BS: Pound Euro Exchange Rate

Subject: BS: Pound Euro Exchange Rate
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 10:50 AM

In September I will be going on holiday and I will need to change currency from pounds sterling to euros.

Does anyone know where I can get the best rates and should I change currency ealier or later?

Subject: RE: BS: Pound Euro Exchange Rate
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 11:00 AM

Exchange rates go up and down, so it is always a gamble whether you will hit a rate that is better or worse. Ideally you want to change your pounds to euros about two years back...
There are a number of online sites where you can see a graph of how rates have varied over a period of time. You might be able to use one to decide if they are going in a direction that might give you a better rate if you wait a while. Alternatively things might be plummeting in a fashion that means jumping in quickly is a better bet. Whatever you decide, it will probably change the day after you make your purchase...

As for best deal - the last couple of times we found the local Thomas Cook gave a good rate compared with post office or banks. That was before their recent financial troubles.

Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: BS: Pound Euro Exchange Rate
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 11:45 AM

We always use Travelex which has conveniently placed outlets based both land side and air side at London Gatwick Airport. So on arrival it's Fast Bag Drop, Travelex and Executive Lounge - very easy.

Subject: RE: BS: Pound Euro Exchange Rate
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 12:30 PM

Wait for Greece to default. Buy as many Euros as you can 2 minutes after the news breaks.

Subject: RE: BS: Pound Euro Exchange Rate
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 01:13 PM

They won't let Greece go bankrupt for some reason, which when you consider that they'll NEVER pay back what they've borrowed now! Seems like a silly plan.

Subject: RE: BS: Pound Euro Exchange Rate
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 07:15 PM

It appears that Greece has been something of a "problem child" at least since Truman mentioned them to the US Congress in 1947 (Known affectionately as the "Truman Doctrine" by historians.)

Advice given to a group going from the US to Japan a few decades back included the suggestion that the exchange rate may be different at the point of origin and at the destination country, so it's probably a good idea to look at whether you should change your money before you leave or wait until you're in the destination country - if you can find reports of current rates for both sides - and confirm that destination changers will deal with furriners.

As a side note, it was suggested that you plan on changing a small amount before you leave, so you'll at least be able to have a cup of coffee if it takes a while to "process" the change - if you decide to change it all in the target country. Within the euro regions, it's fairly likely that even local vendors will take either currency, but their "rates of exchange" may not be kind to travelers.

Additionally, at that time, most exchange agents refused to change coins and if you find that's the case either keep it all in "bills," as much as you can, and/or plan on donating the loose change to a suitable charity in the destination country before departing to return home. (In some cases the "street beggars" are a hazardous option for getting rid of the coin, since you probably don't have enough change for all of them and could get "mobbed." Greece probably hasn't been quite that bad off, as yet, but it's hard to tell from the news reports.)

While this is "old news" I'd expect it to be still "something to check out" although the loss from ignoring it was (at that time) fairly minimal for those in our group that "didn't get the message;" but it might matter more for a longer stay.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Pound Euro Exchange Rate
From: jimmyt
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 08:25 PM

I always have a few euros or pounds,) whatever currency used in the country to which I am traveling ) on hand before I travel. I try not to change money in the airport if at all possible. As soon as I get to my destination I find a bank with an ATM and use a debit (or cash) card to make my transaction. more times than one I have asked a taxi driver to take me by an ATM. I find I routinely get the best rate that way.

Subject: RE: BS: Pound Euro Exchange Rate
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 22 Jun 12 - 02:34 PM

http://www.fairfx.com/moneysupermarket3?justlanded=1#a_id=moneysupermarket-offer&chan=

This link will take you to a site that gives you the chance to obtain a pre-loaded card. This is not a scam, it's from Money supermarket.com and both myself and Mrs viking also Junior viking and daughter viking have all got cards from here. It's as simple as a debit card over here and works in almost every outlet that we've used our cards in France, Germany, Holland and Spain. The only time it didn't work was at McDonalds in the Disney Village in PAris....Yes I know !!! McDonalds, but we were starving having een in the park since 09.00 hrs.

The card is really useful and you can load as much or little as you like. I'm getting a second one for dollars as we are off to Universal Orlando later this year.