Ramsdens Travel Money: The Ultimate Ordering Guide

Ramsdens travel money explained: how to order, what rates and fees to expect, and smart tips to save before your next trip abroad.

The following is what I see when I look at this: It is 9:40 pm on Friday night. We leave for Lisbon in two days, and I am in my kitchen. My suitcase is about half full. And then I realize I do not have any euros. Not a single euro. I spent hours and hours looking up hotels and restaurants. Somehow, I completely forgot the one thing that would let me buy a pastry for breakfast the next day.

I am glad that panic led me to the rabbit hole of Ramsdens travel money. Since then, I have ordered currency from them several times and compared them to the usual suspects. Along the way, I also made two rookie errors that you may avoid for free.

So go get yourself a drink. In this article I’m going to take you step-by-step through exactly what Ramsdens travel money is, how to order it, how the rates and fees are determined, how Ramsdens compares with the Post Office and prepaid cards, and the things I wish somebody would have told me before my “kitchen floor” moment.

What Is Ramsdens Travel Money?

The foreign exchange (FX) services offered by Ramsdens are part of the larger Ramsdens brand. The Ramsdens brand has become synonymous with the “high street” in the United Kingdom and is recognized as a leader in both the sale of jewelry and pawn brokerage. In addition to these two lines of business, Ramsdens also offers gold buying services. It is the foreign exchange services offered within Ramsdens’ stores that this article focuses on.

In clear, understandable language: You can purchase foreign currency for your vacation or business trip via their website or in-store, and then pick it up at the location where you ordered or have Ramsdens deliver it to you, based on the delivery options available when you place your order. A lot of individuals also inquire about being able to return unused currency back to them, which is helpful if you have ever arrived back home with a random collection of money sitting in a drawer.

The way I see it, is that buying a product online is similar to getting a take-out meal. When you order your food online you select exactly what you would like to eat, you pay for your meal before you receive it, and you can either pick up your food from the restaurant or have a driver deliver it to you. That’s pretty much all there is to ordering food online. However, as simple as that may sound, there are many variables that will determine whether your experience will be positive or negative. So let’s talk about some of those variables now.

Why Do People Search for Ramsdens Travel Money?

In my experience, people land on this topic for one of three reasons.

They are aware of Ramsdens and simply require access to either the store’s ordering page or the nearest branch location.
They’re comparison shopping and want to know whether the rates are any good.
The customers may be slightly apprehensive about purchasing foreign exchange from a business that primarily sells jewelry; however, they would like to receive assurances that the transaction process is legitimate and simple.

The last of three groups. I thought buying foreign currency from a jeweler would be a bit strange initially. It seemed like getting my car fixed at a bakery. However, buying foreign currency from a long-established high-street retail business was far more common than I had imagined. I came away pleasantly surprised at how stress-free it all was.

How to Order Travel Money From Ramsdens

This is a general guide to using their service, as exact screens and options may vary. I used this method to get through the process.

Select a currency and an amount. Go to the travel money portion of Ramsdens’ web site and select what you require. While Euros and US Dollars are relatively simple, make certain that if you are going to some place less frequent, check the availability prior to getting your heart set on it.
Double check your rates and the final amount. When checking out, verify what the rate is, then add on any applicable delivery or collection costs, and finally verify the total amount to be paid prior to submitting your order. Taking this short amount of time will help prevent a great deal of frustration down the road.
Select whether you would like to have your order delivered or collected. If you have an outlet close to where you are, then click and collect will be the most straightforward way. However, if there isn’t an outlet close to you, then delivery may be the better option. However, please note that delivery can increase the price of your purchase, and someone must be present at your property when the delivery is made.
Pay and keep your confirmation. Screenshot it. Future you will thank you.
Bring a picture ID and your order information to pick up with your ID. Also, bring the same credit/debit card that you used to make the purchase so that if they request it, you will have it available.

What the In-Store Collection Was Like

The entire process took approximately ten minutes online, and the store hand-off was much faster than purchasing a cup of coffee. The employee at the register counted out each dollar bill in front of me, which may seem like a minor point, however, it gave me the impression that they actually cared.

Understanding Ramsdens Rates and Fees

This is the bit everybody cares about, so let’s slow down and do it properly.

Buying foreign currency through any service provider means that you will not receive the “actual” exchange rate as displayed on Google. Rather, you will receive the exchange rate offered by the provider, which includes their profit margin. It’s a bit like buying oranges at a farmer’s market. The wholesale price exists, but the seller needs to make a living, so you pay a little more. The same applies to purchasing currency.

What counts is not that there’s a margin, as there always will be. What counts is the size of the total cost after adding all of the parts together. This means:

The exchange rate itself
Any commission or delivery fee
Any minimum order requirements
Whether the price changes between ordering and collecting

Here’s the trick that helped me change the way I buy my currency: I compare the actual amount of foreign money I can get with my fixed amount of pounds, rather than the headline exchange rate. “No commission” may look good on a banner but will mean nothing if the rate behind it isn’t competitive. Do the math!

Since currency rates change every single day, I won’t provide specific figures for you to look at right now, as they’ll likely be outdated by the time you’re reading this. You can check the current live rate on Ramsdens’ website, and keep track of when you did.

Ramsdens vs the Post Office vs Other Options

Fair Question: Do Ramsdens really beat other options or is it because you know their name? I think the best answer is that there are no guarantees as to whether they will be cheaper than anyone else at any given time, or on any particular type of currency, or for any size of transaction. However, I can provide a broad overview of how Ramsdens compares to some of the main alternatives, which should give you something to base your decision-making upon. Please note that although I am providing general comparisons, please check out the most up-to-date pricing for yourself.

