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Best Exchange Rates makes it easy to compare retail FX rates from trusted, regulated currency exchange specialists to use when you Travel and Spend abroad.
We show you how to use a multi-currency card or order foreign cash online for better currency exchange rates, convenience and save money for your next trip or overseas online purchase.
Here are a few ways you can save on currency exchange when traveling overseas:
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This guide explains the cheapest and most expensive ways to buy travel money. It can help save you money if you are thinking about going abroad and trying to work out the best way to spend while you’re there.
Commission charges when you buy foreign currency have mostly been phased out. Now most currency operators make money on the difference between the interbank exchange rate and the rate they actually give you.
So the best way to know if you’re getting a good deal is to compare the actual exchange rate you’re getting.
For each of the currency exchange locations below we have used the euro as an example – but where you see a location giving a bad rate (versus the benchmark interbank rate) for euros, you can be pretty much guaranteed you’ll get a bad rate on any other currency at that place too.
Here are the ways to get the most for your money when buying foreign currency, ranked best to worse.
(All exchange rate figures accessed on 31 May 2023.)
What’s in this guide?
Currency cards are debit card-style payment cards designed to be used while you are on holiday or travelling outside the UK to pay for goods and services, usually anywhere you see the Visa or Mastercard symbol. They either come as regular debit cards with travel money functions, or as a separate card that connects to your current account.
Currency cards offer some of the best exchange rates around, and are available from, for example, Starling, Monzo, Revolut , and Curresea.
The euro rates for Monzo and Starling are based on the Mastercard rate so are the same:
Withdrawing cash from an ATM abroad can be a good option if you use one of the cards mentioned above, or a travel credit card. They are designed for use while travelling, so give the best rates on foreign exchange, and limit the fees and charges you pay while using them abroad. It is for this reason that cash point abroad is 2nd on this list.
Currensea , for example, as well as offering one of the best exchange rates, allows free ATM withdrawals of up to £500 using its Essential Card (2% fees over), and with its Premium Card (which costs £25 a year) you can make fee free ATM withdrawals up to £500 (1% over).
Just remember – if the ATM tells you a fee applies, always choose to be charged in the local currency of the country you’re in (this also applies to card purchases).
However beware – this is important – if you just take your normal debit card or credit card abroad you can expect high fees from both your bank and the ATM you withdraw cash from every time you use it.
For example, Barclays charges a 2.99% fee for using your standard debit card abroad when making purchases, withdrawing cash or for refunds.
So while you get a pretty decent exchange rate with Barclays (which uses the Visa rate), once the fee is added the real rate is much less. It works out as:
UK highstreets offer a number of exchange rate options, from inside department stores like John Lewis, to specialist foreign exchange rate shops like No1 Currency. The rates will vary from place to place.
At No1 Currency, for example, the online rates are below, although the website says the in store rates may differ from what is advertised.
At John Lewis, on the same day the rate was a little lower.
At Marks & Spencer, the rate was:
At a TUI branch the rate was:
Most supermarkets sell travel money these days and it can be a convenient way to pick up some currency while you do your weekly shop. You can buy on the day or order online to collect.
As an added bonus, supermarkets offer a better rate on foreign currency for their loyalty card holders, pushing supermarkets up the ranking in terms of rates.
Sainsbury’s
The Post Office is a handy one-stop-shop for lots of holiday related things, from travel insurance to international driving permits, and including travel money. While the Post Office doesn’t offer the best rates on the market, it does have several other advantages that could make it a good option, especially if you are in a hurry.
The only times I have bought currency at the airport it has been out of desperation and from a lack of forward planning – and I have always regretted it. It is typically one of the most expensive (i.e. worst exchange rate) places to buy foreign currency.
But if you’re in a panic because you forgot to get out any cash before your trip, it is at least convenient to be able to grab some foreign currency before your flight.
Two of the most common foreign exchange kiosks you’ll find at UK and global airports are Travelex and Eurochange. The rates below are for their online services – rates in the airport are likely to be worse.
Travelex (online)
Eurochange (online)
Buying travel money from your local bank might seem like the obvious choice, but surprisingly the rates on offer are likely among the worst you’ll get anywhere in the UK. However the limits on how much you can purchase can be higher (though you won’t get a better rate the more you buy so why bother?)
Bureau de changes abroad are typically in tourist hotspots. And what do we know about tourist hotspots? Rife for pickpockets and overinflated prices. This is the attitude you should take to foreign currency shops in these locations.
One example that proves the ‘expensive option’ point is Ria Money Transfer & Currency Exchange, situated in the busy Plaza de Callao in central Madrid, Spain.
Ria’s exchange rate on 31 May 2023 was:
Convenient : If you really need cash while you’re abroad, maybe because you’re in a place where your cards are not widely accepted, a local bureau de change may be a lifeline – just expect to pay heavily for that life raft.
Yes. Absolutely. Cards aren’t accepted everywhere, as I found to my detriment when I arrived in Buenos Aires and tried to take out local currency on my credit card at the foreign exchange desk at the airport.
“Absolutely not possible”, I was told. A combination of a lack of provision to buy currency on credit card there, and the Argentinian peso being just too volatile for credit card providers to let you buy it on their service.
