Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

This Forum is the main messageboard to discuss all things Claret and Blue and beyond
Post Reply
mkmel
Posts: 5763
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 11:37 pm
Been Liked: 1270 times
Has Liked: 2246 times

Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by mkmel » Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:13 pm

I am flying to the Philippines on the 19th November and will need to buy Phillipine Pesos

Where can I get the best rate?

Thanks

PhilC
Posts: 71
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:37 pm
Been Liked: 40 times
Has Liked: 26 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by PhilC » Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:15 pm

Cityforex - https://www.cityforex.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This user liked this post: Quicknick

Burnleyareback2
Posts: 2670
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:07 pm
Been Liked: 773 times
Has Liked: 1427 times
Location: Mostly Europe

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by Burnleyareback2 » Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:30 pm

Highly recommend getting a Revolut card/ account. Perhaps get a small bit of cash before you go and put the rest into this account.
Worth looking into at least. It’s been saving me a small fortune in currency.
This user liked this post: dpinsussex

PhilC
Posts: 71
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:37 pm
Been Liked: 40 times
Has Liked: 26 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by PhilC » Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:35 pm

Revolut and Mongo are excellent cards, but having been in Manilla it's a bit hit and miss being accepted in some places and if you use it to get money out from an ATM there is a big surcharge. Lastly there is a limit with the amount you can get from ATM's.

Edit: seem to remember Revolut not working in Phillipines, so reverted to Dollars and used my Mongo card. They might have added that currency though, worth checking out.
Last edited by PhilC on Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Pstotto
Posts: 6224
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2016 12:11 pm
Been Liked: 1024 times
Has Liked: 763 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by Pstotto » Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:36 pm

Paraguay...
These 2 users liked this post: cricketfieldclarets houseboy

IanMcL
Posts: 30304
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 5:27 pm
Been Liked: 6361 times
Has Liked: 8704 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by IanMcL » Wed Nov 06, 2019 10:01 pm

Over there.
Some credit cards dont charge and you get the rate at the time.

dsr
Posts: 15206
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:47 pm
Been Liked: 4569 times
Has Liked: 2259 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by dsr » Wed Nov 06, 2019 10:39 pm

Or the old fashioned way, Althams always seem to give a good rate. They won't have them in stock, though - you'll need to order them a day in advance.

cricketfieldclarets
Posts: 21464
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
Been Liked: 8585 times
Has Liked: 11285 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by cricketfieldclarets » Wed Nov 06, 2019 10:41 pm

Venezuala

mkmel
Posts: 5763
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 11:37 pm
Been Liked: 1270 times
Has Liked: 2246 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by mkmel » Thu Nov 07, 2019 1:54 am

Thanks guys

Tribesmen
Posts: 5084
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2016 11:15 am
Been Liked: 1180 times
Has Liked: 635 times
Location: Tibet

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by Tribesmen » Thu Nov 07, 2019 6:52 am

Burnleyareback2 wrote:Highly recommend getting a Revolut card/ account. Perhaps get a small bit of cash before you go and put the rest into this account.
Worth looking into at least. It’s been saving me a small fortune in currency.
Revolut is the best thing that has happened for years .
These 2 users liked this post: Burnleyareback2 dpinsussex

karatekid
Posts: 3139
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:22 pm
Been Liked: 1108 times
Has Liked: 318 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by karatekid » Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:13 am

Bureau de change? ;)

dpinsussex
Posts: 3554
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 11:15 am
Been Liked: 1047 times
Has Liked: 1187 times
Location: Reading

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by dpinsussex » Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:17 am

The airport :)

Bosscat
Posts: 25532
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:51 am
Been Liked: 8485 times
Has Liked: 18202 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by Bosscat » Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:21 am

Dodgy Diego in Manilla....

He has a printing press in his shed.

He used to forge 10p coins (filing the edges off 50p's)
This user liked this post: cricketfieldclarets

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by houseboy » Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:25 am

Bosscat wrote:Dodgy Diego in Manilla....

He has a printing press in his shed.

He used to forge 10p coins (filing the edges off 50p's)
Hey Boss so you know old Dodgy as well? Apparently he's the best guy to go to for local whiskey as well. It'll cost you virtually nothing (but your health).
This user liked this post: Bosscat

aggi
Posts: 8809
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 11:31 am
Been Liked: 2113 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by aggi » Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:27 am

Tribesmen wrote:Revolut is the best thing that has happened for years .
I've moved off Revolut due to the £200/month cap on cash withdrawals. I'm using Starling at the moment which has unlimited cash withdrawals.

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by houseboy » Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:28 am

Actually a few weeks ago the best rates I could find locally was a place inside the local Cash Generator (I didn't know it was there until I did an internet search). Better than anywhere else at the time but I can't remember what it was called.Think it's just a franchise in CG not actually part of it. Worth a look.

