The amount of your local currency you wish to spend.
Enter the advertised Post Office rate (e.g., GBP to EUR).
Enter 0 if collecting in-branch or if shipping is free.
Amount Converted:–
Fee Deducted:–
Net Amount Exchanged:–
Total Foreign Currency:–
function calculateTravelMoney() {
// 1. Get input values
var homeAmountInput = document.getElementById('po-home-amount');
var rateInput = document.getElementById('po-rate');
var feeInput = document.getElementById('po-fee');
var resultsArea = document.getElementById('po-results-area');
var amount = parseFloat(homeAmountInput.value);
var rate = parseFloat(rateInput.value);
var fee = parseFloat(feeInput.value);
// 2. Validation
if (isNaN(amount) || amount <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid amount to exchange.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(rate) || rate <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid exchange rate.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(fee)) {
fee = 0;
}
// 3. Logic
// In most Post Office scenarios, the fee is an extra cost ON TOP of the amount,
// or deducted FROM the amount depending on user intent.
// This calculator assumes the user has a fixed budget (Amount to Exchange).
// Therefore: Net Amount = Amount – Fee.
// If Net Amount < 0, they can't afford the fee.
var netAmount = amount – fee;
if (netAmount <= 0) {
alert("The delivery fee exceeds the amount you wish to exchange.");
return;
}
var foreignTotal = netAmount * rate;
// 4. Formatting output (2 decimal places)
var formatAmount = amount.toFixed(2);
var formatFee = fee.toFixed(2);
var formatNet = netAmount.toFixed(2);
var formatForeign = foreignTotal.toFixed(2);
// 5. Update DOM
document.getElementById('res-converted-amount').innerHTML = formatAmount;
document.getElementById('res-fee').innerHTML = formatFee;
document.getElementById('res-net-amount').innerHTML = formatNet;
document.getElementById('res-foreign-total').innerHTML = formatForeign;
// Show results
resultsArea.style.display = "block";
}
Understanding Post Office Exchange Rates
When planning a trip abroad, securing your travel money is a top priority. The Post Office is a popular choice for currency exchange due to its accessibility and trust. However, understanding how their exchange rates, commissions, and fees work is crucial to ensuring you get the most value for your money. This Post Office Exchange Rate Calculator helps you estimate exactly how much foreign currency you will receive based on your budget.
How Post Office Currency Exchange Works
Unlike borrowing money where you deal with interest rates, currency exchange is about the "Spot Rate" versus the "Retail Rate." The Post Office sets a daily retail rate which is slightly different from the interbank market rate. This difference is known as the "spread," and it is essentially how the provider covers their costs.
Online vs. In-Branch: Often, the rates offered online for "Click and Collect" are better than the rates you might see on the board if you walk directly into a branch. It pays to check the website first.
0% Commission: The Post Office famously advertises 0% commission on travel money. This means they do not charge a separate service fee for the transaction itself; their profit is built into the exchange rate.
Delivery Fees: If you order cash to be delivered to your home, there may be a delivery fee, especially for smaller amounts. For larger orders (e.g., over £400 or $500), delivery is often free.
Using the Calculator
Our tool simplifies the math involved in buying travel money. Here is a breakdown of the inputs:
1. Amount to Exchange
This is the total amount of your home currency (e.g., Pounds Sterling, US Dollars) that you are willing to spend. This total should include any potential fees.
2. Exchange Rate
Input the rate you see advertised. For example, if you are converting GBP to EUR and the rate is 1.15, for every £1 you spend, you get €1.15. Be sure to use the specific rate for the amount you are buying, as rates often improve when you buy larger amounts.
3. Delivery / Handling Fee
If you are ordering online for home delivery, check the shipping terms. If your order is below a certain threshold, a handling fee (often around £5.00 or similar) may apply. If you are collecting in-branch, this is usually 0.
Tips for Getting the Best Rate
To maximize your spending money on holiday:
Buy on Weekdays: Markets are active during the week. Weekend rates are sometimes "frozen" at a slightly higher margin to protect the seller against market volatility.
Avoid Airport Kiosks: While convenient, exchanging money at the airport usually offers the worst rates due to high operating costs. Ordering from the Post Office in advance is almost always cheaper.
Check the Buy-Back Rate: If you return with leftover foreign cash, the Post Office can buy it back, but the rate will be lower than what you bought it for. This is known as the "Buy Back" rate.
Prepaid Cards: Consider a Post Office Travel Money Card if you prefer not to carry large amounts of cash. The exchange rate is locked in when you load the card.
Use the calculator above to plan your budget accurately and avoid surprises when your travel money arrives.