All I had in hard currency was US$100 in Argetininian pesos I had changed in the airport at Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, where I had just come from, and a US$100 bill. Luckily I’d pre-paid my Buenos Aires hotel in advance, and I could easily find restaurants that would accept my credit card. But taxis only took cash, so I spent a lot of time walking – thinking about how I should have brought more pesos with me.
We’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to travel money.
Yes, in most cases. Cash withdrawal fees will probably apply of around 3%, just like they would at home for taking cash out on a credit card, and these will be on top of any currency conversion fees.
Be aware though – in countries with a highly fluctuating exchange rate, like Argentina, you may not be able to buy foreign cash with your credit card (not even at the bureau de change at the airport, for example). You still may be able to pay for goods and services with your credit cards, but check how widely they are accepted before you travel.
Yes, on the whole. When buying travel money online, like with buying anything online, you’re best off sticking to well known brands, whether that be banks, supermarkets, or currency exchange stores.
A large institution or well known brand is less likely to go bust, and that is important because foreign exchange is not a regulated service. This means your cash is not protected if the company you tried to get your foreign currency from closes suddenly.
Yes. Most places that sell you travel money will buy it back from you. But just like when you’re swapping your pounds for foreign currency, when you swap it back you should compare the exchange rates on offer. As a general rule, a location that offers a good rate one way, offers a good rate the other way.
Travel money providers – from the currency shops and bureau de change, to the banks and supermarkets, anywhere basically that sells currency – make money by giving you slightly less than the central banks give them for the foreign money you want to buy.
For example, if a currency provider tells you they will give you €1.131 for every pound you give them, but the central bank rate for euros is €1.157 per pound, the difference is €0.026, which they pocket. This may not sound much, but multiplied over millions of transactions a year, it adds up.
Compare, compare, compare the single unit price – which means the £1 for a €1 rate, or whichever currency you choose, versus the interbank rate, which you can get by just Googling “1 GBP in EUR”.
Places that sell currency, online or in a shop, have to show you the exchange rate for that day. While it’s probably not practical to go traipsing around comparing shops, it’s easy enough to do so online. If you run up against minimum purchase amounts online, still go with the company providing the best rate but visit their location in person.
Also try not to get yourself in a position where you’re desperate to buy foreign currency, either at home or abroad. This means having enough cash on you in remote locations, and tourist hotspots, and before you travel (to avoid the airport currency shops).
Laura Miller has been a financial journalist for more than 10 years, and was on staff at the Telegraph before going freelance in 2019. Her experience includes hosting podcasts and panels, and she writes for the Times and Sunday Times, Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and the Sun, as well as trade titles. She now lives by the sea in Aberystwyth, west Wales.
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How does currency exchange work, exchanging money before you leave, exchanging money while you’re abroad, exchanging money when you get home, best tips to tackle international spending, final thoughts.
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When planning a trip abroad, being able to pay for expenses is bound to be a primary concern. While using a credit card for your purchases can give you the best rate, we know it’s not always possible to pay with a credit card everywhere you go.
So, where is the best place to exchange money? Should you exchange money before you leave or while you’re on vacation? And what do you do with leftover currency when your trip is over? We’ll answer all these questions and give you some great tips for exchanging money on your next trip.
An exchange rate is the value at which one currency can be exchanged for another. Frequently, this value is variable and dependent on the market, but sometimes the value can be fixed, or pegged, to another currency.
Banks and currency exchange stores tack on some sort of charge in addition to the market rate, and these fees can vary significantly.
What does this mean for you? Your spending power on your vacation depends on the value of the U.S. dollar and the currency of the country you’ll be visiting. As these values fluctuate over time, planning a trip when the dollar is favorable can benefit you. Also, where you choose to exchange your money matters!
You have the best opportunity to get the best exchange rates before you ever leave home.
The best place to exchange money is at your local bank or credit union. You will get the best currency exchange rates as rates will closely resemble the market rates, with only minimal added costs added on.
You’ll obviously need to do this before you leave unless your bank has an international presence in the country you’ll be visiting, so plan ahead!
Before you head over to the bank, give them a call to see if they have your desired currency on hand. Depending on the currency you need, you may have to order it in advance. If it’s a common currency, sometimes banks will have it available immediately.
The pro of exchanging money before you leave is that you can hit the ground running when you arrive. You can also generally save some money if you get the money from your bank or credit union.
Knowing your destination’s currency conversion in relation to U.S. dollars is important! We recommend using an offline currency conversion app, such as Currency ( iOS ) or Currency Converter Plus ( Android ). You can also just plug it into Google, but it is helpful to have access abroad even if you don’t have an internet connection.
You might be tempted to exchange money at the airport before you leave, but we generally recommend against this. Airport exchange kiosks and stores are convenient but also tack on big fees and unfavorable rates . This can end up costing you!
You might not need as much cash as you think. Most places accept credit cards, and then you could be stuck carrying excess cash around (and exchanging it back). Try not to take out more than you need.
Regarding traveler’s checks , while they have been popular in the past, they have fallen out of favor. It is increasingly difficult to find a place that will cash them — if your bank even offers them. We don’t recommend exchanging money for traveler’s checks as credit cards (and even debit cards) offer a level of security once only provided by traveler’s checks.
