Our revamped travel app’s out now. It makes buying, topping up and managing Travel Money Cards with up to 22 currencies a breeze. Buying and accessing Travel Insurance on the move effortless. And it puts holiday extras like airport hotels, lounge access and more at your fingertips. All with an improved user experience. Find out what’s changed.
The minimum order is £400, and the maximum order is £2500.
Yes. When placing orders online, choose 'Add another currency'. If ordering in-branch, let the staff member know the full list of currencies and products you require.
No. You will need to provide personal details during the order process, but you don't need an account login.
Unfortunately, we don't have a central phone ordering facility. However, you can reserve currency by phone from your local branch if they have the stock available. Find details your local branch if you wish to contact them. If your local branch does not hold currency in store, they can pre-order this for you. Pre-orders can only be done by visiting the branch. The cut-off time for next-working-day delivery for branch pre-orders is 2pm.
Any fees relating to commissions, card issuer, or delivery will be displayed during the order process. Please note that your credit card provider may charge a cash advance fee for buying travel money. When you place your order you will be given the option to select a preferred delivery date/time. Any additional charges (for instance ordering for home delivery on a Saturday or for home delivery orders under £500) will be displayed by the system.
Any fees relating to commissions, card issuer or delivery will be displayed during the order process.
Please note that your credit card provider may charge a cash advance fee for buying travel money. When you place your order, you will be given the option to select a preferred delivery date/time. Any applicable charges (for instance ordering for home delivery on a Saturday) will be displayed by the system.
In the UK you must complete a cash declaration form if you plan to take out (or return with) €10,000 or more, or the equivalent in any currency, in cash (notes and Travellers’ Cheques).
An on-screen confirmation message of your order will be displayed to advise if your order has been accepted or declined. If your order has gone through, you will also receive a confirmation via email. Where possible, you should print this and take it with you if you are collecting your order from a Post Office branch.
As soon as you select the 'Place order' button we will validate your card and the availability of funds. If your order is accepted, funds will be allocated against your card immediately.
It may be necessary for us to request further information from you so that the order can be completed or to comply with regulatory requirements. It is therefore important that you provide the correct contact details during the order process. You will be notified by First Rate if, for whatever reason, your order cannot be confirmed.
General ordering:
Orders incorporating same day collections:
Cancellation can only be undertaken prior to dispatch of your order. A £20 cancellation fee may apply.
When placing your order, you select the collection/delivery date of your choice. An option is available to obtain currency the same day, providing that there are branches in the local area that have sufficient currency stocks to fulfil your order. If there aren't any, this choice won't be displayed in the dropdown list. You will, however, be offered a home or branch delivery service which is available next working day, provided you order before 3pm.
Our branch finder will display your local branch. Simply enter your postcode and choose the "Travel and foreign currency" indicator from the "Products and services" list.
We appreciate that it is always handy to have a few lower denominations available for small purchases at the start of your travels. Therefore your order will be fulfilled using the denominations available, wherever possible supplying you with a mix of banknotes.
Please make sure you’re using the latest version of your internet browser. We have a fully mobilised purchase journey, but if you are using a mobile device and experiencing problems it may be easier to start the process again on a desktop device. If you’re using a smartphone, please ensure you are using portrait view to minimise issues whilst ordering.
Yes. If you have selected home delivery then the order will need to be signed for. Your order will always be delivered to the card billing address you entered when you placed the order. The order will be delivered by Royal Mail Special Delivery™.
You can collect your order from the branch chosen during the order process. If you have selected home delivery, your order can only be delivered to the billing address of your payment card to protect you from any unauthorised card use.
Please call 0345 8500 900 during our office hours, which are Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
If no one is at the billing address when the order is delivered, the order will automatically go to your local Royal Mail sorting office. Royal Mail will leave a 'sorry we missed you' card and you will be required to collect the item from your local sorting office the next day or arrange re-delivery.
If you are buying currency and paying by card then you will need to bring one of the following;
We cannot accept anything other than one of these documents. We may also ask for ID for some cash transactions and we may need to verify your identity electronically while you are at the counter (this is not a credit check). You will need to have a permanent UK residential address in order for us to be able to do this. We will not be able to proceed with the transaction if we cannot verify your identity.
There are a number of reasons why we may not have been able to verify your identity, such as the following;
In order to comply with card issuer, banking and crime prevention requirements we must be able to verify your identity. If we cannot verify your identity we cannot proceed with the transaction.
The check that we carry out in-branch is to confirm that the details you are providing in relation to your name, address and the details on your identification document are correct, and that there is no reason for us not to sell you currency. We use an identity-checking service to accomplish this. This is not a credit check and it won’t affect your credit rating, however the check will be recorded against your details and will be visible to anyone carrying out a similar reference check.
