Buy Sterling or use ATM card????

eurokev

Hi

Going to edinburgh for a four days in a few days. Wont be spending a fortune, staying with friends. Cant see myself spending more that £300-400. Should I get sterling before I go over or just use my atm (cirrus) card when over there to take out £50 every time i need it.

Thanks
Eurokev

Our man in Havana

No, take out the whole £400 in one go. You will be rode on fees taking out 50 at a time.

craoltoir

Or get cash in Post Office before going.

Today's rate at An Post

Currency Sell Rate Commission
GBP 0.8468 0.00

Savman

The ATM fees are mental tbh, multiple charges added on.

tbukela

An Post are quite good for Sterling.
Unless you are Ulster Bank and use one of their associated ATMs when abroad, the extra charges are saucy as others have mentioned

roundymac

AIB have put a limit on of €200 per day for withdrawals when you are abroad. When I pointed out the sign in the bank saying the limit was €600 I was told it would be taken down straight away. Three weeks later and it's still there.
If anyone is going to the USA the limit is a lot less, but when I enquired I could'nt get an exact figure.

Our man in Havana

Time to move to a real bank. Try ulster bank.

northknife

When I am in the U.K. I usually take out £200 at a time as money just seems to go that bit further over there and I always decline the offer of the exchange rate that is offered on the atm as it always seems to be a bit higher than the normal rate that will be applied when you get your statement.

craoltoir

In addition to the exchange rate there is usually a cash advance fee to be paid as well when withdrawing with a CC.

comet

So is there a definitive answer on which is the best way to do it?
- An Post before you go
- Debit Card over there
- Credit Card loaded with cash over there

hfallada

ATM fees are unbelievable in the UK. Some charge about £1 a withdrawal. Generally AIB give better exchange rates than the post office even with the exchange fee

coylemj

+1 the ATM charges even if you use a bank ATM are pretty severe. BOI charge 3.5% with a minimum charge of €3.17 which means you should never withdraw less than €90 worth of foreign currency. Using an ATM in the UK in a convenience store, hotel lobby or similar privately owned facility will involve an additional charge.

I'm going there in a few weeks and I intend to bring all the cash I'll need. Currently An Post is best because the main banks charge commission which is 1% with a minimum of €1.27 (AIB) or €1.25 (BOI).

As of last Thursday, this is how much £100 sterling would cost you in Euros, including commission...

An Post: 120.19
AIB: 121.16
BOI: 121.34

Mrs Garth Brooks

I never knew An Post can change euros. Can this be done in any post office?

Atlantic Dawn

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

I never knew An Post can change euros. Can this be done in any post office?

Not all Post Offices but most, there's a link here for each provence

https://www.anpost.ie/anpost/maincontent/personal+customers/money+matters/foreign+exchange/