Exchanging US dollars while here

Sorry if I'm being daft, but I've travelled all over the world taking out currency only from atm machines or in dire circumstances, exchanging travelers checks at hotels in areas where my atm card wouldn't work. But my parents are coming to stay with me and my dad has some paranoia about using his ATM card here and identify theft. (They've never travelled outside the US or Canada, so I can understand his paranoia, even though I've told him 1000 times that his ATM card will work just fine and he doesn't have to worry too much) - So can you exchange US dollars at any standard beauru de change, like the post office or M&S?  Just in case he insists on doing it his way?

I've never seen a bureau de change that didn't deal in US$.  Two thing to note, not all POs and M&S have a bureau de change and I've heard that some places won't deal with $100 bills - they're the most forged note in the world apparently.

I also feel your pain, I just had a flash back to the last time my in-laws visited; I've never spent so much time stood in queues - it didn't help that they were apparently only changing $50 or so a time.

Thanks!

L, do you still have a bank acct in the US? What we did with my in-laws is I gave them pounds and they gave me USD which I use when I am in the States. Not sure if that would work for you but it saves on the exchange fees.

 

L, do you still have a bank acct in the US? What we did with my in-laws is I gave them pounds and they gave me USD which I use when I am in the States. Not sure if that would work for you but it saves on the exchange fees.

Yes, I do have a bank account in the states, that may be something good to think about!

Any Bureau de Change will accept dollars over here, its just be prepared for queues at most of them.  

If they're worried about carrying cash or using their own ATM cards (and they're a AAA member) they may want to consider the AAA cash Passport or Visa Travel Money Cards.

However, they do charge for balance checks at ATMs and you can only reload them up to 3 times.  But you can get 2 cards to access the same money (for an additional $2) and you can add funds from abroad by phone or through the site, however it can take up to 7 days for the funds to transfer.    I believe the only real difference between the Cash Passport & Visa Travel Money cards are that you can make purchases using the Travel Money card instead of just taking money out at ATMs.

Good luck & have a happy visit!  

Any Bureau de Change will accept dollars over here, its just be prepared for queues at most of them.  

If they're worried about carrying cash or using their own ATM cards (and they're a AAA member) they may want to consider the AAA cash Passport or Visa Travel Money Cards.

However, they do charge for balance checks at ATMs and you can only reload them up to 3 times.  But you can get 2 cards to access the same money (for an additional $2) and you can add funds from abroad by phone or through the site, however it can take up to 7 days for the funds to transfer.    I believe the only real difference between the Cash Passport & Visa Travel Money cards are that you can make purchases using the Travel Money card instead of just taking money out at ATMs.

Good luck & have a happy visit!  

Oooh, my dad may go for that! I'll have to tell him. Thanks!

Not that I am a avid fan of Lloyds TSB...but if you have a premier account with them..they will convert your pounds to dollars and visa versa with no additional charge.

I really don't want to pay the airport fees to convert my money, do regular banks convert US dollars to pounds?  For example, Tim banks at Barclay's, would he be able to take my US money in and have it converted for me?

All banks, the post office and specialist stores change money.

Vicky

All banks, the post office and specialist stores change money.

Vicky

Thanks!  Around here where I live, the banks WILL change it, but it takes 10 business days.  Last time I changed money before I left, I paid an $18 fee. I'd like to avoid that. 

Most banks will carry an amount of the main currencies (dollars, euros) all the time, and you would only have to wait if you wanted to exchange several thousand in one go.

Vicky

Most banks will carry an amount of the main currencies (dollars, euros) all the time, and you would only have to wait if you wanted to exchange several thousand in one go.

Vicky

Wow, nice!  

HSBC has cash machines that let you take out money in pounds, dollars or euros. I assume the limit is the equivalent of whatever the daily limit is on your credit/debit card.

Nothing substantive to add; just wanted to say what I stupid thrill I get putting my US card in an ATM at Sainsbury's and getting pounds out.

Lookit me! I'm Buck Rogers!