Find our best US Dollar exchange rate

Convert GBP to USD and find the best dollar exchange rate

Planning a trip to the United States? In a country so vast, it’s important to get the best dollar exchange rate to make the most of your trip.

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£
Best Rate from
1 GBP = 1.291 USD
1 USD = 0.775 GBP
Amount received (after accounting for delivery fees)
A convenient prepaid way for spending abroad that's safer and easier to track.
Get cover to protect yourself from the cost of potential problems when travelling.
A prepaid card thats useful for travelling but can be used at home too
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Last updated
May 30th, 2024

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How to get the best dollar exchange rate

Following these steps should help you get the best exchange rate for dollars when buying them with pounds.

Compare exchange rates online

Online rates will almost always be better than the best dollar rate on the high street or at the airport.

Think about the total cost

The highest rate might not be the best deal; a lower rate can be cheaper if there is no commission or delivery charge.

Avoid paying with your credit card

Cover the cost with a debit card or sterling cash to avoid high credit card charges.

If you can, buy a larger sum

Some providers offer a higher pound-to-dollar rate if you order over a set amount. This is beneficial if you're travelling in a group and can buy dollars together.

Do some research

Shop around in advance of your trip, compare deals, and look for free delivery options, which may take longer to arrive.

8 results found, sorted by amount received. How we order our comparisons. Commission earned affects the table's sort order.
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Travel FX Travel Money

Exchange rate
1.2910
£750 gets you
$968.25
Delivery fee
Free delivery
Collection
No
Travel FX, an FX specialist, usually provides their most competitive currency exchange rates. A multiple award-winning company, free delivery (over £700.00), no commission, pay by Debit Card or Bank Transfer and typically offering the best rates here.
More Information
Eligibility
Available Direct
UK Residents

The Currency Club Travel Money

Exchange rate
1.2890
£750 gets you
$966.75
Delivery fee
Free delivery
Collection
No
More Information
Eligibility
Available Direct
UK Residents

Sterling FX Travel Money

Exchange rate
1.2884
£750 gets you
$966.30
Delivery fee
Free delivery
Collection
Yes
Take advantage of Fast Track Next working day delivery on EUR and USD if you miss our 12 noon cutoff at no extra cost. Free next day delivery on all orders over £700 (otherwise a fee of £6 applies).
More Information
Eligibility
Available Direct
UK Residents
Nectar Members Only

Sainsbury's Bank Travel Money for Nectar Members

Exchange rate
1.2718
£750 gets you
$953.85
Delivery fee
Free delivery
Collection
Yes
Order between £100 - £2500 for home delivery, maximum order for in store pick up is £4500. There is no fee for in store pick up. The rates shown are only available to Nectar members.
More Information
Eligibility
Available Direct
UK Residents

Sainsbury's Bank Travel Money

Exchange rate
1.2693
£750 gets you
$951.98
Delivery fee
Free delivery
Collection
Yes
Order between £100 - £2500 for home delivery, maximum order for in store pick up is £4500. There is no fee for in store pick up.
More Information
Eligibility
Available Direct
UK Residents

Post Office Travel Money

Exchange rate
1.2625
£750 gets you
$946.88
Delivery fee
Free delivery
Collection
Yes
Over 60 currencies available for next day home delivery or collection from over 11,000 branches. Click and collect EUR and USD in two hours from a branch near you. Includes travel money refund guarantee. T&Cs apply.
More Information
Eligibility
Available Direct

NM Money Travel Money

Exchange rate
1.2621
£750 gets you
$946.58
Delivery fee
Free delivery
Collection
Yes
NM Money provide great value financial services for travel. Our products include selling and buying over 50 foreign currencies, pre-paid travel money card, and money transfers including Western Union. We help your money go further.
More Information
Eligibility
Available Direct
UK Residents
Click & Collect from over 190 stores in 60 Seconds

eurochange Travel Money

Exchange rate
1.2621
£750 gets you
$946.58
Delivery fee
Free delivery
Collection
Yes
eurochange are the foreign exchange experts. They provide an award-winning service which is rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot, offering the widest range of currencies including Euros and US Dollars.
They'll also buy foreign currency in exchange for GBP #exchangewitheurochange
More Information
Eligibility
Available Direct
UK Residents

Pros and Cons

Pros

Always accepted as a form of payment
Makes it easier to budget and avoid overspending
US dollars are accepted in many countries

Cons

Can easily be lost or stolen
Carrying large sums is risky and inconvenient
Not the best way to pay for big-ticket items

How far will my US dollars go?

