Fans heading to World Cup wise to keep track of currency rates

On the eve of the draw for the World Cup finals, M&S Travel Money is advising football fans heading to South Africa to keep track of currency rates rather than wait until next summer to purchase their spending money.

Supporters will be paying thousands of pounds on flights, hotels and match tickets, and will want to get the most for their money when buying South African currency - the rand.

Figures from M&S Travel Money show that the rand rate has fluctuated against sterling by as much as 3.3 rand per pound during the past year. In October travellers could get 11.39 rand per pounds, compared to 14.69 rand last December.

With no way of predicting what the rate will be next summer, England fans should keep track of the rand rate over the coming months.

James Yerkess, M&S Head of Travel Money, said: "England football fans will be looking forward to following the team in South Africa and will be spending a lot of money to make sure it is the trip of a lifetime.

"Fans would be wise to start thinking now about how and when they are going to purchase their foreign currency. Those who buy all their currency in one go next summer could find that the rand rate is particularly strong against sterling."

Marks & Spencer Travel Money is available at bureaux de change in M&S stores across the country and online at marksandspencer.com/travelmoney.