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Press releases
05 March 2010
22 Million UK Travellers to Visit Eurozone in 2010
First Rate Exchange Services Limited (First Rate) research has revealed that the eurozone is set to remain by far the most popular destination for UK travellers during 2010, with almost 22 million people¹ intending to visit countries across the region during the year.
03 February 2010
Londoners Take Off For International Travel in 2010
New research from First Rate Exchange Services Limited (First Rate) has revealed some positive signs for the travel industry with 58 per cent of UK adults stating they intend to take at least one holiday overseas this year. A further 22 per cent are still considering their travel options.
25 January 2010
First Rate Exchange Services Reveals Travel Money Trends
New research from First Rate Exchange Services (First Rate) has revealed some interesting trends in the usage of travel money cards by UK travellers.
21 January 2010
Eurozone Price Cuts Result in Better Value for 2010 Travellers
Visitors to the eurozone are set to see their holiday cash go further this year as price cuts across many resorts will result in better value for holidaymakers according to First Rate Exchange Services Ltd (First Rate).
24 November 2009
New York Christmas Bargains Drive Dollar Demand
First Rate Exchange Services (First Rate) is anticipating strong demand for US dollars during the next month as sterling’s rising strength against the dollar makes New York an attractive destination for UK bargain hunters wanting to save cash on Christmas gifts.
29 October 2009
First Rate Exchange Services appointed to provide online currency service for Virgin Holidays
First Rate Exchange Services (First Rate) has announced its appointment as the new provider behind Virgin Holidays online travel money services.
20 October 2009
Half term travellers risk holiday cash hangover
With half term holidays just around the corner new research from First Rate Exchange Services has revealed that less than half (48 per cent) of UK holidaymakers calculate how much cash they will need for their for overseas holiday spend, resulting in many paying far more for their holiday money through costly cash withdrawals from ATMs whilst overseas.
5 October 2009
First Rate advises - Don't get caught out by long haul currency restrictions
As the long haul season approaches and UK travellers seek out warmer climes, First Rate Exchange Services is advising UK travellers to check currency restrictions to avoid falling foul of foreign customs laws and regulations.
28 September 2009
First Rate advises Far East offers best value for UK winter sun seekers
UK travellers looking for winter sun destinations offering best value are advised to look to the Far East and destinations such as Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, according to First Rate Exchange Services.
07 September 2009
First Rate Exchange Services appointed to provide online currency service for P&O Ferries
First Rate Exchange Services (First Rate) has today announced its appointment as the provider behind P&O Ferries new online travel money service.
01 September 2009
Trafalgar Square top of tourist trail for foreign travellers
New research from First Rate Exchange Services has revealed that Trafalgar Square is the top tourist attraction for international travellers visiting the UK.
06 August 2009
First Rate Exchange Services launches International Payment service with HiFX
First Rate Exchange Services and HiFX have joined forces to launch a new white-labelled international payment service which allows businesses to provide their customers with an international money transfer service which offers security, highly competitive exchange rates and simple online transfer options.
27 July 2009
Holiday Money Monitor - July 2009
First Rate Exchange Services is the UK’s leading wholesaler of foreign exchange services, and the provider behind the Post Office’s® market leading service. In its latest holiday money trends report the Post Office® has revealed some interesting purchasing trends for the first half of 2009, and an insight into which initiatives, from massive reductions in air fares from both scheduled airlines and low cost carriers to the reductions in prices by cheaper European city hotel beds¹, are working to encourage international travel from the UK.
25 July 2009
First Rate Exchange Services survey reveals UK's international travel trends
As the peak summer travel period gets underway timely new research from First Rate Exchange Services has revealed some interesting variations in the UK’s international travel trends.
13 July 2009
First Rate delivers Euro on demand service to over 8400 Post Office® branches
First Rate Exchange Services has announced it has increased its provision of over the counter euro foreign exchange services to the Post Office® network, increasing availability from 7800 to over 8400 branches.
23 April 2009
First Rate delivers Turkish lira on demand service to 4000 Post Office® branches
First Rate Exchange Services has announced it is more than doubling its provision of over the counter Turkish lira foreign exchange services to the Post Office® network, from 1400 to over 4000 branches.
3 April 2009
New city costs barometer reveals Budapest as best value city break destination
First Rate Exchange Services is advising FX retailers to expect strong demand for eastern European currencies this spring as new research reveals that Budapest, Warsaw and Prague are set to offer best value to UK travellers looking for a short haul city break destination.
25 March 2009
UK holidaymakers to count the cost of currency confusion
UK holidaymakers seeking destinations outside the eurozone to make their pounds go further by avoiding poor euro sterling exchange rates may need to do some homework before they book, according to First Rate Exchange Services.