If you’ve already left home and need some tips on exchanging currency, we’ve got you covered!
If you’re wondering how to get local currency when traveling, the easiest way is by using your debit card at an ATM. It’s best to use your bank’s ATM network in order to avoid fees, but any ATM will work. These fees generally range from 1% to 3%. There are cards that will waive (or reimburse) international ATM withdrawal fees, though!
Try to limit your withdrawals and take out the maximum you think you’ll need each time, as there are per-transaction fees as well (generally about $5). In addition, if you’re planning to get money out abroad, knowing your ATM limit is important. You can call your bank to request an increase if it is low.
Also, consider using your credit card when you travel abroad. Most stores and restaurants accept credit cards, which is the easiest and most convenient way to get the best currency exchange rate! Just be sure to select “local currency” and not “pay in U.S. Dollars.”
If you’re looking for a card with no foreign transaction fees , consider popular rewards cards like the American Express ® Gold Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card . Both cards also offer a ton of other valuable travel-related benefits!
Whatever you do, don’t get money from a foreign ATM using your credit card. This is considered a cash advance — the fees can be high, and the interest begins to accrue immediately.
Also, we don’t recommend using those currency exchange stores and kiosks (i.e. Travelex) you see at the airport, hotels, and other major tourist destinations. While they might seem convenient, the rates are not favorable, and the fees are much higher than other options.
For example, let’s say you have $100 to exchange for euros and the current market rate for the exchange is €92.64. Your bank might offer you €92, while a currency conversion kiosk might offer €87. Extra fees could also be tacked on that eat away further at your exchange’s value.
If you have some leftover cash, you’ll likely want to convert it back into U.S. dollars. The best way to exchange foreign currency for U.S. dollars will be at your bank or credit union. Unfortunately, they may not buy back all types of currency.
Those currency exchange stores and kiosks we advised against before might be a good option for less-common currencies. The fees are higher, but at least you won’t be stuck with currency you won’t use again!
Another option might be to donate currency to UNICEF’s Change for Good . American Airlines offers envelopes on its planes and at its Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge locations, but you can also mail currency to the following address:
Change for Good UNICEF USA 125 Maiden Lane New York, NY 10038
While exchanging money for cash is a good start, having a good plan in place for all your international spending is important. That’s because it’s just not feasible to pay for all your large expenses (such as hotels, train travel, etc.) with cash. Here is what we recommend:
Where you choose to exchange your currency can have an impact on how much money you’ll receive. The best rates are found at banks and credit unions. Even if you exchange money when you’re abroad, you can save money by using your debit card to take cash out of an ATM. Be sure to bring cards that are meant for international travel and you’ll be sure to save!
For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click here .
UP's Bonus Valuation
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.
There is quite a lot of movement on the pound to euro rate - so keep a close eye and buy early if possible
Established since 2010. Home delivery is free above £700 with a postal charge of £5 for orders below £700. Payment for your currency can be made via Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay but using these services incurs a 0.1% additional fee. There are no charges if you pay using the “pay by bank app” or for make a manual bank transfer.
Linkfx Home Delivery was established in 1995. Home delivery is free above £750 with a postal charge of £5 for orders below £750. There is no ‘Click & Collect’ service available.
Established in 2006. Home delivery is free above £750 with a postal charge of £5 for orders below £750. “Click and collect” is available in 2 London locations.
Established in 1972. Home delivery is free above £700 with a postal charges of £6 for orders below £700. “Click and collect is available via their London W2 office.
Established in 1975. Home delivery free above £500 with postal charges of £5 for orders below £500. Has 192 “click and collect” outlets throughout the UK.
Established in 2018 and part of the NM Money Group which includes eurochange. Home delivery is free above £500 with postal charges of £5 for orders below £500. Has access to the 192 eurochange “click and collect” outlets
Part of the TUI Travel Agent Group. Home delivery is free above £600 with a postal charge of £4.99 for orders below £600. ‘Click & collect’ is available in a selected number of the 550 plus TUI stores throughout the UK. Check to see if this service is available at a store near you.
Provided by TUI Travel Money. Home delivery is free above £600 with postal charges of £4.99 for orders below £600. ‘Click & collect’ is available in a selected number of the 550 plus TUI stores throughout the UK. Check to see if this service is available at a store near you.
Provide travel money services via John Lewis Finance and First Rate Exchange Services. Home delivery is free above £500 with a postal charge of £5.50 for orders below £500. Waitrose and John Lewis have over 350 stores and “click & collect” is available at a selected number of stores -check to see if there is one near you.
Part of the John Lewis partnership and provide travel money services via John Lewis Finance and First Rate Exchange Services. Home delivery is free above £500 with postal charges of £5.50 for orders below £500. Waitrose and John Lewis have over 350 stores and ‘click & collect’ is available at a selected number of these stores -check to see if there is one near you.
Sainsbury’s have offered a travel money service as part of their bank offering since the late nineties. Home delivery is free above £400 with a postal charge of £4.99 for orders below this amount. ‘Click & collect’ is available in Sainsbury’s stores throughout the UK. Check to see if this service is available at a store near you
Established since 2010. Home delivery and payment via bank transfer is free. Payments via debit card incur a fee of 0.29%. There is no “click & collect” service available.
