DebitNM

". Travelex has an agreement w/ BAA that they do not charge fees at their airport Cash machines"

Can you provide reference/link to that info? Thank you.

nanabee

Vicky kust use your Visa or MasterCard for every purchase or at least as often as possible. You will get the best exchange rate and won't have to worry about cash at all.

janisj

>>Can you provide reference/link to that info? Thank you.<<

Every ATM in LHR/ EDI, etc have prominent signs saying "Fee Free" (but once one opts for DCC that no longer applies)

I know I have the link somewhere when the agreement was reached back when Travelex got the concession a few years ago but can't find it right now. The LHR website does say:

>>Cash dispensers (ATMs) are available before and after security control in every terminal at Heathrow.

Most cash machines accept UK bank and building society cards without surcharge.<<


Which isn't definitive of course. But I have used cash machines at LHR 3 or 4 times a year like forever and have never been assessed a transaction fee by the machine (one of my debit cards DOES charge a fee but I only use it for backup)

historytraveler

Ditto here. I might add that even if a fee was charged it has to be a minimal expense compared to one's overall budget. Even the strictest budget should be able to absorb any fee charged and remember we're only talking a one time withdrawal. The advantage of getting cash on arrival ( you can't walk 20 ' without passing an ATM ) is far more convenient than trying to get £'s from your local bank. Hey spend the extra couple of dollars and be done with it. Get just enough to get you to London and then use the bank ATM's.

marvelousmouse

I got currency at my bank and then ATM money when needed to restock. Most atms overseas will charge me a fee to use it, but it's usually negligible for how much I withdraw. I like having money upon arrival- don't like stopping for an airport ATM if I'm tired or in a hurry. I can't imagine changing money at the airport- I carry a few hundred around at most.

I don't like the dynamic conversion thing that some merchants try to do and I found it was much easier to just pay cash for meals and attractions. But I'd use my card for hotels. Does she pay cash for those too? Or will she have a credit card?

But $14 dollars seems like a lot of money, even though it's her business.

If nothing else, I would make sure she brings an ATM card with a pin. If her cash gets stolen, how does she expect to pay for stuff? You don't want to end up lending her money.

Where can you get your oyster refund? I didn't even know that was possible!

greg

>>> If nothing else, I would make sure she brings an ATM card with a pin. If her cash gets stolen, how does she expect to pay for stuff?

In my experience, those who bring a lot of cash also keep all the valuables in one pickpocket accessible place. It is just as difficult to tell such person to distribute valuables so as not to lose everything all at once. The standard response I get even here is that many people are so smart it never happens to them. Those who are not as smart like me would need to take defensive measures.

janisj

>>Most atms overseas will charge me a fee to use it,<<

That is very odd -- Are you talking about Europe or somewhere else? In Europe the vast majority of bank affiliated machines don't charge for withdrawals.

>>Where can you get your oyster refund? I didn't even know that was possible!<<

In a tube station.

marvelousmouse

Very true, Greg

Heimdall

Janisj, the Travelex ATMs may not charge a transaction fee for withdrawals, but I'm not convinced they dispense cash at the interbank rate even when you accept the amount in £. I hope you are correct.

Vicky

The hotel and flight is paid for, as is the Heathrow Express and my musical ticket.
I at least will use a card for bigger ticket things like teas, dinners, shopping in stores, but want cash for markets, coffee, etc. I will be aware of DCC - first time I encountered it was in Harrods quite a few years ago; didn't know anything about it then so agreed!! Never again.

I will suggest she take a card with a pin and that she does not carry all the cash with her only enough for what we are doing that morning, afternoon or evening (but she'll still need to carry it to London and from airport to hotel.... She does tend to look endlessly when shopping but end up not buying.

If she is getting it from the CU I asked if she can get me 100 pounds and I will pay a proportionate amount of the flat fee. I'm not paying $14 to get 100 pounds plus my credit union doesn't do that. If not I'll just get enough for day 1 at the Travelex and more later at a regular London bank ATM. But it would be nice not to have to stop at and do that at the airport; just one less thing to do...

marvelousmouse

I wouldn't want to leave the cash in the hotel either though. I think this might be a moneybelt situation. But I tend to be paranoid.

Janis- I know there was a specific bank whose atms would not charge me because they had some kind of partnership. But I did get charged a convenience fee at other banks. I know it was banks because I don't use nonbank atms. Doesn't matter much- I get charged at home too unless I find the right atm and it's not like it's a big charge.

Where in a tube station? Can you do it at a machine or does it have to be a manned counter?

StCirq

I've never paid any sort of a transaction fee at an ATM anywhere in Europe. Still, I find it impossible to believe that any European bank offers the interbank rate.

janisj

>>Janis- I know there was a specific bank whose atms would not charge me because they had some kind of partnership. But I did get charged a convenience fee at other banks. <<

BofA and Barclay's have a partnership . . . So BofA doesn't charge you to you their normal $5 fee. But that has NOTHING to do with Barclays or any other bank charging you to use their machines. <u>Any fee one pays will be assessed by their own/US bank</u>

Heimdall: >>Janisj, the Travelex ATMs may not charge a transaction fee for withdrawals, but I'm not convinced they dispense cash at the interbank rate even when you accept the amount in £. I hope you are correct.<<

The machine/travelex dispenses what you request. £100, £200 whatever. How much those £ cost is 100% dependent on your own Bank/whichever system it belongs too. Travelex does not take any $$$ out of your checking account - your bank does. As far as travelex is concerned it is a straightforward dispensing of cash.

(This is re their ATMs - not the currency exchange booths where they DO charge fees and bad exchange rates. They make their profit from people using those desks)

PatrickLondon

>>Where in a tube station? Can you do it at a machine or does it have to be a manned counter?<<

From the horse's mouth:

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payment...ts?intcmp=1785