Virgin Travel Money online with AMEX

I hope this is in the right place, and I did a search before posting so applogies if this has been covered before. But does anyone use the Virgin Travel Money online service with AMEX? For those who've not looked, it's linked from the Virgin Atlantic site here

Shortened URL

Normally, I use http://www.travelex.co.uk and pick up at the airport as they seem to have the best £/$ rate and are convenient. Then I use my AMEX in the USA to keep the FC miles rolling in. It's great for that, but sometimes you need to buy with cash as I've heard tell that customs will cross-check your credit card bill when they think you have exceeded the limit of goods to bring back into the UK [:0] Not that my 4 cases of stuff would exceed that of course [:w]

What does everyone else do?

[Decker]

Funnily Customs find it easier to read on line forums than to get access to your credit card statements .

[:0] [:p]

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by Decker
Funnily Customs find it easier to read on line forums than to get access to your credit card statements .

Hence the reason to not use your real name..

Originally posted by GatorBaiter
I hope this is in the right place, and I did a search before posting so applogies if this has been covered before. But does anyone use the Virgin Travel Money online service with AMEX? For those who've not looked, it's linked from the Virgin Atlantic site here

Shortened URL

Normally, I use http://www.travelex.co.uk and pick up at the airport as they seem to have the best £/$ rate and are convenient. Then I use my AMEX in the USA to keep the FC miles rolling in. It's great for that, but sometimes you need to buy with cash as I've heard tell that customs will cross-check your credit card bill when they think you have exceeded the limit of goods to bring back into the UK [:0] Not that my 4 cases of stuff would exceed that of course [:w]

What does everyone else do?

Is that true? They better not find my virgin cc statement which just landed following our trip to MCO!

Well yes, this is certainly my concern! When I shop, I SHOP. It's one thing taking labels out but the labels themselves (A&F, AE, Banana Republic Victoria's Secrets, Hollister etc) give away that you never brought it with you cos we just dn't have those stores here.

[Decker]

There would have to be an ongoing investigation before they could access your bank details. In the old days it took quite a lot to get the banks to cooperate - these days they can be a bit more flexible.

I'm sure that customs on the way back in profile the most likely offenders and in all likelihood aren't too fussed about wardrobe overspends. Not to say that if they pulled you they wouldn't fine you but you'd have to be doing quite a bit to be prosecuted I'm fairly sure.

Some interesting stuff here thought there are also adult links so viewer discretion advised. And before anyone asks I Googled "duty-free allowance exceeding customs prosecution" and it was number 5!

Like the person said, it's a step in the right direction, but a mere drop in the ocean of my 'wardrobe overspend' [ii]

But back to the original question...

What are people's experience with Virgin Travel Money through AMEX? Has anyone done it? They are currently exchanging at $1.656 so a reasonable rate. However, Travelex are $1.69 [:?] Miles or cents, here?

Originally posted by jetwet1

Originally posted by Decker
Funnily Customs find it easier to read on line forums than to get access to your credit card statements .

Hence the reason to not use your real name..

How hard is it to click on the nick name to access your profile;)

Paul

I'd still suggest getting a Nationwide Credit and Debit card if you go abroad a lot. You don't get charged commission and they use the Visa business rates, which are always better than you'd get at Travelex.

Getting money out at Travelex will still incur a charge made by your bank unless you buy with Maestro.

I get a small amount of money at the airport, then get the rest out there.