Hi - I have used fx/ currency brokers quite a lot and done alot of the e 'spot' type trades mentioned earlier - but have also 'pre-booked' a rate which worked well. I opened 3 accounts (moneycorp, world first and currencies direct) - get a quote from them all and tell them what best quote I have is - so I always get best deal I can. Say I need 30,000 Eu for a stage payment that is coming up within the next 4-6 months -and the rate is good now - then after getting best quote I book the deal/rate for the full 30K euros at the fixed rate, choose how long I want to hold the money for (so 3/4/6 months etc) - only pay a 5 or 10% deposit up front (depending on the co you have chosen). Then if you have held the rate of 4 months but you find need some/allof your money paid earlier you can access it - but once it gets to the 4 months you have to take the money at your fixed rate. As someone said earlier, it is a risk that you fix a deal then the rate gets better but - makes you feel a lot more comfortable and in control so you are not 'at the mercy' of the markets at the time of the transaction with no other options.