Has anyone used the online foreign exchange places?

[BRISTOL86]

Hi Guys

Need to get about £2k in USD for a trip to the states - have always used high street type places for travel money beforehand but never taken a sum this large - has anyone got any experience with the online places?

There's one I'm looking at called 'bestforeignexchange.com' - does anybody have any experience of them that can vouch for their service/reliability?

Thanks

[Andy27]

I have just used Currencies Direct online, it went well, good rate. They do phone you a lot to follow up once you join though.

[Lighterfuel]

I can recommend UKForex. Used them loads of times when working the USA and they are safe, secure and efficient. They have reasonable exchange rates and zero fees. My bank wanted to charge me an appalling exchange rate and 17.50GBP for every transaction......no thanks.

[Gareth79]

I'd suggest using one of the currency debit cards, or use the Halifax Clarity credit card and charge it all to that. You can even pull cash from ATMs for free if you need cash for tipping etc. (so long as you pay off the cash advance balance immediately)

Cash is a bit of a risk, and almost nowhere in the US doesn't take cards.

[eybic]

I have a revolut card, very good imho, have a look https://revolut.com/

[Big Pants]

I used travelfx.co.uk as they had the best rate for Thai baht back in January. Big wodge of cash arrived to be signed for exactly as promised.

[mandos_01]

BRISTOL86 said:

Hi Guys

Need to get about £2k in USD for a trip to the states - have always used high street type places for travel money beforehand but never taken a sum this large - has anyone got any experience with the online places?

There's one I'm looking at called 'bestforeignexchange.com' - does anybody have any experience of them that can vouch for their service/reliability?

Thanks

I used bestforeignexchange.com when travelling to the US last year, collected $3500 from their branch by Liverpool Street station with no issues, and have used them for Euros a couple of times too

I know a few friends who recommended them to me, no problems for them either. Rates are usually good too

[Speed 3]

ICE have always been reliable for me. I also have one of their Euro pre-load Mastercards, it gives 1% cashback and the top-up rates are usually competitive. Only odd thing is it gets refused in some French motorway tolls whereas a UK MC never does. ICE do a USD one.

[Behemoth]

Gareth79 said:

Cash is a bit of a risk, and almost nowhere in the US doesn't take cards.

Beware, some places in the US actually refuse cash. I tried to pay $ cash for a Hilton in Florida once. No chance.

[Evil Monkey]

We got currency and travellers cheques from Thomasexchange.co.uk before. Decent rates and quick delivery. It's also worth looking at the Halifax Clarity credit card too as it's got no foreign transaction charges.

[Lighterfuel]

Be very careful with debit cards. USA security for cards is nowhere near as secure as Europe......no chip & pin. Your waiter will take your card away to swipe it and it is therefor under threat of getting cloned by the more unscrupulous of waiting staff. 20 mins later and your card has zero cash on it. I lived in the USA for a couple of years and had my cards cloned / ripped 3 times! I ALWAYS used credit card: it's the banks money, not mine and therefor their responsibility to keep it secure.

[boxst]

Lighterfuel said:

Be very careful with debit cards. USA security for cards is nowhere near as secure as Europe......no chip & pin. Your waiter will take your card away to swipe it and it is therefor under threat of getting cloned by the more unscrupulous of waiting staff. 20 mins later and your card has zero cash on it. I lived in the USA for a couple of years and had my cards cloned / ripped 3 times! I ALWAYS used credit card: it's the banks money, not mine and therefor their responsibility to keep it secure.

They are finally introducing chip&pin. The problem is that quite a few places don't actually know that, so when presented with the 'pin' question having taken your card away they come back and tell you it has been denied ...

(happened to me twice last week)

[matrignano]

I use FairFX a lot, but since having €1000 cash stolen in Spain, I mainly withdraw as and when I need using the above mentioned Halifax Clarity Card (best FX rates, no commissions).