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How to compare currency buyback exchange rates

Enter your currency and amount.

Tell us how much travel money you have to sell and which currency you need to exchange .

Compare your options

Use our comparison tables to compare different firms and check their fees and charges to find the best currency buy back deal.

Choose delivery mode

If you send the money by post, you may have to pay for recorded delivery, so take the extra cost into account when making your choice.

How to get the best rates when selling foreign currency

If you have euros, dollars or other currencies left over from a trip abroad, you can sell them to a currency buy-back service that will convert them into pounds. 

When you sell foreign currency, you get a buy-back rate from your chosen provider, which tells you how many pounds you can get for your unwanted travel money. 

For example, if the best euro buy-back rate available is 0.85, you will get 85p for every euro you sell.

But to find the right deal, you need to look beyond the best currency buy back rates.

Delivery costs, fees, and commissions also affect how much you receive, so work out what you'll get back in pounds after any expenses when you sell travel money.

Source: Money.co.uk currency buyback data for 2022

Currency buy-back FAQs

Where can you find the best travel money buy-back rate.

You can look for the best currency buy-back rates on the high street, but you could miss out if you ignore what’s available online. Use this comparison to check currency buy back rates including the best euro buy back rate from our selection of online providers. 

Rates may differ due to the fluctuating nature of currency exchange, so for the latest rate, please check with the provider.

What does it cost to sell currency online?

The costs you incur when you sell travel money can vary widely. So, you need to factor in:

The exchange rate:  choosing the highest foreign currency buy back rate available should help to ensure you get the best possible deal

Any delivery costs:  you will usually have to pay to send your cash to the buy-back provider

Some providers do not guarantee currency buy-back rates before you send your money to them, which could affect the amount you get back.

You can use any of the providers in this comparison to sell euros or other foreign currencies and exchange them back into pounds.

Here is more information on dealing with leftover currency

Can I sell any foreign currency?

No. You can sell euros, dollars, and other common currencies, but buy back services are not available for all currencies. Check with providers to make sure you can exchange your money, then compare rates and charges to find the best deal.

Can I swap my foreign currency into another?

Yes, if the travel money provider you choose allows it, you can exchange one currency for another; you could, for example, switch euros to US dollars.

Am I guaranteed to get the rate I see online?

Not always. Check the terms and conditions when comparing rates online – some currency buy back providers only agree a rate once they receive your money, which could make a big difference to how much you receive.

Can I send coins to be exchanged?

No, only notes are accepted, and some providers only take specific denominations, so it’s also worth checking this when choosing where to exchange any unused currency.

Can I exchange multiple currencies at once?

Yes. Provided the currency exchange you've chosen accepts all of them, you can swap more than one currency at a time. 

How long do I have until my foreign currency goes out of date?

This depends on the currency. 

US dollars never go out of date, while other countries periodically 'expire' older bank notes.

In many cases, they will still be accepted anyway. For example, new  euro notes  were introduced between 2013 and 2019, but the old versions have retained their value and can be exchanged. 

Turkish lira  from before 2005, however, is no longer accepted by businesses including foreign currency buy back services.

About our comparisons

Who do we include in this comparison.

We include every company that gives you the option of buying euros online. Discover  how our website works .

How do we make money from our comparison?

We have commercial agreements with some of the companies in this comparison. We get paid a commission if we help you take out one of their products or services.  Find out more here .

You do not pay any extra and the deal you get is not affected.

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1.25 41 USD

1 USD = 0.7974 GBP

Please note: Rates available to customers will be subject to additional costs. Read more

Last 1 Month GBPUSD The low and high points may not be visible in the chart. This is because the data points in the chart represent regular intervals but the low and high points for the period could be at any moment in time and these may not overlap.

This site provides HSBC's mid-market rates with a 1 minute delay Rates displayed are delayed by 1 minute. The rates shown will refresh every 60 seconds . These rates are indicative and are for informational purposes only. They are not available to customers and do not reflect tradeable prices on past or future transactions. Read more

Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is not (and should not be taken as) investment advice, an offer to sell or buy currencies, or other instruments, nor to enter into any transactions. Full Terms & Conditions

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Global Money Transfers FAQs

Take me straight to, general information, fees and charges, making payments, what is global money transfer .

HSBC Global Money Transfers lets you send money overseas faster with no fees, with just a few taps on the HSBC Mobile Banking app. 

How much does it cost to make a Global Money Transfer? 

There are no fees or charges for making a Global Money Transfer.

I've sent money to somebody using Global Money Transfers and they've been charged. Why have they been charged? 

We don't charge fees for making a payment or transfer with Global Money Transfers, and this is usually the same for the recipient.

However, some banks may apply charges to an incoming international transaction. HSBC has no control over what a receiving bank may charge the recipient.

How do I know when my Global Money Transfer payment will arrive, and are there any fees? 

