John Lewis Travel Money – Rates, Fees, and Full Comparison

John Lewis Travel Money offers a no-commission service for buying foreign currency, with ordering online and collection from hundreds of stores or home delivery. But how do its rates compare, and is it good value for your next trip?

For many UK travellers, the John Lewis brand represents trust and convenience. Its travel money service, available through John Lewis and Waitrose stores, lets you order foreign currency without paying an upfront commission. But the real cost lies in the exchange rate markup, and comparisons suggest it is not always the cheapest option on the market.

Pound Sterling Live notes that John Lewis and Waitrose travel money is typically marginally worse than the Post Office on euros, despite using a similar backend system. Wise also highlights that while no explicit fee is charged, the rate itself contains a built-in margin that can make the service less competitive than alternatives.

What are the current John Lewis travel money exchange rates?

John Lewis exchange rates change daily, as is standard across the travel money market. The rate you see when you place your order is locked at that point, so you are protected from fluctuations while your order is processed.

• No upfront commission or exchange fee is charged, but a markup is embedded in the rate.
• The euro rate from John Lewis is typically around 0.26% below the UK average and about 1.1% below the best available rate, according to CompareHolidayMoney.
• Exchangerates.org.uk similarly reports that the John Lewis euro rate is roughly 1.1% worse than the best rate and 0.2% worse than the average.
• Home delivery is free for orders over £1000, otherwise a £5 fee applies; Saturday delivery incurs an extra charge.
• Click and collect is available from 350+ stores, with next-day collection possible.
• The minimum order amount is reported differently by sources: Wise states £500 for click and collect and home delivery, while Pound Sterling Live lists £250 for online orders.
• Over 60 currencies can be ordered, including traveller’s cheques.

How does John Lewis travel money compare to other providers?

When compared with other high-street providers, John Lewis occupies a middle ground. It is not the cheapest, but it is not the most expensive either. The main competitor is the Post Office, which offers a similar no-commission model and a broad branch network.

John Lewis vs Post Office travel money

Both providers operate without stating an upfront commission. The key difference is in the exchange rate. Pound Sterling Live notes that on GBP/EUR, John Lewis is usually slightly worse than the Post Office. Delivery costs are similar: Post Office charges around £4.99 for delivery below certain thresholds, while John Lewis charges £5 for orders under £1000. Collection options differ: John Lewis offers pickup at Waitrose and John Lewis stores, while the Post Office has its own branch network. Both offer over 60 currencies.

John Lewis vs Travelex and FairFX

Travelex is a major currency provider with airport and online services, often offering competitive rates but with more variable fees. FairFX is a specialist card-based service that focuses on prepaid currency cards and transfers. John Lewis, by comparison, is a traditional cash-based service with no commission but a built-in rate markup. MoneySavingExpert’s travel money comparison tool focuses on total value, and John Lewis typically appears in the top five but rarely at the top of the best-buy table.

John Lewis vs MoneySavingExpert best buys

MoneySavingExpert’s travel money pages are designed to help users find the best total value, not just the most recognisable brand. The general advice from comparison sites is to compare the final delivered amount, including any delivery fee, because some providers appear cheaper until charges are added. John Lewis is usually a safe, mainstream choice if you value convenience and in-store collection, but it is not usually the best-value choice on exchange rate alone.

How to order travel money from John Lewis

The ordering process is designed for planning ahead rather than last-minute cash needs. You place an order online and then choose either to collect from a store or have the currency delivered to your home.

Step-by-step online ordering

Visit the John Lewis Money website, select the currency you need, enter the amount, and choose your preferred collection or delivery option. The rate is displayed before you confirm and is locked at that point. You then pay by card. The minimum order is reported as £250 for online orders by Pound Sterling Live, while Wise states £500 for click and collect and home delivery, suggesting the minimum may vary by channel or have changed over time.

Collect in store: which stores?

