View Full Version : Exchange rate watch
firsttimer
12-02-2004, 23:07
I thought it might be a good idea to have a thread on exchange rates.
If people post any good or bad rates they find, we will be able to see whether rates are generally going up or down.
For example a week or so ago the best rate I could find was Dawson & Sanderson with $1.75 per £1.
Today I see that Nationwide Building Society are offering $1.82 with no comission.
$1.86 lloyds. this is a good idea, may help us to get the best rate after all. dino
All my contacts in the money markets think the rate should get better, only trouble
is it may not. Last year we were getting $1.55 so im happy with the rate at the
moment.
Its almost like a game of Dare, how long do you wait until you buy :)
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
12-02-2004, 23:39
I was half listening to an economic analyist in the way home from work this week, he predicted that the dollar would weaken to almost $2 to the pound sterling or certainly $1.9ish at least - until November as this is when the election will take place. Great news for the Brits going over but not so great for the UK tourist industry. I work in the historic town of Chester and there is a marked absence of American tourists.
Oh $2 to the £1 those were the days...
Sarah
Ray&Sarah
13-02-2004, 00:00
Financial Times were advocating $2 to the pound this week. Lets hope all those GB holiday makers decide to hit Florida whilst the exchange rate is so good and that the Americans choose Florida as their preferred destination if the Uk is too pricey at the moment.[msnsmile]
I used to work in Chester and the surrounding area's. Mostly work in Warrington now
I remember getting over $2 per pound but that was years ago
Bigblue33
13-02-2004, 02:00
I got $2 to the £1 back in 1985 when I was in New York. Great rate at the moment.I'll have to check out Lloyds....oh just re-reading that makes me feel old....:(
Don.
If your a Halifax customer there rate today is $1.82983, crazy.
I keep an eye on FXstreet.com, they are showing the commercial rate at $1.893.
Paul
Commercial rates are only if you have a business account
"Commercial rates are only if you have a business account"
Well it depends on how much you are changing, most banks are willing to give you a rate very close to the commercial one if you are changing a larger sum, like paying off part of your mortgage. All you need to do is ask.
Regards Dave
MrEktion
13-02-2004, 04:10
£1=$1.8341 on Travelex on-line at the moment. The Travelex rate changes approx 3-4 hours after any move by the currency market.
If you can take the risk and keep an eye on your PC during the day you can watch the rate rises on the main currency pages like Bloomberg.com and then buy from Travelex when you see a major drop before the Travelex rate itself falls.
The other good thing is you can buy for collection up to 60 days ahead but you can cancel free of charge upto 48 hours prior to collection. So again the brave can buy at a rate for 60 days ahead and cancel and re-buy again if the rate goes up in the 60 day period.
Mr Ektion
Dave
Sorry I was on about changing holiday spending money over, not for paying chunks off a
mortgage etc
Dear Chris,
My brother works on the stock exchange. The current view really is that the $/£ rate will reach $2.00 to the pound. Bullish views suggest $2.20 even but my brother doesnt subscribe. However, the value is unlikely to reach $2 until the elections as one of the previous writers mentioned.
The timing of your holiday will depict when to buy but the longer you can wait, the better.
There are various sites such as Currencies Direct in Holborn, London where you can buy dollars without commission and get todays spot price of $1.89!!!
Hope this helps,
Robbie
Thanks Robbie
Think I will keep an eye on the rate and see what happens
It is a good rate, I am going with caxton.com and they are giving a commercial rate of $1.8770 which is good, but it is nerveracking watching the dollar, I am holding out but feeling like a serious gambler!
It went to $1:90 earlier today :D:D
its getting addictive, all this checking on the price
hi guys, chrisj is correct this is getting addictive, want my fix so here i am , business rates are easy to get , helps when the amount is a bit bigger. even not so business rates are good, try lloydstsp . if people need the number i can provide it go to the dealer and he will give spot rate or u could do a forward contract. one has to do research before going for the forward contract but it helps. dino
I check lloyds and nationwide every day, plus some other sites. I feel like a
stock broker at the moment :D:D:D:D
hi chrisj, could u also give us latest on u r watch rates please.
