout.

Compare our best travel money deals

Get maximum value for your travel money, currency calculator.

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Today’s best exchange rates

How do you get the best holiday money exchange rate, use our currency converter, high exchange rates, delivery charges, special offers, pros and cons, five golden rules of travel money, 1. know how much cash you'll need.

Carrying around a large amount of cash isn't the safest thing to do. At the same time, not having enough cash can cause a lot headaches too. It's a good idea to take a little more than you think you'll need.

But it's also good sense to have a backup prepaid , debit or travel credit card that you can rely on - assuming you're going to a destination that widely accepts card transactions.

2. Shop around

Not all currency exchange companies are created equal. Some may have good exchange rates, but higher fees. Others may have higher rates, but no fees. You have to make sure which one offers the best value to you.

This is why it’s worth comparing the deals on offer from several companies before ordering your travel money. Factor in the fees and the exchange rate and see where you end up better off. Often the amount of money you're exchanging can be a deciding factor.

3. Don't buy your travel money at the airport

Airport holiday money providers have notoriously high prices because they offer a last-chance solution for those who are just about to board a plane. By planning ahead you can save a small fortune.

4. Don't carry too many large notes

Notes of large denominations can be tricky, as small shops and taxi cabs, which are more likely to require cash, might not have enough change to accept a large note.

Some retailers are also often wary of accepting large notes. Smaller notes and change can also be handy when it comes to tipping or buying small everyday items.

5. Don't use your credit card to buy travel money

Avoid buying foreign currency with a credit card as credit card providers treat the transaction as a 'cash advance' . Not only will you be charged daily interest, you're also likely to be hit with a fee.

Budgeting for your holiday

How much travel money you need to take depends on your plans. You'll need to budget for your holiday to make sure you don't run out of money before the end.

Deciding how much money to take depends on were you're going, whether debit or credit card usage is prevalent, and if you want to have some local currency on hand for emergencies.

Having some cash is extremely important, as there's always a possibility your cards could get declined or blocked for some reason, and it may take some time to resolve the issue.

Also, some countries still rely predominantly on cash transactions, so you should factor that into how much cash you decide to take.

What are the top alternatives to buying travel money?

Travel credit cards.

Travel credit cards - i.e. the ones with  no foreign transaction fees  - offer two key advantages over travel money:

Great exchange rates  - when you spend on a travel credit card you get the Mastercard or Visa exchange rate, which is about the best you can find as a regular consumer

Purchase protection  – for purchases costing between £100 and £30,000 you're covered by  Section 75 of the consumer credit act , meaning if something goes wrong you can make a claim with your card provider should the vendor fail to pay up

However, not everywhere accepts travel credit cards and using them at a cash machine abroad can come with hefty fees. It can also be easier to overspend on a credit card, leaving you with debts on which interest is charged.

Travel money cards

Currency cards and travel bank accounts let you spend overseas without being charged a foreign transaction fee. Their key strengths are:

Great exchange rates  - you card provider will pass on the Mastercard or Visa rate to you without adding extra charges

No charges for ATM use overseas  - if you need extra cash on holiday, you can withdraw it without being charged by your provider. Watch out for local ATM fees though, as these might still apply 

The downsides include that there can be limits on how much you can withdraw abroad using a travel money card, and that they're not accepted quite as widely as cash. Some travel current accounts also come with fees.

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid travel cards  can be loaded with currency and used abroad without paying foreign exchange fees. You can load a prepaid card with a specific foreign currency or a variety of different currencies, depending on your travel plans. The key advantages are:

Low or no fees to use abroad  – prepaid travel card providers charge far less than traditional banks for overseas usage

Safer than carrying cash  - you can cancel or freeze the card if it's lost or stolen, protecting your balance

However, you’ll need to watch out for general usage fees, which often apply when you load the card with cash and may also be charged monthly.

Can you get commission-free travel currency?

Yes and no. It depends on how you define it. Commission refers to the service fee that a currency exchange broker charges for exchanging your money.

Many companies advertise 0% commission to exchange money online or on the high street, but, instead of charging commission, they offer a less competitive exchange rate. This is why you need to compare the whole deal rather than just opting for a zero-fee travel money deal.

Are there restrictions on getting currency delivered?

When you buy your currency online, it's normally sent via Royal Mail's Special Delivery service. This means you have to sign for the package. Cash orders that exceed £2,500 will be sent in batches because that's the maximum value that can be insured for each delivery.

Can you get next-day delivery for currency?

Some travel money providers do offer next-day delivery. These brokers send out currency using Royal Mail's Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm service.

Our comparison shows which operators offer this option and how much they charge for it. With some companies, you also have the option to pre-order your travel money for collection in person from a local branch, meaning you don't have to pay for delivery.

Will anyone buy my currency back?

If you've got leftover travel money from a trip abroad, you can use a  buy-back service  to convert it back into pounds.

The buy-back rate tells you how much sterling you'll get back.

Remember to factor in the rate and delivery costs, and compare exchange rates. You can check out the best euro-to-pound exchange rate by looking at our comparison table.

About our comparison

Who do we include in this comparison.

We include every company that gives you the option of buying euros online. Discover  how our website works .

How do we make money from our comparison?

We have commercial agreements with some of the companies in this comparison. We get paid commission if we help you take out one of their products or services.  Find out more here .

You do not pay any extra and the deal you get is not affected.

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Nectar members get better rates on travel money*

Our travel money rate sale is now on

From 09:30am Thursday 8 August  until 9:30am Thursday 22 August 2024.

Only available on foreign currency bought online or by phone. Not available instore, on sterling, or on travel money card home delivery orders and reloads. Sale rates are calculated by reducing our margin on the rates you would otherwise get.  Currency fluctuations may cause exchange rates to vary during the sale period.

