Changing UK £ Notes in US

[Gordoncruickshank]

This is probably a bit of a tangent. We always take an amount of UK currency just in case. I know I can exchange that at customer services on the cruise, but if I need to do that post cruise, where do I do this. I am quite ok doing this in continental Europe as there are (or were plenty of exchange places pre the euro) but I have never been in a bank in the US in all the visits I have made.

 

Is this a simple thing do do if I need to. If it isn't simple I will switch the GB£ into $.

Edited February 8, 2016 by Gordoncruickshank

[cruisestitch]

If you have a cash card (bank in a box, ATM card, they go by many names) they will be far easier, safer, and more convenient than trying to exchange notes. You will also probably get a better rate.

[az_tchr]

Larger banks will exchange but they often charge something in the 8% area. Cruisestitch is correct - use a debit card at an ATM machine. Many of those have no foreign exchange fee and only a few $$ for a transaction. Celebrity also has $$ machines in the casino ($6US charge).

 

I rarely use cash in the US anymore. you can use a credit or debit card for alomst everything - even a $1 cup of coffee.

[Gordoncruickshank]

Many thanks for the replies. By the sounds of what you are saying there is no merit in taking UK cash.

 

I haven't quite got to the stage of not using cash yet. I do have too many credit cards all of which charge a foreign transaction charge. I also have a prepaid mastercard loaded with $ which I use in some circumstances which doesn't.

[mickey89]

Gordon, The best UK credit cards for foreign travel are Saga Platinium or Halifax Clarity. Both are zero transaction and free of foreign exchange charges, you get the visa rate of the day. A cash advance of $500 and repaid within the month will cost less than £4 in interest. Cash is too dangerous !

Edited February 8, 2016 by mickey89

[Gordoncruickshank]

Gordon, The best UK credit cards for foreign travel are Saga Platinium or Halifax Clarity. Both are zero transaction and free of foreign exchange charges, you get the visa rate of the day. A cash advance of $500 and repaid within the month will cost less than £4 in interest. Cash is too dangerous !

Mickey

I have a Fairfx prepaid card loaded with $ but I like to have cash for tips, taxis etc.

 

We always travel independently from Celebrity, although the one thing that irritate me is that we are doing a b2b. First cruise ex Miami, second from Fort Lauderdale. In the past ccelebrity would have moved us. Now I need to pay for the transfer.

 

I am getting to the stage where I will go on another cruise company for the second cruise as Celebrity no longer looks after b2b passengers properly. It is ok if you stay one the sa e ship but moving now is at your cost which is not right, in my opinion.

[Lsimon]

I bank at a major US Bank (Chase) and they charge around a 4% premium from the prior day's spot index closing rate on foreign exchange. This is pretty common at major banks although some, possibly including mine, also add a fixed service charge for non-customers. If you use an ATM the exchange rate will likely be well under 1% plus any ATM fees that the machine adds on (typically a couple dollars) or that your bank adds on. The other benefit of using an ATM is that they tend to be more convenient than going into a bank.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Lsimon

[Gordoncruickshank]

I bank at a major US Bank (Chase) and they charge around a 4% premium from the prior day's spot index closing rate on foreign exchange. This is pretty common at major banks although some, possibly including mine, also add a fixed service charge for non-customers. If you use an ATM the exchange rate will likely be well under 1% plus any ATM fees that the machine adds on (typically a couple dollars) or that your bank adds on. The other benefit of using an ATM is that they tend to be more convenient than going into a bank.

Thanks for the information. I any of the currency exchanges we have here there is typically a % swing between the spot rate and the buy at/sell at rates. The spot is $1.44 to the £ you can be looking at a buy rate rate of $1.41 and a sell rate of $1.46 but the spread varies dependent on the outlet and the street rates would be nearer $1.40 and as high as $1.60 to sell.

 

The money is emergency cash which in all the cruises has gone on a holiday and come home with me, but I was interested to see how easy it was to convert it if I really needed it. The reality is, in an emergency a credit card would be used.

 

Thanks again

[bluwes]

Gordon,

 

I would agree with Cruisestitch in that the pre loaded bank travel cards are your best option, along with your normal credit cards. Added to that have a couple of hundred dollars in cash for walking about money when you first arrive.

 

Most of the big banks and Supermarkets have their own, but they are all basically the same, and you get a better exchange rate that way.

[Jetlagged787]

It is always very difficult to find places in the US to exchange GBP. Not being funny Gordon, but will you be taking English or Scottish notes? I can think of at least one European country that will not accept Scottish notes so am not sure what the take would on them in the US.

[Gordoncruickshank]

It is always very difficult to find places in the US to exchange GBP. Not being funny Gordon, but will you be taking English or Scottish notes? I can think of at least one European country that will not accept Scottish notes so am not sure what the take would on them in the US.

Scottish notes can be difficult to use in other parts ok the UK never mind overseas. The notes are Bank of England ones. Funnily, when we were last in Portugal one of our party brought Scottish notes only to find that they couldn't exchange them in the small town we were in.

