Where to get British pounds, especially coins?

[Anonymous]

My kid will be traveling to the UK soon with a school trip. They have a credit card but not an ATM card, so we want to get some local currency beforehand. Our credit union charges $17 shipping to order currency, and we really don't need more than 75-100 pounds, so that doesn't seem worth it. We could make a trip to the currency exchange at the airport in advance, and may do that.

However, in particular we are hoping to get 1 pound and 2 pound coins as well as paper money, and I'm not sure that's available at the airport exchange (and I know it's not available through the currency purchase at the credit union). My kid collects those commemorative coins you can find at tourist spots, and they are often in vending-type machines that require coins.

Does anyone have tips on how to get hands on British pound coins (not historical ones - current tender) while still in the US? TIA!

[Anonymous]

You can use credit cards for pretty much everything in the UK now including those coin vending machines. If they absolutely need pounds then exchange a small amount (if you're in DC there are currency exchange places downtown) and then have them make change by buying a drink or candy or something at a shop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid will be traveling to the UK soon with a school trip. They have a credit card but not an ATM card, so we want to get some local currency beforehand. Our credit union charges $17 shipping to order currency, and we really don't need more than 75-100 pounds, so that doesn't seem worth it. We could make a trip to the currency exchange at the airport in advance, and may do that.

However, in particular we are hoping to get 1 pound and 2 pound coins as well as paper money, and I'm not sure that's available at the airport exchange (and I know it's not available through the currency purchase at the credit union). My kid collects those commemorative coins you can find at tourist spots, and they are often in vending-type machines that require coins.

Does anyone have tips on how to get hands on British pound coins (not historical ones - current tender) while still in the US? TIA!

Exchanging cash is always a horrible deal. I am sure a teacher or other student on the trip will have an ATM card- just have them get the money out of an ATM when they get there and venmo them the equivalent USD amount. Be sure NOT to do the "make this withdrawal in your home currency" scam at the ATM- that is also a horrible exchange rate.

[Anonymous]

CXI
Tysons Corner Center
Foreign Currency Exchange in Tysons Corner, Virginia

There is one in MD, Montgomery Mall too

[Anonymous]

Ask on your neighborhood list serve if anyone has any. i've got a bag with around 10 pounds sitting in a drawer I would happily trade someone. We recently gave an envelope of left over euros to my nephew who was headed abroad. But I would tell my kid to just charge everything - and good advice to have things charged in local currency then let your back do the conversion for the best exchange rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask on your neighborhood list serve if anyone has any. i've got a bag with around 10 pounds sitting in a drawer I would happily trade someone. We recently gave an envelope of left over euros to my nephew who was headed abroad. But I would tell my kid to just charge everything - and good advice to have things charged in local currency then let your back do the conversion for the best exchange rate.

This is a great idea. I'd "sell" my foreign currency to someone, and happily give a kid any/all coins. I have a stupid amount of money in handfuls of foreign currency - I'd be delighted to have them used.

[Anonymous]

Be careful not to get pound coins that are no longer accepted. Any coin minted before 2017 are no longer in circulation and stores won’t accept them.

[Anonymous]

Why don’t they just buy something with a note when they get there and they will get change?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be careful not to get pound coins that are no longer accepted. Any coin minted before 2017 are no longer in circulation and stores won’t accept them.

So all my money is antique now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be careful not to get pound coins that are no longer accepted. Any coin minted before 2017 are no longer in circulation and stores won’t accept them.

So all my money is antique now?

You can go to a bank in the UK and they will change it for you. You just can’t use it in stores

[Anonymous]

I was in the UK for a week last spring and I never touched the currency and I never saw anyone else use it. Tap payments were used for everything. The only thing that was iffy was that my son was using his debit card and it was sometimes rejected, especially in the tube (subways). My credit card was much more reliable. For that reason, I recommend you get him a credit card to use while he's there rather than a debit card.

[Anonymous]

The only time you need coins there is to get a trolley (cart) at the supermarket. You have to put a deposit in the slot to get the trolley and you get money back when you return it.

[Anonymous]

Just put your Visa or MasterCard on his phone as a payment method. Everybody there takes electronic payments. Call the credit card company ahead of time to let them know that he's traveling out of the country so they'll expect international purchases without blocking the card.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was in the UK for a week last spring and I never touched the currency and I never saw anyone else use it. Tap payments were used for everything. The only thing that was iffy was that my son was using his debit card and it was sometimes rejected, especially in the tube (subways). My credit card was much more reliable. For that reason, I recommend you get him a credit card to use while he's there rather than a debit card.

This. Even street places take cards now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just put your Visa or MasterCard on his phone as a payment method. Everybody there takes electronic payments. Call the credit card company ahead of time to let them know that he's traveling out of the country so they'll expect international purchases without blocking the card.

Generally not necessary anymore. Chase. for instance, had that option online for a number of years but removed it a few years ago.

https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/rewards-benefits/chase-mobile-features-for-travel

"But now, many banks, including Chase, no longer require travel notices from customers."

Amex doesn't either.

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/customer-service/faq.travel-notification.html

"We use industry-leading fraud detection capabilities that help us recognize when our Card Members are traveling, so you don't need to notify us before you travel."