I'm going to London for a weekend . Should I convert my euro to sterling before I go . Or is it as sensible to just use my ulster bank debit card for purchases and cash withdrawals?
One point to note for Ulster Bank. They do not charge any etf (about 2.5% up to a max of something) fee if you withdraw from a RBS or Natwest ATM. So if you don't have time to get a Number26 or Resolute then just withdraw from these to save a few bob.
Also dont use the ATM's at the airport that are run by a bank, the exchange rate is shocking. Wait till you get to town and use an ATM at a bank. The REVOLUT card is brilliant if you get a chance to order it before you go.
The FX rate, at the ATM, is determined by the cardholders bank, not the bank abroad unless you choose to accept a FX rate at the ATM. One is best not accepting the ATM FX rate and letting the cardholders bank do the FX.
I had an issue at an airport where I had to select the ATMs conversion rate which was shocking, when I tried to choose to let my bank select the rate if kept spitting out the card.
I had no option but to accept the extortionate rate as I needed cash to pay for a prebooked hackney.