Bosscat
Posts: 25532
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:51 am
Been Liked: 8485 times
Has Liked: 18202 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by Bosscat » Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:35 am

houseboy wrote:Hey Boss so you know old Dodgy as well? Apparently he's the best guy to go to for local whiskey as well. It'll cost you virtually nothing (but your health).
Diego's Dad used to supply Ferdy Marcos with his whiskey and Imelda as well (she used it as Shoe Cleaner) a very enterprising family was Diego's lot....

If it be your will
Posts: 2103
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:12 am
Been Liked: 500 times
Has Liked: 509 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by If it be your will » Thu Nov 07, 2019 12:22 pm

Can't comment on Phillipines because I've never been, but everywhere I've been it works out best sticking your card in a local cash machine. Make sure you choose "charge your bank in local currency".

If you must, take 50 US dollars to cover you until you find a cash machine. Absolutely everywhere on the planet seems to accept US Dollars!

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by houseboy » Thu Nov 07, 2019 12:26 pm

Bosscat wrote:Diego's Dad used to supply Ferdy Marcos with his whiskey and Imelda as well (she used it as Shoe Cleaner) a very enterprising family was Diego's lot....
I believe he was loosely related to Honest John the Punters Friend who had a second hand car dealership in Moss Side. He used to advertise himself as the 'Cut and Shut Specialist' (until he found out what it meant). He spent some time on her majesties pleasure after he mistook the Mayoral limousine for a 'nice tidy car' when it was offered to him by a guy called Diego.

aggi
Posts: 8809
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 11:31 am
Been Liked: 2113 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by aggi » Thu Nov 07, 2019 12:26 pm

Personally I nearly always withdraw cash at local ATMs but otherwise use this to compare the best rates
https://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This user liked this post: brunlea99

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by houseboy » Thu Nov 07, 2019 12:26 pm

If it be your will wrote:Can't comment on Phillipines because I've never been, but everywhere I've been it works out best sticking your card in a local cash machine. Make sure you choose "charge your bank in local currency".

If you must, take 50 US dollars to cover you until you find a cash machine. Absolutely everywhere on the planet seems to accept US Dollars!
What even Russia?
This user liked this post: Bosscat

If it be your will
Posts: 2103
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:12 am
Been Liked: 500 times
Has Liked: 509 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by If it be your will » Thu Nov 07, 2019 12:29 pm

houseboy wrote:What even Russia?
I don't know! Probably, I imagine.

Do they not? Worth knowing if so.

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by houseboy » Thu Nov 07, 2019 12:41 pm

If it be your will wrote:I don't know! Probably, I imagine.

Do they not? Worth knowing if so.
I'm gonna look this up mate. Interesting.

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by houseboy » Thu Nov 07, 2019 12:52 pm

So I've had a quick look on Google and asked the question (in varying forms) 'what countries do not accept the US dollar'. What came up was a whole host of answers that said which countries DO accept it but only one I could find that came up with the answer. As soon as I tried to open the page it partially opened then went to white space, 3 times.

Oh no!!! This is an American conspiracy to prevent people from knowing. I am now afraid for my family and myself as surely me seeking this information has by default made me an enemy of the States. What next now, poisoning? Disappearance? Maybe a year or two in Guantanamo Bay to be 're-educated'.

I am now going to make that will I've been promising for years.
This user liked this post: If it be your will

Bosscat
Posts: 25532
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:51 am
Been Liked: 8485 times
Has Liked: 18202 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by Bosscat » Thu Nov 07, 2019 1:52 pm

houseboy wrote:So I've had a quick look on Google and asked the question (in varying forms) 'what countries do not accept the US dollar'. What came up was a whole host of answers that said which countries DO accept it but only one I could find that came up with the answer. As soon as I tried to open the page it partially opened then went to white space, 3 times.

Oh no!!! This is an American conspiracy to prevent people from knowing. I am now afraid for my family and myself as surely me seeking this information has by default made me an enemy of the States. What next now, poisoning? Disappearance? Maybe a year or two in Guantanamo Bay to be 're-educated'.

I am now going to make that will I've been promising for years.
Don't tell em about me n Steve house m8....

Apparently we are a trilogy??? Whatever that means :lol:
CharlieinNewMexico wrote:"Oh look it's the houseboy / Steve / bosscat trilogy!"

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by houseboy » Thu Nov 07, 2019 2:44 pm

Bosscat wrote:Don't tell em about me n Steve house m8....

Apparently we are a trilogy??? Whatever that means :lol:
What, like Lord of the Rings? :lol:
This user liked this post: Bosscat

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by houseboy » Thu Nov 07, 2019 2:46 pm

Bosscat wrote:Don't tell em about me n Steve house m8....

