£ £ £ ... how's best to get it

[anat0l]

Quid quid quid.... how's best to get it

Hi everyone.

Colleague and I are heading to the UK. Currency wise, I'm armed with 28 Degrees MC preloaded up, (forced decision, not mine) GBP 300 in cold hard banknotes, and GBP 40 on a Travelex card which I intend to withdraw in the UK and then close after I return (useless piece of junk).

Colleague is leaving next Friday. He doesn't have a 28 Degrees MC, and probably can't apply for one (both because it's too short a timeframe, and he is not an Australian PR nor has a substantial source of income except for his RHD scholarship, so on almost all fronts fail the credit test). Given that he will be in the UK for the good part of about 1.5 weeks, he's asking:

• Assuming some expenses will be put onto credit card (but some expenses he will need to hand over cash), what would be a decent amount of quid he should get.
• Given he has no 28 Degrees MC, what would be the best way to get quid:
  • Currency Exchange in Australia?
  • Withdraw from ATM in UK?
  • Currency Exchange in UK?
  • Other idea? Or, given that he probably won't need more than GBP 500 in cold hard cash, the small amount doesn't really make a difference?

Reaching out to the well-travelled collegiate here for your wisdom....

 

[StevePER]

You can order foreign currency online and pick it up from any post office with no fees. I've found their rates reasonable in the past (and very convenient), YMMV.

Virgin Blue Currency Exchange

 

[simongr]

I personally just get out cash from the ATM (or cash point as we call it). There are ATMs everywhere and it is quick and convenient.

I tend to put other expenditure on Amex and not worry about exchange fees - but I probably have a higher disposable/wasteable income.

Cash would be a good way to control expenditure. If he works out how much he can afford and then lives to that amount coming out of the hole in the wall.

 

[TonyHancock]

My advice to your friend would be:

"Have a nice chat with your friend anat0l and ask him if you could give him some Australian dollars to pop on his 28 Deg MC and then he could withdraw some GBP's for you without incurring nasty fees etc."

Alternatively +1 to Simongr's post.

 

[anat0l]

My advice to your friend would be:



Alternatively +1 to Simongr's post.

Sounds like an idea, actually!

There will be one night where he'll be there before I arrive. He might need some cash to get by (not much, though). Still, that is worth considering.

 

[JohnK]

If your friend needs to take GBP with him then I find the private exchanges, such as Kings/Crown Currency Exchange, have good rates without fees. Generally I stay away from the banks.

Personally I take AUD with me everywhere I go and that works quite well. Got some really good rates in Thailand recently.