dino
Hi Dino
must admit havent checked today, but will check in a bit and let you know
hi chrisj, this is getting out of hand mate, soon we will be dealing.... man. we need to control these urges but any place pls let me know, sent some money thru lloydstsb, had to pay twice once for sending and once for receiveing , strange world isnt. dino
it sure seems strange at times
DISNEYDIVA
15-02-2004, 03:18
I have asked my niece who works in a travel agents to book my travellers cheques/currancy the minute the rate reaches $1/£2 i will be more than happy at that rate. We don't fly to Orlando until October so we can sit it out. [msntongue]
All the reports suggest it will hit that rate
NickClark
15-02-2004, 20:36
I got $1.86 to the £ from Woolwich Guernsey on Friday 13th Feb. Not so unlucky. :D
XE.Com opened with rate of $1.88 all others opened approx $1.82
I can't work out how xe.com operates. How do you pay them, and how do you then get your dollars in your hand?
Sorry for being so naive.
Ironhead
17-02-2004, 00:14
Hi Guys,
I've had three quotes today.
Xchangebusiness quoted a spot rate of $1.878,
HSBC quoted $1.8653,
Moneycorp quoted 1.84!
It's a gamble on whether to buy now or later, my instincts tell me to buy now and be happy with securing a position.
However, my greed says hang on and try for a little more!
Oh for a crystal ball.
Good luck,
John.
quote:Originally posted by DaveL
"Commercial rates are only if you have a business account"
Well it depends on how much you are changing, most banks are willing to give you a rate very close to the commercial one if you are changing a larger sum, like paying off part of your mortgage. All you need to do is ask.
Regards Dave
I opened US dollar account at the NatWest and they do give a near comercial rate if you are changing over£20000
Rate today is
$1.83 lowest to $1.89 Highest
:):)
hi Chrisj, just hit 1.90..
dino
bloomberg TV and working lunch. lloydstsb will give 1.88 or around that mark if u tried. or should one wait....
dino
Thats odd Lloyds quoted $1:83 a while ago [}:)]
Im going to order mine at the end of the week anway
rate given was at2.30, wait and call to speak with a dealer, i am waiting for a week as well, greed what can it do to good men.
dino
Ironhead
17-02-2004, 20:08
Spot rate from Moneycorp at lunchtime today was $1.895
Best, John
Hi everyone, this is such a great site!
It's just hit 1.90 on xe.com!
chrisj, i told u, good things come to those who wait, what do u think another week will it touch 2.01
dino
I have always used Moneycorp good rates and great service.[msnwink]
hi Bazamor, could u pls give me link for moneycorp.
dino
quote:Originally posted by dino
chrisj, i told u, good things come to those who wait, what do u think another week will it touch 2.01
dino
:D but wait too long and you may lose out. ARGHHH the choice to
jump in now or wait :D
www.moneycorp.co.uk is the site address you want
1.90-2.0 zone should be fine enough, remember in may we sent 1.65 and we thought that was good. dino
hamptonlakes
18-02-2004, 02:28
Well ITV have shown a preview of tonights news @ 10ish and they are looking at the US$ against the GB£
just seen it they say its gonna hit $2 :D
As of this morning Money Corp were quoting $1.91 to the £1.00.
Now that its broken through the $1.90 threshold, the $2.00 marks looks ever more certian.:D
All the signs are that the dollar will continue to fall for the forseeable future, at least until the US elections in November, at this rate what are the odds of it breaking the $2.00 mark :D
We are off to Orlando in May and have already purchased our dollars for this trip at $1.65 :(( and we thought we were doing well compared with $1.52 in Septmeber ) - looks like I will be saving the Cash / Travellers Cheques for another time and spending on my Nationwide Credit Card ( no commision and a good exchange rate ) :D
We are then off agian in September and December, so we await the $2.00 mark with anticipation.
Oh how those days of $1.35 seem so far away [:o)]
It's good news for us Brits.
Nationwide are $1.85 at opening :D ooo im getting nervous
Rate on Moneycorp today is $1.91 so they would offer you around$1.89 0r $1.90 dependent on amount.[msnwink]
isnt moneycorp for business accounts and not members of the public ???
Chris
Moneycorp deals with both business and private (i.e. members of the public) clients. I transacted with them last week when I sent some money over. They do so quickly and at good rates as mentioned earlier.