Local payments:

• usually arrive within 2-3 business days, often sooner
• no HSBC fees, however the beneficiary bank may charge the recipient a fee

SWIFT payments:

• usually arrive within 5-7 business days

How do I send money using Global Money Transfers? 

You can use the HSBC Mobile Banking app to make a Global Money Transfer by selecting 'Move Money' and then 'Send money internationally'. 

How much money can I send each day using HSBC Global Money Transfers? 

You can send up to $50,000 each day to friends, family or your own HSBC accounts abroad.

You can send up to $250,000 each day to non-HSBC banks abroad.

How can I identify a Global Money Transfer on my statement? 

A Global Money Transfer will show a transaction reference number and will be prefixed as either:

• GXC – Global Transfers Family & Friends, or
• GXZ – International Transfers

What does a Global Money Transfer look like on my statement? 

You'll see the following details in the transaction history pages:

• DEBIT AS ADVISED -10.00 (amount)
• Global/Inter A/C TRF
• GXZ00000VQK
• Receiver Name
• Receiver Bank Code
• Receiver Account
• Payment Rail description
• INTERNET/MOBILE BANKING
• Posted on (date)

What's the cut-off time and estimated arrival time for an HSBC Global Money Transfer? 

Find out the latest cut-off times and estimated arrival times for an HSBC Global Money Transfer . 

Who can I send HSBC Global Money Transfers to? 

Global Money transfers can be sent to anyone with an HSBC account worldwide or to non-HSBC accounts in over 200 countries/territories. 

Can I set up future-dated and recurring payments for a Global Money Transfer? 

We don't currently support future-dated and recurring payments for Global Money Transfer. 

How do I send money internationally to a non-HSBC customer? 

• Log on to the HSBC Mobile Banking app
• Go to 'Pay and transfer' tab
• Select 'Send money internationally' and select the receiving country or territory
• Choose the transfer method
• Select the sending currency account, if different from the default shown
• Select the currency to convert to, if different from the default shown
• Input the amount of currency to send
• Select or add payee
• Review the transaction details, including the HSBC Exchange Rate if applicable, and select Confirm Note: Once you select Confirm, the transaction cannot be cancelled

Can I send a non-local currency to another market? For example, send HKD to UK? 

Yes, you can send non-local currencies to other markets, as long as that market supports the currency that you want to send.

The HSBC Mobile Banking app gives you a breakdown of how the payment will be sent.

How do I add an international payee? 

You can add and save a payee's details as part of the international payment process.

You'll need to include:

• payee's account details
• account number
• payee address (in some cases)

You'll have the option to save their details to use in the future.

The payee name needs to match exactly how it appears on their bank account. If it doesn't match, an error code might be returned.

How can I be sure that I have the correct bank details before I make a payment with Global Money Transfer? 

You can pre-check that you have the correct bank details before you make a Global Money Transfer by using our bank search and bank validation function.

Bank search allows users to search for a bank and confirm its authenticity by checking either:

• bank address

Bank Validation looks up a bank and confirms if it's valid or not. This is available for IBAN and selected countries:

• New Zealand
• United States

I have account details from my payee, but they didn't share the bank name. I'm not sure which payment option to select. 

If you're unsure of the bank name, select Global Money Transfers. If the bank account details are for an HSBC account, it will recognize them and prompt you to use the HSBC to HSBC option for an immediate transfer. 

I'm trying to make a Global Money Transfer, but some of my saved payees are missing from my HSBC Mobile Banking app. 

If you have added an international payee using online banking and made at least one successful transaction to that payee, they will be eligible for a Global Money Transfer.

If you have added an international payee using your Global Money account, they will be eligible for a Global Money Transfer.

For any other payees, you will need to add them to Global Money Transfers.

What happens to any payees I previously added via the mobile app or Global Money Account? 

They'll automatically appear as eligible payees within Global Money Transfer. 

What information do I need to send money using Global Money Transfers? 

Depending on the country/territory you are sending to, you'll need one or more of the following details:

• Bank code/sort code
• SWIFT BIC (Bank Identifier Code)
• IBAN (International Bank Account Number)
• Account number
• Payee full name
• Payee address*
• Purpose of payment

*If the recipient’s address doesn't have a postal or zip code, just input ‘000000’ in the required field instead.

How long does it take for a Global Money Transfer to arrive? 

The estimated arrival for a Global Money Transfer ranges from almost immediately to 4 business days. You can see an estimated arrival when you review your transfer. The actual arrival is subject to the receiving bank. 

Is there a way to track a payment made with Global Money Transfer to make sure it arrives? 

No, you can only confirm that a payment has been sent. It cannot be tracked. 

How can I view a transaction confirmation number and transaction amount for Global Money Transfer? 

You can view the transaction confirmation number and transaction amount in the Transaction History page of the HSBC Mobile Banking app. 

Why do I need to include a purpose of payment when sending money with Global Money Transfer? 

