Couldn't find any previous threads on it which surprised me !
Thanks
Nobody can afford to go!
Santander do a Zero credit card that allows you to withdraw cash abroad without charging you anything apart from the £1.50 the machine charges.
Just make sure it works before you go and tell the bank where you are going and when.
Check places like Thomas Cook and banks and the PO for rates and then walking into a local currency broker and check their rates. At Easter Barclays were offering 1.02, the PO 1.05 (1.08 if you did online) and Thomas Cook 1.06, but the local broker did it at 1.10. If you are changing up £500 it makes a difference.
Unbelievably, there's better places than bicycle forums for this sort of info
http://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/
Watch out for you bank stinging you if you pay for your foreign currency with a debit card. Certainly both Lloyds and Barclays will charge you commission on the transaction, no matter where you buy your currency.
Better to get cash out and exchange (unless you lose it / spend it / get mugged) on the way.
I travel quite a bit and usually find M&S have some of the best rates, and almost always have the notes you want in stock. You might find some better prices if you take time to shop around / order on line etc.
Yeah - but everyone on here seems to know everything about everything !
I always order it from Travelex to be picked up from the airport, seems to be a good deal with no hastle.
I always just get it out a 'hole in the wall' whilst abroad. Although there will usually be a transaction fee (depending on bank) I find the rate is usually better than changing it in advance. There used to be a nationwide card which was free withdrawls or you could try a Caxton FX card, i think you pre-load it with money in the UK or online whilst youre there and then can get money out of an ATM without paying a charge.
Also would feel slightly nervous about travelling with all the cash for an entire holiday on me.
I've always found that M&S are very good indeed, especially their King's Road branch, as they seem to hold a superb level of currency (Volume and variety).
I always order it from Travelex to be picked up from the airport, seems to be a good deal with no hastle.
Same here...Travelex always have the best rates. I've never seen the PO or M&S beat them.
There used to be a nationwide card which was free withdrawls
There did...but not anymore. If existing card holders (like myself) had the terms changed so we now pay something.