Established in 1976. Home delivery is free above £600 with postal charges applied on a tiered basis, ranging from £2.99 to £7.49 depending on the amount purchased. ‘Click & collect’ service available. Many of their outlets are at airports and transport hubs -check to see if there is a location convenient to you.
Travel money services offered in conjunction with Travelex. Home delivery is free above £500 with a postal charge of £3.95 for orders below £500. Asda has over 500 stores throughout the UK – check to see if the “click and collect” service is available at a store near you.
Tesco provide travel money services in conjunction with Travelex. Home delivery is free above £500 with postal charges of £4.99 for orders below £149 and £3.95 for orders below £500. Tesco has over 2,500 stores throughout the UK. Check to see if ‘click & collect’ is available at a store near you.
Established in 2001. Home delivery is free above £750 with a postal charge of £6 for orders below £750. “Click & collect” is available from their London store and they also deliver to offices in the City of London.
Post Office has provided travel money services in conjunction with First Rate Exchange Services since 1994. Home delivery is free above £500 with a postal charge of £4.99 for orders below £500. “Click and collect” is available at 100’s of Post Offices throughout the UK. Check to see if this service is available near you.
Powered by the Currency Club and part of the Sterling Consortium that was established in 1972.Home delivery is free over £1500 with a postal charges of £8.99 for orders below £1500. There is no ‘click & collect’ service available
ABTA – The Travel Association knows travel and has been a recognised source of advice, guidance and support to travellers for over 70 years. ABTA now offers a Travel Money service with competitive rates on over 60 currencies. Order Online for Click & Collect in just 60 seconds later (depending on branch opening hours and stock availability) from over 190 locations or order before 2:30pm for next working day home delivery.
Established over 20 years ago and part of the Fexco Group. Home delivery is free above £800 with a postal charge of £6.95 for orders below £800. Has 180 “click and collect” outlets throughout the UK.
Established since 2007 and part of the Equals Money Group. Requires you to register for an account before ordering currency. Home delivery is free above £750 with postal charges of £7.50 for orders below £500 & £5 for orders between £500 & £750. “Click and collect” is available in a store in London.
Established since 2018. Home delivery is free above £750 with a postal charge of £7.50 for orders below £750. Available for “click and collect” from their office in Slough.
Established in 1993. Home delivery is free above £800 with a postal charge of £6.95 for orders below £800. “Click and collect” is available in 9 outlets throughout London.
The travel money service is only available to HSBC, First Direct and Marks and Spencer Account holders. Offers free delivery by post or to HSBC branches
All orders must be paid for with a Barclays debit card or a Barclaycard. Travel money can be collected from Barclays branches or delivered free to your home address. Minimum order £50.
The Euro is the 2nd largest traded currency in the world behind the US dollar. There are 20 EU member countries that use the Euro with over 340m people using the Euro each day. These countries are as follows:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain.
There are 6 Non-EU member countries that also use the Euro:
It is also worth noting that French overseas territories use the Euro so it is worth taking Euros if you are visiting places such as Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Martinique and Saint-Martin in the Caribbean or Mayotte and Réunion in the Indian Ocean. Likewise, the Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Azores, and the Spanish Canary Islands, also use the Euro
How do you get the best exchange rate for Euro?
To get the best exchange rate for Euro you should always use a travel money comparison website, they are easy to use and provide you with a simple way of finding the best price. You don’t have to choose the best rate, so for example if you would prefer a well-known brand which maybe costs more, you can do so but at least you understand the difference in cost. The difference in cost between the best and worst rate can be significant, up to £20 on a currency purchase of £750.
If you are happy to buy on-line then how do you get the best on-line exchange rate for Euro?
Firstly, to get the best on-line exchange rate for Euros always use a comparison website. You will be provided with a list of travel money suppliers usually in order of the best price first. If you want a larger number of Euros, say above £500 the best price will almost certainly be a small direct supplier with a less well known brand. You then have a choice as to whether you would prefer to have the money delivered to your home or to collect the money from a local store on the ‘High St’.
If you would like the money delivered to your home, then how do you get the best exchange rate for Eurosfor Home Delivery?
When you are choosing the provider make sure that you understand the postal delivery charges, particularly for amounts below £500 as any additional postal costs will effectively mean that you are receiving less Euros for the £sterling you pay. That is why at besttravelmoney.com we include postal charges for the specific amount of euros requested within the rate you are shown. So, what you see is the cost to you.
There are some practical considerations when choosing home delivery, like making sure the travel money supplier you have chosen for Euros does deliver to where you live. Some of the smaller suppliers with the best rates will only deliver to a small geographical area. Also, remember this is ‘cash’ you are having delivered, so you need to be at home when your Euros arrive.
If you only require a small number of euro or would prefer the convenience of collecting your Euro from a local store how do you get the best exchange rate for Euros on the High St?
We would still recommend you use a travel money comparison website. Choose the travel money provider which you consider having the best combination of rate and convenience for you. Check the supplier you have chosen (whether for example it is Tesco, Sainsbury’s or Eurochange) really does have a collection point near you as not all stores will have the facility.
We still recommend that you order on-line going from the comparison website to your chosen provider website to ensure you get the best deal. You will almost certainly getter a better rate via ‘click & collect’ than just walking into a store and purchasing your Euros.