You'll need to include a purpose of payment to comply with local banking regulations. 

I'm sending a payment to somebody. How can I confirm that the payment is on its way to them? 

You can share a confirmation that a payment is on its way to another person by using the HSBC Mobile Banking app. On the confirmation screen (which confirms the estimated arrival date) you can select the 'share' icon at the top right of the screen and share the payment details with the payee. 

How can I check my HSBC accounts if I don't have my mobile phone or can't access the mobile app? 

If you're unable to access your HSBC Mobile Banking app, you can check your HSBC accounts by using online banking, speaking to us via Chat or by calling us . 

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HSBC UK Latest Currency Exchange Rates

HSBC travel money is a financial service offered by the well-known bank HSBC. Their exchange rates are poor compared to other online travel money providers.

Better exchange rates are available from other suppliers. See our Buy Currency page for a full comparison of today’s best rates.

✓Our Review of HSBC travel money

Pros: what we like :.

✓ Hassle-free home delivery of travel money.

✓ Home delivery is free on all orders.

✓ Click and collect allows you to collect in your local HSBC branch if home delivery is not an option.

Cons: What we like less:

✓Generally not the most competitive exchange rates.

✓Reviews of HSBC travel money services are low, swaying around the 2 out of 5 stars for service on popular consumer review sites.

✓You must have an account with HSBC or Marks and Spencer Bank to order travel money with HSBC.

Buy currency now with HSBC UK

Questions about hsbc uk.

If you want to order travel money for home delivery, you just need to visit HSBC travel money website and you can place an order online.

You just need to enter the following information into a simple form:

• ✓ Your personal details
• ✓ The amount of pounds you’re exchanging into the foreign currency
• ✓ Select the currency you’re exchanging your pounds into
• and select how you want to pay.
• Select your preferred delivery option, whether you want your travel money delivered to your home or to a HSBC UK branch near you.

Then, once you have made the bank transfer and they have received the payment, they will send you your travel money.

Not usually, it can vary, but buying travel money in the branches sometimes works out more expensive. However, you can order online and get it delivered to a branch near you for collection if home delivery isn’t a suitable option.

You can see the latest HSBC UK tourist exchange rates above or look for the best exchange rates on our travel money comparison tool where we compare the rates from all the best travel money providers.

This obviously will depend on the currency and exchange rates each of the travel money providers are offering. Our online comparison tool will show you all the latest travel money rates who is offering the best deals on your foreign currency.

You must be an existing customer of HSBC or Marks & Spencer Bank. You can pay for your travel money via bank transfer or debit card.

HSBC UK can have your travel money order shipped to your home address. They use Royal Mail Special Delivery which attempts to deliver to your chosen address before 1 pm.

Alternatively, you can order online and collect your travel money delivered to a HSBC or Marks & Spencer branch convenient to you.

HSBC do not offer online Buyback, Only in store. Please note you may not get the best buyback rates in-store, make sure you compare buyback rates to see the best exchange rates on offer before you make your decision.

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Managing your money before, during and after travel

A quarter of holidaymakers admit they’ve spent between £100 and £300 more than they'd meant to while they’re away, according to our study[@sticky-censuswide-travel-survey-sept-2022].

Here are some tips to help you manage your money before you leave, while you're outside the UK and when you get back.

Before you leave the UK

Manage your finances before you go.

Whether you're travelling for one week or several months, it’s important to take some time to create a budget . Understanding your income and outgoings can help you work out what you can comfortably afford to spend on your holiday. 

You could use tools like our budget planner to help. 

As you note down your expenses, now is the time to set up Direct Debits to make sure any bills are paid on time automatically – giving you one less thing to worry about. 

If you’re looking to save money for travel , our savings goal calculator can help you work out how much you’d need to reach your goal.

Explore: Online money management tools

Think about travel insurance

If you’re not already covered. it might be a good idea to buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip.

Travel insurance doesn't just cover you while you're away. It can also cover you for things that might go wrong before you travel, such as cancelled or delayed flights. Without travel insurance, things can get quite costly – should something happen. 

Explore: Should you get travel insurance?

Sort out your spending money

Our survey suggests debit cards (36%) are just as popular as cash (36%) as the preferred way of spending money outside the UK. Credit cards also remain a popular choice (25%).

From those of us who prefer to use cash, the majority (51%) still prefer to get it face-to-face from a bank or currency exchange before they travel. We're most likely to pick our provider by exchange rate (36%), followed by ease of use (22%) and how close it is to home (14%).

Depending on your situation and where you’re travelling, you may prefer to take cards or travel money . Or you may want to take a mixture of both.

Our HSBC Global Money Account allows you to spend money outside the UK (withdraw cash or make card purchases in multiple currencies) without paying HSBC fees – just as you would at home. It removes some of that unexpected spend – making it easier to plan and stick to a budget.

