09.06.05
Holidaymakers could pay almost £9 for every £100 they exchange for foreign currency at UK airports, according to a report by the Co-op. Research by Co-operative Travel shows that people who leave changing their holiday cash to the last minute are being ripped off by some airport foreign exchange companies, who offer poor rates and impose high charges on their captive audience.
The airport with the poorest rates overall was the newly-opened Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster, which gave the worst exchange for euros and the joint worst for US dollars. In addition to a poor exchange rate, a £5 commission charge is levied on any transaction under £400.
The rate the Co-op got for £100 in euros and dollars at Robin Hood (€130.15 and $159.60) was significantly less than the best deals available at other UK airports where travellers could get as much as 5% more for their money. At Aberdeen Airport the Co-op got €137.58 and at Gatwick $167.78 for their £100.
Mike Greenacre from the Co-op said: 'We want to make holidaymakers aware of what they’re letting themselves in for if they decide not to buy currency well in advance. The worst deals can really eat into your holiday spending money, leaving you with almost £9 less in your pocket for every £100 exchanged.
To find out more about your options for foreign currency at us airports read our Foreign Currency advice page.
How the Airports compared:
Euros – For £100 Exchanged
1. Aberdeen €137.58
2.= Southampton €137.25
2.= Heathrow €137.25
2.= Glasgow €137.25
2.= Gatwick €137.25
6.= Stansted €137.24
6.= Norwich €137.24
6.= Edinburgh €137.24
9. Bournemouth €136.21
10. London City €135.86
11. Luton €133.66
12. Durham Tees Valley €132.98
13. Manchester €132.91
14. Newcastle €132.89
15. Birmingham €132.38
16.= Liverpool €131.05
16.= Leeds Bradford €131.05
16.= Cardiff €131.05
16.= Bristol €131.05
20. Belfast €131.00
21. Nottingham East Midlands €130.95
22. Robin Hood Doncaster €130.15
US Dollars – For £100 Exchanged
1. Gatwick $167.78
2.= Glasgow $167.74
2.= Stansted $167.74
2.= Edinburgh $167.74
5.= Aberdeen $167.71
5.= Southampton $167.71
5.= Heathrow. $167.71
8. Bournemouth $166.81
9. London City $165.87
10. Nottingham East Midlands $164.24
11. Norwich $163.54
12. Durham Tees Valley $162.99
13. Birmingham $162.17
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