If you're travelling to the US, how far your travel money goes really depends on where you go. With 50 US States to choose from, this can vary a lot. But typically, cities in the coastal states will be more expensive than cities in the mid-west or south. 

According to The Tax Foundation in the US, if you go to the coasts, e.g. New York or California, $100 has a relative buying power of $86.36 and £87.11 respectively.

So, you should expect to pay a premium for everything from restaurants, petrol, or even a cup of coffee. However, you'll find prices become much more reasonable in states such as Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama, where $100 will get you the best value at $116.69, $115.61, and $115.3 respectively, in practical terms. 

Oregon ($100.5), Florida ($100.1) and Delaware ($99.9) were the only states that came closest to having a real value of $100. 

When buying travel money, it's advisable to get more than you think you'll need, as it's better to have money left over after your trip, than to run out while you’re away.

Relative value of $100 by state

An illustration of the relative buying power of $100 in each US state.
Image ViewerImage Viewer

How can I save money when in the US?

Accommodation and food prices in the USA are generally similar to those in the UK, despite the big differences between expensive destinations such as New York and cheap ones like Mississippi. Wherever you’re headed, here are our top tips for cutting your costs. 

  • Shop around for accommodation: Hostels and private Airbnb-style rentals can be more affordable than hotels, while choosing a flat or room with access to a kitchen will also allow you to save money by eating in

  • Make the most of public transport: If you’re not hiring a car to get around, you’ll generally find public transport a lot cheaper than taking taxis to get around. In cities such as New York and Chicago, a CityPASS will get you discounts on entrance to popular attractions as well as transportation

  • Check out free attractions: Lots of museums, botanical gardens, and historical sites offer free entry, as do several of the more than 60 National Parks across the USA

  • Search for discount vouchers: Websites such as Groupon and Restaurant.com can save you money on meals, activities, and more during your stay in the USA. You can also find out about special offers available locally by following the social media accounts of the places you're visiting

  • Spend smart: You’ll often get hit with high fees for making purchases and withdrawing cash in the USA with a UK card. So, save money by taking out a prepaid travel card or a credit or debit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees. When paying with a sterling card, you should also always pick US dollars when given the choice between paying in pounds or US dollars

What are the top alternatives to buying travel money?

Travel credit cards

Travel credit cards

Travel credit cards - i.e. the ones with no foreign transaction fees - offer two key advantages over travel money:

  • Great exchange rates - when you spend on a travel credit card you get the Mastercard or Visa exchange rate, which is about the best you can find as a regular consumer

  • Purchase protection – for purchases costing more than £100 and up to £30,000, you're covered by Section 75 of the consumer credit act, meaning if something goes wrong you can make a claim with your card provider should the vendor fail to pay up

However, not everywhere accepts travel credit cards and using them at a cash machine abroad can come with hefty fees. It can also be easier to overspend on a credit card, leaving you with debts on which interest is charged.

Travel money cards

Travel money cards

Currency cards and travel bank accounts let you spend overseas without being charged a foreign transaction fee. Their key strengths are:

  • Great exchange rates – the best card providers will pass on the Mastercard or Visa rate to you without adding extra charges

  • No charges for some ATM withdrawals overseas - if you need extra cash on holiday, some providers let you make a number of withdrawals per month or withdraw up to a certain amount without being charged. Watch out for local ATM fees though, as these might still apply 

The downsides include that there can be limits on how much you can withdraw abroad using a travel money card, and that they're not accepted quite as widely as cash. Some travel current accounts also come with fees.

