Guilty of leaving your currency exchange to the last minute? You’re not alone!
With its fancy phrases and unfamiliar terms, the process of buying currency confuses a lot of people. Let’s spell things out so you can get your money sorted and get on with your holiday. These foreign currency tips will help you understand what’s what in the world of Forex.
What foreign currencies can I buy?
From AED to ZAR, we've got over 60 currencies available in store, and over 45 online. If you're heading to a more unique destination and unsure if we'll have your currency, give us a bell, or visit us in store, and we'll do our very best to make sure you take off with what you need.
Do you charge fees?
The price you see is the price you get. No hidden extras. We will never add on fees or commission to your foreign currency (like some people!).
Will you match a better rate?
You bet! With our Best Price Guarantee we guarantee to beat any Australian competitor’s overall transaction price by $1AUD or more on any foreign currency we trade. And if we don’t give you the best price, we’ll give you $100AUD*.
Will you have stock available in store?
We have over 60+ currencies in store at any given time! Plus with our Cash Commitment, we'll always have our top currencies in store, or you will receive up to $100*. This includes USD, EUR, GBP, NZD, JPY, IDR, THB and SGD.
How often do your rates change?
Every day! But lucky for you we lock our rates in every morning so they don't fluctuate through the business day. The price you saw after around 9.30am this morning is the price you will also get at 5pm.
Your website rate is different to your in store rate
Yeap, this can often be the case! There's a couple of differences... buy in store and collect your currency instantly. Order online in your PJs and you will have to wait several days to collect. All of this aside though - we'll happily match our website rates in store.
How can I pay for my foreign currency?
If you're buying in store we will happily take cash or credit/debit card. If you're ordering online you will need to have your credit/debit card handy or BPAY details for your financial institution.
What do you think the rates will do?
We wish we knew! Exchange rates can be unpredictable. But, to help you out, check out our historic rate charts and have a read of our market updates where we give you the low down on the markets. When you're ready to buy, don't forget to take advantage of Rate Move Guarantee - our 14 day exchange rate protection.
If you need to order in stock, can I still get today's rate?
For sure! You'll need to secure the deal with a deposit, and then your cash will be ready for collection in a matter of days.
Can I exchange from one currency to another, other than AUD?
Yes, we have over 60 currencies available in store and will exchange between any two of them. We do however convert it to AUD first. Online, you can only buy foreign currency from us (in exchange for your AUD!).
Can I cash my traveller's cheques in store?
What are travellers cheques? Just kidding, but how very retro of you. Yes, we are one of the only foreign currency companies that do this. We do need to check them out though so please bring them in and we will do our best to assist.
Do you sell traveller's cheques?
We can cash them, but we can't sell them. They're also no longer issued in Australia. Instead, why not try our Currency Pass? It's a safe and secure way to travel overseas with currency. It's like a digital travellers cheque!
Do I have to be over 18 years of age to buy foreign currency?
No. As long as you fulfill the required ID process we are more than happy to assist you with your travel money needs.
Why do you need to ask me all these questions when I am exchanging money?
It's for our security plus yours, it is important that we have the required information at the time of the transaction.
I have a VIP Card from my travel agent - what is a VIP Exchange Rate?
We're part of the Flight Centre Travel Group family and want to extend the family love to you.You'll receive a better rate to what you see advertised in store. Consider it mates rates on your currency!
Are there any restrictions on the amount of currency I can take on my holiday?
Although there's technically no legal limit on how much money you can take on holidays, if you're travelling internationally you must declare amounts of more than $10,000 in foreign currency on your customs form. Some countries impose specific restrictions on the import/export of local and foreign currencies. You should seek advice from an official government website for the country you may be visiting before placing your order online.
Can I sell you currency?
You bet! Visit us in store and we'll happily buy any foreign banknotes from you. We just ask that your banknotes are in reasonable condition. No rips or sticky tape, please.
Where can I find today's sell rate?
We don't have our SELL rates on our website (yet!), but give us a call or so visit us in store and we'll make sure you get a great rate!
Do I need to let you know in advance if I am bringing in foreign currency to sell?
Nope. As long as it's one of our 60 trading currencies we are more that happy to take back any left over cash you weren't able to spend.