Always understand the charges for debit and credit cards.
Many of the costs that you incur while abroad are driven by your UK bank account or credit card, so understanding the costs for your debit or credit cards abroad is important.
Whilst using your debit card in the UK is usually free, using your card abroad often incurs extra charges. Apart from most European holiday destinations the major banks charge a fixed fee every time you use your debit card. There is also a foreign exchange fee (typically 2.99%) on the amount you spend when using your debit card. The newer banks tend to offer better deals. Starling bank and Revolut being two of the better examples.
We have put a table together of debit card charges for most UK banks within the Debit Card FAQ section .
Most credit cards don’t charge a fixed fee for using the card but still charge a percentage on any transaction that you make in a shop or restaurant. Also be careful using your credit card for cash from an ATM as it may be considered a cash advance and incur interest immediately. One of the better credit cards to use abroad is the Halifax Clarity card .
We have put a table together of credit card charges for the major UK card providers within the Credit Card FAQ section .
Something that is becoming more frequent when you go abroad is at an ATM or in shops and restaurants, you may be offered the option to pay in pounds sterling or local currency. Always choose the local currency otherwise you will get a very poor exchange rate and the cost to you can be surprisingly high.
This tiktok we saw explains it well for ATM transactions.
Understanding the differing charges applied by ATMs abroad is not easy. In theory ATMs are required to explain their charges before you press enter. Apart from any charges applied by your bank or credit card provider the local ATM owners may have differing exchange rates or local charges. Don’t be afraid to check out several local ATMs and see which offers the best deal.
Simpler options can be to take more local currency with you or use an ATM from a big local bank. ATMs from banks tend to charge less than independent local operators sited in stores or garages for example.
Our travel guides provide the names of the major banks in some different countries
Check out our blog posts on places we have been.
All you need to know about cash and cards on a Caribbean cruise
Holidaymakers miss out on over £150m a year by not shopping around for currency
All you need to know about cash and cards when travelling to New Zealand
3 Easy Ways to Boost your Holiday Spending Power
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Compare the latest US dollar exchange rates from the UK's best currency providers
It may come as no surprise that the US dollar is the most popular and widely-traded currency in the world. According to the Bank for International Settlements, nearly 90% of all foreign exchange trades involve the US dollar on one side of the transaction, and it's estimated that more than 60% of all the cash reserves held by central banks around the world are stored in US dollars.
If you're travelling to the USA, it's important to shop around and compare currency suppliers to maximise your chances of getting a good deal. We can help you to find the best US dollar exchange rate by comparing a wide range of UK travel money suppliers who have US dollars in stock and ready to order online now. Our comparisons automatically factor in all costs and commission, so all you need to do is tell us how much you want to spend and we'll show you the top suppliers who fit the bill.
Some of the best travel money deals are only available when you buy online. By using a comparison site, you're more likely to see the full range of deals on offer and get the best rate.
Always place your order online, even if you plan to collect your currency in person. Most supermarkets and high street currency suppliers offer better exchange rates if you order online beforehand.
If you're travelling with others, consider placing one large currency order instead of buying individually. Many currency suppliers offer enhanced rates that improve as you order more.
The best US dollar exchange rate right now is 1.2981 from Travel FX . This is based on a comparison of 17 currency suppliers and assumes you were buying £750 worth of US dollars for home delivery.
The best US dollar exchange rates are usually offered by online travel money companies who have lower operating costs than traditional 'bricks and mortar' stores, and can therefore offer better currency deals than their high street counterparts.
For supermarkets and companies who sell travel money online and on the high street, it's generally cheaper to place your order online and collect it from the store rather than turning up out of the blue and ordering over the counter. Many stores set their 'walk-in' exchange rates lower than their online rates because they can. By ordering online you're guaranteed to get the online rate and you can collect your order from the store as usual.
Over the past 30 days, the US dollar rate is up 0.9% from 1.2981 on 25 Jul to 1.3098 today. This means one pound will buy more US dollars today than it would have a month ago. Right now, £750 is worth approximately $982.35 which is $8.77 more than you'd have got on 25 Jul.
These are the average US dollar rates taken from our panel of UK travel money providers at the end of each day. You can explore this further on our British pound to US dollar currency chart .
Timing is key if you want to maximise your US dollars, but the best time to buy will depend on the current market conditions and your personal travel plans.
If you have a fixed travel date, you should start to monitor the US dollar rates as soon as possible in the period leading up to your departure so that you've got time to buy when the rate is looking favourable. For example, if the US dollar rate has been steadily increasing over several weeks or months, it could be a good time to buy while the rate is high.
Some people prefer to buy half of their US dollars as soon as they've booked their holiday, and the remaining half just before they depart. This can be a good way of maximising your holiday money if the exchange rate continues to rise after you've bought, but will also help to minimise your losses if the rate drops.
You could also consider signing up to our newsletter and we'll email the latest rates to you each month.
If you need your US dollars sooner and don't have time to wait for the rates to improve, you can still save money by comparing rates from a range of different providers before you buy. Online travel money suppliers usually have better US dollar rates than high street exchanges, but supermarkets are a good compromise if you want to collect your currency in person and still get a decent rate. Just remember to buy or reserve your US dollars first before you collect them from the store so you benefit from the supplier's better online rate.
