Pounds to dollars

[googlemad]

I'm off to Orlando a week on Thursday (hurrah!)

 

Now I do have some dollars for general holiday money, but my friend has recommended I take around $1000 for a couple of casino visits to get a taste of Las Vegas style gambling!

 

Anyway I had a look and that works out at £620ish at the moment, is that likely to drop or rise much within the next week? Basically will there be much difference buying it this Wednesday compared to next Wednesday (I'm aware nobody has a crystal ball!)

 

Also where would be the best place on the high street to get the dosh - or will they all be about the same?

 

New to all this holiday stuff!

[FN-GM]

if your not worries about spending $1k in the casino why bother about the week in exchange rate differences? the Casino is a much bigger gamble!

 

The post office isn't bad for exchanging money. Good rates and stuff.

[markcuk]

m&s

 

Tesco are good, They don't display good rates but are easy to haggle with! I got some euros from them about 3 weeks ago, I had the following rates from elsewhere

 

1.23, 1.24 went to tesco said i had seen 1.26 and i got it they don't check just ask where you have seen it etc..

[Norphy]

If I were you, instead of getting hundreds of pounds of dollars and taking those with you, I'd get a travel money card and load the money onto that instead. The Post Office do one: http://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money/card

 

It's essentially a pre-paid credit card. It means that you don't have to carry that much money with you and if you get mugged, you'd be able to contact the PO and get the card cancelled and replaced. Personally I don't much like the idea of carrying that much cash with me!

[visioN]

M&S are usually pretty good

[MYK-IT]

As @Norphy mentioned, maybe a prepaid travel card...

 

Checkout http://www.fairfx.com (used them for years) $1000 is coming in at £632.11 (Currently £1.5820 to £1) There is a cost for the card (or used to be) but checkout Travel credit cards: the best credit cards to use abroad - MSE

 

Only issue is if you can get the card sent to you in time for next week; alternative may be travellers cheques (although not as competitive) but you can effectively used them as cash in USA (low denominations) and any unused ones, you can get refunded upon your return.

[Norphy]

If you get the Post Office card, you can get it over the counter. You're limited to a set amount until you register the card, after that I think you can put something like £5000 on it.

[MYK-IT]

Similarly, Thomas Cook's Cash Passport Prepaid card can also be bought over the counter too. Thomas Cook Cash Passport | Prepaid Currency Card | MasterCard | Home

[Dos_Box]

If I were you, instead of getting hundreds of pounds of dollars and taking those with you, I'd get a travel money card and load the money onto that instead. The Post Office do one: http://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money/card

 

It's essentially a pre-paid credit card. It means that you don't have to carry that much money with you and if you get mugged, you'd be able to contact the PO and get the card cancelled and replaced. Personally I don't much like the idea of carrying that much cash with me!

 

 

If you are visiting the US you may have to prove at immigration you have enough cash on you to survive your visit. I got questioned at immigration this summer on our Atlanta visit.

For the US it's always handy to have plenty of cash on you as you will find you have to tip for almost everything that involves some kind of customer service, so be warned.

[LiamH]

The ATM's over here aren't like back in England either, they charge you to use an ATM unless its "your" bank so you may get charged for taking cash out (for tips and whatnot)

 

I would recommend going down to Fremont Street in vagas, most of the new casino's have machines where you swipe a card and just play, Fremont has all the old coin machines which are more fun / less tempting to go crazy on.

 

They do take most UK cards over in the US anyway.. but mine got red flagged after using it for a large purchase despite telling the bank i would be there in advance!

[pantscat]

Get a Halifax Clarity credit card - they won't charge you for taking money out while abroad.

Also worth getting lots of small dollars before you go, as it's been said, you'll need to tip a fair amount and it's useful to have small denominations.

 

Not sure if you're anywhere near central london, but Covent Garden FX is always a really good rate on dollars, even better if you pre-book it via their website first.