Push the button for holiday cash

UK holidaymakers can now get commission-free foreign currency from new specially designed cash machines at selected Post Office branches.

From today, foreign exchange ATMs are being trialled in thirteen branches nationwide, giving people even more convenience when it comes to buying their holiday cash.

Customers using the ATMs will simply be able to insert their debit cards and select one of two mainstream currencies (euros or US dollars). There will be no charge for withdrawing cash, they get the same great exchange rate as over the counter and withdrawals are commission-free too.

The new machines supplied by Bank of Ireland are being trialled to complement the extensive range of counter services already available from Post Office bureaux de change, making it even easier for holidaymakers to get their Travel Money quickly and efficiently.

The announcement comes as recent figures show that there were 309 million overseas transactions on UK-issued cards last year (three per cent of all transactions on UK-issued cards). In fact using a debit card to withdraw cash abroad is so popular with UK holidaymakers that a total of £7.1 billion was withdrawn from overseas cash machines in 2007.

Helen Warburton, head of Post Office travel services, said: "Holidaymakers can make real savings by avoiding all the charges and commission associated with using overseas cash machines abroad, and have more cash to enjoy on holiday instead.

"Our new ATM machines are a hassle-free, convenient and economic way for holidaymakers to get their holiday money from an ATM in this country at the push of a button.

For those who still want to shop abroad with plastic, the Post Office credit card is one of the few cards which offers 0% commission on overseas transactions or the pre-paid ‘Travel Money Card' is available in Sterling, Euros or US Dollars.

Changing money at the Post Office has never been easier. With a total of 7,600 branches offering currency on-demand over the counter, and an online ordering option at postoffice.co.uk for branch collection or home delivery, together with the thirteen new ATM machines, it is the largest and most accessible currency provider in the UK.