Edited February 10, 2016 by Gordoncruickshank

[swigso]

Hi Gordon,

We sailed the Eclipse then the Connie, and Celebrity took us from Ft Lauderdale to Miami, they had a bus which took B2B folks to their new ships, there were RCCL and Celebrity pax.

Have they stopped doing this?

[chemmo]

Hi Gordon,

 

We still always carry a couple of 50 dollar travelers cheques. Cashed for face value on the ship and can be used at most outlets on shore...Buy something get dollars cash in change. If you don't use one holiday, keep for the next...

 

We have found them really useful, towards the end of cruise if we think we are low on cash we will just cash one on board. In the US we will take a couple of hundred dollars cash and if we drop below 50 we will just make our next smallish purchase (kfc, subway) using a cheque. Very occasionally an outlet will refuse to take, store specific rather than chain policy so always have credit card too!

[Gordoncruickshank]

Hi Gordon,

We sailed the Eclipse then the Connie, and Celebrity took us from Ft Lauderdale to Miami, they had a bus which took B2B folks to their new ships, there were RCCL and Celebrity pax.

Have they stopped doing this?

 

Hi Steve

Two years ago, after you prompted me, We did the Eclipse from Fort Lauderdale then a day on shore then a week on the Silhouette and Celebrity covered the transfers and the hotel stay. Last year when we did similar from Miami, Reflection, night off, Eclipse we had to do it all ourselves. Spoke to Celebrity UK and they said they never did that. I don't know if it is the difference between booking in the US via a US agent as the first cruises were done that way (again after some help from you) and the later ones have all been UK booked.

[Gordoncruickshank]

Hi Gordon,

 

We still always carry a couple of 50 dollar travelers cheques. Cashed for face value on the ship and can be used at most outlets on shore...Buy something get dollars cash in change. If you don't use one holiday, keep for the next...

 

We have found them really useful, towards the end of cruise if we think we are low on cash we will just cash one on board. In the US we will take a couple of hundred dollars cash and if we drop below 50 we will just make our next smallish purchase (kfc, subway) using a cheque. Very occasionally an outlet will refuse to take, store specific rather than chain policy so always have credit card too!

We probably need a bit more as we have taxis to hotel, then to ship, then up to Fort Lauderdale and back to pay for plus extra tips on board. We are also staying for a few days pre and post cruise with extra hotel tips as well.

 

It all adds up. I know I could use a credit card for the taxis but I am always careful about who a card is given to and where it is used.

[Kitekat]

One of the best places for holiday cash is to have an account at the Nationwide building society. We use their debit card at ATMs for cash and the credit card with the account is one of the best rates for foreign purchases, keeping cash for very small items and tips. We used it very successfully last year on Tahitian Treasures cruise where we needed Australian, New Zealand and US dollars, plus French Polynesian currency. Their online systems allow you to note what dates you will be in various countries which is great added protection.

[Jetlagged787]

Scottish notes can be difficult to use in other parts ok the UK never mind overseas. The notes are Bank of England ones. Funnily, when we were last in Portugal one of our party brought Scottish notes only to find that they couldn't exchange them in the small town we were in.

 

I was thinking of Turkey Gordon. I'll add Portugal to the list. :D

[excitedofharpenden]

I never exchange notes for notes. Always use an atm card. As soon as you exchange notes the rate drops, partly because you are paying for the handling of the cash, counting, checking, re-distributing etc.

 

Phil

Edited February 10, 2016 by excitedofharpenden

[Gordoncruickshank]

I was thinking of Turkey Gordon. I'll add Portugal to the list. :D

We were in Salema and I ended up funding them with my Bank of England notes swapping out his Scottish ones. I am aware that you don't take Scottish notes overseas if you want to be able to spend them but my "friend" wasn't.

[Gordoncruickshank]

I never exchange notes for notes. Always use an atm card. As soon as you exchange notes the rate drops, partly because you are paying for the handling of the cash, counting, checking, re-distributing etc.

 

Phil

Phil

I haven't ever had to exchange notes and am not travelling with that intention but I was just curious how easy it was to do. This is basically emergency cash but by the sounds of it I would be better with it in my bank account and take my debit card (which I would always have with me anyway, along with selected credit cards).

Edited February 10, 2016 by Gordoncruickshank

[Jetlagged787]

We were in Salema and I ended up funding them with my Bank of England notes swapping out his Scottish ones. I am aware that you don't take Scottish notes overseas if you want to be able to spend them but my "friend" wasn't.

 

Not heard of Salema but then I'm in Coimbra, Central Portugal. Checked Salema out on Google and it looks very pretty so I'll have to add it to my list of places to visit.

[Gordoncruickshank]

Not heard of Salema but then I'm in Coimbra, Central Portugal. Checked Salema out on Google and it looks very pretty so I'll have to add it to my list of places to visit.

It is on the south coast west of Lagos. YOu will be ok if you don't take Scottish notes!!

[Jetlagged787]

it is on the south coast west of lagos. You will be ok if you don't take scottish notes!!

 

lol! :d