• Europe - Euro (EUR)
• USA - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• United Arab Emirates - UAE Dirham (AED)
• Australia - Australian Dollar (AUD)
• Canada - Canadian Dollar (CAD)
• New Zealand - New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
• Switzerland - Swiss Franc (CHF)
• Thailand - Thai Baht (THB)
• Aland Islands - Euro (EUR)
• American Samoa - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Andorra - Euro (EUR)
• Anguilla - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
• Antigua and Barbuda - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
• Austria - Euro (EUR)
• Bahrain - Bahraini Dinar (BHD)
• Barbados - Barbadian Dollar (BBD)
• Belgium - Euro (EUR)
• Bulgaria - Bulgarian Lev (BGN)
• Chile - Chilean Peso (CLP)
• China - Chinese Renminbi (CNY)
• Cook Islands - New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
• Costa Rica - Costa Rican Colon (CRC)
• Croatia - Euro (EUR)
• Cyprus - Euro (EUR)
• Czech Republic - Czech Koruna (CZK)
• Denmark - Danish Krone (DKK)
• Dominica - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
• Dominican Republic - Dominican Peso (DOP)
• Ecuador - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• El Salvador - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Estonia - Euro (EUR)
• Faroe Islands - Danish Krone (DKK)
• Fiji - Fijian Dollar (FJD)
• Finland - Euro (EUR)
• France - Euro (EUR)
• French Guiana - Euro (EUR)
• French Southern Territories - Euro (EUR)
• Greece - Euro (EUR)
• Greenland - Danish Krone (DKK)
• Grenada - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
• Guadeloupe - Euro (EUR)
• Guam - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Haiti - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Holy See (Vatican City State) - Euro (EUR)
• Hong Kong - Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
• Hungary - Hungarian Forint (HUF)
• Iceland - Icelandic Króna (ISK)
• Indonesia - Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
• Ireland - Euro (EUR)
• Israel - Israeli New Sheqel (ILS)
• Italy - Euro (EUR)
• Jamaica - Jamaican Dollar (JMD)
• Japan - Japanese Yen (JPY)
• Jordan - Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
• Kiribati - Australian Dollar (AUD)
• Korea, Republic of - South Korean Won (KRW)
• Kuwait - Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
• Liechtenstein - Swiss Franc (CHF)
• Lithuania - Euro (EUR)
• Luxembourg - Euro (EUR)
• Malaysia - Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
• Malta - Euro (EUR)
• Marshall Islands - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Martinique - Euro (EUR)
• Mauritius - Mauritian Rupee (MUR)
• Mayotte - Euro (EUR)
• Mexico - Mexican Peso (MXN)
• Micronesia, Federated States of - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Monaco - Euro (EUR)
• Montenegro - Euro (EUR)
• Montserrat - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
• Nauru - Australian Dollar (AUD)
• Netherlands - Euro (EUR)
• Niue - New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
• Norfolk Island - Australian Dollar (AUD)
• Northern Mariana Islands - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Norway - Norwegian Krone (NOK)
• Oman - Omani Rial (OMR)
• Palau - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Panama - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Peru - Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN)
• Philippines - Philippine Peso (PHP)
• Pitcairn - New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
• Poland - Polish Zloty (PLN)
• Portugal - Euro (EUR)
• Puerto Rico - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Qatar - Qatari Riyal (QAR)
• Romania - Romanian Leu (RON)
• Saint Barthélemy - Euro (EUR)
• Saint Kitts and Nevis - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
• Saint Lucia - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
• Saint Martin (French part) - Euro (EUR)
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
• San Marino - Euro (EUR)
• Saudi Arabia - Saudi Riyal (SAR)
• Singapore - Singapore Dollar (SGD)
• Slovakia - Euro (EUR)
• Slovenia - Euro (EUR)
• South Africa - South African Rand (ZAR)
• Spain - Euro (EUR)
• Sweden - Swedish Krona (SEK)
• Taiwan - New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
• Timor-Leste - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Tokelau - New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
• Türkiye - Turkish New Lira (TRY)
• Turks and Caicos Islands - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Tuvalu - Australian Dollar (AUD)
• Vietnam - Vietnamese Dong (VND)
• Virgin Islands, British - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Virgin Islands, U.S. - U.S. Dollar (USD)
• No matches found

Exchange rates may vary depending on whether you buy instore, online or by phone.

^ Travel money cards are available on selected currencies only.

Buy travel money

Buy, exchange money and order foreign currency online, by phone, or at our bureaux.

How to get travel money with Sainsbury’s Bank

Need holiday money? Order currency online, by phone or visit a Sainsbury’s store with a bureau today. Or get a Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Money Card for easy and secure spending overseas.

There are various ways to buy travel money with Sainsbury’s Bank. Choose the method that’s easiest for you. 

1.    Buy currency online for home delivery.  2.    Order currency online and collect instore. 4-hour click and collect available. T&Cs apply.  3.    Buy currency via telephone. 4.    Visit one of our bureaux to buy currency in a Sainsbury’s store.

Buy a prepaid travel money card

Our travel money card makes it safe and easy to manage and spend your holiday money.  1.     Order for collection – Collect your travel money card from your nearest Sainsbury’s Bank bureau. 2.     Order for delivery – We’ll send your travel money card straight to you. 3.     Download the app or log in online  – Check your balance, exchange between currencies, top up and manage your account.

Where can you get foreign currency with Sainsbury’s?

Get travel money delivered to you.

Order online or by phone and we’ll mail your holiday money to you securely via special delivery. Order more than £400 of foreign currency and get free delivery.

Collect travel money instore

Visit a store with an instore travel bureau to collect your travel money on your next weekly shop.

In a hurry? You can now order and collect Euros, US Dollars, and Travel Money Card pre-paid orders in as little as 4 hours with our click and collect travel money service^.