Financial sanctions are restrictions put in place by the UN, EU or UK to achieve a specific foreign policy or national security objective. Post Office is prohibited from carrying out certain activities if financial sanctions apply. A breach of these requirements may result in a criminal prosecution or a monetary penalty.
Not every instance of your credit report being checked by an organisation will result in a visible ‘footprint’ being left on your report. There is such a thing as a ‘soft credit search’ or a ‘soft credit check’, which is recorded in your credit history, but is not visible to other lenders. This includes things such as identity checks, where a company confirms the details you have provided are correct. Soft searches are recorded on your credit report so that there is a transparent record of who has been viewing your credit history, but should not affect your creditworthiness.
No. However, it does leave a soft ID footprint on your credit file which should not affect your credit rating.
Please contact us on 0345 8500 900 Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 5:30pm for advice on what is the best currency to take.
There are restrictions on a number of currencies that prevent us being able to buy and sell them, including Indian rupee, Moroccan dirham, Sri Lankan rupee, and Tunisian dinar.
If your preferred currency is not on the dropdown list of currencies when you are entering the amount, we do not currently stock it.
This currency is restricted and cannot be sold outside of India. We suggest you change your currency on arrival at your destination.
Certain countries have restrictions on the amount of currency you can take in and out per person. These limits can usually be found on that country's government website. Alternatively, contact us on 0345 8500 900, Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
Branch exchange rates depend on several factors, eg branch location, competition, cost of order, convenience, etc. We will always try and offer the best rate, subject to this criteria. As with many retailers, the cheapest order / distribution method is online, where centralised packing costs can be used. This is why online exchanges are invariably better than branch rates.
No. Branch exchange rates depend on several factors like branch location, competition, cost of order, convenience, etc. We will always try and offer the best rate subject to this criteria.
Exchange rates are displayed during the ordering process.
The current exchange rates are displayed during the ordering process. In addition, a rate display is provided on the travel money ordering website which can be accessed by selecting the ‘currency exchange rates’ menu option.
This is the rate used when you sell unused currency back to us and is different to the rate at which you purchased currency from us.
The travel money refund guarantee ensures you can get a full refund on your travel money if your trip is cancelled. Find out more on our refund guarantee page.
We’ll grant a travel money refund if your trip’s cancelled due to strikes, natural disasters, tour operator insolvency, travel advisories, severe weather, health alerts and other approved reasons.
Yes, travel money refunds are for cancelled trips within 28 days of your purchase. Currency buybacks are for leftover currency after your trip.
The way buybacks work means we can only buy currency back at the rate on the day you visit. It’s unlikely to be the full amount you paid for it. You can apply to us by post or email to get the difference refunded. Check the ‘Applying for a refund’ section for details of how.
Visit a branch that sells foreign currency. You can locate your nearest one using our branch finder. Bring the currency you bought from us and your receipt.
We’ll buy back your currency at that day’s rate and give you a buyback receipt. You’ll need to send your original purchase and buyback receipts plus proof of your trip’s cancellation to us.
By post: FREEPOST, POST OFFICE, CUSTOMER CARE
By email: customercare@postoffice.co.uk
We’ll process your request and send a Post Office Payout letter for the difference between your buyback and initial purchase rates.
Refund claims made on Travel Money Card purchases are all done electronically. Just call the number printed on the back of it and we’ll take you through it.
You’ll need to confirm your trip’s been cancelled, and your bank details so we can process your refund. Payments can take between 3 and 5 working days to process.
When starting a refund claim in branch, you’ll need your currency and original purchase receipt. You’ll receive a buyback receipt from the branch team. Please send this to us with the original receipt and proof of your trip’s cancellation.
By post: FREEPOST, POST OFFICE, CUSTOMER CARE
By email: customercare@postoffice.co.uk
Refund requests must be made within 28 days of buying your currency. If you’ve missed that window but still want to change currency back to sterling, we offer commission-free currency buybacks on leftover notes if you bring your original Post Office receipt.
Refunds are usually processed within 10 working days. This may take longer during widespread disruptions.
For questions about orders made online, please message or call us here.
If you have a question, feedback or complaint about your experience in branch, here’s how to tell us.
Please complete our enquiries form to tell us what you’d like to know or share feedback on your experience.
If you’re not happy with your Post Office experience, please let us know and we’ll do our best to put things right.
Call charges: calls to 03 numbers will cost no more than calling a standard geographic number starting with 01 or 02 from your fixed line or mobile and may be included in your call package dependent on your service provider. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training and compliance purposes.