Have you any Pounds?

Undoubtedly you will need some spending cash.

Best for small amounts: tips, cafes (some won't take any credit cards, most will only take those with a "chip.") and cabs. Be prepared!  And if you plan to use an ATM, realize each time you utilize the machine, a charge will occur.  And sometimes they "eat" cards...again, you must have a 4 digit code for European ATMs and the first digit cannot be a zero.  So act now, and take along a bit of money...honey!

PS. Don't forget to notify your bank that you are traveling in the United Kingdom, so they won't think your card has been stolen and deny you the ability to use it.  If you have a chip card, but no PIN, apply for it TODAY! Some banks allow you to do this online, others take 2 weeks to mail. 

By the way, American Express is NOT the preferred card in Europe.  Visa and MasterCard are the best.

FYI> from the internet

One POUND consists of 100 pence.

The singular of pence is "penny". The symbol for the penny is "p"; hence an amount such as 50p is often pronounced "fifty pee" rather than "fifty pence".

We have both coins and banknotes.

Current coins are:

1 penny, 2 pence, 5 pence, 10 pence, 20 pence, 50 pence, 1 pound, and 2 pounds.

 

Current bank notes are:

the 5 pound note, the 10 pound note, the 20 pound note and the 50 pound note.

Old money conversions to money used today

• Six pence - 2½p
• One shilling (or 'bob') - 5p
• Half a crown (2 shillings and sixpence) - 12½p
• One guinea - £1.05