5 Smart Ways to Make Your Leftover Currency Work for You

We’ve all been there – returning from a holiday with a pocketful of foreign currency. Notes are easy to sort with buyback services, but leftover coins? That’s a trickier situation. Rather than letting your holiday money gather dust in a drawer, here are 5 smart ways to make your leftover currency work for you.

1. Compare Buyback Rates and Convert Notes Back to Pounds

If you’ve got leftover notes, don’t leave them sitting unused. Many currency providers offer buyback services, allowing you to convert your unused holiday money back into pounds.

Here’s how it works:

• Compare rates: Use tools like Compare Travel Cash to find the best buyback rates for your currency. Rates can vary significantly, and online buyback services often far exceed the rates you’ll find on the high street or at banks.
• Post your currency: Once you choose a provider, simply post your notes using First-Class Recorded Delivery (which costs around £8). This ensures your money is tracked and protected during transit.
• Get paid: The provider will exchange the currency and pay the equivalent directly into your bank account.

It’s a hassle-free way to reclaim value from your leftover cash – and often much more efficient and profitable than hunting for a physical location to exchange it.

2. Donate It to Charity

A fantastic way to make use of leftover notes and coins is to donate them to charity. Many UK charities, such as UNICEF, Oxfam, and British Airways’ Change for Good programme, accept foreign currency, including coins.

You can often drop off your leftover money at airports, charity shops, or even send it by post. It’s an easy way to clear out old currency while contributing to a good cause.

Coins included? Yes! Charities can pool together coins to exchange in bulk, so even your small change can make a big difference.

3. Reuse It for Your Next Trip

If you’re planning another holiday to the same destination, save your leftover cash for next time. A little planning means you’ll already have money for taxis, tips, or that first coffee at the airport when you arrive.

How to organise it:

• Keep notes and coins in a labelled envelope or small bag.
• Track your leftover cash with a simple note – it’s easy to forget what you have stashed away!

This works especially well for popular destinations like Turkey, Spain, or the USA, where return visits are likely.

4. Exchange or Spend Coins Before You Leave

While foreign coins can’t be exchanged back into pounds, there are a few clever ways to deal with them:

• Spend them at the airport: Use up leftover coins on snacks, drinks, or small souvenirs before you board your flight.
• Self-service checkouts: In some countries, machines at supermarkets and airports accept coins as part of payment.
• Give them as tips: If you have extra coins at a hotel or restaurant, leave them as a small thank you for the service you’ve received.

Pro Tip: Always aim to spend coins during your trip to avoid bringing them back home – they’re the hardest currency to deal with!

5. Convert It Into Travel Savings

If you travel often, consider turning your leftover money into future travel savings:

• Prepaid travel cards: Some providers allow you to top up prepaid travel cards with your leftover cash, locking in a rate for future trips.
• Foreign exchange accounts: Services like Revolut or Wise let you store foreign currencies in an account, ready to use or convert later when rates improve.
• Gift it to a friend: If you know someone travelling to the same country soon, pass your leftover currency on to them – they’ll appreciate the gesture!

This approach keeps your travel funds productive instead of gathering dust.

Whatever you do, don’t forget it!

Leftover holiday money doesn’t have to sit forgotten in a drawer. Whether you’re converting notes back to pounds, donating coins, or saving for your next adventure, there are plenty of smart ways to make your leftover currency work for you.

Remember, coins are tricky to exchange, so aim to spend or donate them before you leave your destination. For notes, compare buyback rates and reclaim their value – and head to Compare Travel Cash to find the most competitive deals.

Next time, you’ll be holiday-ready and money-smart.