12 January 2009
First Rate reminds FX retailers of changes to US entry rules
First Rate Exchange Services (First Rate) is reminding foreign exchange retailers to urge travellers heading to the US to be aware of new rules which come into force from 12 January, which require them to give 72 hours notice of US entry.
5 January 2009
Savvy travellers to expand horizons for best value in 2009
UK travellers looking for destinations where their cash will go further are advised to look to long haul destinations such as Thailand and South Africa, where lower living costs and better exchange rates are set to offer Brits best value during 2009, according to First Rate Exchange Services (First Rate).
30 December 2008
Euro bargains – 20% off sale on English league players in winter transfer window
The winter transfer window which opens on 1 January 2008 may see some bargain bids from European football clubs looking to take advantage of the strength of the euro against sterling according to First Rate Exchange Services.
18 December 2008
easyJet’s new online foreign exchange service takes off
easyJet, the UK’s largest airline, has today announced the launch of its new online foreign exchange service, offering travellers easy access to the widest range of foreign currencies available from any UK airline, combined with the convenience of next day home delivery.
3 November 2008
Sterling’s strength against Australian dollar brings boom in currency sales
Currency retailers offering easy access to Australian dollars have emerged as the surprise winners of sterling’s strength against the currency according to First Rate Exchange Services.
24 October 2008
Europe offers best value breaks for Winter 2008/09 skiers
First Rate Exchange Services is expecting strong demand from FX retailers for European currencies this winter as cash-strapped Brits seek out the best value destinations for skiing holidays.
26 September 2008
Far East offers better value for UK half term holidaymakers
The Far East is set to be the half term getaway destination for cash conscious UK travellers looking for a sunshine holiday where their pounds will go further according to First Rate Exchange Services.
19 September 2008
Wash out summer drives boom in September currency sales
First Rate Exchange Services is reporting a boom in currency sales in the first weeks of September 2008 as UK travellers escape the UK’s wettest year on record¹ with an exodus to warmer and drier climes.
22 August 2008
Yuan winners – First Rate reveals 120 per cent increase in Olympic currency sales
As one of the most successful Olympic Games for team GB comes to a close First Rate Exchange Services Ltd (First Rate) has revealed one of the other winners of the 2008 Olympics to be currency retailers offering easy access to yuan currency.
30 July 2008
First Rate reveals Olympic surge in Chinese yuan currency sales
First Rate Exchange Services is reporting that sales of Chinese yuan by the Post Office® network have risen by 44 per cent compared to last year, ahead of the Olympics.
18 July 2008
First Rate reveals Italy and Greece as best value destinations for family holidays
Italy and Greece are set to offer best value to UK families looking to combine some summer sun with sightseeing trips...
26 June 2008
First Rate holiday money monitor - June 2008
In the first of a series of regular reports on the state of the foreign exchange market First Rate … is reporting that the credit crunch, plummeting pound and fuel surcharges on flights and ferries are so far failing to deter UK holidaymakers from planning overseas trips this summer.
20 June 2008
First Rate provides Post Office® with euro and US dollar ATM currency service
First Rate Exchange Services is providing the Post Office® with a euro and US dollar currency service from 13 specially designed ATMs for a trial of a new foreign exchange service in selected Post Office® branches.
19 June 2008
First Rate delivers Post Office® Bureau de Change service to WHSmith branches
First Rate Exchange Services is supporting the Post Office® in extending its market leading foreign exchange service to 50 WHSmith branches across the UK.
19 May 2008
Champions League fans drive record month for Russian ruble sales
Football fans heading to Moscow for Wednesday’s Champions League final are set to drive a record month for ruble sales by UK foreign currency retailers...
26 March 2008
First Rate advises UK businesses to get set to cash in on Open Skies Agreement
First Rate Exchange Services, the UK’s leading provider of foreign exchange services, is anticipating a boom in demand for sterling to dollar currency transactions following the introduction of the Open Skies Agreement.
27 February 2008
First Rate delivers Chinese yuan on demand to UK foreign exchange retailers
First Rate Exchange Services has launched a new on demand Chinese yuan service to allow foreign currency retailers to meet the increased demand expected for the currency as the Olympic Games makes China a travel hotspot in 2008.
12 February 2008
First Rate and American Express® deal to deliver three million traveller’s cheques a year
First Rate Exchange Services, the leading provider of foreign currency services to UK businesses, has re-signed American Express® as its partner and supplier of traveller’s cheques.
11 January 2008
Are prices set to rocket for holidaymakers in Malta and Cyprus – the newest members of the eurozone?
The eurozone got bigger this week as two of the most popular destinations – Malta and Cyprus – joined Europe’s currency club.