US dollars are governed and issued by the central bank of the United States, the Federal Reserve, while the physical production of US dollar banknotes and coins is managed by the Department of the Treasury. Banknotes are printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington D.C., and coins are minted by the United States Mint which has facilities in various US cities including Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco.
One US dollar ($) can be subdivided into 100 cents (¢). There are seven denominations of US dollar banknotes in circulation: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 which are frequently used, plus a rarer $2 bill which is not as widely circulated but is still printed and is legal tender.
All US dollar banknotes feature two insignias that are intended to represent different aspects of American culture and history. The first insignia, known as the Great Seal, depicts a bald eagle with a shield on its chest, holding an olive branch and arrows in its talons. Above the eagle's head is a banner with the Latin phrase "E Pluribus Unum" which means "Out of Many, One", and a constellation of 13 stars representing the original 13 American colonies. The second insignia is the seal of the Federal Reserve System. The front of the seal features an eagle holding a key which represents the Fed's role in controlling the money supply, and a scroll which represents the Fed's responsibility to regulate and oversee banks.
There are four US dollar coins in frequent circulation: 1¢, 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime) and 25¢ (quarter). 50¢ and $1 coins are also minted but are not as widely used.
Dollars are colloquially referred to as 'bucks'. The name was originally used as slang term in 19th century poker games, where a 'buck' was a buck-handled knife that was passed from player to player to indicate whose turn it was to deal. If a player didn't want the responsibility of dealing, they could 'pass the buck' to another player. Over time, the term 'buck' came to be used more broadly to refer to a bet or a wager; eventually becoming synonymous with dollars.
There's no evidence to suggest that you'll get a better deal if you buy your US dollars in the USA. While there may be better exchange rates available in some locations, your options for shopping around may be limited once you arrive, and there's no guarantee the exchange rates will be any better than they are in the UK.
Exchange rates aside, here are some other reasons to avoid buying your US dollars in the USA:
Lastly, it can be handy to have some cash on you when you arrive at your destination so you can pay for any immediate expenses like food, transport and tips. You don't want to be searching for the nearest currency exchange when you've just landed and you're desperate for a cup of tea - or a cocktail!
The USA has a high standard of living, and prices are generally comparable to the UK for things like accommodation, food and transport. Hawaii, New York and California are generally considered to be the expensive states to visit, while Kentucky, Mississippi and Arkansas are among the cheapest.
Sending money to a company you might not have heard of before can be unsettling. We routinely check all the companies that feature in our comparisons to make sure they meet our strict listing criteria, but it's still worth knowing how your money is protected in the unlikely event a company goes bust and you don't receive your order.
Your money is not protected if you pay by bank transfer. If the company goes bust and you've paid by bank transfer, it's unlikely you'll get your money back. For this reason, we recommend you pay by debit or credit card wherever possible because they offer more financial protection.
Debit cards are the most popular payment method and they offer some financial protection. If you pay by debit card and the company goes bust, you can instruct your bank to make a chargeback request to recover your money from the company's bank. This isn't a legal right, and a refund isn't guaranteed, but if you make a chargeback request your bank is obliged to try and recover your money.
Credit cards offer full financial protection, and your money is protected by law under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Section 75 states that your card issuer must refund you in full if you don't receive your order. Be aware that many credit cards charge a cash advance fee (typically around 3%) for buying currency, so you may have to weigh up the benefits of full financial protection with the extra cost of using a credit card.
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Cheap Holiday Money At Your Fingertips
Our rates are updated hourly and sorted by the best currency exchange rates at the moment of inquiry. We pride ourselves on being one of the industry’s most comprehensive and accurate sites, but we recommend double-checking the rates before placing an order.
*These are estimates based on the companies’ public information and our research. For 100% accuracy, you will need to create an account with each company.
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With travel money, finding the best travel money provider for your needs could be complicated. For once, the amount of currency required impacts the rates you are getting. Additionally, some providers are cheaper for particular currency pairs and more expensive for others. Finally, some people value rates, while others care about quality of service and reliability (and are willing to pay more for it).
This is why we have established CompareTravelMoney.net, to provide travellers with all the information they require to make a sober choice. For each currency, we have a separate list of recommended providers with specific rates which apply to the amount you are willing to exchange.
Websites like CompareTravelMoney.net don’t charge money off clients (you will not get better rates by approaching them yourself; on the contrary). We only take a small fee for each client we refer over to a travel money company. In fact, we encourage competitiveness in the niche, and as a whole, what we do helps people get better and better rates each year for their currency.
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Be sure to read through our About Us and Terms and Conditions . We have covered international money transfers for bank account transfers in a separate guide, but we are unable to present rates from these companies.
Travel money, hays travel foreign exchange, 4 great ways to buy your holiday money, click & collect.
Great rates & currency expertise come as standard with our Click & collect service & with no minimum spend, your holiday money is just a few clicks away.
