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Exchange Rates
http://forum.alienslegacy.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4647		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  sixty [ Thu Aug 14, 2008 1:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Exchange Rates
Quick question for you folks across the proverbial 'pond'...

I'm trying to work out if it's best to change the bulk of my cash over here or when I arrive in Atlanta. What's the exchange rate like for GBP to USD over there? Over here it seems to average about 1.8 USD to 1.0 GBP...

I've seen a couple of US sites giving me 0.5 GBP to 1.0 USD rate, which is better and pretty much what we used to get over here about a year or so ago, but I'd love to hear what the situation actually is on the ground from some of you folks first.

Any information appreciated! Especially as it determines how many beers I can buy people... ;)
Author:  Pug50 [ Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
I would say in the strongest possible terms that changing money £ -> $ at the airport or hotel in Atlanta is going to be a bad deal.

Firstly, Hotels and Airports are about the most expensive place to change money full stop.

Additionally, changing money from a foreign currency (£) to the local currency ($) will be at the "Buy" rate which is always worse than their "Sell" rate (local to foreign).

The rate I got from the Post Office about a week ago was $1.81 to £1.
Author:  PVB [ Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Post Offices, Marks & Spencer and some/most banks (account holders only) will do currency exchanges with no commission charges.

Both M&S and the P.O. are quoting about £1=$1.80 at the moment.
Author:  sixty [ Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
I was thinking more along the lines of what the local post offices in Atlanta would do as an exchange rate. Never in a thousand years would I consider changing cash at a hotel or airport.

$1.80 to the pound is a bit mince compared to what we used to get, so I'm just trying to find out if it's any better across the water. Their buy rate might be better than our sell rate. :)
Author:  Spatman [ Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm not even sure that US Post Offices exchange money. Though it is possible, it's not something I've ever seen done or advertised.
Author:  sixty [ Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
So who does exchange currency in the US apart from hotels and airports? :)
Author:  Spatman [ Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Actually, I do! Just give me all your Brit money, and then I'll run off for a bit and when (if) I come back, will give you $2 for every Pound you give me.

Trust me! Would I lie to you?

:)
Author:  sixty [ Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
Awesome, thanks Spat!

;)
Author:  Tarim-rex [ Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
sixty wrote:
So who does exchange currency in the US apart from hotels and airports? :)


No one that I know of, but I don't live in Atlanta. Stores in New York City are going to start taking foreign currency, if they haven't already. That tidbit doesn't help you though :wink:

It's not on most peoples minds here since most American travellers exchange at the places they are going.

When I went to England I got AMEX to send me British currency before I left. The rate was really good too.
Author:  Divine_Ambrosia [ Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hey man, save yoursel the stress. Get your money exchanged while still UK side.....the last thing you want to do is wander around Atlanta trying to get some money to spend. :X

Unless you plan on spending it on me...in which case...do as you please ;) Hehe
Author:  sixty [ Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Got it all changed today after a trek around town for a very reasonable $1.91 to the pound.

Awesome! :)
Author:  PVB [ Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
sixty wrote:
Got it all changed today after a trek around town for a very reasonable $1.91 to the pound.

Awesome! :)

May I ask which place gave you that rate? :)
Author:  DATA [ Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yer speak up Sixty as that very good rate.

The post office is 1.81 and the bank is 1.801.

Cheer's Steve
Author:  sixty [ Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
A local travel agent called 'Elaine Sim Travel', they had a promotion on whereby if you paid a small fee up front they would give you a preferential rate, as long as you were having more than £600 changed.

Shop around!
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