dollars for the pound ?

[SJ canary]

"I cannot think why anyone buys US currency these days and doen't use plastic in the States."

Some people still buy US currency because it wouldn't really be a good idea handing out 6 credit/debit cards to all the members of the family - and we are not all fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to have the time to work out a multitude of ways to look at a few lost pence here and there because we are too busy having another great holiday in Orlando.

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by SJ canary
"I cannot think why anyone buys US currency these days and doen't use plastic in the States."

Some people still buy US currency because it wouldn't really be a good idea handing out 6 credit/debit cards to all the members of the family - and we are not all fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to have the time to work out a multitude of ways to look at a few lost pence here and there because we are too busy having another great holiday in Orlando.
[/quote]

I think you have completely misread Robert's post. What I believe he is saying is that there isn't any need (nor does it make much sense) these days to buy dollars in the UK and take them over there. It is much more cost effective, safer and less hassle to withdraw dollars from cash machines in the US using the best debit cards which don't charge for the transaction and give better rates than any travel agent, bank or FX company in the UK. The savings are considerably more than the "few lost pence" you refer to.

By all means have a few dollars with you for when you arrive (regular travellers will have those from past trips) but carrying large amounts of currency from the UK and paying for the privilege is not necessary in the 21st century.

It always puzzles me that people will spend weeks and months finding the very best deals on flights and accomodation but let themselves be fleeced on currency exchange.

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Some people still buy US currency because it wouldn't really be a good idea handing out 6 credit/debit cards to all the members of the family - and we are not all fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to have the time to work out a multitude of ways to look at a few lost pence here and there because we are too busy having another great holiday in Orlando.[/quote]

Strange post.

This is a thread specifically asking about the best exchange rates; I wonder why you are reading it if you are so short of time.

Secondly in my post I stated that I got out $400 from an ATM with a debit card– isn’t that currency? What is the difference between getting out cash from an ATM and handing it to members of your family rather than buying it in UK – other than it is more secure, more convenient and you get a better exchange rate!

Thirdly you don’t need to ‘work out a multitude of ways’ to get the best deal – Nationwide plastic is the best method. Most of us work that out before we go to Florida so we don’t have to take time out from “having a great holiday in Florida”

Lastly using your ‘arithmetic’ the difference may be a ‘few pence’ a more accurate calculation would make that many pounds.

[Robert5988]

Getting back to the original question.

I have used my Nationwide credit and debit cards extensively over the last 2 weeks for purchases and cash from an ATM(debit card only of course)

The lowest(worst) rate was £1 = $2.032 and the best £1 = $2.048

[bargainqueen]

Wow what a good rate of exchange, I hope it lasts!

Loading up our Nationwide Flex account for our trip in 2 weeks.

Someone who draws out Euros from a joint flex account to load up their bank account in Spain reported that each card holder can draw out £300 a day. We are going to test this theory to see if it works for us.

[Robert5988]

[quotLoading up our Nationwide Flex account for our trip in 2 weeks.

Someone who draws out Euros from a joint flex account to load up their bank account in Spain reported that each card holder can draw out £300 a day. We are going to test this theory to see if it works for us.e][/quote]

Most ATMs have a restriction of $400 max; I haven't tried to use it more than once on the same day.

There should be no restriction on spending up to your balance on a debit card though.

[Lynne S]

I have always been able to draw out $500 with my Nationwide flex card in Florida.

I think it's £300 per day you are allowed.

[bargainqueen]

The limit is £300 per day and how much you can draw out would depend on whether a limit has been set by the individual ATM machine.

In Spain most machines are set at 300euros which is ample for my needs. Others have reported that they put the card in again and draw out what they calculate is left from the £300 daily limit.

The report said that as each holder holds a different numbered card they are each entitled to draw out £300 each, they also had a another flex account each and on the same day were able to draw out 1200 euros from the ATM outside their bank to pay in. This trip I'm taking over the laptop, we will try to both draw out on the same day and report back if it does work.

I don't need to do this in Florida but it will come in handy when we need to load up our bank account in Spain.

[Mo Green]

Most ATM's I have used on the Gulf Coast seem to have a limit of $400 but I have put the card back into the ATM to obtain more cash without any problem (I did take the precaution of using an ATM which swipes the card rather than swallowing it).

I recently needed more to cover a couple of unexpected large bills and experimented with drawing out as much as allowed before 7pm at our local ATM (i.e before midnight in the UK) and then on the way back to the villa an hour later (ie next day in the UK) drew out the maximum again.

[dsv77]

I have a bank account in the U.S , so I like to send over some money at regular periods and just use my debit card issued by my U.S bank , to do this I use Paypal there are no charges for usng this service and at the moment they are giving a rate of $2.08 to the pound .