Tel: 020 7726 1000	Tel: 020 7626 1567
Tel: 020 7626 1500	Tel: 020 7260 8000

The safest and most convenient way of carrying large amounts of money is to use travellers cheques which can be cashed in all Bureaux de Change and most high street banks.

There are a number of places to cash travellers cheques and exchange foreign currency but it would be recommended to shop around for the best exchange rate. You will find that the rates vary from bank to bank and Bureaux de Change. It is not recommended to exchange money in hotels as you will find that they charge very high commission rates. On average you should expect to pay 1%-2% commission.

Exchange and commission rates vary considerably; it pays to shop around. Commission is sometimes charged for cashing travellers cheques in foreign currencies, but not for sterling travellers cheques, provided you cash the cheques at a bank affiliated to the issuing bank (get a list when you buy your cheques). Commission is charged if you change cash into another currency. You always need identification, such as a passport, when exchanging travellers cheques.

Credit cards are accepted in most restaurants, retail outlets and hotels. In addition you can also withdraw money from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs or cash machines), situated at most banks and building societies. You may incur charges resulting from the following:

• A disloyalty charge may be applied to a customer's account by their own bank, when they use a machine other than one owned by their bank.
• A surcharge may be applied to a customer's account by the owner of the ATM they withdraw money from if they do not hold an account with that bank.
• If your card is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the police and contact he relevant credit card company on their emergency numbers below.
  

Visa: 0800-895-082
MasterCard: 0800-964-767
Diners Club: 0800-460-800
American Express: 01273-696-933 or 0273-689-955