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid travel cards can be loaded with currency and used abroad without paying foreign exchange fees. You can load a prepaid card with a specific foreign currency or a variety of different currencies, depending on your travel plans. The key advantages are:

  • Low or no fees to use abroad – prepaid travel card providers charge far less than traditional banks for overseas usage

  • Safer than carrying cash - you can cancel or freeze the card if it's lost or stolen, protecting your balance

However, you’ll need to watch out for general usage fees, which often apply when you load the card with cash and may also be charged monthly.

What are the top alternatives to buying travel money?

Travel credit cards

Travel credit cards

Travel credit cards - i.e. the ones with no foreign transaction fees - offer two key advantages over travel money:

  • Great exchange rates - when you spend on a travel credit card you get the Mastercard or Visa exchange rate, which is about the best you can find as a regular consumer

  • Purchase protection – for purchases costing more than £100 and up to £30,000, you're covered by Section 75 of the consumer credit act, meaning if something goes wrong you can make a claim with your card provider should the vendor fail to pay up

However, not everywhere accepts travel credit cards and using them at a cash machine abroad can come with hefty fees. It can also be easier to overspend on a credit card, leaving you with debts on which interest is charged.

Travel money cards

Travel money cards

Currency cards and travel bank accounts let you spend overseas without being charged a foreign transaction fee. Their key strengths are:

  • Great exchange rates – the best card providers will pass on the Mastercard or Visa rate to you without adding extra charges

  • No charges for some ATM withdrawals overseas - if you need extra cash on holiday, some providers let you make a number of withdrawals per month or withdraw up to a certain amount without being charged. Watch out for local ATM fees though, as these might still apply 

The downsides include that there can be limits on how much you can withdraw abroad using a travel money card, and that they're not accepted quite as widely as cash. Some travel current accounts also come with fees.

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid travel cards can be loaded with currency and used abroad without paying foreign exchange fees. You can load a prepaid card with a specific foreign currency or a variety of different currencies, depending on your travel plans. The key advantages are:

  • Low or no fees to use abroad – prepaid travel card providers charge far less than traditional banks for overseas usage

  • Safer than carrying cash - you can cancel or freeze the card if it's lost or stolen, protecting your balance

However, you’ll need to watch out for general usage fees, which often apply when you load the card with cash and may also be charged monthly.

FAQs

Where can you use US dollars?

The US dollar ($) is the national currency of the United States of America and the most widely used currency on the planet. 

All 50 US states use the US dollar, which is also accepted in a long list of other countries, including:

  • Puerto Rico

  • Ecuador

  • El Salvador

  • Republic of Zimbabwe

  • Canada

  • The Virgin Islands of the United States

  • The British Virgin Islands

  • Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste 

  • Cambodia

  • Peru

  • Vietnam

  • Micronesia

  • Barbados

  • Costa Rica

  • Panama

  • Turks and Caicos Islands

Can I get US dollars delivered?

Yes, but there is usually a delivery charge for this service. You may be able to save money by having your currency delivered to a nearby collection point rather than your home.

Will I get the same US dollar rate on the high street?

No, online rates are usually better than high street rates because online providers need to be competitively priced to persuade you to use their services.

What is commission?

Commission is the fee a provider charges for exchanging your money into a foreign currency.

Can I use my credit card to buy US dollars?

Yes, but you will be charged by both your credit card provider and the travel money provider for using your card.

Is my money protected if a provider goes bust?

No, so do your research and make sure you buy from a provider that will send your currency as soon as it is processed. UK companies that deal with money transfers should be authorised by or registered with the FCA.

About our comparison

Who do we include in this comparison?

We include every company that gives you the option of buying euros online. Discover how our website works.

How do we make money from our comparison?

We have commercial agreements with some of the companies in this comparison. We get paid commission if we help you take out one of their products or services. Find out more here.

You do not pay any extra and the deal you get is not affected.

About the author

Salman Haqqi
Salman Haqqi spent over a decade as a journalist reporting in several countries around the world. Now as a personal finance expert, he helps people make informed financial decisions.

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