Can I sell you my foreign banknotes and coins?
Sure will! We just ask that there are in good condition. That is, not torn or stuck together with sticky tape...and still legal tender. We don't except coins so we suggest digging those out before heading home and use it to purchase any last minute items where possible. Otherwise, you can donate your coins to our 'Small Change, Big Difference' program that supports UNICEF.
What foreign currencies do you accept?
Heaps - we buy and sell over 60! Bring us in your leftover funds and we'll do our best to ensure you walk away with some fresh Aussie dollars.
Can I specify the denominations on my online order?
Unfortunately not... orders are typically packed with mixed denominations (depending on the availability of the currency you are ordering). But - if you're after something specific, let us know when you collect your currency, and we'll try our best to give you what you need.
How soon can I pick up my order after I've placed it online?
Your order will typically be available for pick up within 3-5 business days. If paying by BPAY, consider it 5 business days. (PS business days means the days the selected collection store is open!) If you need currency sooner though - no stress, visit us in one of our 140+ stores!
Are there limits to how much foreign cash I can order online?
All orders are subject to a minimum value of AU$500* in foreign currency equivalent and a maximum value of AU$10,000 in foreign currency equivalent over a 24 hour period, and a maximum aggregate value of AU$20,000 over a rolling 21 day period.
How can I pay for my online order?
You've got a few options... Via BPAY Via Mastercard or Visa debit Credit card. If you choose this option, a card surcharge of up to 1% of the total order amount will be applied to your order. (This surcharge is not charged by us, but is applied by the card Merchant).
Can I change my online cash order collection date?
You sure can. Your confirmation email will contain info on who to email (or call) if you need to query anything, or make a change to your order.
Can I cancel my online cash order?
In some instances yes. If the transaction is pending we should be able to reverse it for you. Your confirmation details will contain email and phone contact numbers should you need to amend any of the transaction details.
Can someone else collect my online cash order for me?
Unfortunately not...this is to ensure your transaction and finances remain secure. Don't forget, when you collect your cash you will need to bring your email confirmation, ID and proof of payment (this is generally the credit/debit card used to process the transaction with your name printed on it).
If I pay by BPAY, how long do I have to make the payment to keep the order active?
When ordering cash online and paying by BPAY, you have 12 hours to process the payment via your financial institution before it becomes invalid.
Can I use a foreign-issued credit or debit card to pay for my online cash?
Yes, however this is for foreign currency exchange only. We can't provide cash advances for AUD while travelling in Australia.
I've tried to place my order online, but it says "Order Not Processed" - what does that mean?
You've found a ghost in the machine! This is an extremely rare occurance but should you receive this error message we suggest contacted Travel Money Oz as soon as possible. It's most likely the transaction has not processed and you will simply need to start over.
What do I need to bring with me to collect my order?
You will need to bring your email confirmation, ID and proof of payment. This is generally the credit/debit card used to process the transaction with your name clearly printed on it.
What is a "buy" rate
Buy rates are the rates we offer for you to buy different foreign currencies (in exchange for your Aussie dollars). You’ll find over 45+ foreign currencies in our online currency converter to buy, or 60+ in store.
What is a "sell" rate
That’s the rate you get if you’re selling a foreign currency back to us. Maybe you put on a few pounds over in the UK, or you were left with ten yen when you got back from Japan. You can sell those back to us for the good old Aussie Dollar.
Why can I not get the market rate?
We wish we could get it too. The market rate is the current perceived value of currency between two economies - it's often the rate you see on the news. This rate is only available for market traders, not us travellers!
What is "spread"
Our favourite is definitely vegemite but we think you mean in terms of currency. Spread is the difference between a currencies market rate and retail rate.
Why do exchange rates move
Like most things, it boils down to demand and supply. Exchange rates float freely against one another, which means they are in constant fluctuation. Currency valuations are determined by the flows of currency in and out of a country. A high demand for a particular currency usually means that the value of that currency will increase.
What is dynamic currency conversion?
Dynamic currency conversion is where overseas purchases are offered in your local (home) currency. In some situations it is offered by retailers and ATMs. This however, simply allows them to dictate their own exchange rate and may result in you being charged fees associated with a foreign transaction.