Click and collect currency the same day at a Sainsbury’s Bank travel money bureau when you:

• Order Euros, US Dollars, or a Travel Money Card
• Place your order on a Monday to Friday, and
• Order at least 4hr before the bureau’s scheduled closure time

For orders made outside of this period, or for any other currency, you will be able to select your preferred collection date when placing your online order. 

Get your travel money card delivered to you

We’ll send your travel money card straight to you, with your PIN arriving separately for security.

Visit one of our bureaux 

We have stores with instore travel bureaux across the UK where you can pick up holiday money on the day.

Why use Sainsbury’s Bank for foreign currency  

• Wide range of currencies, including USD and EUR We offer over 50 different foreign currencies, so it’s easy to get the holiday money you need.
• Nectar Prices Nectar members get better exchange rates both online, on the phone and at our bureaux. See our Nectar member benefits .*
• Currency buy-back  Got holiday money left over when you get home? We’ll buy back most foreign currency, so you’re not out of pocket. 
• Pick up your travel money in one of our stores Within travel bureaux  across the UK, it’s convenient to pick up holiday money as you shop with Sainsbury’s Bank.
• Multiple ways to order and receive travel money Order online or by telephone, collect instore or receive holiday money by post – the choice is yours.
• 24/7 telephone assistance and online portal   Our team are on hand to help with your travel money card any time of the day or night, no matter where you are in the world. 
• Access to Western Union You can send an international money transfer instore with  Western Union Money Transfer® services .

Choose your foreign currency

From Euro and US Dollar to Swedish Krona and Japanese Yen, we have more than 50 foreign currencies from all over the world. 

Take a look at our most popular currencies.

Add to your travel money card to withdraw and spend on holiday.

US Dollar (USD)

Order by telephone and receive your travel money in the post.

Dirham (AED)

Order online for bureau collection or buy directly instore.

Turkish Lira (TRK)

Buy travel money at one of our bureaux de change.

Thai Baht (THB)

Order currency online and get free delivery over £400.

Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Get a travel money card instore to use on holiday in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any administration fees.

No, we don't charge any administration fees when you order currency from us.

Will I be charged for using my credit/debit card?

No, we don’t charge any extra when you buy foreign currency by card.

Some card providers may charge a cash advance fee and interest for buying currencies. Cash advance fees will not show on your travel money order, but you’ll be able to see them on your card statement. If you’re not sure, you should check with your card issuer.

There is no cash advance fee when you use a Sainsbury’s Bank Credit Card. No interest will be charged, as long as the full outstanding balance on the credit card is cleared during the current billing cycle. If a balance remains on the account at the end of the billing cycle, interest will be charged and may apply to the currency purchased.

Do I get any benefits for being a Nectar member?

Yes, you do. If you tell us your Nectar card number when you place your order, we’ll give you a better exchange rate*. Not a Nectar member? Sign up today .

When will I receive my home delivery order?

You can select a specific working day delivery date up to seven days in advance. Please note Saturday deliveries are not guaranteed. Also, if you’ve chosen a Monday delivery, Royal Mail may try to deliver on Saturday.

The earliest day you’ll be able to select for delivery is:

What are the home delivery fees?

How much money can i order online.

Orders for collection at any Sainsbury's Bank Travel Money Bureau or for home delivery are subject to a maximum value of £4,500 per person per day.

All home delivery orders are subject to a minimum value of £100** and a maximum of £2,500. There is no minimum order value for orders for collection at a Sainsbury's Bank Travel Money Bureau.

How long will my travel money card take to arrive?

We’ll send out your travel money card as soon as you order it, so it should be with you in three to five working days. You can also get a travel money card immediately at our bureaux if you need yours at short notice. 

Can I exchange unused travel money?

Yes, we can buy back your foreign currency. Just bring your unused currency back to a Sainsbury’s Bank travel money bureau and we’ll exchange it back to sterling. Please note that we can buy back notes but not coins. 

Can I pay using Apple Pay?

Yes, as long as the card issuer you are using is Maestro, Mastercard or VISA.

Terms and conditions

*Nectar members receive better exchange rates on single purchase transactions of all available foreign currencies. Excludes travel money card home delivery orders and online reloads. Exchange rates may vary depending on whether you buy instore, online or by phone.© You need to tell us your Nectar card number at the time of your transaction. No cash alternative is available. We reserve the right to change or cancel this offer without notice.

**You can order currency for a secure home delivery by 1pm on the day of your choice by Royal Mail (Mon- Sat). For next day delivery your order needs to be confirmed before 2pm (Mon- Fri). Please note that whilst Royal Mail make every effort to delivery on schedule, we cannot guarantee this as it is beyond our control. Highlands and Islands (including Channel Islands) are not guaranteed next day delivery. Delivery is free on all cash orders £400 or more (£4.99 for orders between £100 and £399.99). The minimum order for home delivery is £100. The delivery day quoted is dependent on the order day being a working day; if one of those days is a public holiday then additional day(s) will be added accordingly. All home delivery orders are sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery, unless we advise you otherwise, to your billing address, and a signature will be required upon delivery. A valid telephone number is required for home delivery. ^For Euro, US Dollar and Travel Money Card only: If you selected same-day collection your order will be available 4 hours from the initial order confirmation email received or if your order was placed before 6 am then the earliest your order will be available to collect is from 10 am. Please allow at least 4 hours for your order to be processed. Remember to check the bureau opening hours before collecting your order.

If you selected tomorrow or a future date your order will be ready from 10 am on your chosen collection date. For all other currencies Your order will be available from 2.00 pm on your chosen collection date. Your order should be collected within 72 hours or will be subject to cancellation. Sainsbury's Bank Travel Money Card is issued by PrePay Technologies Limited pursuant to license by Mastercard International. PrePay Technologies Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN: 900010) for the issuing of electronic money and payment instruments. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Find more Terms & Conditions here

Nectar prices for Nectar members*

Bank of America, Wells Fargo are under investigation for handling of customers funds on Zelle

(Reuters) - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is investigating major U.S. banks for their handling of customer funds on the peer-to-peer payments platform Zelle Network, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The probe focuses on JPMorgan  (JPM.N), Bank of America  (BAC.N), and Wells Fargo  (WFC.N), among other large banks, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

JPMorgan last week had disclosed in a filing that it was responding to the CFPB's inquiries regarding Zelle and was considering whether to sue a U.S. consumer watchdog over the agency's inquiries.