Global Money is available for eligible HSBC current account holders who have the HSBC UK Mobile Banking app. Terms and conditions apply.

You can also   order Travel Money online  from HSBC – choose home delivery or collect in a branch.

Understand the extras

UK holidaymakers say they’ve been pushed over budget by surprise holiday charges – luggage fees (22%) and over-priced hotel excursions (22%). 

It’s important to understand any extra costs when travelling abroad, including any fees or charges for using your card outside the UK .

Gather key contacts

Make a note of the number to call your bank from outside the UK, so you can get in touch if something happens while you’re away. 

If you're with HSBC, you can phone +44 1442 422929 from outside the UK. 

You should also do the same with your travel insurance provider and any other numbers you might need.

During your trip

Paying in local currency.

When shopping or eating out in a restaurant, you may be asked if you want to pay in pound sterling instead of the local currency. This is called dynamic currency conversion (DCC).

You’ll almost always be charged a higher exchange rate for choosing to pay in pounds. The shop or restaurant may also add on extra conversion fees.

If you choose to pay in the local currency, Visa or Mastercard will set the exchange rate, which in most cases will be lower.

Explore: Should you pay in local currency outside the UK?

Don't keep all your money in one place

Consider storing your cards and cash separately to reduce the risk of them all being lost, or stolen, at the same time. Use a safe to store anything valuable (including money) that you don’t need to have with you.

Budget your spending

Regardless of whether you’re using cards or travel money , it can be a good idea to stick to a daily budget for spending while you’re away.

By setting a reasonable target, you can make sure that, when you come home, you’re not stressed about money and in need of a holiday all over again.

Contact your bank straight away if your cards are lost or stolen

If your cards are lost or stolen while you’re away, you should tell your bank as soon as you realise so they can cancel them.

If you need emergency money while outside the UK, some banks will arrange for cash to reach you to keep you going until you get home.

If you’re with HSBC, you can  temporarily freeze your card  while outside the UK.

If your card is lost or stolen, call us on +44 1442 422929, or use our mobile banking app to temporarily freeze your card.

After you get home

Almsot a fifth of UK holidaymakers (18%) admit they’ve got more than £100 worth of foreign cash at home after taking it back with them at the end of their holiday.

If you have any cash left over, you have a couple of options when you return home.

If you plan to travel again soon to a country or region where that currency is used, you can choose to hold on to the money until then.

If another trip isn’t on the cards, you can exchange your foreign currency back into pounds. These transactions are often referred to as ‘buy backs’.

Explore more

Make sure you and your money are holiday-ready  

Using your card outside the UK  

6 tips for using your credit card overseas  

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International Edition

HSBC Global Money Account Review: Is It Any Good in 2024?

Byron Mühlberg

Monito's Managing Editor, Byron has spent several years writing extensively about financial- and migration-related topics.

Links on this page, including products and brands featured on ‘Sponsored’ content, may earn us an affiliate commission. This does not affect the opinions and recommendations of our editors.

The HSBC Global Money Account ('the GMA' for short) is HSBC's very own in-app multi-currency account, and although it's fast to set up and easy to use, it can be quite pricey all things considered.

In this short review, we go through what the GMA is, how it's different from other travel wallets and cards in the UK, and what its fees and exchange rates are like. Then, we decide whether we think it's worth it or not before highlighting a few alternatives instead.

What We Like

• Available to all HSBC current account customers,
• You can set it up in a few taps right from your mobile banking app,
• More than 50 currencies are available,
• No standard HSBC foreign transaction fees,
• Built-in international money transfer feature.

What We Dislike

• Hidden FX margins averaging from 6% to 8%,
• Standing orders and direct debits not supported.
• Overdraft not available.

HSBC Global Money Account Review

• 01. What is the HSBC Global Money Account? scroll down
• 02. Is the HSBC Global Money Account really so cheap? scroll down
• 03. How does it compare to other travel cards? scroll down
• 04. Is the HSBC Global Money Account worth it? Our verdict scroll down

What is the HSBC Global Money Account?

A standard prepaid debit card and account, the GMA lets you convert money in-app into over 50 foreign currencies and spend them with a VISA debit card in over 200 countries worldwide. It's nothing too special as far as travel wallets go, giving you all the basics you'd expect from a big bank like HSBC, but the number of foreign currencies it supports (over 50) is quite impressive and more extensive than most other options on the market.

HSBC Global Money Account Features

When you sign up for your GMA, you'll get access to all of the following perks and features at your fingertips:

• a VISA debit card (a virtual version will be available right away and a physical one will be sent by mail to your door),
• currency balances available in over 50 foreign currencies right from your Mobile Banking app,
• in-app chat feature and push notifications,
• funding possible from any other HSBC UK account,
• international money transfers without service fees (though FX margins still apply),
• live exchange rate reporting.

Here are the main features that the GMA doesn't include:

• direct debits,
• standing orders,
• joint account.