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^Please speak to one of our Hays Travel colleagues for the full Terms & Conditions of the Hays Travel Buy Back Guarantee. ^^In-branch rates will differ from our online rates. The rates displayed online are for currency banknotes pre-order only, and guaranteed if currency is collected before close of business on Monday 26th August 2024. ^^^Not all notes presented for buy back may be able to be exchanged, please ask our staff for more details. ^^^^Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC. ^^^^^Hays Travel Prepaid Currency 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. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
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The Hays Travel Money Card is the safe and easy way to take your money on holiday!
It is free to use in millions of locations worldwide where Mastercard Prepaid is accepted: including restaurants, bars, and shops when you spend in a currency loaded on the card.
This easy-to-use pre-paid card allows contactless transactions, chip and PIN, worldwide cash withdrawals wherever you see the Mastercard Acceptance Mark, and also 24/7 phone support.
Take your money card with you on every holiday, simply top up and go!
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Ordering currency from the comfort of you own home has never been easier, with our great rates & over 60 currencies to choose from as well as next day delivery why not choose your currency to be delivered to your doorstep?
Order before 3pm for next working day home delivery via Royal Mail Special Delivery. *Customer must be home to sign for delivery. Over 60 currencies to select from. Free delivery on all orders £500 and over Convenient Saturday delivery available for no extra charge Minimum order value of £200 up to a maximum of £2500 Peace of mind, your local Hays Travel branch will buy back any leftover currency purchased through Hays Home Delivery commission free
With over 400 branches to choose from arranging your holiday money has never been more convenient – Why not call into branch today where one of our experienced & Friendly Foreign Exchange Consultants will be on hand with our great rates, expert advice & fantastic service.
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Yarilet Perez is an experienced multimedia journalist and fact-checker with a Master of Science in Journalism. She has worked in multiple cities covering breaking news, politics, education, and more. Her expertise is in personal finance and investing, and real estate.
If you're traveling to the U.S. and plan on arriving in Los Angeles (LA) at LAX airport, you'll likely need U.S. currency for cash purchases, such as a coffee or bottle of water. If you're traveling abroad from the U.S, you may want to have foreign currency on hand to pay for taxis and small purchases.
Whether you plan on exchanging currency at the airport, an ATM , or a local foreign currency provider, we've outlined several options located in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles hosted 46.4 million visitors in 2022 (the latest figures available), representing a 91% recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels from 2019. The highest number of international visitors came from Mexico, with 1.6 million tourists visiting L.A., followed by Canada, with 600,000.
Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, a credit card is usually the best option for many purchase—especially larger ones, such as your hotel. More and more banks are offering credit cards with no foreign transaction fees , so if you travel frequently, it’s a good idea to get one. However, some cards impose a 2% to 3% fee on international transactions, which can add to the overall cost of your trip. Be sure to check the fee listings with your financial services provider or your credit card company.
You won’t get the best exchange rates at LAX–or any other airport, for that matter. However, if you only need a small amount of cash in your pocket to get your trip started, the convenience may be worth it. If you want a larger amount, an ATM or one of the currency exchange stores located in town will likely give you a better deal. To find out the current exchange rate for your currency, use an online currency converter.
International Currency Exchange (ICE) operates eight locations within the LAX airport:
Located post-security, next to gate 21 (Delta, Aeromexico, Westjet)
Located post-security, next to gate 41 (American)
Located post-security, near gate 65C (Alaska, Air Canada)
Located post-security, near gate 73 (United)
For more information, call 310-646-7934.
Using an ATM is one of the easiest and cheapest methods to get cash while traveling abroad. All international withdrawals via an ATM typically provide a better exchange rate than you would get at a currency exchange store or airport kiosk . If your home bank has an agreement with a U.S. bank, you can avoid paying any extra fees (ask your bank for policy details). If you will be charged a per-transaction fee, it’s better to take one or two larger withdrawals, instead of several smaller ones.
Within LAX, Bank of America operates ATMs in Terminal 5. Other ATMs that are close to the airport include:
As in any large city, you can find a wide variety of ATMs throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area at banks, shopping centers, and near tourist attractions. If you need help finding an ATM, check with your bank to see if it offers an ATM locator app, or search your smart phone’s app store . You can also check your bank's website on your smartphone.
In addition to the ICE Currency Exchange stores located inside the airport, you can find many other stores throughout Los Angeles, offering a range of services aimed at travelers entering the country and U.S. travelers headed overseas. While the exchange rate you’ll get at a bank is generally fixed, meaning it doesn’t fluctuate throughout the day, other currency exchange stores may change rates with the market. Call ahead to find out rates, but keep in mind the rate you are told over the phone and the rate you might receive could be different since rates are periodically updated.
Some of the currency exchange stores in Los Angeles include:
A currency conversion fee is a charge that a financial institution or a network may impose when you convert one currency, such as U.S. dollars, into another. They are one of several fees that travelers to foreign countries may have to pay when they use their debit or credit cards for ATM withdrawals or purchases.
If you're traveling abroad, you can usually get the best rates if you plan ahead. Look to online currency brokers such as Travelex, Eurochange, the Currency Online Group, or TravelFX, which provide home delivery. They are likely to have better rates than your home bank. Or use a credit card that has no or low foreign transaction fees to make cash withdrawals while you are abroad.
