M&S Money encourage World Cup travellers to keep track of currency rates

M&S Money has advised football fans heading to South Africa for the World Cup in 2010 to keep track of currency rates rather than wait until next summer to purchase their spending money. Supporters will be paying thousands of pounds on flights, hotels and match tickets, and will want to get the most for their money when buying South African currency - the rand.

Figures from M&S Travel Money show that the rand rate has fluctuated against sterling by as much as 3.3 rand per pound during the past year. In October travellers could get 11.39 rand per pounds, compared to 14.69 rand last December.

With no way of predicting what the rate will be next summer, British football fans should keep track of the rand rate over the coming months.

James Yerkess, Head of M&S Travel Money, said: "England football fans will be looking forward to following the team in South Africa and will be spending a lot of money to make sure it is the trip of a lifetime.

"Fans would be wise to start thinking now about how and when they are going to purchase their foreign currency. Those who buy all their currency in one go next summer could find that the rand rate is particularly strong against sterling."

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Notes to Editors:

About M&S Money
M&S Money (the trading name of Marks & Spencer Financial Services) was founded in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer Group plc. The company is now a top ten credit card provider and the second largest travel money retailer in the UK. M&S Money also offers a range of insurance cover, including home insurance and car insurance, as well as loans, savings and investment products.

M&S Money offers over 50 currencies available by phone, and, on average, 32 currencies available on demand in M&S Bureau de Change. There is no commission on foreign currency notes and foreign currency travellers cheques (1% charge on sterling travellers' cheques). M&S Money also offers commission-free buy-back on any un-used currency and free delivery on telephone orders of £500 or more (for orders of less than £500 there is a £5 delivery charge). Telephone orders delivered via insured registered post.

Marks & Spencer Travel Money is available at bureaux de change in M&S stores across the country, by telephone on 0800 363 484 and online.

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