Another thing to note is that if you lose your card while travelling, you'll need to call HSBC directly, as there's also no in-app card-blocking feature in the GMA.

How the HSBC Global Money Account Works

Here's a step-by-step overview of how to sign up for the GMA, assuming you're already an HSBC customer:

• open your 'Mobile Banking' app,
• go to the accounts section of the app,
• tap 'International Services' from the menu at the bottom,
• select 'Global Money',
• follow the instructions to finish setting up your GMA.

HSBC Global Money Account Fees

Using the HSBC Global Money Account Review to spend your pounds overseas is not necessarily much cheaper than using your ordinary HSBC debit card directly without the account. That's because, although it allows you to dodge the 2.99% currency conversion fee that's incurred by most HSBC debit card purchases abroad, you'll still need to pay the standard HSBC exchange rates. Here's a breakdown of what you are (and are not) charged by HSBC when using the Global Money Account:

Currency Conversion Fees

The HSBC Global Money Account Review charges no currency conversion fee whatsoever. This lets you sidestep the standard 2.99% fee on most HSBC debit cards.

Exchange Rates

The moment you convert your British pounds to another currency, HSBC charges you an exchange rate margin — a type of hidden fee that emerges when you pay the bank's exchange rate while the bank itself uses the mid-market exchange rate (i.e. the 'real' exchange rate you find on Google). To illustrate, here was the mid-market exchange rate for both currencies at the original time of writing this article (31 August 2023 at 15:00 GMT +2):

• GBPEUR: 1.168624186
• GBPUSD: 1.267234
• GBPNOK: 13.48664

but here were HSBC's exchange rates at the same moment:

• GBPEUR: 1.1123
• GBPUSD: 1.2141
• GBPNOK: 12.3426

Looking at the difference between these rates, we can see that HSBC charges margins of 4.8% for euros, 4.2% for US dollars, and a whopping 8.5% for Norwegian kroner . While this margin might fluctuate slightly, after analysing HSBC's exchange rates for over 20 currencies, we found that it's reasonable to assume you'll get a rate between 4% and 10% of the total value of your transaction when converting currencies, which, in our opinion, is very pricey for a travel card.

ATM Withdrawal Fees

Just like standard currency conversion fees, the HSBC Global Money Account charges no ATM withdrawal fees (which again allows you to dodge the same 2.99% fee that impacts cashpoint withdrawals with most standard HSBC debit cards).

How Does the GMA Compare?

The HSBC Global Money Account is a simple in-app travel solution whose exchange rates are quite high. But how does it compare to other travel card options in the UK? Let's go through a few below:

Probably the UK's most famous fintech, there's a good chance you've heard of  Revolut . Using its innovative online platform, you'll not only have access to a broad range of financial services, but you'll also be able to take advantage of these services at a comparatively low price (though fair use limits and weekend FX surcharges may apply). However, Revolut is a travel card and not a bank  in the UK, meaning we think it's best used as a powerful spending tool next to a main bank account instead of in place of it.

• Trust & Credibility 8.9
• Service & Quality 7.9
• Fees & Exchange Rates 8.3
• Customer Satisfaction 9.4
• In-Balance Currencies: USD, EUR, CAD, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, and 25+ others
• Foreign Currency Conversion Fee: £0
• Exchange Rate Margin: 0%-2%
• Foreign ATM Fee: 0%

Wise isn't a bank in the UK but a money transfer operator that's well-known for offering some of the  cheapest international transfers  globally. However, money transfers aren't Wise's only speciality — they also offer the  Wise Account , a low-cost foreign currency spending account and card product that's best in class for foreign currency spending of all kinds, whether it's holidays overseas, online shopping, or international money transfers.

• Trust & Credibility 9.3
• Service & Quality 8.9
• Fees & Exchange Rates 7.6
• Customer Satisfaction 9.6
• In-Balance Currencies: USD, EUR, CAD, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, and 45+ others
• Foreign Currency Conversion Fee: 0.35% - 2.85%
• Exchange Rate Margin: 0%

Is the HSBC Global Money Account Worth It?

Overall, we think the GMA is a viable, albeit expensive option for HSBC customers travelling abroad, and we'd generally only recommend using it if you're happy with HSBC as a banking partner and don't mind paying the higher margins. (Keep in mind that HSBC's margins to popular currencies like the US dollar and euro are more palatable than those for less popular currencies, for which using the GMA becomes downright expensive.) The high exchange rates of upwards of 4% make HSBC a comparatively expensive travel card, not just when stacked against leading prepaid debit cards and other travel card options on the UK market, but even when compared to other banks like Barclays.

Therefore, if saving money is important to you, you can find much better deals elsewhere . We particularly recommend Revolut, whose debit card comes with no monthly fee, very good rates for foreign currency spending, and the capability to hold over 30 foreign currency balances in your app-based account.

