Please sign in to post.

Currency concersion

Exchanging U.S. dollars into British pounds.Will I get a better conversion rate or avoid fees if I use a London bank? Do most British banks allow conversion

Posted by
9363 posts

You will not save fees of any kind by exchanging money there, whether you use a bank or an exchange. The best way to avoid fees is to withdraw money from an ATM there. Your bank may still charge you some fees (many don't) but they will be less than exchanging money.

Posted by
2081 posts

hi, just an for your information (fyi) everyone but you will be making $$$ out the transaction. the only thing you can do is to minimize the bleeding. check your banking/credit union for rates and such using your card overseas. happy trails.

Posted by
11294 posts

Here is a page of links to Rick's excellent money tips: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/money-travel-tips.htm. Read all of them, and you'll be a pro. The short answer is, don't exchange cash if you can help it, as you get poorer rates. Use your ATM card to withdraw pounds at a London ATM. If asked whether you want the transaction processed in dollars or pounds, choose pounds. As Ray said, there's no free money, but using an ATM reduces the costs greatly.