Money advice needed

[Tredegar Boy]

I'm considering paying for our San Stef holiday now with my debit card rather than when I get over there - the euro is 1.20 at the moment but I'm concerned that that will go down after the budget next Tuesday. If I do pay by debit card today will I get the 1.20 exchange or the 1.16 being offered by the exchange companies here?  In other words when our Greek friends do the business their end will I get the better rate?

Does that make sense? God I'm confused.

One other thing, what's the rate over there at the moment?

[tonyco1]

Be careful, we got charged a fee when we paid by debit card last year, I would have paid cash if I had known.
Check it out first!
Exchange rate there according to recent posts is slightly better than here, but depends where you change your money.
Some places add commission - best to ask first!

[SueLa]

last year we took Travel Cheques and got them exchanged in San Stef.

This was mainly due to a slightly better exchange rate, plus no cash machines working in San Stef or Arillas.

Hope this helps

[Waspman]

Tony't right, beware of using debit cards.  There's always a heavy charge by your debit card provider for using their cards abroad, even in this country you can pay commission to buy currency if using your debit card.

The exchange rate in SS (after commission) was 1.17 yesterday, this was confirmed to me by Noula (San Stefanos Travel) so there is not a huge amount of difference between GB and San Stefanos.

My advice on earlier postings was to take one of the "no commission credit cards" ie Nationwide, Post Office etc, but beware that some restaurants/tavernas will try to charge you 2% commission, even so it's better than using a debit card and can still be better than paying by cash.

Travellers cheques are still a good idea, if you lose them you can have them replaced at short notice, with cash, once it's lost it's gone forever.

[Mikee]

Tony't right, beware of using debit cards.  There's always a heavy charge by your debit card provider for using their cards abroad, even in this country you can pay commission to buy currency if using your debit card.

The exchange rate in SS (after commission) was 1.17 yesterday, this was confirmed to me by Noula (San Stefanos Travel) so there is not a huge amount of difference between GB and San Stefanos.

My advice on earlier postings was to take one of the "no commission credit cards" ie Nationwide, Post Office etc, but beware that some restaurants/tavernas will try to charge you 2% commission, even so it's better than using a debit card and can still be better than paying by cash.

Travellers cheques are still a good idea, if you lose them you can have them replaced at short notice, with cash, once it's lost it's gone forever.

That'll do for me Wapman, ESP as the PO is only 1-16 and M&S 1-137 today

[zoe]

just been on the phone to crown currency exchange as we always get our moneyfrom them  the rate on the webb was 1.20 if you buy now and have after the 8th aug i know some people worry about that but we have had our money from them for the last 5 years twice a year she asked when we were away and i told her not till september she told me a new rate was about to be put on if you pay now and have the money after 31st aug 1.24  no commision and free delivery over £500  we had 1300 euros for £1045.18

[Jimbo]

ICE rate is 1.714 at the moment. Somewhat better!

[zoe]

i wish it was we could all have an exra mythos it was 1.1747  this afternoon

[tonyco1]

Jimbo - I think that your rate is incorrect! Check it again!! (maybe you did a typo?)
My local rates also agree with Zoe!
I checked I C E on my PC - it says 1.1747 for euro's!

[Jimbo]

Whoops! Typo! ICE rate this morning is still 1.1747. The base rate is currently 1.197

Best Foreign Exchange is 1.1911 - with a £5 delivery charge for up to £2,500 - that's a pretty good rate if you order say £2000, which I think I am about to do.

The effective rate after shipping:

£1000 = 1.184 = 84.4    pence
£2000 = 1.187 = 84.2    pence

[Jules]

W saw £82.00 per €100 yesterday in London commission free - thats over€1.21 / £

[tonyco1]

Did you get any? and was it less commission?

[Jules]

Commission free Tony - didn't get any as we were not expecting to see that rate .

[tonyco1]

Not bad then - always seems strange why there is a difference between London and other parts.