Where to go for the best exchange rates.

[MML]

Originally Posted by lingsim

I wanted the chinese Yuan, Interchange dont list it on its website.....
So just went with Thomas Exchange Global...

But will Keep Interchange FX in mind for next time

Many thanks

Simon

ooops!!!!

sorry!!!!

[watchdog]

Damnit... GBP dropping like a ton against HKD/RMB. Anyone else going back for Chinese New Year?

[beyond]

man i remember when it was like 14-15 (there was even 16 at one point but i didn't go during that time) to the pound and i was like 'meh, money will solve this problem'.

this time, it was like 'meh this works out to the be the same in england ffs'.

[verona]

Having used them for ages I believe Thomas Exchange Global still has the best cash rates around. There is however, sometimes intrinsic cap/floors. for example when GBPEUR was almost 1.6 their rate was capped at 1.135 usually they only take 10 pip from where the market is.

And over the counter they would usually try to rip you off another 5 pip => so they only bid at 1.13, still not too bad a rate but just haggle until they bend!

[Ah Fat]

Originally Posted by lingsim

Right, I'm going to China, Beijing next week for 6 weeks.

I has some cash that I want to change to RMB. Should I change it here, or in china to get the best rates? Where is the best place to go?

Looking forward to your suggestions!

Simon

Hiya Lingsim

Im over in HK at the moment and going to mainland to carry out the rest of my trip.

I got my money changed at The Money Shop... It was the best rate around and even beat the high street banks, thomas cook. I did some homework into it and the money shop were by far the best. I got it at a rate of 10.54 which beat thomas cook at 9.9 and barclays which was the closest at 10.35. An added bonus is that they are commission free.

The rate here is not much better than that being quoted by banks in london so your best bet is to get it in london. A little tip as well is to try and get it mid week as thats when the rates are at its best.

[Ema]

http://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/

I normally go to that and it checks all the places for you but yeah that Thomas exchange place is normally top

[match]

Last time i went abroad, i got a much better excahnge rate by withdrawing cash from my bank account at the ATM. So why not give them a call to find out what the rates could be.

[Vien]

Sign up to the Santandar Zero credit card where it doesn't charge you any foreign transaction fees, and the rates are better than thomasglobalexchange as mastercard uses it's exchange rate at xe.com which is closer to the market rate / or is the market rate.

[Ah Fat]

I'll be in Guangzhou on the 10th feb so I can let you know what the rate is there if that helps

[watchdog]

ah fat that would be much appreciated. I'm leaving for HK/SZ on the 15th. I'll prob have to change in HK anyhow since I expect banks to close the whole week for CNY in China, but just 2 days in HK.

[Duck Rice]

I normally use this company

http://www.iceplc.com/

However make sure you don't go the branches that are in airports/train stations etc as the rates there are rubbish. However the other branches like Earls Court and Westfield offer good rates.

[Ah Fat]

Originally Posted by watchdog

ah fat that would be much appreciated. I'm leaving for HK/SZ on the 15th. I'll prob have to change in HK anyhow since I expect banks to close the whole week for CNY in China, but just 2 days in HK.

heya watchdog

Sorry havent replied sooner, hotel i was in had issues with internet and Guanzhou was a little crazy. None the less I am in Shanghai now freezing my bottom off.

When i was in HK i was able to get the rate of 12.84 to the pound
RMB at the moment here is 10.80RMB to the pound

Hope that helps

[watchdog]

hey dude thanks. 12.84 is better than market rate, you changed that 2 weeks ago? I will definitely wait till I'm there.

Shanghai is really cold at the moment, business or pleasure? Chinese New Year I think there's one or two places in Shanghai that actually has some activity if I remember right.

[Ah Fat]

Originally Posted by watchdog

hey dude thanks. 12.84 is better than market rate, you changed that 2 weeks ago? I will definitely wait till I'm there.

Shanghai is really cold at the moment, business or pleasure? Chinese New Year I think there's one or two places in Shanghai that actually has some activity if I remember right.

Heya
I changed some before I left and got 12.02 HKD just so I had some for a taxi and put some dim sum in my stomach but I arrived in HK on the 7th. The rate was 12.84 on the 9th. I got it causeway bay. Shop around as the rate varied for instance in Mong kok it was 12.68.
I'm here on pleasure travelling round china. It is cold and windy got me coat hat and gloves but forgot to pack thermals! and my next stop is Beijing so I will most probably freeze my little bottom off! Then Xian, Chengdu, Lijiang, Kunming, Guangzhou then back to HK
I've heard there are a few places fingers crossed!

[watchdog]

Cool. I can't do anything about the falling pound, but my plan is to change at the banks. Kind of suspicious of money changers