It can be helpful to have at least some foreign currency with you when you arrive in another country, even if it's just for small purchases like a bottle of water or a snack. You can often get better exchange rates, too. Once you arrive at your destination, try to avoid airport kiosks. A better bet is to use your bank's ATM network, if it has one.
Any time you travel overseas–for business or pleasure–you’ll need a way to pay for goods and services in the local currency.
When you do need to exchange money, be sure to ask how much money you’ll get in exchange for the amount you’re handing over. Just because a place advertises no commissions or no fees , doesn’t mean you’ll get a good rate—and it doesn’t mean there won’t be “hidden” charges, either. Find out what you’re getting before you give the store your money.
A currency converting app can help you figure out how much you should be getting. Enter the type and amount of currency you want to exchange, and the app calculates how much of the “new” currency you can buy at today’s rates.
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Compare travel money with MoneySavingExpert. Find a better exchange rate for spending overseas. Choose from a number of different currencies. Compare rates in minutes. Compare rates. Explore page: Pros and cons. Top tips.
Top 5 exchange rate need-to-knows. 1. The RIGHT cards consistently beat travel cash rates. 2. Beware charges for using credit cards to buy your travel money. 3. Avoid the debit cards from HELL - some fine you for spending abroad. 4. Don't let bureaux hold your cash for long - you've little protection.
Take dollars to euros. On a day when currency markets suggest $100 should buy you €93, a currency exchange desk might hand you just €81, while a more modern method would net you a rate closer ...
Get the best currency exchange rates for international money transfers to 200 countries in 100 foreign currencies. Send and receive money with best forex rates. ... Best source for currency conversion, sending money online and tracking exchange rates. Convert Send Charts Alerts. ... Travel Expenses Calculator. Currency Email Updates. More tools.
What we do 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 ...
Download the App. Keep track of live mid-market rates for every world currency on your Smartphone. That's 170+ currencies that you can convert on the go! Xe offers an assortment of travel tools for your next trip!
From Argentine pesos to Vietnamese dong; get the best travel money deal by comparing the exchange rates, fees and commission from the UK's top currency brands. Compare travel money rates. Euros. US dollars. Turkish lira. Thai baht. UAE dirham. Mexican pesos. Australian dollars.
1 GBP = 1.162 EUR. 1 EUR = 0.861 GBP. Amount received (after accounting for delivery fees) 750 GBP = 871.50 EUR. Show Results. Great. 1,062 reviews on. On this page. Top tips Best rates How to get the best rate Pros and cons Alternatives Budgeting for a holiday FAQs.
Compare Wise Rates. 1,000 USD =. 879 EUR. -1 EUR. 1 USD = 0.8981 EUR. Fees : 2.15%. More about this rate. Great rates for Transfers and multi-currency card for purchases and ATM. Get local accounts in 10 currencies. 2 Free ATM withdrawals a month.
Otherwise, the bank charges a $7.50 delivery fee for foreign currency orders. Likewise, customers of TD Bank can exchange U.S. dollars for foreign currencies without paying a fee, but only if they ...
It may not sound like a lot, but that's an instant saving of £60 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 18.7% more Turkish lira by going with the best deal. For Indian rupees, the saving is 13.0%, and for Thai baht it's 13.0%.
Some of the best travel money deals are only available from specialist online currency providers who offer better euro rates than high street bureaux de change. Buy online. ... The best euro exchange rate right now is 1.1599 from Travel FX. This is based on a comparison of 17 currency suppliers and assumes you were buying £750 worth of euros ...
Currency cards offer some of the best exchange rates around, and are available from, for example, Starling, Monzo, Revolut, and Curresea. The euro rates for Monzo and Starling are based on the Mastercard rate so are the same: £1 = €1.152 (vs €1.16 inter bank rate) On the (free) Curresea Essential plan the euro rate is: £1 = €1.152.
The best rates are found at banks and credit unions. Even if you exchange money when you're abroad, you can save money by using your debit card to take cash out of an ATM. Be sure to bring cards that are meant for international travel and you'll be sure to save!
Travel money services offered in conjunction with Travelex. Home delivery is free above £500 with a postal charge of £3.95 for orders below £500. Asda has over 500 stores throughout the UK - check to see if the "click and collect" service is available at a store near you. EUR Rate 1.1423. You get € 856.73.
We found 17 travel money suppliers offering £750 worth of US dollars for delivery and accepting payment by debit card. You receive $972.30. Exchange rate 1.2964. Insured delivery Free. Buy Now. Travel FX . You receive $972.00. Exchange rate 1.296. Insured delivery Free.
Compare more than 30 different UK-based travel money suppliers with our website. Our rates are updated hourly and sorted by the best currency exchange rates at the moment of inquiry. We pride ourselves on being one of the industry's most comprehensive and accurate sites, but we recommend double-checking the rates before placing an order.
Order your travel money from Hays Travel for commission-free currency and buy backs. Get your holiday money by home delivery or free click and collect from over 460 Hays Travel branches. ... Exchange Rates. Always great value and no minimum spend* Euro. 1.1516 US Dollar. 1.2831 Australian Dollar. 1.872 Barbados Dollar. 2.4286 Bulgarian Lev. 2. ...
The Airport . You won't get the best exchange rates at LAX-or any other airport, for that matter. However, if you only need a small amount of cash in your pocket to get your trip started, the ...