Adeline
Spoke to couple of guys at Moneycorp this morning, the seemed a bit doubtfull whether the rate would get to $2 to the pound. Reason being a lot of people have pre-booked to buy should the rate reach 1.95. They predict if the rate goes through 1.95 and moves on above it straight away it could go on to 2.00, on the other hand it could drop back into the 1.80's pretty quickly. I'm planning on buying when the rate reaches 1.95...thats the gamble I suppose.
hi guys, i think one should go for a forward contract if in doubt but if it goes up, foward contract looses out but i think any think more that 1.80 is a bonus, i never planned for that kind of pound strenght when i was booking my villa, some guys who bought a bit earlier and cheaper paid 1.50.
dino
firsttimer
19-02-2004, 14:09
Nationwide today: $1.819, so don't forget that high street rates will be lower than some of the above sources.
Probably best to phone around your local ones rather than assuming you will get the rates we hear on the news.
CO-OP Travel currently do $1.83 without commission, which is the highest I've seen in sunny Liverpool today.
If its $$$ you require go to Marks and Spencer. they are at least 2 to 5 cents above all the high street rates. Spot rate re larege amounts read the postings above.
firsttimer
19-02-2004, 18:11
I never knew M & S did currency! Do you have to book in advance or do they do it instantly? I presume it is just the large stores?
Littletony
19-02-2004, 19:20
www.travelex.co.uk are offering 1.836 no comission on cash and t/cqs. Book and pay online to guarantee the rate and collect at the airport
Ray&Sarah
19-02-2004, 21:52
One of our local M & S shops has a currency changing bureau. They had the best rate in Cheltenham at the time we were looking just before Xmas and they were offering it commission free at the time.
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
19-02-2004, 22:30
The Chester Branch has a bureau de change offering commission free exchanges, although I glanced a the rate whilst hurtling round finding something for tea in my lunch break, by the time I got to back to the office I had no recollection of the rate. Yet another blonde moment[msnwink]
Sarah
Bristol M&S had a commission free rate of 1.851 on Wednesday.
Brizzle
Bigblue33
23-02-2004, 17:27
Just checked M&S, they are giving $1.80
Don.
Pikey1999
23-02-2004, 22:38
Compare M&S against TravelEx. TravelEx have a better rate than M&S but you can pay in cash at M&S therefore avoiding on-line card charges (1.5%) that, I think, all cards charge for 'Cash' withdrawals. T/C's count as 'Cash' withdrawals.
Nationwide debit card dont charge
Pikey1999
25-02-2004, 00:10
quote:Originally posted by chrisj
Nationwide debit card dont charge
I have got one of these cards but stupidly never thought of using it to buy T/C's. [msnembarrased][msncry]
If you use it at an ATM abroad you get a slightly better rate as well and no
Charges :D:D
hamptonlakes
25-02-2004, 15:15
I have just been looking on www.xe.com and there rate dollar to the pound is $1.89 to the £. Great for new buyers when we change our money over we got 1.6 to £ and we would of saved a forture[msnsmile2]
Nationwide $1.83, thinking I might just get them as they are better than the
$1.55 we got last year and all this checking is doing my head in :D
quote:Originally posted by chrisj
Nationwide $1.83, thinking I might just get them as they are better than the
$1.55 we got last year and all this checking is doing my head in :D
Me too chrisj! Thomas Cook this morning only offering 1.78, travelex.com offering 1.80, xe.com 1.90.
Ive just done it on-line, im off tomorrow :D:D so will be in for the delivery
Will need some more later on, but have to wait for a few more paydays first:(:(
Still got a few of months to go, so I'm holding on, waiting for the magical $2 (or as near as possible).
Can your nerves hold out :D
Thats why I ordered some today, just to make sure we get a good rate. Means I can
relax a bit.
Bigblue33
25-02-2004, 20:23
We got some last month at $1.78. That was through the Royal Bank Of Scotland, so I think I can wait off a little bit longer.....I hope [:p]
Don.
My mum also ordered hers today, so all we need now is order the tickets then
sit back and wait til July :( Til we can spend it all
Do you think it will get to $2?
I don't know if I should just get them now even though we are not there until July?[msnscared]
All we have done is get half the amount now so that at least we have a better rate than
last year and will get the rest nearer july when we go
The experts seem to think it will hit $2, but its one of those gambles if you wait and
see or at least secure some now like we have at a very good rate
orlandobabe
26-02-2004, 02:42
That's what I've done. Got some for now-we are going over at the weekend-and then when we go back in May-get some more!
oh go on rub it in go this weekend and in may :)
Like ive said at the moment the rates 30 cents more than last
year for us so im happy with that
firsttimer
02-03-2004, 14:46
Hi, the rate in the post office yesterday was $1.79, and on the Nationwide website today it is $1.796.
