Calculate how much GBP (£) you will receive when returning your unused foreign currency.
Enter the total value of foreign notes you have left (e.g., Euros, Dollars).
Enter the rate listed as "We Buy" or the rate on your Buy Back Guarantee receipt. (Format: 1 GBP = X Foreign)
Enter the rate you originally bought the currency at to calculate value difference.
Total Cash Back (GBP)
£0.00
Understanding the Sainsbury's Buy Back Rate
When you return from a holiday with unused foreign currency, finding the best way to convert it back to British Pounds (GBP) is essential. Sainsbury's Bank Travel Money offers a "Buy Back" service, allowing you to sell your leftover travel money. This calculator helps you estimate exactly how much cash you will get back based on current exchange rates.
How the Buy Back Calculation Works
In the UK, currency exchange rates are typically displayed as "1 GBP = X Foreign Currency". To calculate how much GBP you will receive when selling currency back, the math operates inversely to when you bought it.
Formula:Foreign Currency Amount ÷ Buy Back Rate = GBP Received
Example: If you have 200 Euros and the buy back rate is 1.24, you calculate 200 ÷ 1.24 = £161.29.
It is important to note that the "Buy Back Rate" (the rate the bank buys from you) is usually higher than the "Sell Rate" (the rate you bought at), meaning you typically receive fewer pounds back than you originally spent, unless you have a specific guarantee.
Sainsbury's Buy Back Guarantee
If you purchased the Cash Buy Back Guarantee when you originally bought your travel money, you might be eligible to return your currency at the exact rate you bought it at (within specific time limits and amounts).
Without the guarantee, you will be subject to the daily "We Buy" rate found in-store or online, which fluctuates based on the global market.
Important Restrictions on Returns
Before heading to the instore bureau, keep these common restrictions in mind:
Notes Only: Like most travel money providers, Sainsbury's typically only buys back paper notes. Coins are rarely accepted because they cannot be traded on wholesale markets.
Condition: Notes must be in good condition (not ripped or heavily damaged).
Identification: You may need to provide ID (such as a passport or driving licence) for larger transactions due to money laundering regulations.
Maximizing Your Return
Exchange rates change daily. If you do not have a fixed-rate guarantee, it may be worth checking the rates over a few days. However, holding onto soft currencies (currencies that fluctuate heavily) for too long can sometimes result in a loss of value.
function calculateBuyBack() {
// Get input values
var amount = document.getElementById('currencyAmount').value;
var rate = document.getElementById('buyBackRate').value;
var originalRate = document.getElementById('originalRate').value;
var resultBox = document.getElementById('resultBox');
var resultValue = document.getElementById('resultValue');
var comparisonDiv = document.getElementById('comparisonResult');
// Basic validation
if (amount === "" || rate === "") {
alert("Please enter both the Foreign Currency Amount and the Buy Back Rate.");
return;
}
// specific NaN check and zero check
var amountNum = parseFloat(amount);
var rateNum = parseFloat(rate);
var originalRateNum = parseFloat(originalRate);
if (isNaN(amountNum) || isNaN(rateNum) || rateNum 0) {
var originalCost = amountNum / originalRateNum;
var difference = gbpReturn – originalCost;
var differenceText = "";
var color = "";
if (difference 0) {
differenceText = "Gain vs Original Cost: +£" + difference.toFixed(2);
color = "#5cb85c"; // Green
} else {
differenceText = "No difference from original cost.";
color = "#333";
}
comparisonDiv.innerHTML = "" + differenceText + "Original Cost: £" + originalCost.toFixed(2) + "";
} else {
comparisonDiv.innerHTML = "";
}
}