Click and collect is available from over 350 Waitrose and John Lewis stores across the UK. Wise reports that next-day collection is available. The person who placed the order must collect it in person and must bring photo ID, the order reference, and the payment card used. Collection cannot be done by someone else.

Home delivery: times and costs

Home delivery is via Royal Mail Special Delivery and typically arrives the next working day, according to Pound Sterling Live. Delivery is free for orders above £1000, otherwise a £5 fee applies. Saturday delivery costs extra. You receive tracking details via email once the order is dispatched.

Are there any fees for John Lewis travel money?

John Lewis states that it does not charge an upfront exchange fee or commission. However, as Wise notes, a markup is typically added to the real exchange rate. This means the cost is built into the rate rather than shown as a separate fee.

Commission and service charges

There is no commission fee. The provider makes its margin from the exchange rate itself. This is standard practice among travel money providers that advertise “0% commission.”

Delivery fees

Home delivery is free for orders over £1000. Orders below that amount incur a £5 delivery fee. Saturday delivery carries an additional charge. Click and collect from a store is free.

Hidden costs to watch for

The main hidden cost is the rate markup. Because the rate is worse than the mid-market rate, the effective cost of your currency is higher than it appears. CompareHolidayMoney and Exchangerates.org.uk both show that John Lewis rates are typically below the UK average and further below the best available rate. If you are ordering a small amount, the delivery fee adds to the overall cost as a percentage.

How has John Lewis travel money changed over time?

The service has evolved since its launch, with key milestones marking its development. The following timeline is based on available public information.

1. 2020: John Lewis Money partnered with Travelex to offer travel money services to customers.
2. 2022: Home delivery option was introduced, expanding the ways customers could receive their currency.
3. 2024: An updated rate comparison tool was launched on the John Lewis Money website.
4. Ongoing: Exchange rates are updated daily, and the service continues to be available from 350+ stores.

What is known and what remains unclear about John Lewis travel money?

What does John Lewis travel money offer and who is it for?

John Lewis Travel Money is best suited for shoppers who already visit John Lewis or Waitrose stores and value the convenience of collecting currency alongside their regular shopping. The brand’s reputation for customer service and the FCA regulation provide reassurance for those who prefer a well-known provider.

Compared to specialist currency exchanges, the rates are slightly less competitive, but the no-fee model and the ability to collect from hundreds of stores compensate for many users. MoneySavingExpert recommends comparing rates across providers, and while John Lewis often appears in the top five, it is rarely the cheapest. The service is a safe, mainstream option for those who prioritise convenience over the very best rate.

If you are considering other financial products alongside travel money, the Lloyds Ultra Credit Card may be relevant for travel spending, while understanding currency conversions such as 1000 Yen in Pounds can help with budgeting.

What do comparison sites say about John Lewis travel money?

Multiple comparison sites and financial commentators have analysed John Lewis travel money, and their assessments are broadly consistent: it is convenient and reputable, but not a rate leader.

“John Lewis/Waitrose is typically marginally worse than Post Office” on GBP/EUR.

— Pound Sterling Live

“The John Lewis Travel Money Euro rate is currently 1.1837 which is 0.26% below the average UK rate.”

— CompareHolidayMoney.com

“John Lewis travel money offers great rates, checked against competitors regularly.”

— John Lewis Money official website

Wise emphasises the hidden margin in the rate and compares John Lewis unfavourably against its own transfer pricing. Pound Sterling Live and CompareHolidayMoney both show John Lewis as worse than the best market rate by a noticeable but not huge margin. Exchangerates.org.uk provides similar data, with the John Lewis euro rate about 1.1% below the best available rate.

Is John Lewis travel money the right choice for your foreign currency?

John Lewis travel money is a reliable and convenient option, especially for those who can collect from a nearby store and value the brand’s customer service. However, if getting the best exchange rate is your priority, comparison sites suggest you will almost always find a better deal elsewhere. The difference is typically small — around 1% below the best rate — but for larger amounts, that gap adds up. Always compare the final delivered cost, including any delivery fees, before placing an order.

Frequently asked questions