Currency exchange and travel advice needed please

[david3103]

I need some dollars to take to St Kitts

Since the last time I travelled further afield than Dublin was 1995 I have no idea of the best place or the sort of deal I want.

I'm not taking a huge amount although I'll need some tourney buyins ($300 for Lucy plus $200 for me and a reserve of $500 in case the ME goes badly early), some tips money, something to pay for a trip to Brimstone Fortress and maybe some snorkelling. Total in the region of $1500 should cover it?

How much for tips btw? Is it expected that we tip everyone for serving us our all-inclusive food and drinks? I'm not accustomed to this highlife stuff.

Thanks in advance

[hi_am_chris]

Blatant extended brag from the staker request post 

[david3103]

Blatant extended brag from the staker request post 

 

I'm shocked you could think such a thing.

[mylesfdo]

For that amount your best bet is probably the Post Office whose rate is pretty competetive with no commission......to benefit from getting a spot rate you really need to be changing up like £5k+.

Wouldnt worry too much about size of tips etc over there......its not like USA where frowned upon if dont give right amount or nothing at all....just give what u feel appropriate.....if remember rightly I was giving like $1 a drink at tables and maybe $2 at bars and then like $10-20 if at one of the non-buffet style restaurants......fyi the diving out there is pretty amazing and if you can manage to get any in so much more to see than snorkelling......think was like $50-75 per dive but well worth it!!

Hope helps

[david3103]

For that amount your best bet is probably the Post Office whose rate is pretty competetive with no commission......to benefit from getting a spot rate you really need to be changing up like £5k+.

Wouldnt worry too much about size of tips etc over there......its not like USA where frowned upon if dont give right amount or nothing at all....just give what u feel appropriate.....if remember rightly I was giving like $1 a drink at tables and maybe $2 at bars and then like $10-20 if at one of the non-buffet style restaurants......fyi the diving out there is pretty amazing and if you can manage to get any in so much more to see than snorkelling......think was like $50-75 per dive but well worth it!!

Hope helps

Thanks myles.

I am, or was, a very good swimmer. Won competitions for lifesaving in my teens and used to swim the length of the pool underwater and turn back. Tried scuba once in my thirties with a colleague who was a qualified instructor. Loathed it. Tried snorkelling the same evening and found that much more accessible.

[sharplea]

Where are you flying from?

If Heathrow try these guys: https://www.iceplc.com/travel-money/branch-collection/heathrow.html

They are generally the closest to spot rate you will get. Must print off the voucher on that link though - and you get the rate on the day, not todays rate.

[Paulie_D]

Getting back to the currency thing..I'd have to agree. Unless you are planning on taking a LOT of money then the differential between getting 1.57522 and 1.59654 (just to make up some numbers) isn't worth worrying about.

The Post Office is a good bet (and dead convenient) or you could use Travelex and pick it up at the airport.

I use these guys mostly (ICE) or City Forex if I need more than usual.

[mylesfdo]

Getting back to the currency thing..I'd have to agree. Unless you are planning on taking a LOT of money then the differential between getting 1.57522 and 1.59654 (just to make up some numbers) isn't worth worrying about.

The Post Office is a good bet (and dead convenient) or you could use Travelex and pick it up at the airport.

I use these guys mostly (ICE) or City Forex if I need more than usual.

Exactly this.....City Forex would be my suggestion for monster amounts too!!

[RioRodent]

For dollars i would suggest contacting 'Flushy' (James Dempsey), via blonde.

He's going to be there, I believe, and he will be able to sort you out a much better rate than the Post Office.

[Santino67]

Cheque Centre is best i've ever found for going to most places, always a better rate than Post Office, M&S, Banks etc

[david3103]

Thanks all - I think Paulie's observation on the minimal impact of rates on the comparatively small amount I'm taking is pertinent and I guess that sends me off to find the most convenient method of doing this.

My local ASDA (see what a baller I am) has a currency bureaux and offers a free Currency Card that I can just preload and draw what I need from an ATM or just spend on the card. Rate looks to be close enough to anything online and I can reload via internet banking if I need to.

Downsides?

[mylesfdo]

Thanks all - I think Paulie's observation on the minimal impact of rates on the comparatively small amount I'm taking is pertinent and I guess that sends me off to find the most convenient method of doing this.

My local ASDA (see what a baller I am) has a currency bureaux and offers a free Currency Card that I can just preload and draw what I need from an ATM or just spend on the card. Rate looks to be close enough to anything online and I can reload via internet banking if I need to.

Downsides?

Does the hotel have an ATM??......as all inclusive guessing you wont be venturing out into town much!!

[fandango]

Just win the main event.. So take bare minimum for food drink etc.. Simples  . Good luck enjoy the trip.

[Paulie_D]

Thanks all - I think Paulie's observation on the minimal impact of rates on the comparatively small amount I'm taking is pertinent and I guess that sends me off to find the most convenient method of doing this.

My local ASDA (see what a baller I am) has a currency bureaux and offers a free Currency Card that I can just preload and draw what I need from an ATM or just spend on the card. Rate looks to be close enough to anything online and I can reload via internet banking if I need to.

Downsides?

Depends on what you are charged for using the ATM....they aren't usually free outside of the UK.

[david3103]

Thanks all - I think Paulie's observation on the minimal impact of rates on the comparatively small amount I'm taking is pertinent and I guess that sends me off to find the most convenient method of doing this.

My local ASDA (see what a baller I am) has a currency bureaux and offers a free Currency Card that I can just preload and draw what I need from an ATM or just spend on the card. Rate looks to be close enough to anything online and I can reload via internet banking if I need to.

Downsides?

Depends on what you are charged for using the ATM....they aren't usually free outside of the UK.

No charge from the card provider, I guess there will be a charge at the Marriott but it does mean I don't have to faff on with travellers cheques or carry all my cash with me.