Question regarding March 25 Bank Holiday
Mar 17th, 2016, 10:59 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Question regarding March 25 Bank Holiday
We will be returning to the US on Friday March 25, a bank holiday. Will I be able to convert my excess British pounds to USDs at the airport, and will I be able to get a refund of any excess money on my Oyster Card?
Mar 17th, 2016, 11:07 AM
#3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 18,050
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You will be able to convert money at the airport though you will receive a horrible rate. Better to try and spend as much as you can, or save your left over money for another trip. Everything will be open as usual at the airport.
I can't answer on the Oyster card.
I can't answer on the Oyster card.
Mar 17th, 2016, 11:17 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,863
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Perhaps London is different, but in any other airport I've been in, the airport gives much worse rates than if you exchanged it in the city, assuming you can find a bureau de change in the city. Usually there are still some in popular tourist areas in many cities--I haven't been to London in a few years, but when I was there last, I still saw several around my hotel near Gloucester tube stop. The Post Office in London exchanges money, also.
http://www.visitlondon.com/traveller...reau-de-change
IN fact, when I tried to do that somewhere recently (Prague, as I have no use for koruna but would have kept euro), the airport Travelex had not only a bad rate but a flat fee no matter how much you exchanged. So it wasn't worth doing you lost so much--I just spent it at the airport even though I didn't really want anything that much. I think it was worth about US$20. If it were just the exchange rate, I wouldn't have minded so much, but they would have taken 50% or more of the amount.
http://www.visitlondon.com/traveller...reau-de-change
IN fact, when I tried to do that somewhere recently (Prague, as I have no use for koruna but would have kept euro), the airport Travelex had not only a bad rate but a flat fee no matter how much you exchanged. So it wasn't worth doing you lost so much--I just spent it at the airport even though I didn't really want anything that much. I think it was worth about US$20. If it were just the exchange rate, I wouldn't have minded so much, but they would have taken 50% or more of the amount.
Mar 17th, 2016, 12:14 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One more question-We arrive at Heathrow this Sunday and will need to exchange some USD into British pounds. At the airport is the exchange rate for USD to British Pounds at a Bureau d'Exchange worse than at a bank. I would need to exchange at least a small amount until I could get to a bank on Monday. Or is an ATM the best way to go-I am always reluctant to use an ATM machine abroad as I worry that it will not return my card, or that the card number will be stolen and used fraudulently.
Mar 17th, 2016, 12:22 PM
#6
>>Will I be able to convert my excess British pounds to USDs at the airport, <<
>>Perhaps London is different, but in any other airport I've been in, the airport gives much worse rates than if you exchanged it in the city, assuming you can find a bureau de change in the city. <<
You will get about the same rate <i>anywhere</i> -- And it will be BAD.
There is a lot to spend ££ on at LHR -- food, drinks, all the VERY posh merchants and cheap duty free, souvenirs, Gordon Ramsay, caviar/champagne -- so plan well and don't have too many ££ left and spend what you do have.
>>One more question-We arrive at Heathrow this Sunday and will need to exchange some USD into British pounds. <<
No --- don't exchange money <u>anywhere</u> if you can help it. Use your ATM card (throughout the trip -- not just at the airport). 'Exchanging' money is a very expensive habit.
>>Perhaps London is different, but in any other airport I've been in, the airport gives much worse rates than if you exchanged it in the city, assuming you can find a bureau de change in the city. <<
You will get about the same rate <i>anywhere</i> -- And it will be BAD.
There is a lot to spend ££ on at LHR -- food, drinks, all the VERY posh merchants and cheap duty free, souvenirs, Gordon Ramsay, caviar/champagne -- so plan well and don't have too many ££ left and spend what you do have.
>>One more question-We arrive at Heathrow this Sunday and will need to exchange some USD into British pounds. <<
No --- don't exchange money <u>anywhere</u> if you can help it. Use your ATM card (throughout the trip -- not just at the airport). 'Exchanging' money is a very expensive habit.
Mar 17th, 2016, 02:23 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,984
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>I am always reluctant to use an ATM machine abroad as I worry that it will not return my card, or that the card number will be stolen and used fraudulently.</i>
If you have an iPhone 6 or later, you can use Apple Pay for purchases up to £30 without even taking the card out of your wallet. I live in the UK and use my US credit card and debit card all the time without a problem, but hardly pay for anything by cash anymore.
If you have an iPhone 6 or later, you can use Apple Pay for purchases up to £30 without even taking the card out of your wallet. I live in the UK and use my US credit card and debit card all the time without a problem, but hardly pay for anything by cash anymore.
Mar 17th, 2016, 02:30 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
People who live in the uk use ATMs every day and their cards aren't compromised any more than North America. In fact I have never heard of it happening here in London, although it must happen sometimes. Where have you heard that this is unsafe...?
Use a bank arm when the bank us open and if it gets stuck they can get it out.
Use a bank arm when the bank us open and if it gets stuck they can get it out.
Mar 18th, 2016, 04:50 AM
#11
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do banks still handle currency? I went into one not too long ago, and they would only do it if I had an account at the bank (they wouldn't even change a 50 pound note into smaller bills). As for ATMs agree that it is best to use one at a bank. Some of the other ATMs charge a fee.
"I am always reluctant to use an ATM machine abroad"
European banks are reluctant to let their cards be used in the US, as there is much more chance of fraud there, compared to Europe. I have to notify them in advance if I want to use a card in the US, otherwise it is automatically blocked.
"I am always reluctant to use an ATM machine abroad"
European banks are reluctant to let their cards be used in the US, as there is much more chance of fraud there, compared to Europe. I have to notify them in advance if I want to use a card in the US, otherwise it is automatically blocked.
Mar 18th, 2016, 05:13 AM
#12
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,984
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are many cases of card skimming at ATMs in the UK. When I need to withdraw cash, I look for an ATM <i>inside</i> a bank when possible.
http://www.money.co.uk/current-accou...know-about.htm
I doubt the bank would return a card that has been swallowed by the machine, though — more likely it would be destroyed.
http://www.money.co.uk/current-accou...know-about.htm
I doubt the bank would return a card that has been swallowed by the machine, though — more likely it would be destroyed.
