Bagging a savvy deal on currency before you jet off to foreign parts means extra to splash out on cocktails once you get there.

There’s more choice about now than ever, both in terms of where and how you buy your currency. Although it might seem a no-brainer to go for something that’s tagged ‘commission-free’, it’s worth checking that boast isn’t hiding a poor exchange rate.

One option is to ask how many dollars, euros or yen you’ll get for £500, once all charges and commissions have been taken out and compare them all that way.

When it comes to how you carry it around, prepaid currency cards are convenient and safer because if you lose them, your money’s protected. They combine the flexibility of a debit card with the security of travellers’ cheques and you load your cash onto them before you go, so they’re ready to use when you travel.

They usually work with a PIN number, even though they are not linked to a bank account, so they can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs, or to pay for things.

One of the longest established and biggest is Travelex, which deals in 80 currencies and has stores in 50 countries. There’s no Travelex in Oxford but it’s easy to order online at www.travelex.co.uk and have currency or pre-paid currency cards delivered to your home.

It can also be collected at one of its stores which include central London, Heathrow, London City and East Midlands airports and the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle terminal at Folkestone.

According to its ‘Price Promise’ scheme, Travelex says it will give the best priced foreign currency in the UK, or refund the difference.

David Swann of Travelex says: “Ordering currency online in advance ensures you get the best value and we’d also recommend taking a prepaid card, like our Multi-currency Cash Passport. This allows you to lock in the rate, as well as avoid the fees and charges typically associated with debit and credit cards.”

FairFX (www.fairfx.com) is another well-known company, offering pre-paid cards and currency cash, with next-day delivery if ordered before 1pm. Chief executive Ian Strafford-Taylor says FairFx’s research shows holidaymakers are more savvy and willing to shop around for the best offer and that’s why companies like his offer swift delivery and competitive rates.

Alternatively, stroll into your local Post Office, or use its click and collect option which lets you do the work online at www.postoffice.co.uk then collect from a branch or have it delivered. Order before 3pm on a working day and you’ll get free next-day delivery. The Post Office’s pre-paid currency card is its Travel Money Card, which can be loaded with euros, US, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand dollars, South African rand or Swiss francs.

Also worth checking out is Sainsbury’s Bank www.sainsburysbank.co.uk where you can swap your pounds for foreign cash, or one of its Cash Passport prepaid cards and pick up Nectar points at the same time.