Families planning a break abroad this October half term will see their holiday spending money go a great deal further compared to last October half term, thanks to the strength of the Pound against some of the most popular holiday currencies. Travel money expert, ICE – International Currency Exchange has compared rates this October versus October last year and found the biggest difference to be Turkish Lira, with families getting more than 195 extra on a £500 exchange.
The Pound against the Euro has also reached a 2 year high in the past few weeks and now offers over 6.5% more Euros compared to this time last year – great timing for families heading to popular Autumn destinations like Portugal, Malta and the Canaries.
Those planning a holiday to North America for the fall will also be ‘quids in’ for the leaf peeping. The Pound has strengthened over 7% against the Canadian Dollar. Parents forking out for theme parks and attractions in the US will find it a little more affordable than last October with rates now comparable to 2012.
See attached PDF[1] for table showing average rates for last three years and % difference from 2013 to 2014.
Koko Sarkari, COO for ICE says: “The Pound is providing good value against a range of currencies right now, particularly the Euro, offering over 38 more Euros on a £500 currency order compared to last October. But even if you’re not heading away for half term but plan to in the foreseeable future, locking in the rates using a prepaid card is worth considering. The ICE Travellers Cashcard is a PIN-protected card in Euros, US Dollars and Sterling that offers travellers a safe and convenient payment method to use on holiday. Key benefits such as 1.5% cashback on qualifying purchases, and free cash withdrawals from ATMs abroad*, helps holidaymakers make their money go further.”
* 1.5% cashback applies to purchases of €50/$50/£50 or more on the respective cards. Some ATM operators and merchants may charge a fee or set their own limits.
Kaynak : 