Tourist rate

[andrewmckay5]

Hi All,
i know this is on other threads but its not always clear whether people are talking tourist or commercial rate.
Anyway where is the best Tourist rate for $ to be found in the UK.
regards
andrew

[phaedra]

Usually Travelex or M&S (yes Marks & Sparks!), bear in mind that buying on line with a credit or debit card is classed as a "cash advance" so is usually liable for about a 2% commission charge plus interest straight away. Usually you can look on line and then troll round the Post Office, Barclays etc. and see who's the nearest, usually they're within 2c of each other so not a huge difference.

If you can open a US bank account (Citibank in the UK do joint currency accounts) you can get the commercial rate when transferring between accounts but ask about charges as some banks are quite expensive.

[wrpac00]

Halifax is good if you have an account with them. You can also get them at the PO but the rate is a little lower.

Paul

[agod]

I have the luxury of having a wife, who works at the Bank of America, here in the UK, and just to make you all jealous we get the top commercial rate, and even better, free wire transfers as well, when we move money.


Sorry Alan

[Andy & Arlene]

M & S usually have the best tourist rate. Followed by the post office. They are both commission free.

[Pikey1999]

As stated M&S or TravelEx.
TravelEx is ok if you use your Nationwide card as they don't apparently charge you charges.(if you know what I mean...)
However you have to pick the money/TC's up from the Airport or some other location (i.e. Manchester Piccadilly railway station)

[Pikey1999]

Both Tourist rates plus you can reserve TravelEx for, I think, 30 days.
If the rate goes down you're safe.
If it goes up, you just cancel your order and make a new reservation at the better rate!

[Claire M]

If you have a Marks and Spencer store card, or M&S credit card, there is no commission payable. They also do not class it as a cash advance.

Claire

[chrisj]

Nationwide dont charge of you order money on their card

[Frosty]

Hi Everyone.

Newbie here.

Good news i just signed the contract on a house in Orlando, the closing is going to be in Mid June.

Question, whats the best way to change money from UK to US as i will have to transfer approx £90k for closing and just a couple of points could make a big difference.

Thanks for any help