Option	Best for	Watch out for
Ramsdens	Cash for people who like a branch handover and a familiar high street name	Rates and fees vary, so compare the final total
Post Office	Wide branch network and easy collection	Rates can look less competitive, especially in-branch
Airport kiosks	Genuine last-minute emergencies	Often the most expensive way to buy
Prepaid travel cards	Spending abroad without carrying much cash	Possible loading, ATM or inactivity fees
Debit or credit card abroad	Convenience and card protections	Foreign transaction fees, plus the risk of poor on-the-spot conversion

My general guideline when traveling is as follows: For day-to-day spending on smaller items, as well as those locations that do not accept credit cards, I will utilize my own currency obtained from a reputable source; however, for larger transactions, I will employ a zero-cost travel credit card. This is referred to as “the belt-and-braces approach.” On one occasion, I found myself in front of a small seaside cafe with no functioning credit card machine. The cash in my pocket enabled me to purchase lunch and continue my day.

The Pros and Cons (Honestly)

I prefer to give balanced reviews rather than overly enthusiastic, “everything is perfect” types of reviews. Therefore, I will provide a more balanced review.

What I liked

The face-to-face interaction of a traditional bank teller, along with the physical act of counting out paper money provides a sense of security that is difficult to replicate through digital channels.
Click-and-collect convenience. Order online, pick up in store, done.
Straightforward process. No confusing jargon or hoops to jump through.
Possible buyback. When returning your unspent money, ask how much they will pay for it as this may help prevent people from saving up unwanted money.

What could be better

Rates will not always be the lowest. Retail providers tend to charge slightly higher prices due to the added convenience.
The location of a branch will depend on what area you reside in. In cases when a branch does not exist near your home, then delivery charges may reduce the value of the purchase.
Limited currency in some areas. The most popular currencies can be ordered quickly, however more obscure currencies will likely need to be ordered prior to use.

None of those factors are “deal breakers”. You just need to have your eyes open when you purchase something that can change based upon a fluctuating market, as you would when purchasing anything.

My Biggest Travel Money Mistakes (So You Can Skip Them)

I promised you rookie errors, so here they are.

The first error was waiting too long. I learned from that panic in Lisbon. If you order at least one week in advance, you have some time to fix any errors that may occur and can monitor the rates for several days prior to making your purchase, rather than being forced to buy whatever is available when you finally make up your mind at 9:40 PM.

The second error you could make is that you have ordered too many euros. Several years ago when I went to Spain, I brought enough money with me so that I would be able to purchase a small donkey. When I returned home, I had a whole drawer full of euros and a slight feeling of guilt. Since then, I figure out what a reasonable daily budget would be, add on a little bit extra, and leave it at that.

The third error: forgetting your identification. I have gone to pick up cash without having anything else to show but my driver’s license. Please learn from my experience. Place your photo ID in the bag the day prior to collecting your money.

Fourth error – disregarding small bills. Taxis, street vendors and service staff operate using small currency. Carrying a stack of large bills is similar to arriving at a bus stop carrying only a fifty-pound note; while technically money, no one can use it.

Practical Tips for Getting the Best Value

A few things I do now, every single time:

The earlier you order, and the more times you check the exchange rate during the week, the better off you will be. As exchange rates fluctuate, checking them periodically will allow you to determine if there is an advantageous time to place your order.
Compare two or three different providers and find the ultimate total. For every pound you put in, what is the amount of euros you receive? This is the only figure that matters.
Check collection and delivery costs before you pay, not after.
Keep your confirmation and ID together in one easy place.
Ask about buyback before you travel, so you know what to do with the leftovers.
Carry an extra. One lost bag will not ruin your vacation if you have another card in a separate wallet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ramsdens buy back unused travel money?

This is a frequently asked question, and Ramsden’s policies may have changed since this article was published, therefore please check directly with Ramsden’s or via their website prior to relying upon this information. If buyback is an option, inquire about both the buyback rate and the terms and conditions. The buyback rate will typically be lower than the selling rate.

Can I order Ramsdens travel money online?

Ordering online is a big part of how Ramsdens operates. Depending on what is available when you place an order, there may be an option to collect it yourself or have it delivered to you. You should check the total amount you owe before making your payment.

Do I need ID to collect my currency?

Bring a valid form of identification, and possibly the credit/debit card used for the purchase and order confirmation. Always review current requirements at the time you submit your order.

Is Ramsdens cheaper than the Post Office?

Sometimes you will have a good rate, other times you won’t. This varies based upon the currency being traded, what day of the week it is, and how much money you want to trade. To determine which is the best rate, simply look at how many units of the foreign currency you’ll get for each pound that you’re trading.

How far ahead should I order?

One week is a good amount of time. You may not be able to order same-day items, and if you are looking for a currency that is rare, allow yourself additional time.

So, Is Ramsdens Travel Money Worth It?

After making multiple travels, this is what I have decided on. If you would prefer the security of having a local branch, having your money counted by an individual, and are willing to compare prices prior to committing, Ramsdens may be an option worth considering. While Ramsdens will not consistently outperform its competitors each and every time – nor would I say otherwise – the combination of convenience, a well-known brand, and a straightforward process make it a reliable choice for many travelers.

The real trick is all about being organized and prepared. Start by planning ahead, calculate what the end amount will be, and have a good balance between cash and credit card. If you do all three of these correctly, you can enjoy a cup of coffee at the start of your vacation knowing that your wallet is full and not empty.

I want to know what happened when you used Ramsdens Travel Money. Please let me know how it worked out for you by leaving your comments below. Before you purchase travel money from Ramsdens, go to the Ramsdens website to find out today’s live rate and the terms and conditions. I wish you safe travels!