Going back to UK for vacation, exchanging money

[thesnowman 1]

So I am flying back home for the first time since I arrived, here in Kansas City the options to exchange money are limited, you basically have to go to the bank, but it can take days to exchange it and they are quite useless at it. I could exchange dollars to pounds in the UK, but I dont think I will get that good a deal. Does anyone have any suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I usually just take the money out of an ATM with my US bankcard. I pay about $5 to use a foreign ATM, but the exchange rate is pretty favorable

Edited June 4, 2010 by Trompe le Monde

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

We're on our first trip back right now. ATM machines are the way to go. There are several in the arrivals area of the airports. I just pull out about £100 at a time. I checked with both my banks to see what kind of fees they charge and brought the card with the best deal. One charges $2.50 plus a percentage. The other has no foreign transaction fees and gives the exchange rate of the day---Super Deal! Also check with your credit card companies to see what they charge in fees for foreign transactions, so you can pick the best one to use. We tend to use cash as much as possible since the credit card fees are often higher than ATM use.

When you leave, bring a little money back with you to put away for your next trip. I always like to have enough ££ to get a Costa Coffee when I get off the plane before sorting out money and coaches.

Edited June 5, 2010 by Nich-Nick