How Does the HSBC Global Money Account Compare?

As we've seen, the HSBC Global Money Account isn't the only kid on the block regarding low-cost overseas spending. See how it stacks up against a few of the best travel cards in the UK below:

Check Out These UK Travel Money Guides

Why Trust Monito?

You’re probably all too familiar with the often outrageous cost of sending money abroad. After facing this frustration themselves back in 2013, co-founders François, Laurent, and Pascal launched a real-time comparison engine to compare the best money transfer services across the globe. Today, Monito’s award-winning comparisons, reviews, and guides are trusted by around 8 million people each year and our recommendations are backed by millions of pricing data points and dozens of expert tests — all allowing you to make the savviest decisions with confidence.

Monito is trusted by 15+ million users across the globe.

Monito's experts spend hours researching and testing services so that you don't have to.

Our recommendations are always unbiased and independent.

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SELL YOUR UNUSED TRAVEL MONEY

• Exchange leftover holiday money back into pounds
• Sell currency at any John Lewis Bureau de Change
• Get a competitive rate, and we won’t charge commission

Sell your unused travel money

How does currency buy back work at John Lewis Finance?

Find your nearest bureau.

Click through to our Bureau de Change page to locate your nearest John Lewis currency exchange desk. We’re in over 30 John Lewis stores across the country.

Sell your travel money

Bring your foreign currency banknotes to a John Lewis and head straight to the Bureau desk. You’ll need to have a valid ID with you when you’re buying or selling travel money.

Exchange with a Partner

We’ll exchange your currency back into pounds - it’s that easy! We’ll pay you back in cash or deposit the money into your bank account via your debit card.

Bringing a valid ID

When you’re buying or selling currency at a Bureau de Change, you'll need to have some valid ID with you. This can be any of the following:

• Full UK photocard driving licence
• EU national identity photocard

Occasionally we may ask you for additional ID dependent upon the transaction. In this case we would accept recent utility bills, bank or credit card statements or other formal ID that shows your address.

Going abroad soon?

Travel money is ready to be bought in-store, or ordered online and delivered the next working day.

We’ll make sure to offer you a great exchange rate for your money, whether you’re buying or selling currency.

Currencies we buy

Bureau rates on Wednesday 10 April 2024, 09:55

Buy back guarantee

If your holiday is cancelled, you can return your currency for a full refund within 35 days of your purchase date. Refunds will be for the full order amount only and you’ll just need your original order receipt or order confirmation, along with the ID you used to make your purchase.

Expert quote

“It’s easy to forget about the leftover foreign banknotes after a holiday. Instead of sticking it in a drawer, you could get your money’s worth with our buy backs. Pop into our Bureau next time you’re in John Lewis, and we’ll have one of our Partners help you with the exchange.”

-  Matt Richardson, Head of Foreign Currency

Frequently asked questions

Can i sell any foreign currency.

At our Bureaux we’re more than happy to buy back currency that you didn’t spend on holiday. To see if you can sell us your leftover travel money, check the list of accepted currencies on this page.

We can buy any accepted foreign currency notes in good condition, but regretfully foreign currency coins cannot be exchanged.

Are there any currencies that cannot be exchanged?

There are a select few closed currencies such as Egyptian pounds and Indian Rupees that we unfortunately cannot buy back.

To check if we accept the currency you want to exchange, please check the list above.

Can I sell currency online?

While we can’t buy back your leftover currency online, we are more than happy to do so in person. To find your closest John Lewis Bureau use our handy locator and pay us a visit.

Can I trade one currency for another?

At John Lewis Bureaux you can’t directly trade one currency for another, but you can sell us your foreign currency first and then buy a different currency in sterling. A list of the currencies available to buy can be found on our website.

John Lewis Finance and John Lewis & Partners Bureau de Change are both trading names of John Lewis plc. Registered office: 171 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5NN. Registered in England (Registered Company Number 233462). John Lewis plc introduce the panel of carefully chosen providers in Bureau de Change products and services, whom each hold the appropriate licences with the Financial Conduct Authority and HMRC.

Foreign Currency online from both John Lewis Finance and John Lewis & Partners is provided by First Rate Exchange Services Limited registration number 04287490 (Money Service Business licence number MLR-64068), whose registered office is at Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, West London, TW8 9DF England.

For UK clients: International Payments at John Lewis Finance is provided by HiFX Europe Limited. HiFX is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017, registration 462444, for the provision of payment services. HiFX is a limited company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 3517451. Registered office: Maxis 1, Western Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1RT.

For EEA clients: International Payments at John Lewis Finance is provided by XE Europe B.V.. XE Europe B.V. is authorised by the Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank) under the Payment Services Directive II, licence number R149006 for the provision of payment services. XE Europe B.V. is a limited company registered in The Netherlands with company no. 72587873, and registered office at Rozengracht 12,1, 1016NB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

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Guide to travelling with cash

How much money can you take abroad.

