Cheapest Way to Pay Overseas Entry Fees

[gwynfryn]

Hi,

I'm looking to enter some upcoming events in Belgium, what is the cheapest way to pay for them? The entry form shows a Bank Account Number/Name and payment to be made in Euros.

Is it cheaper through a bank, post office, money transfer shop, on-line money transfer. I'd have thought the bank was the most expensive (just a feeling ).

Also are banks now charging for you to take money out of cash machines abroad, they never used to but I remember reading that have started charging for this "service" - maybe it's dependent on the bank you are with.

Thanks.

[Ed]

The cheapest way is to transfer money in GBP to someone who also has a Euro bank account and is willing to provide an exchange service!

Alternatively contact the organisers and ask if you can pay cash at the event - many are surprisingly accommodating. The sort of sums in question are too small to be worth using a specialist broker, but if you're lucky then your bank may only charge ~GBP 10 for the transfer.

Nationwide do not charge for taking money out at foreign ATMs. I think all other banks do, but often offer a reasonable exchange rate when compared with high-street exchange bureaux, and it saves carrying a large wodge of cash with you.

[EddieH]

I have always (except where credit cards are now taken) acquired the cash in the UK and posted it in a stanard envelope. It has always got there, even behind the Iron Curtain, although I have sent larger sums to obscure countries in 2 envelopes to spread the risk. I take te view that if and when one goesmissing it will be a far lower loss than all the savings I have made over the years.

A Nationwide current account is definitely the way to go for cash machines abroad, I got my account a day or two before a foreign trip and it was great. But beware that in Canada cash machines seem to be either VISA or Mastercard, but never both.

[Nimby]

Hi,

I'm looking to enter some upcoming events in Belgium, what is the cheapest way to pay for them? The entry form shows a Bank Account Number/Name and payment to be made in Euros.

Is it cheaper through a bank, post office, money transfer shop, on-line money transfer. I'd have thought the bank was the most expensive (just a feeling ).

Also are banks now charging for you to take money out of cash machines abroad, they never used to but I remember reading that have started charging for this "service" - maybe it's dependent on the bank you are with.

Thanks.

Surely you could get the organiser's address then post euro notes. Use Royal Mail "International Signed For" (£3.50) for up to £36 compensation on loss.
http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/jump2?catId=400033&mediaId=400035

If not, NatWest charged me £10 for an IBAN transfer for euros within Europe. I've heard other banks charge £20.

[EddieH]

I don't think there is any pointin any insurance as sending notes isn't strictly legal and therefore I'm pretty sure they willnot pay out if it fails to arrive. Jst stick standard stamps on it.

[Nimby]

I don't think there is any pointin any insurance as sending notes isn't strictly legal and therefore I'm pretty sure they willnot pay out if it fails to arrive. Jst stick standard stamps on it.

The referenced Royal Mail site says "Please note that the maximum compensation for cash and money sent via International Signed For™ is £100 and that cash cannot be sent at all to a number of countries". I'm pretty sure sending euros to Belgium would be OK, but there is a number to call for confirmation.