Wells Fargo also has previously disclosed in public filings that government authorities have been probing the handling of customer disputes via Zelle.

The proliferation of fraud and scams on Zelle, which is owned by seven major banks including JPMorgan and Bank of America, has drawn attention from U.S. lawmakers including Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and regulators concerned about consumer protection.

Learn more: Best current CD rates

Hiding your apps: Don't want your Hinge or banking app visible: Here's how to hide an app on iPhone

Banks have argued that covering the cost of scams will encourage more fraud and potentially cost billions of dollars.

Spokespeople for JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, BofA and the CFPB declined to comment.

Money blog: Couples reveal how they split finances when one earns more than other

Welcome to the Money, your place for personal finance and consumer news and tips. Read our weekend feature on relationship finances below and let us know how you and your partner divide money in the comments box. We'll be back with live updates on Monday.

Saturday 17 August 2024 12:43, UK

Essential reads

• Couples on how they split finances when one earns more than other
• What's gone wrong at Asda?
• The week in money
• Best of the Money blog - an archive of features

Tips and advice

• All discounts you get as student or young person
• Save up to half price on top attractions with this trick
• Fines for parents taking kids out of school increasing next month
• TV chef picks best cheap eats in London
• 'I cancelled swimming with plenty of notice - can they keep my money?'

Ask a question or make a comment

By Emily Mee , news reporter

Openly discussing how you split your finances with your partner feels pretty taboo - even among friends.

As a consequence, it can be difficult to know how to approach these conversations with our partner or what is largely considered fair - especially if there's a big imbalance salary-wise. 

Research by Hargreaves Lansdown suggests in an average household with a couple, three-quarters of the income is earned by one person. 

Even when there is a large disparity, some couples will want to pay the same amount on bills as they want to contribute equally. 

But for others, one partner can feel resentful if they are spending all of their money on bills while the other has much more to spend and is living a different lifestyle as a result. 

At what stage of the relationship can you talk about money?

"We've kind of formally agreed there is some point in a relationship you start talking about kids - there is no generally agreed time that we start talking about money," says Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown. 

Some couples may never get around to mentioning it, leading to "lopsided finances". 

Ms Coles says if you want to keep on top of finances with your partner, you could set a specific date in the year that you go through it all. 

"If it's in the diary and it's not emotional and it's not personal then you can properly go through it," she says.

"It's not a question of 'you need to pull more weight'.  It's purely just this is what we've agreed, this is the maths and this is how we need to do that."

While many people start talking about finances around Christmas, Ms Coles suggests this can be a "trying time" for couples so February might be a "less emotional time to sit down". 

How do you have the conversation if you feel the current arrangement is unfair?

Relationship counsellor at Relate , Peter Saddington, says that setting out the balance as "unfair" shouldn't be your starting point. 

You need to be honest about your position, he says, but your conversation should be negotiating as a couple what works for both of you. 

Before you have to jump into the conversation, think about: 

• Letting your partner know in advance rather than springing it on them;
• Making sure you and your partner haven't drunk alcohol before having the conversation, as this can make it easy for it to spiral;
• Having all the facts to hand, so you know exactly how much you are spending;
• Using 'I' statements rather than 'you'. For example, you could say to your partner: "I'm really worried about my finances and I would like to sit down and talk about how we manage it. Can we plan a time when we can sit down and do it?"

Mr Saddington says if your partner is not willing to help, you should look at the reasons or question if there are other things in the relationship that need sorting out. 

If you're having repeated arguments about money, he says you might have opposite communication styles causing you to "keep headbutting". 

Another reason could be there is a "big resentment" lurking in the background - and it may be that you need a third party such as a counsellor, therapist or mediator to help resolve it. 

Mr Saddington says there needs to be a "safe space" to have these conversations, and that a third party can help untangle resentments from what is happening now. 

He also suggests considering both of your attitudes to money, which he says can be formed by your early life and your family. 

"If you grew up in a family where there wasn't any money, or it wasn't talked about, or it was pushed that you save instead of spend, and the other person had the opposite, you can see where those conversations go horribly wrong. 

"Understanding what influences each of you when it comes to money is important to do before you have significant conversations about it."

What are the different ways you can split your finances?

There's no one-size-fits-all approach, but there are several ways you can do it - with Money blog readers getting in touch to let us know their approach...

1. Separate personal accounts - both pay the same amount into a joint account regardless of income

Paul Fuller, 40, earns approximately £40,000 a year while his wife earns about £70,000. 

They each have separate accounts, including savings accounts, but they pay the same amount (£900) each a month into a joint account to pay for their bills. 

Paul says this pays for the things they both benefit from or have a responsibility for, but when it comes to other spending his wife should be able to spend as she likes. 

"It's not for me to turn around to my wife and expect her to justify why she thinks it's appropriate to spend £150 in a hairdresser. She works her backside off and she has a very stressful job," he says. 

However, their arrangement is still flexible. Their mortgage is going up by £350 a month soon, so his wife has agreed to pay £200 of that. 

And if his wife wants a takeaway but he can't afford to pay for it, she'll say it's on her.

"Where a lot of people go wrong is being unable to have those conversations," says Paul.

2. Separate personal accounts - whoever earns the most puts more into a joint account

This is a more formal arrangement than the hybrid approach Paul and his wife use, and many Money blog readers seem to do this in one form or another judging by our inbox.