If you’re travelling abroad from the UK with £10,000 cash or more, you’ll need to declare it with UK customs. You will need to declare €10,000 cash or more if you carry it between Northern Ireland and any non-EU country See footnote 1 1 .

Elsewhere, rules on carrying cash vary from country to country. For example, for countries in the EU, you’ll need to fill in a cash declaration form or declare money at an airport if you’re carrying €10,000 or more but this won’t apply to every European country See footnote 2 2 . Figures vary even more when travelling to countries on other continents with different currencies.

To avoid being issued a fine or having your money seized, it’s always best to check your destination’s local rules in advance.

How much cash can I bring into the UK?

If you’re bringing £10,000 cash or more into the UK, or €10,000 or more into Northern Ireland, you’ll need to declare it with customs See footnote 3 3 .

You’ll need to make a declaration if the total amount of cash your group or family is travelling with exceeds the £10,000 or €10,000 limit, even if individuals are carrying less than that.

You’ll have to give details about:

• who’s carrying the cash
• your journey
• how the cash was generated
• how the cash will be used

Declarations can be made 72 hours before you travel See footnote 4 4 .

Travelling with cash abroad

Follow these five tips to keep your cash safe when abroad:

• Split where you store your money – This is one of the best ways to make sure that if someone steals your cash, they don’t take all of it. Perhaps you could share your money between a group to lower the risk of losing it all from one theft.
• Only carry what you need – By splitting your money and only taking out what you need each day you can minimise the amount of cash you lose if a wallet or purse is misplaced or stolen.
• Consider a money belt – If you really want to keep your cash close, a money belt could be the answer. Wearable wallets are often slim enough to hide under clothing and some models stop would-be thieves from making contactless card payments if your debit and credit cards are stored inside.
• Store your cash securely – Taking time to set a combination and using a hotel or apartment safe can give you peace of mind that your money is stored securely.
• Exchange money with official vendors – It may be tempting to exchange currencies with street vendors offering competitive rates, but your money is always safest with a bureau exchange at a fixed address.

Buy foreign currency for your next holiday with M&S Travel Money .

Updated July 2023

Planning a holiday abroad?

Travelling to Europe or beyond? Check out our handy guide to help make your trip perfect.

Will you need euros?

Find out which countries use the euro and learn more about the currency.

Need some winter sun?

Planning a winter sunshine break? Use our handy guide to help with your holiday planning.

1. Correct at time of publication, see  gov.uk for up-to-date information

2. Correct at time of publication, see  European Commission for up-to-date information

3. Correct at time of publication, see  gov.uk for up-to-date information

4. Correct at time of publication, see  gov.uk for up-to-date information

HSBC pulls out of Argentina at a $1 billion loss as Asia pivot continues

HSBC Holdings Plc agreed to sell its business in Argentina, and will book a $1 billion charge in the first quarter from the disposal as the lender hones its focus on faster growing Asian markets.

The bank will sell the operations to Grupo Financiero Galicia for $550 million, subject to some price adjustments, according to a statement on Tuesday. The deal includes all of HSBC Argentina’s business, which ranges from banking to asset management and insurance, as well as $100 million of subordinated debt.

The move “enables us to focus our resources on higher value opportunities across our international network,” Chief Executive Officer Noel Quinn said in the statement. The Argentine unit has “limited connectivity” to the rest of the business and creates “substantial earnings volatility for the group when its results are translated into US dollars,” he said.

HSBC Argentina, which has more than 100 branches, 3,100 employees, and about one million customers, made a profit before tax of $239 million in 2023. The bank said in February that Argentine President Javier Milei’s move to devalue the peso by more than 50% shrunk the bank’s profit before taxes by $548 million in the fourth quarter. 

HSBC said it will recognize about $4.9 billion of historical foreign currency translation reserve losses when the deal closes. That reflects cumulative losses over the years from the translation of the unit’s Argentinian peso-denominated book value into US dollars, which are already reflected in the bank’s CET1 ratio, a key measure of capital strength. 

The impact of the transaction will be excluded from HSBC’s dividend payout calculation, which remains at 50% for 2024. It is expected to complete within the next 12 months.

HSBC, based in London, has been disposing of operations across the world as it has pivoted to focus more on Asia. It has exited some business in North America and France as it builds out in India, Singapore and China. It’s several years into a strategy of pivoting its business increasingly toward the faster-growing markets of Asia where the bank makes most of its money. 

Royal Bank of Canada completed the purchase of HSBC’s Canadian unit in March. HSBC has said it will recognize an estimated gain on sale of $4.9 billion in the first quarter and declare a special dividend of about $4 billion as a result.

The lender is also exploring the sale of various businesses in Germany including its wealth-management, custody and fund administration units, people familiar with the matter said  earlier this month.  

