Estimate your foreign cash amount and total exchange costs.
The amount of your local money you wish to swap.
Target currency units per 1 unit of home currency.
Used to calculate hidden spread costs.
Net Amount Converted (after fees):0.00
Total Foreign Cash You Receive:0.00
Effective Exchange Rate:0.0000
Estimated Spread Cost ("Hidden Fee"):0.00
How to Use the Travelex Exchange Calculator
This tool helps travelers estimate how much foreign currency they will receive when using services like Travelex, while also highlighting the potential costs involved in the transaction. Unlike simple currency converters that use the "mid-market" rate, this calculator allows you to input the actual rate offered by the provider to see exactly what lands in your pocket.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Amount to Exchange: Enter the total amount of home currency (e.g., USD, GBP) you plan to convert.
Travelex Exchange Rate: Input the rate displayed on the Travelex board or website. This is how much foreign currency you get for 1 unit of your money.
Commission/Fee: If there is a flat delivery fee or a commission charge, enter it here. This is deducted from your amount before conversion in this model.
Mid-Market Rate (Optional): Find the current "real" exchange rate on Google or XE. Entering this helps you calculate the "spread," which is the hidden profit margin the exchange service takes.
Understanding Exchange Rates and Spreads
When you buy foreign cash for travel, you rarely get the "spot" price you see on the news. Providers like Travelex make money in two ways:
Upfront Fees: A visible commission or delivery fee (e.g., $9.99 for home delivery).
The Spread: This is the difference between the wholesale price of the currency and the price they sell it to you. For example, if the Euro is worth $1.10, they might sell it to you for $1.15. That $0.05 difference is the spread.
By using the "Mid-Market Rate" field in this calculator, you can reveal exactly how much value you are losing to this spread, ensuring you make an informed decision before heading to the airport kiosk.
Tips for Better Exchange Rates
To maximize your travel money:
Avoid Airport Kiosks: Rates at airports are notoriously poor due to lack of competition and high rent costs. Order online for pickup if possible.
Check the "Buy Back" Guarantee: Some services offer to buy back unused currency at the original rate for a small fee. Calculate if this fee is worth the risk of having leftover cash.
Watch for Dynamic Currency Conversion: When abroad, always choose to pay in the local currency, not your home currency, to let your bank handle the rate rather than the merchant's terminal.
function calculateTravelexRate() {
// 1. Get Input Values
var amount = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tvlxAmount').value);
var rate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tvlxRate').value);
var fee = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tvlxFee').value);
var midRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tvlxMidRate').value);
// 2. Validate Inputs
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. Perform Calculations
// Deduct the fixed fee from the source amount first
var netAmount = amount – fee;
// If fee consumes the whole amount
if (netAmount 0) {
effectiveRate = foreignTotal / amount;
}
// 4. Calculate Spread / Hidden Cost (If mid-market rate is provided)
var spreadCost = 0;
var showSpread = false;
if (!isNaN(midRate) && midRate > 0) {
// Theoretical maximum you would get at mid-market with 0 fees
var perfectConversion = amount * midRate;
// The difference between perfect world and actual world is the cost
spreadCost = perfectConversion – foreignTotal;
// Convert spread cost back to target currency units for display,
// OR display in home currency value. Usually spread cost is best understood in Home Currency lost.
// Let's calculate Home Currency Value Lost:
// Value of foreign currency received in Home Terms = ForeignTotal / MidRate
// Cost = Amount – (ForeignTotal / MidRate)
// Simpler approach for users: How much foreign currency "went missing"?
// We will display the value lost in terms of the TARGET currency count,
// or we can display it as "Value Lost in Home Currency".
// Let's stick to Home Currency Value lost for clarity.
spreadCost = amount – (foreignTotal / midRate);
if (spreadCost < 0) spreadCost = 0; // Should not happen unless Travelex rate is better than market (rare)
showSpread = true;
}
// 5. Update DOM
document.getElementById('resNet').innerHTML = netAmount.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('resTotal').innerHTML = foreignTotal.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('resEffective').innerHTML = effectiveRate.toFixed(4);
if (showSpread) {
document.getElementById('spreadRow').style.display = 'flex';
document.getElementById('resSpread').innerHTML = spreadCost.toFixed(2) + " (Home Currency Value)";
} else {
document.getElementById('spreadRow').style.display = 'none';
}
document.getElementById('tvlxResults').style.display = 'block';
}