There's no right or wrong way to do the maths - you could both put in the same percentage of your individual salaries, or come up with a figure you think is fair, or ensure you're both left with the same amount of spending money after each payday.

3. Everything is shared

Gordon Hurd and his wife Brenda live by their spreadsheet. 

Brenda earns about £800 more a month as she is working full-time while Gordon is freelance. Previously Gordon had been the breadwinner - so it's a big turnaround.

They each have separate accounts with different banks, but they can both access the two accounts. 

How much is left in each account - and their incomings and outgoings - is all detailed in the spreadsheet, which is managed weekly. 

Whenever they need to buy something, they can see how much is left in each account and pay from either one. 

Gordon says this means "everyone knows how much is available" and "each person's money belongs to the other". 

"We have never in the last decade had a single disagreement about money and that is because of this strategy," he says.

Money blog reader Shredder79 got in touch to say he takes a similar approach. 

"I earn £50k and my wife earns just under £150k. We have one joint bank account that our wages go into and all our outgoings come out of. Some friends can't get their head around that but it's normal for us."

Another reader, Curtis, also puts his wages into a joint account with his wife. 

"After all, when you have a family (three kids) it shouldn't matter who earns more or less!" he says. 

Reader Alec goes further and says he questions "the authenticity of any long-term relationship or the certainly of a marriage if a couple does not completely share a bank account for all earnings and all outgoings". 

"As for earning significantly more than the other, so what? If you are one couple or long-term partnership you are one team and you simply communicate and share everything," he says. 

"Personally I couldn't imagine doing it any other way and I do instinctively wonder what issues or insecurities, whether it be in trust or something else, sit beneath the need to feel like you need to keep your finances separate from one another, especially if you are a married couple." 

A reader going by the name lljdc agrees, saying: "I earn half of what my husband does because I work part-time. Neither of us has a solo account. We have one joint account and everything goes into this and we just spend it however we like. All bills come out of this too. Sometimes I spend more, sometimes he spends more."

4. Separate accounts - but the higher earner pays their partner an 'allowance'

If one partner is earning much more than the other, or one partner isn't earning for whatever reason, they could keep separate accounts and have the higher earner pay their partner an allowance. 

This would see them transfer an agreed amount each week or month to their partner's account.

Let us know how you and your partner talk about and split finances in the comments box - we'll feature some of the best next week

By Jimmy Rice, Money blog editor

The centre-point of a significant week in the economy was inflation data, released first thing on Wednesday, that showed price rises accelerated in July to 2.2%.

Economists attributed part of the rise to energy prices - which have fallen this year, but at a much slower rate than they did last year. 

As our business correspondent Paul Kelso pointed out, it felt like the kind of mild fluctuation we can probably expect month to month now that sky high price hikes are behind us, though analysts do expect inflation to tick up further through the remainder of the year...

Underneath the bonnet, service inflation, taking in restaurants and hotels, dropped from 5.7% to 5.2%.

This is important because a large part of this is wages - and they've been a concern for the Bank of England as they plot a route for interest rates.

On Tuesday we learned average weekly earnings had also fallen - from 5.7% to 5.4% in the latest statistics.

High wages can be inflationary (1/ people have more to spend, 2/ employers might raise prices to cover staff costs), so any easing will only aid the case for a less restrictive monetary policy. Or, to put it in words most people use, the case for interest rate cuts.

Markets think there'll be two more cuts this year - nothing has changed there.

Away from the economy, official data also illustrated the pain being felt by renters across the UK.

The ONS said:

• Average UK private rents increased by 8.6% in the 12 months to July 2024, unchanged from in the 12 months to June 2024;
• Average rents increased to £1,319 (8.6%) in England, £748 (7.9%) in Wales, and £965 (8.2%) in Scotland;
• In Northern Ireland, average rents increased by 10% in the 12 months to May 2024;
• In England, rents inflation was highest in London (9.7%) and lowest in the North East (6.1%).

Yesterday, we found the UK economy grew 0.6% over three months to the end of June. 

That growth rate was the second highest among the G7 group of industrialised nations - only the United States performed better with 0.7%, though Japan and Germany have yet to released their latest data.

Interestingly, there was no growth at all in June, the Office for National Statistics said, as businesses delayed purchases until after the general election.

"In a range of industries across the economy, businesses stated that customers were delaying placing orders until the outcome of the election was known," the ONS said.

Finally, a shout for this analysis from business presenter Ian King examining what's gone wrong at Asda. It's been one of our most read articles this week and is well worth five minutes of your Friday commute or weekend...

We're signing out of regular updates now until Monday - but do check out our weekend read from 8am on Saturday. This week we're examining how couples who earn different amounts split their finances.

Each week we feature comments from Money blog readers on the story or stories that elicited most correspondence.

Our weekend probe into the myriad reasons for pub closures in the UK prompted hundreds of comments.

Landlords and campaigners, researchers and residents revealed to Sky News the "thousand cuts" killing Britain's boozers - and what it takes to survive the assault.

Here was your take on the subject...

I've been a publican for 19 years. This article is bang on! It's like you've overheard my conversations with my customers - COVID, cost of living, wages - the traditional British boozer going out of fashion. (My place: no food, no small children). Hey Jood

I own a small craft ale bar or micropub as some say. The current climate is sickening for the whole hospitality sector. This summer has been ridiculously quiet compared to previous ones. Micropubs were on the rise pre-COVID, but not now even we're struggling to survive… Lauren

I am an ex-landlord. It's ridiculous you can buy 10 cans for £10 or one pint for £5 now. It's not rocket science, it's a no-brainer: reverse the situation. Make supermarket beer more expensive than pub beer, then people will start to go out and mix again rather than getting drunk at home. Ivanlordpeers

Bought four pints of my regular drink at a supermarket for less than one pint in our local pub. It's becoming a luxury to go to a pub these days. Torquay David