Hmmmm, not as good as a little while ago
[msnsad]
villainthesun
02-03-2004, 22:18
And it's dropped 3 cents today.
Bit worried as the experts think it is now on the decline, and on its way down, too many people worried and now cashing in, (that whole supply and demand thing!)I took there advice and cashed, but still interested on how the dollar will go!
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
04-03-2004, 01:26
I heard this too on the radio but still better than it has been for years so make hay....while the sun shines in Florida!!
:D
Sarah
dick wroe
04-03-2004, 05:01
buy your dollars at the post office NO fees
Pikey1999
04-03-2004, 22:58
TravelEx has dropped to 1.77
Pikey1999
05-03-2004, 22:29
Still going downwards, now 1.765. [msnsad]
firsttimer
08-03-2004, 15:09
Nationwide $1.78 today online.
Wish I'd bought at $1.83!!!
I am able to confidently predict where the dollar will go - it will go down, then it will go up, then it will go down, then it will go up. Then again it may go up, then down, then up, then down. Sometimes you will win, sometimes you will lose.
Drew
Pikey1999
08-03-2004, 23:17
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Drew
I am able to confidently predict where the dollar will go - it will go down, then it will go up, then it will go down, then it will go up. Then again it may go up, then down, then up, then down. Sometimes you will win, sometimes you will lose.
Drew
[/quote]
Yeah, Thanks.[}:)]
Pikey1999
08-03-2004, 23:21
TravelEx Up, Up, Up at 1.789 [8D]
Got offered $1.72 at the Post Office today.
They had a theory that the best day for a high rate was Wednesdays, don't know what the theory was based on?
Any else heard this?
Julie R
Haven't heard that theory before, but its interesting to see that the rate is dropping a lot faster than it rose !!
Strange to say Wednesdays that the rate would be at its strongest. Whilst I've been checking it seems to be higher last thing on a Friday and first thing on a Monday.
Matt
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Matt
Strange to say Wednesdays that the rate would be at its strongest. Whilst I've been checking it seems to be higher last thing on a Friday and first thing on a Monday.
Matt
[/quote]
I will keep an eye on it today!
I always thought it seemed higher at close of play on Fridays and first thing Monday mornings...
we got 1.71 yesterday (fri) at the post office
:D:D
Claire M
13-03-2004, 14:35
Marks and Spencer $1.74 today, I wish I had bought them when they were $1.85. I got half of my money at £1.81.
Let's hope it goes back up[msnsmile].
firsttimer
23-03-2004, 01:43
Anyone know what the exchange rate is at the moment (High Street rates)?
FXstreet us 1.84 is not tourist rate.
Pikey1999
23-03-2004, 18:56
TravelEx - 1.792
kevinprewett
23-03-2004, 20:12
Moneycorp today 1.8454 at 16.15![msnsmile2][msnsmile2]
Just checked changing £80,000 FXstree is $148,284 exchange is $1.528 moneycorp is $148,011
feel like a broker:D:D:D
Barclays 1.825, High street.
might go up again tomorrow hold your horses and wait and see:):)with a bit of luck might made 1.8 by Friday then i'l lbuy
Must admit I might just jump in and get some tomorrow
firsttimer
24-03-2004, 17:32
Dawson & Sanderson $1.79 today
I ordered mine today $1:83 so thats me done for a bit, better that last year so im
happy
where did you get the rate $1.83? that is better than my quote from rbofs
What Is RBOFS Rates Today.
Travelex $1.79 - xe.com $1.83
:):):):):):):):):):):):)
Royal Bank of Scot rate for US$ is $1.768 for notes and $1.7754 for t/chqs
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrisj
I ordered mine today $1:83 so thats me done for a bit, better that last year so im
happy
[/quote]
Chrisj where did you get $1.83 ?
Flexy
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by flexy
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrisj
I ordered mine today $1:83 so thats me done for a bit, better that last year so im
happy
[/quote]
Chrisj where did you get $1.83 ?
Flexy
[/quote]
I think Chrisj goes to Nationwide? Not sure but he will tell you later or why don't you PM him?
Julie R
Got mine through a friend via Xe.com, Nationwide were still $1.78, so decided to get some
now rather than keep checking every day. Last year we were getting $1.55 so even if it goes
to the magic $2, we have a better deal than last year.
