Changing quids into dollars, Here, or there?
Changing quids into dollars, Here, or there?
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Discussion

King Herald

Original Poster:

23,501 posts

245 months

Friday 30th January 2009
quotequote all
I should know this already, as I've worked there for three bleddy years, but am I better off changing my money in the UK before we go on hols to the US, or doing it in the USA?

I've never actually changed any money in the USA before though, just taken it out of ATM's.

The ironic thing is I get paid in US$ but have it sent to a UK bank and changed into quids, so now have to change a chunk back. rolleyes

Captain Cadillac

2,974 posts

216 months

Friday 30th January 2009
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NO!

Use your ATM card and/or credit card. Don't come here with much more than $100, use your credit card and you'll be right around the current rates, buy money and you'll be 10c/p per unit wrong either way.

Mr Fenix

863 posts

234 months

Friday 30th January 2009
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I recommend using the Nationwide's Visa Debit card, I've pulled money out of my UK account in the USA and there's no atm charge and the conversion rate is very close to XE.com's daily tracker. Whilst you visit the USA might be worth your while opening up a US checking account if you don't already have one. Very easy to do with a British Passport even without a SSN !

King Herald

Original Poster:

23,501 posts

245 months

Friday 30th January 2009
quotequote all
Captain Cadillac said:
NO!

Use your ATM card and/or credit card. Don't come here with much more than $100, use your credit card and you'll be right around the current rates, buy money and you'll be 10c/p per unit wrong either way.
Sounds interesting. I'll pop into my bank and ask them how they work the exchange rate when I use my card overseas. I don't know if it is converted in the UK or the USA.

Mr Fenix said:
I recommend using the Nationwide's Visa Debit card, I've pulled money out of my UK account in the USA and there's no atm charge and the conversion rate is very close to XE.com's daily tracker. Whilst you visit the USA might be worth your while opening up a US checking account if you don't already have one. Very easy to do with a British Passport even without a SSN !
I have a Citibank account I used to use years ago, still have a grand or two in it. Plans are to start sending my salary there later this year, for various reasons. A bit late now to open a ATM card account with Nationwide, as we fly next Wednesday, but I do already have a couple of savings accounts there. Might be worth looking into for future travels.

catso

16,373 posts

296 months

Friday 30th January 2009
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Don't expect many banks in the US to change pounds, they'll look at them in amazement having never seen them before.

Lord Pikey

3,257 posts

244 months

Friday 30th January 2009
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Does anyone know if you can use european debits cards in us cash machines. Its a German EC card with a Maestro symbol.

Cheers, and appologies for hijacking the thread but i was going to change € to $ tomorrow morning.

LP

GreigM

6,740 posts

278 months

Friday 30th January 2009
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Lord Pikey said:
Does anyone know if you can use european debits cards in us cash machines. Its a German EC card with a Maestro symbol.

Cheers, and appologies for hijacking the thread but i was going to change € to $ tomorrow morning.

LP
yes, its taken in many cash machines (maestro = cirrus to some extent) but I'd have a backup visa or something as UK banks have a habit of cutting off debit cards when used to withdraw cash in the US - happened to me three times in the last 2 years, even when I had told them I'd be going!

JDMTim

1,138 posts

250 months

Friday 30th January 2009
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I have a fairfx card..

http://www.fairfx.com