Apparently we are a trilogy??? Whatever that means :lol:
By the way was that New Mexico thing a genuine post and if so where did it appear? And does he know about the drug cartel thing. Oops, sorry mate.

Bosscat
Posts: 25532
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:51 am
Been Liked: 8485 times
Has Liked: 18202 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by Bosscat » Thu Nov 07, 2019 3:29 pm

houseboy wrote:What, like Lord of the Rings? :lol:
Bags being Aragorn :D

Wonder who's Gollum ;)

Bosscat
Posts: 25532
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:51 am
Been Liked: 8485 times
Has Liked: 18202 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by Bosscat » Thu Nov 07, 2019 3:31 pm

houseboy wrote:By the way was that New Mexico thing a genuine post and if so where did it appear? And does he know about the drug cartel thing. Oops, sorry mate.
He is a Dope m8 (see what I did there huh huh see what I did there)

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by houseboy » Thu Nov 07, 2019 3:47 pm

Bosscat wrote:He is a Dope m8 (see what I did there huh huh see what I did there)
Thank goodness for that - for a moment there I thought our 'business' had been put in jeopardy. Jose Miguel and Juan wouldn't have been best pleased, they need the money to fund the wall to stop the Americans getting in.
This user liked this post: Bosscat

Bosscat
Posts: 25532
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:51 am
Been Liked: 8485 times
Has Liked: 18202 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by Bosscat » Thu Nov 07, 2019 3:59 pm

houseboy wrote:Thank goodness for that - for a moment there I thought our 'business' had been put in jeopardy. Jose Miguel and Juan wouldn't have been best pleased, they need the money to fund the wall to stop the Americans getting in.
Shhhhhhhh Jose is next door and hates our "business" being discussed :shock:
This user liked this post: houseboy

If it be your will
Posts: 2103
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:12 am
Been Liked: 500 times
Has Liked: 509 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by If it be your will » Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:23 pm

houseboy wrote:So I've had a quick look on Google and asked the question (in varying forms) 'what countries do not accept the US dollar'. What came up was a whole host of answers that said which countries DO accept it but only one I could find that came up with the answer. As soon as I tried to open the page it partially opened then went to white space, 3 times.

Oh no!!! This is an American conspiracy to prevent people from knowing. I am now afraid for my family and myself as surely me seeking this information has by default made me an enemy of the States. What next now, poisoning? Disappearance? Maybe a year or two in Guantanamo Bay to be 're-educated'.

I am now going to make that will I've been promising for years.
I've just tried to reproduce your search hoping for the same outcome, but failed.

Outside Europe, though, the US dollar seems to act as a parallel currency. You can pay taxi drivers in Africa, or buy ciggies in Peru with the US dollar. Whenever I've worked out what the approximate exchange rate the taxi-driver/shop/pub/etc is offering when you pay directly in US dollars, it's usually pretty close to the official exchange rate. It's weird the power the US dollar seems to have.

So in houseboy's absence, soon to become an unperson, has anyone ever walked out of an airport in Russia and paid the taxi directly in US dollars? I bet they'd take it, and at a decent exchange rate at that.

houseboy
Posts: 7065
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:43 pm
Been Liked: 2238 times
Has Liked: 1617 times
Location: Baxenden

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by houseboy » Fri Nov 08, 2019 9:19 am

If it be your will wrote:I've just tried to reproduce your search hoping for the same outcome, but failed.

Outside Europe, though, the US dollar seems to act as a parallel currency. You can pay taxi drivers in Africa, or buy ciggies in Peru with the US dollar. Whenever I've worked out what the approximate exchange rate the taxi-driver/shop/pub/etc is offering when you pay directly in US dollars, it's usually pretty close to the official exchange rate. It's weird the power the US dollar seems to have.

So in houseboy's absence, soon to become an unperson, has anyone ever walked out of an airport in Russia and paid the taxi directly in US dollars? I bet they'd take it, and at a decent exchange rate at that.
Before I go I'd just like to say.....

rayzer
Posts: 332
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:39 pm
Been Liked: 83 times
Has Liked: 17 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by rayzer » Fri Nov 08, 2019 9:29 am

Give me a call about 9pm tonight Mel and I'll go through the best place to get top rates.

Bosscat
Posts: 25532
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:51 am
Been Liked: 8485 times
Has Liked: 18202 times

Re: Where is best place to buy foreign currency?

Post by Bosscat » Fri Nov 08, 2019 10:40 am

houseboy wrote:Before I go I'd just like to say.....
Don't worry house me and the rest of the IM Force will formulate a plan to break you out.... this message will self destruct in the next 5 seconds..

https://youtu.be/tGSUjuSBt1A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This user liked this post: houseboy

Post Reply