Traditional pubs are being taken over by conglomerates who don't sell traditional beer, only very expensive lager, usually foreign, and other similar gassy drinks. How can they be called traditional pubs? Bronzestraw

The main reason for pubs closing is twofold! 1: The out-of-reach rents that the big groups charge landlords. 2: Landlords are told what stock they can hold and restrict where they can purchase it from. Strange, but most pubs belonged to the same groups! A pub-goer

Less pubs are managed now, pub companies are changing them to managed partnerships, putting the pressure onto inexperienced young ex-managers. Locals complain that their local pub has gone. but they don't use them enough. Can government regulate rents and beer prices for business owners? John Darkins

I was a brewery tenant in Scotland for many years and sequestrated because of the constant grabbing at my money by greedy brewers who wanted more and more. I made my pub very successful and was penalised by the brewery. James MacQuarrie 

The only reason pubs are closing is locals only use them on Boxing Day, New Year's Eve, and one Sunday a year. Plus breweries don't need pubs, they sell enough through supermarkets! Use them or lose them. Peter Smith

The closing of pubs is a terrible shame. I still go to my local and have great memories of getting drunk in many in my hometown. They are important places in society. As someone once said: "No good story ever started with a salad." Kev K

It's the taxman killing pubs. £1 of every £3 sold. Utter disgrace. Stef

I go with my girlfriend, Prue, every day to my local. It's a shame what's happening to prices. It used to be full of people and joy but now it's a ghost town in the pub since prices are too high now. I wish we could turn back time and find out what went wrong. Niall Benson

Minimum wage is around £11 and the tax threshold is £12,600 per year. How can you possibly afford a night in a pub out when a pint costs between £3 and £8 a pint on those wages? Allan7777blue

Unfortunately, the very people who have kept these establishments going over the years (the working man) have been priced out, and they're paying the price. Dandexter

The pubs are too expensive for people to go out regularly as we once did a decade or so ago. People's priorities are on survival, not recreation. Until the living wage increases beyond an inflation that wages haven't risen above in years, then we will see shops, pubs, etc. close JD

Who wants to spend hard-earned money going into a pub that's nearly always empty. It takes away one of the main attractions - socialising. Michael

Monzo has been named the best bank in the UK for customer satisfaction, according to a major survey. 

More than 17,000 personal current account customers rated their bank on the quality of its services and how likely they would be to recommend to friends or family. 

Digital banks made up the top three, with Monzo coming out on top, followed by Starling Bank and then Chase. 

Some 80% of Monzo customers said they would recommend the bank. 

The digital banking app said topping the tables "time and time again" was not something it would "ever take for granted". 

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) was bottom of the ranking for another year. 

The banks with the best services in branches were Nationwide, Lloyds Bank and Metro Bank. 

Gail's bakery chain has come under fire for repurposing unsold pastries into croissants and selling them for almost £4 the next day.

The retailer lists the "twice baked" chocolate almond croissants as part of its "Waste Not" range, which means it is made using leftover croissants that are then "topped with almond frangipane and flaked almonds".

The scheme has been hit with criticism online, with many pointing out the £3.90 price tag is 95p more than the original croissant.

One X user said: "The audacity of bragging about it being part of their 'Waste Not' range like we should be grateful to them and proud of ourselves for contributing to reducing food waste when they could just sell it for less money – not one pound more than yesterday.

"Unsure whether to be impressed or horrified that someone has come up with a concept to capitalise on yellow sticker goods to make more profit."

It should be added, however, that the practice was not invented by Gail's - and almond croissants were originally created by French boulangeries to reuse day-old croissants and stop them going stale.

When factoring in the extra ingredients (almond frangipane and flaked almonds) and baking time, the bakery chain would likely defend the increased price by pointing to the additional costs incurred.

It comes as locals in a trendy London neighbourhood signed a petition against a Gail's bakery setting up shop in their area.

After (unconfirmed) rumours began circulating that the chain was looking to open a site in Walthamstow village, more than 600 have signed a petition opposing the plans.

The petition says the village "faces a threat to its uniqueness" should Gail's move into the area (see yesterday's 11.54am post for more).

Gail's has been contacted for comment.

British retailers saw a rise in sales last month after a boost from Euro 2024 and summer discounting, according to official figures.

High street retailers said sales of football shirts, electronics such as TVs, and alcoholic drinks were all stronger amid the Three Lions' journey to the final.

Total retail sales volumes rose by 0.5% in July, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. It was, however, slightly below predictions, with economists forecasting a 0.7% increase.

It followed a 0.9% slump in volumes in June as retail firms blamed uncertainty ahead of the general election and poor weather.

ONS director of economic statistics, Liz McKeown, said: "Retail sales grew in July led by increases in department stores and sports equipment shops, with both the Euros and discounting across many stores boosting sales.

"These increases were offset by a poor month for clothing and furniture shops, and falling fuel sales, despite prices at the pump falling."

The data showed that non-food stores saw a 1.4% rise, driven by a strong performance from department stores, where sales grew by 4% for the month as summer sales helped to stoke demand.

However, clothing and footwear shops saw a 0.6% dip, whilst homeware retailers also saw volumes fall 0.6%. Food stores, meanwhile, saw sales remain flat for the month.

There are fears that the £2-cap on single bus fares could be scrapped after the government declined to say whether the policy would continue past December.

Bus companies said it was vital the cost of using their services is kept low for young people to "enhance their access to education and jobs".

Alison Edwards, director of policy and external relations at industry body the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: "Bus operators are working closely with the government so that together we can find a way to avoid a cliff edge return to commercial fares.

"Analysis has shown that supporting fares, which can be done in a range of different ways, is great value for money and can support many other government objectives.

"For example, keeping fares low for young people would enhance their access to education and jobs, while also encouraging them to develop sustainable travel habits to last a lifetime."

