Is there any benefit to exchanging money before we leave the U.S. or is it better to wait until we arrive at Gatwick and use an ATM?

<<Is there any benefit to exchanging money before we leave the U.S.>>

Perhaps... if you own stock in the company providing this service? might induce other travelers to partake in this high-profit racket...

Best wishes,

Rex

None whatsoever except you're throwing money away.....

Heathrow and/or Gatwick and/or Waterloo are loaded with ATM's and there are ATM's on every street corner in London. Gatwick Express, Heathrow Express, Underground take credit cards for fares anyway.

So if you want to throw away 20 cents on each dollar you exchange for some sort of imagined convenience, be my guest.

Most here would say to wait and use an ATM when you get there (I'm one of those people).

A few might say if it makes you feel better to have some pounds when you land then get some in advance and don't worry about the extra money it will cost. That's OK too, it won't break you.

But if you want to save the money AND not have any worry at all about no ATMs working or some other such problem, then just have some US cash on hand. When you land if for some reason no ATMs work, then go to one of the exchange booths and exchange your US cash. Why pay extra to exchange even though you PROBABLY won't need to. If you DO need to, do it then.

Hi twin,

As one of those people who sympathizes with folks who are concerned about arriving jet-lagged, disoriented, excited and stressed in a totally new environment, I suggest that, if it would make you feel more comfortable, you convert $100 to GBP at your departure airport.

This will cost you about $5.

From then on, use ATMs to get cash as needed.

Have a nice trip.

I think I mis-read your initial question - - I somehow read into it that you were asking about exchanging, <i>at your departure airport</i> in the US. That's where the high-priced services offer you the worst deal.

If you want pounds ahead of time, I'd order thru your home bank, or AmEx, or some place like that.

Otherwise I would use an ATM upon arrival. And yes, carry USD that could be exchanged as a backup plan.

No, I had no intention of doing the exchange at the U.S. airport. A friend is a manager of a bank in the Philadelphia area, so that's where I thought I'd get the best rate if I decide to exchange any money before we leave. Thanks for the suggestions!