Just need to order park tickets from here then thats it all sorted :)
Oh and pay the final for the Villa, Car and flights :(:(
Hi to all
Marks and spencers exchange rate is $1.793 to the pound today,
which i thought was good, and there's no commision to pay.
That is a good rate, it does seem to be goig back up bit by bit
Thanx for that,
i assume that xe.com is only available to buisness and not public.
Laters
Flexy
firsttimer
25-03-2004, 18:44
Guess what?
Yesterday's rate at Dawson & Sanderson was $1.78, so sent hubby for some today and it was $1.76[msnsad]
Bet it goes up again now!
On the other hand it might just keep going down so our card purchases in USA will get an even worse rate.[msnscared]
When going to the USA I take a minimum amount of cash, together with my Nationwide Flexaccount debit card and a Nationwide Credit Card.
Why?
Well I can draw cash from machines and get the commercial exchange rate and similarly when I use my credit card I get a the same rate. This is the only bank that changes at the commercial rate and it makes a 2.5% difference ie. about 4.5 cents in the pound. The other banks and money exchangers rip you off.
Pooley
That's exactly what I do. I only discovered the Nationwide Cr Card last summer, but it's been brilliant. Used it on our last visit and there was quite a difference between the rates I was getting and what my sister was getting on her cr card. And they don't charge you to withdraw cash from machines from what I remember. They're brilliant.
scamhammer
26-03-2004, 12:42
The best value Nationwide cash card is the one without the Visa symbol on it. It can be used in all the Cirrus cash machines and does not even charge Visa's fees.
However, Nationwide will automatically give curstomers the Visa debit card unless they specifically ask for the one without.
Having said that, all the Nationwide cards are at the better value end of the spectrum.
(Commercial note: I am a member, and therefore part owner, of Nationwide.)
I used my Nationwide Credit Card last time in Florida (Xmas 03) and was surprised to find a commision charge on my statment for withdrawing cash. [V] It was the first time I have had this charge so can only assume this is a new rule they have. Even so with the commercial exchange rate they are still the best way of getting cash, and far better for purchases.
Jeff
firsttimer
26-03-2004, 16:58
I got my card in Feb, and the leaflet says:
Credit cards: Charges for foreign transactions- nil, (but it does say for cash advances there will be a charge of 1%).
"Use your card abroad:
You can use your card abroad in exactly the same way as you do in the UK and there are no commission charges"
Maybe it is worth a phone call to check.
We used our nationwide card in October and december in Cyprus for cash advances and had
no charges at all
firsttimer
29-03-2004, 15:52
Nationwide $1.744!!
Oh noooooooooo
Seems to be going down a bit :(
Floridalover
01-04-2004, 23:45
Just exchanged with XE.com at 1.85:)
Seems to just be going from $1:75 to $1:85 at the moment.
Its very unsettled, up and down by a cent or two every day.
Glad I'm out of it now, having bought our money a couple of weeks ago for $1.79.
Still waiting for it to hit $2 so I can buy some for next year tho'.
We have our TC's just need to get some actual Dollars, I cant see it hitting the $2 anymore,
seems as soon as it gets mid $1:80's it starts to drop again
$ is slowly climbing back up, but not as good as a month ago, approx $1.75 today
Just got 1.793 from XE.com, the rate has been fluctuating up and down a few points all week, highest was this morning at 1.796, maybe if we all concentrate on 1.8 together we can get it there?
:D:D at least its still higer than last year
you may want to hold off buying until uk interest rates announced
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by jotter
you may want to hold off buying until uk interest rates announced
[/quote]
Yes I was thinking that, in theory the pound should get a bit stronger again, but then again whats good for currency is bad for Mortgages[msnsad]
LucyMike
06-05-2004, 05:33
and when will that be?
Im sure its either this week or next week.
I expect it will happen today, probably 0.5% [msnsad]
Will keep an eye on the news
Just been put up by 0.25% [}:)]
Ray&Sarah
06-05-2004, 21:42
Glad our UK mortgage is linked to the US Libor and not the UK interest rates.[msnsmile]
Glad we dont have a mortgage :D mind you we dont have any savings either
Pikey1999
10-05-2004, 22:22
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by hayter
Glad our UK mortgage is linked to the US Libor and not the UK interest rates.[msnsmile]
[/quote]
What rate is that at?