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said in a recent interview with the PA news agency that her officials were "looking at various options" in relation to the cap, including whether they could "target it better".

It's been a busy week on the economic front.

There was no major shift in the overall outlook - since Monday we've had it confirmed that the UK economy has lower inflation and more growth than the last two years, while wages have grown faster than the overall pace of price rises.

On the back of all that news the pound is at the highest rate since early this month against the dollar, worth $1.2882, and the highest since July when it comes to buying euro with one pound equal to €1.1733. 

Signs of a recovery from the global market sell-off of Monday last week can be seen in the share prices of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Share prices have grown among the most valuable companies on the stock exchange, those that comprise the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 list of most valuable companies.

Today though, this benchmark UK index fell 0.19% but finishes the week higher than the start.

Also finishing the week higher than the start are the more UK-based companies of the FTSE 250 (the 101st to the 250th most valuable firms on the London Stock Exchange).

On Friday morning that index was up 0.08%. 

With tensions in the Middle East and Eastern Europe high as Iran mulled a retaliatory strike on Israel and Ukraine made incursions into Russian territory, there had been concern about energy price spikes.

But the benchmark oil price has remained steady at $80.13 dollars for a barrel of Brent crude oil.

Gas prices have remained below the Monday high of 100 pence a therm (the measurement for heat) and now are 94.50 pence a therm. 

A Cabinet Office minister has said it is "unfair" to suggest other public sector workers will be queuing up for a pay rise after the government's offer of a 15% increase for train drivers and junior doctors.

"I think that's an unfair characterisation as well," paymaster general Nick Thomas-Symonds told Times Radio.

"I think what is absolutely crucial here is we are a Government again that is sticking to the promises we made in opposition.

"We promised we would sit down and find solutions, and people expressed scepticism about that, but actually that is precisely what we have done in Government."

Last month, the government and the British Medical Association struck an improved pay deal for junior doctors in England worth 22% on average over two years.

Meanwhile, train drivers will vote on a new pay deal following talks between representatives of drivers' union ASLEF and the Department for Transport.

The new offer is for a 5% backdated pay rise for 2022/23, a 4.75% rise for 23/24, and 4.5% increase for 24/25.

The Dartford Crossing is the highest-earning toll road in the UK, new data shows. 

The Kent to Essex route raked in £215.9m in the last year - 2,159 times more than the Whitney toll bridge in Hereford. 

The crossing, which was supposed to stop charging customers in 2003, costs between £2 and £6 to use (depending on the vehicle you're driving) between 10am and 6pm every day. 

Car finance company Moneybarn found it earned just over £209m in 2022. 

It topped the chart of 13 toll roads in the country, making over £100m more than the second highest-earning road in 2023 - the M6 Toll in the West Midlands. 

In third place was the Mersey Gateway Bridge between Halton and Cheshire, which made £48.9m. 

You can see how the other toll roads fared below... 

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Help! I’ve Been Ripped Off. I Want My Money Back!

Our columnist addresses a case of wire fraud, a credit card scheme and a dubious website — just three examples of the types of reader woe that regularly surface in the Tripped Up inbox.

By Seth Kugel

Dear Tripped Up,

I took a 7.95-euro taxi ride in Paris and charged it to my Citi credit card, but the driver refused to provide a receipt, and my card was charged $795.85. Citi would not reimburse this obvious fraud. Can you help? Ann, Philadelphia

We booked a $5,500 stay at an apartment in Amsterdam via Vrbo, and soon after, the property owner contacted us requiring that we wire him the full cost of the rental. We were reluctant but had successfully wired money before for a stay in Italy, so we went ahead with it. The owner canceled at the last minute, and the refund he promised never came through. Vrbo is stalling. Can you help? Kevin, Seattle

I wanted to enroll my two college-age children in Global Entry , the program run by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, so they could speed through passport checkpoints with me. So I Googled “Global Entry application” and clicked on the top link, which looked at first glance like an official government site. I filled in the forms and was charged $249 per application. When I realized my mistake — the actual government fee is $100 — I asked for a refund and eventually got everything but the $100 fees back. The applications did go through, but these people were super sketchy, and I’m worried about identity theft. Doesn’t Google have an obligation not to promote a fraudulent site? Christine, New York

Dear Ann, Kevin and Christine,

You are all experienced travelers, and yet you were caught in three schemes that, unfortunately, regularly surface in the Tripped Up inbox of reader woe.

The Olympics are underway in France, so let’s start with Ann. The taxi driver took your credit card, overcharged you and didn’t supply a receipt.

In the last few months, I’ve received multiple reader complaints specifically about Paris taxis, but such things happen just about everywhere. In fact, we covered a similar scam in Mexico in June. Doubly frustrating in situations like these is that the fraudsters are individuals or small businesses that are hard to track down, especially in a country where you don’t speak the language. So Ann, like other victims, you turned to your credit card issuer’s fraud department.

But that’s a crapshoot, as you learned. Different card issuers have different policies, not to mention inconsistent applications of those policies. And if you didn’t actually lose the card, and the transaction happened through a chip, you may be out of luck.

I intervened on the behalf of three victims of the Paris taxi scam: Ann, Nabeel from Atlanta (also a Citi customer), and Ronald from Sarasota, Fla., who used a Chase card. I had mixed results. Two days after I got in touch with Citi, Ann received an email with what sounded like a very final denial, “respectfully” declining to reimburse her because she did not provide a receipt. In a happy coda, Laura Barganier, a spokeswoman for Citi, then told me that after further review Ann would be reimbursed.

Nabeel turns out to have filed the wrong kind of claim, Ms. Barganier said, and Citi has reached out to him for further information. And a spokesman for Chase said that Ronald was denied correctly because he did not provide a receipt or other evidence.

