Cashing in a US$ cheque without getting screwed on exchange rate and fees?

[bergeroo]

Didn't know whether to put this here or in The Lounge. Thin brag alert, 6 years and 10 months since Black Friday I received a cheque from the United States Department of Justice for the money in my Ultimate Bet/Absolute Poker account. Pretty amazing that it has been so long and that I actually got the money back at all as I wrote it off long ago.

The money is paid in a cheque in US$. I wondered if anyone knows of the best way to cash this in. I assume that I just have to go to a high street bank and accept their exchange rate and fees. Is there any other way to do it? Are any banks particularly good or bad when it comes to this kind of thing or have particularly low or high fees or is it all much of a muchness. Just wanting to avoid a bit of legwork and making sure there isn't another way to do it so I don't get vigged so much.

[bergeroo]

aye cheque actually in pounds I've just been told (I'm away from home) - so no need for the thread, please close it! Thanks.

[Marky147]

Congrats on getting your dough back!