Disposals of businesses in markets like those have been balanced by acquisitions of insurance and wealth management assets in Asia, a region with swelling ranks of the wealthy.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says

HSBC’s expected pretax loss of $1 billion on the sale of its Argentinian unit is equivalent to about 3% of 2024 consensus pretax profit and should have limited impact on its CET1, dividend capacity and planned share buybacks. Hyperinflation has been a drag on Argentinian operations, as seen in a $500 million pretax profit hit in 4Q, and the sale will also be in line with the bank’s plan to strengthen its focus on Asia.

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• Currency Buyback   ›  
• Turkish Lira

Exchange Turkish lira to pounds

Compare the best Turkish lira buyback rates and exchange Turkish lira to pounds

Sell Turkish lira online

It's easy to sell your leftover Turkish lira online. Use our Turkish lira buyback comparisons to find the best deal, then follow the link to the buyer's website to place your order online and lock-in your buyback rate. You'll need to decide whether to post your Turkish lira to the buyer, or try searching for a store near you so you can exchange your Turkish lira in person.

Sell by post

Securely package your Turkish lira and post it to the buyer using Royal Mail Special Delivery which is fully tracked and insured. Once the buyer has received your package they'll pay you by bank transfer within one working day.

Sell in-store

Use our store finder to search for your nearest currency exchange, then simply take your Turkish lira to the store to sell over the counter. You'll save on postage fees, but availability varies by location and you'll have fewer deals to choose from compared to selling by post.

Travel FX are offering the best Turkish lira buyback rate right now at 41.2. At this rate, 1 Turkish lira is worth £0.02. You'll need to place your order online to get this rate which is based on a comparison of 7 foreign exchange companies and assumes you were selling 5000 Turkish lira by post.

It can be difficult to exchange leftover Turkish lira coins. Banks and foreign exchange companies don't generally accept coins because they're expensive to process and transport, so your options for exchanging any leftover shrapnel back into pounds can be limited:

• Spend Turkish lira coins while you're still in Turkey. It sounds obvious, but the best way of using up any loose change is to spend it before you arrive back in the UK. Duty-free shops at the airport are ideal for this.
• Save it for your next trip. If you're planning to visit Turkey again in the near future, it may be worth keeping hold of any change so you can spend it later.
• Donate it to charity. Charities will be grateful for any Turkish lira coin donations regardless of value.

Turkish lira buyback rate history

Over the past 30 days, the Turkish lira buyback rate has risen 0.93% from 41.2 on 11 Mar to 41.5832 today. This means Turkish lira can be exchanged for more pounds today compared to a month ago. Right now, ₺5000 is worth approximately £120.24 which is £1.12 more than you'd have got on 11 Mar.

These are the average Turkish lira buyback rates taken from our panel of UK travel money providers at the end of each day. You can explore this further on our Turkish lira to British pound currency chart .

No, you'll get more for your Turkish lira if you sell when the Turkish lira buyback rate is low. This is due to a quirk of how British currency providers display their buyback exchange rates.

When you buy Turkish lira, the exchange rate you get is the amount of Turkish lira you'll receive for every pound that you spend, so for example a rate of 41.2 means you'd get ₺41.2 for each £1 that you spend. You can calculate the total amount of Turkish lira you'd receive for a given amount of sterling by simply multiplying the sterling amount by the exchange rate.

When it comes to selling Turkish lira, the buyback rate is expressed in terms of how many Turkish lira you'd need to sell in order to get £1, so a buyback rate of 41.2 means you'd need to sell ₺41.2 to get £1. To calculate the sterling value of a given amount of Turkish lira, you need to divide the Turkish lira amount by the buyback rate. Since you're dividing by the buyback rate, a lower buyback rate means you'd get more sterling compared to a higher buyback rate.

Turkish lira to pounds Sterling

One Turkish lira (₺) can be subdivded into 100 kuruş (kr). There are six denominations of Turkish lira banknotes in frequent circulation: ₺5, ₺10, ₺20, ₺50, ₺100 and ₺200; and six coin denominations: 25 kr, 50 kr and ₺1 which are used most frequently, and 1 kr, 5 kr and 10 kr which are used less-often due to their low values.

The current series of Turkish lira banknotes in circulation are part of the 'E9' series which was introduced by the Central Bank of Turkey in 2009, with the later addition of a purple ₺5 banknotes in 2013. Banknotes from the E9 series are printed with the words 'Turkish lira' instead of 'New Turkish lira' which had featured on the previous E8 series after the currency was redenominated in 2005.

Each banknote in the E9 series features distinct designs that showcase various aspects of Turkish culture, history, and natural landmarks. For instance, the ₺5 note depicts the portrait of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk; the founder of modern Turkey, and the Independence Monument. The ₺10 note features an image of the poet Yunus Emre and verses from his poems, while the ₺20 note showcases the architect Mimar Sinan and an illustration of the Selimiye Mosque.

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