While there’s no singular solution for this type of fraud, the best policy to prevent it is to avoid handing your physical credit card to anyone. Americans have long been accustomed to parting with their cards, particularly in restaurants, but break the practice by insisting on tapping (or better, inserting) the card yourself. Then keep a careful eye on the screen, require a receipt and cause a scandal if you don’t get one. If you suspect fraud, call your credit card company immediately.

As a backup, always carry cash, so if the merchant insists that you hand over the card or the machine isn’t wireless, you can avoid using a card at all. (Of course, you must then be sure you are very familiar with the denominations of local bills and triple-check your change.)

If you booked a car or hailed a taxi, take a photo of your driver’s hack license when you get in, if there’s one visible, so if you do get scammed, you can report the crime to the local authorities and help prevent such crimes in the future. According to the Parisian police, such incidents should be reported via an English-language site called Signal Conso . (I learned the very cool French word for scam: “escroquerie.”)

Now over to Kevin and the all-too-common travel fraud using money wires. Good news, Kevin — Vrbo agreed to reimburse you for the rental, as well as the two nights you spent in a hotel as you arranged another rental.

You were covered by Vrbo’s Book With Confidence Guarantee , which, according to a statement from Mel Fish, a company spokeswoman, includes “safeguards against fraudulent listings, lodging assistance if travelers are unable to check in, and rebooking support if a host cancels at the last minute.” You will receive $7,079.

But all travelers: Pay with your credit cards whenever possible. Wiring money to individuals is the reddest of red flags in travel, as it’s almost impossible to claw back international wire transfers. Kevin’s long fight for reimbursement was ultimately successful because some blame lay on a deep-pocketed intermediary like Vrbo, part of the Expedia Group. But if he had booked directly through the company offering the Amsterdam rental, Grand Stay BV, he would have been out of luck. When I checked it out last week, its website was bare on details (and not surprisingly, the company didn’t respond to my requests for comment through its listed WhatsApp number). Vrbo told me that it had actually removed the company from its listings months ago, and the website has now been taken down.

That brings us to Christine and her desire to help expedite her children through passport control. Christine, in your online search for Global Entry, you said you received a page of Google search results and clicked on a sponsored website — Globaleny-travelus.com — that appeared, you told me, above the official Global Entry site, hosted by Customs and Border Protection.

When I checked a few weeks later, that site was no longer advertised on Google, but a very similar site was — one that even used the same email addresses, according to other complaints I found on online message boards. Then that one disappeared and another took its place. There are countless other sites that look very similar and purport to help you with the application form, though all they do is have you fill out a similar form.

The ad violated Google’s rules, said Nate Funkhouser, a Google spokesman. The only entities that may advertise government services like this one, according to Google policy, are the government sites themselves and companies explicitly authorized to do so by the government.

“Our team is always working to prevent scams on our platforms and removed the ads violating our policies,” Mr. Funkhouser wrote, but added, “Sometimes bad ads can temporarily evade our detection.” He said Google encourages users to report any possible violations. It appears that, at least for now, Google has expunged dubious ads from searches for Global Entry applications.

But sketchy travel companies everywhere purchase ads on Google and other search engines, and then book reservations for travelers, charging them fees or charging commissions to the companies with which they book.

One example of a typical complaint came from Rebecca, a reader in Pacifica, Calif. She booked a room at the Cambria Hotel Calabasas in Malibu after clicking on an ad that prominently displayed the URL, or web address, cambriacalabasas.guestreservations.com.

But the actual web address for the hotel is cambriacalabasas.com . The company Rebecca booked through, GuestReservations.com, had set up a subdomain on its own servers to mimic the hotel’s web address, as it does for countless other hotels.

GuestReservations.com has the veneer of a legitimate website, with a media contact listed at the bottom. (No one responded when I wrote to it.) It operates by booking rooms for clients through Priceline Partner Solutions , a business-to-business service that allows small agencies to book Priceline inventory.

When Rebecca arrived at the Cambria, hotel staff members said it was overbooked and that she could go to a nearby Marriott. They initially told her she would be reimbursed — yet when the Cambria realized she had not booked directly, they said she would have to seek reimbursement from the third-party site. It created a frustrating and confusing situation for Rebecca, as she thought she was booking directly in the first place.

The Cambria and other hotels can’t do much about it without spending a huge amount on Google ads themselves: Mr. Funkhouser, the Google spokesman, told me that such ads generally do not violate its policies (unless the company does not deliver the services).

“It’s very frustrating,” said Kylie Chen, the senior digital marketing manager for 24seven Hotels , which owns the Cambria. She told me that sites like GuestReservations.com pull photos from the hotels’ own sites, but when the hotel group reaches out to them to remove them, “it’s always hard to find any point of response or contact.”

“I feel like Google will let anyone advertise,” she added.

This is, of course, not true . But to be safe, travelers should skip right past sponsored results and pay careful attention to the web address of the site they are clicking on, whether it’s on Google or any other search engine.

If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to [email protected] .

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Seth Kugel is the columnist for “ Tripped Up ,” an advice column that helps readers navigate the often confusing world of travel. More about Seth Kugel

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Lake Como, Italy:  Stars like George Clooney frequent this scenic corner of northern Italy, but you might be surprised by how affordable it can be. Here’s an insider’s guide .

South of France:  Horses, bulls and birds of all types live among the pink marshes of the Camargue, a rugged landscape shaped  by the relentless push and pull of sea and river.

Disney Theme Parks:  As Disney has raised the cost of tickets and hotel rooms at its theme parks, and added pricey, difficult-to-navigate tools, even its most loyal fans are asking themselves  if they should rethink their vacations.

Helsinki, Finland:   Explore the stunning architecture  of the new central library, browse treasure-filled shops in the Design District, sweat in a wood-burning sauna, sip cocktails on a schooner and trek across islands in the surrounding archipelago.

Salzburg, Austria:  The compact Austrian city of medieval alleys, majestic Alpine views and just 150,000 residents bursts to life in the summer .