What's the exchange rate going to be like in August?

[MontyVeda]

I've just booked some flights to America (for august 2012)... should i start buying my dollars now or hang on in the hope that the pound recovers a bit?

 

[Markymark]

for august 2012

I think you should have bought them 4.5 years ago.

 

[MontyVeda]

I think you should have bought them 4.5 years ago.

Or ten.

 

[Andrew_P]

Or ten.

I assume 2017? Impossible to say but I would gamble that not to buy them now and couldn't see it going any lower than it is at the moment, my last purchases were at $1.185 :-(

 

[gavroche]

I have just bought some Euros at £1.08!! It was £1.33 or thereabout before Brexit.

 

[mjr]

I have just bought some Euros at £1.08!! It was £1.33 or thereabout before Brexit.

£1.11 getting it out of an ATM on a zero-fee Mastercard today. Why buy currency before travelling? Do you think the rate's going to fall that quickly?

Yes, it's fallen a lot. Bloody brexiters.

 

[classic33]

If Trump marches on, expect a fall towards weekends & holidays(regardless of the time of week).

If Clinton, expect a mad rush for anything other than the US Dollar.

Generally, Wednesday is the day of the week to obtain them($US).

 

[Kajjal]

Its a gamble, if brexit gets shelved and the UK raises interest rates things will go in your favour. If the US raises rates and brexit is worse than expected things will go against you.

 

[dodgy]

if brexit gets shelved

Huh?

 

[MontyVeda]

£1.11 getting it out of an ATM on a zero-fee Mastercard today. Why buy currency before travelling? ...

I've been toying with this... Is there much difference between getting cash converted on the fly in a US cash machine or buying it a few days beforehand from a currency dealer. Last time i went I took $500 cash and was worried about being mugged. I did have my cash card and informed my bank that I may use it in the US, but the Halifax had form for blocking cards used abroad regardless and didn't want to take the risk.

 

[Andrew_P]

I have never changed up cash - always used my card on the fly. To much hassle changing up and worrying about it. Is there not a special visa card now for use abroad, connected to you account or maybe you had to load cash on to it?

 

[Fab Foodie]

I just use my card in ATM's for small cash and put everything else on visa.

 

[vickster]

Depends on your bank i think

I've never had any concern about being mugged in the States, I take cash with me, always. You should be covered by travel insurance which you really must have for the US, esp medical

 

[midliferider]

I always use my credit card when abroad. It is very convenient, give a good exchange rate, take away the hassle of using unfamiliar money.

In many countries, most recent experience in Poland, even taxi drivers take credit cards.

In many city transport services, most recent experience in Chicago, you can use your credit card as tap and go without waiting to buy tickets.

I was in USA for 2 weeks, cycling, in September. I had about 100 dollars in cash but did not use even half of it as credit card is accepted everywhere. I used it even for a coffee.