Independent Review · Supermarket travel money
Sainsbury's Travel Money
Travelex white-label service. Home delivery and click & collect from 400+ stores. Lowest free-delivery threshold among the major supermarkets at £400. Competitive within the supermarket segment but trails online specialists.
Free delivery from £400 HMRC MSB (Travelex) Travelex white-label 400+ stores
GBP/EUR rate today
1.1299
Live from data feed
€ for £500 today
€564.95
Before delivery fee
Free delivery from
£400
Lowest threshold of UK supermarkets
Stores
400+
Click & collect locations
6.4 / 10 PSL Travel Money Score
Verdict: Best supermarket option, but specialists are a better choice
Sainsbury's Travel Money is the best-positioned of the UK supermarkets – it typically leads Tesco and Asda on rate for GBP/EUR, and its free delivery threshold (£400) is the lowest among major supermarkets. For shoppers who want the convenience of picking up currency during a grocery run, it is a reasonable choice. However, on a £500 GBP/EUR order, Sainsbury's delivers approximately €3 less than TravelFX and €2 less than Currency Online Group. For anyone whose priority is maximising euros received, ordering from a delivery specialist costs nothing extra and delivers meaningfully more.
Sainsbury's Rates Today – Major Currencies Updated 16:26 BST · 6 May 2026
| Currency | Sainsbury's rate | €/$ for £500 | vs TravelFX | vs interbank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR – Euro | 1.1299 | €564.95 | −€3.00 | −303 bps |
| USD – US Dollar | 1.3261 | $663.05 | −$5.20 | −315 bps |
| AUD – Australian Dollar | 1.8017 | A$900.85 | −A$11.00 | −350 bps |
| TRY – Turkish Lira | 55.8060 | ₺27,903.00 | −₺205 | −380 bps |
| AED – UAE Dirham | 4.5364 | AED2,268.20 | −AED 21 | −345 bps |
Rates are indicative and update continuously. Interbank mid-market rates sourced from PSL data feed. "vs Post Office" column reflects approximate basis point differential based on PSL comparisons. Firm rates must be obtained from Sainsbury's directly before transacting.
Fees & Delivery
🚚 Home Delivery
Order £400+ Free
Order under £400 £4.99
Delivery timing Next working day
Courier Royal Mail
Min order No minimum stated
🌐 Click & Collect
Locations 400+ Sainsbury's stores
EUR/USD same-day Available at most stores
Other currencies Up to 5 days
Collection ID Photo ID + payment card
💳 Payment
Debit card ✓ No fee
Credit card Cash advance may apply
Commission None
🔄 Buyback & Card
Currency buyback Yes
Prepaid card Travelex Cash Passport
Card currencies Up to 7 currencies
Nectar points No – does not earn points
Pros & Cons
✓ Advantages
✓
Lowest free delivery threshold of any major UK supermarket (£400)✓
Typically leads Tesco and Asda on GBP/EUR rate✓
400+ click & collect locations – same-day for EUR and USD at most stores✓
No commission – cost is in the rate spread only✓
Travelex prepaid Cash Passport card available for multi-currency use✓
Buyback service available at stores✗ Disadvantages
✗
Rate trails online specialists (TravelFX, COG) by ~€3–15 per £500 depending on currency✗
Powered entirely by Travelex – rates and service are Travelex rates under Sainsbury's branding✗
HMRC MSB regulated via Travelex only – not FCA regulated for currency exchange✗
Does not earn Nectar loyalty points on currency purchases✗
Exotic currencies may not be available for same-day collectPSL Rating Breakdown
⚠️ Regulatory clarity note: The "Regulatory clarity" score reflects the level of consumer protection and transparency PSL considers available to customers. A lower score does not mean the provider is illegal or unsafe for typical transactions, but indicates that FCA consumer protection rules do not fully apply to the currency purchase itself.
6.4 / 10 Overall PSL Travel Money Score
Who Is Sainsbury's For?
✅ Best for
Shoppers who want to pick up currency during their regular Sainsbury's shop and are ordering £400 or more (triggering free delivery). Also good for those who want the convenience of same-day EUR or USD collection from a nearby store and are indifferent to the €2–5 rate difference versus online specialists.❌ Not ideal for
Anyone prioritising the best possible rate – TravelFX and Currency Online Group deliver more euros per pound, and free delivery at TravelFX kicks in at the same level (£750 vs £400, but specialist rates are enough better to compensate). Also not suitable for exotic currencies needed urgently, as click & collect availability is limited.💳 Compare to Wise if
You are ordering more than £400. On a £500 GBP/EUR order, TravelFX delivers approximately €3 more than Sainsbury's. On £1,000 the gap doubles to ~€6.Sainsbury's – Questions & Answers
Is Sainsbury's Travel Money actually Travelex?
Yes. Sainsbury's Travel Money is a white-label product operated entirely by Travelex. Travelex sets the rates, handles currency supply, and fulfils orders. Sainsbury's is the branded front-end. This is the same relationship Tesco has with Travelex.
Can I get currency on the same day from Sainsbury's?
Yes – euros and US dollars are available for same-day collection at most stores. Other major currencies (AUD, CAD, TRY, AED) are typically available within 1–2 days via click & collect, or the next working day for home delivery. Exotic currencies may take up to 5 days.
Do I earn Nectar points on travel money?
No. Currency purchases at Sainsbury's Travel Money do not earn Nectar points. This distinguishes it from Tesco, where Clubcard holders receive a better exchange rate.
Is Sainsbury's Travel Money FCA regulated?
Sainsbury's Travel Money is operated by Travelex, which is registered with HMRC as a Money Service Business – the standard regulatory framework for all bureau de change operators in the UK. FCA regulation applies to the payment services and e-money elements of Travelex's operation but not to the currency exchange itself.
How does Sainsbury's compare to Tesco for travel money?
Both are Travelex white-label products, but Sainsbury's has two advantages: the free delivery threshold is lower (£400 vs £500), and Sainsbury's typically offers a slightly better rate on GBP/EUR. Tesco's Clubcard discount can close the gap for Clubcard holders.