Author Topic: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please  (Read 8101 times)

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pokerpops

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Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« on: November 12, 2012, 11:20:09 AM »
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

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hi_am_chris

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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2012, 11:36:58 AM »
Blatant extended brag from the staker request post  ;D

pokerpops

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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2012, 12:17:27 PM »

Blatant extended brag from the staker request post  ;D


:-[

I"m shocked you could think such a thing.
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mylesfdo

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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2012, 13:01:16 PM »
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

pokerpops

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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2012, 13:08:59 PM »

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.
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KarmaDope

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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2012, 13:51:53 PM »
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.
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Paulie_D

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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2012, 13:54:59 PM »
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.
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mylesfdo

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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2012, 17:53:19 PM »

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

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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2012, 19:42:16 PM »
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.
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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2012, 11:09:12 AM »
Cheque Centre is best i"ve ever found for going to most places, always a better rate than Post Office, M&S, Banks etc
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pokerpops

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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2012, 11:49:55 AM »
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?
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mylesfdo

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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2012, 12:22:59 PM »

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

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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2012, 12:26:32 PM »
Just win the main event.. So take bare minimum for food drink etc.. Simples  ;D . Good luck enjoy the trip.
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Paulie_D

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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2012, 13:04:55 PM »

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.
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pokerpops

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Re: Currency exchange and travel advice needed please
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2012, 13:10:35 PM »


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.
Just an old bloke living the dream

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