Cheapest way to buy $1000 USD that is accessible as cash in USA?

[Deactivated] on 22/04/2015 - 05:09
Last edited 22/04/2015 - 05:09

Hi team,
so I'm going to the USA and will be needing cash.
Just wondering what my best way to go about this is?

should I take AUD with me and exchange it there or pre purchase $USD on some kind of locked rate here, on a travel visa card or something like that? I do have a qantas platinum Amex and visa if they help my options.
but yeah will need to purchase some stuff in cash whilst there.

Can I go into the usa without my AUD or USD being taxed? (It's up to $10,000 Aud and the same USA going into USA right?)

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Travel

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 22/04/2015 - 05:30
    +1

    ATM machine

    • Mattycee on 23/04/2015 - 10:50

      Does they need their pin number as well? Lol

  • macca22 on 22/04/2015 - 06:58
    +1

    Exchanged Aussie dollars in Vegas Casino at a good exchange rate years ago

  • modsec802 on 22/04/2015 - 07:37

    There's no real 'cheap' way. Unless you have a card that doesn't charge overseas cash advantages and doesn't charge foreign exchange fees (I think the only one is the Citibank one) then you'll be charged for using an overseas ATM. Even with such a card, most ATMS charge a fee above these other fees also. There's also a real chance an overseas ATM can swallow your card (I've had it happen) and so I try to stick to ones connected to real bank branches.

    I've found a very convienient but reasonable way to get overseas cash is to preorder via Travelex website paying via BPAY and simply collect at the airport. Much cheaper preordering than just buying at the airport and simple to collect as you're going through the airport anyway.

    I avoid those prepaid travel cards as they have conditions around unused funds and fees etc.

    • RockyRaccoon on 22/04/2015 - 08:40
      +3

      Citibank ATM's are in 7/11's throughout the USA so you wont get charged a fee if you use those.

      The card you refer to is the Citibank Plus account which is a transaction account (you get no interest, and the card you have is a debit card). It offers a very good exchange rate and no fees for withdrawals.

      The op can just chick the ozbargain travel wiki for more details on why this is the better option than travelex etc.

      • modsec802 on 22/04/2015 - 09:40

        I try to avoid ATMs in shops like 7/11 because if they swallow your card you can basically never get it back as they are managed by third party companies not the stores themselves. This happened to me in Malaysia and it was a P.I.T.A.

        • RockyRaccoon on 22/04/2015 - 16:21

          Fair enough but Malaysia and the US are different, even though their flags have similarities.

          In the US the ATM's in the 7/11's I used were branded Citibank.

          I am not even sure that the ones in Malaysia are fee free for citibank. Maybank was free but theye weren't in 7/11's

      • decadent1 on 22/04/2015 - 11:56
        +1

        I used the Citibank ATMs at various 7-11s across the US last year.
        No issues to report.
        As Rocky said use the Citibank Plus account. No Fees whatsoever.

  • djones145 on 22/04/2015 - 08:02

    you shouldnt get taxed when going into usa carry 1000usd (I took around 2k last few times)

    10,000 that I'm unsure (only if you get checked)

    I would bring some money

    do you have a 28 degrees card
    they have great rates for USD (depends if you have time to sign up)

    if your in Sydney, the money exchange outside David jones food area in westfields has quite good rates

    if your going to get some money get some now (as chances it will move a bit today)!
    in a few hours the inflation figures will come out
    if its low the reserve bank will most likely drop interest rates in May, leading to a fall in the USD (market will start to price for it )
    if its high or average, the rates might not get dropped in May and the USD might be steady

    • SirFlibbled on 22/04/2015 - 16:34

      28 Degrees now charges hideous fees for cashing out at ATMs, even if it's your own money.

      I use the Citibank Plus for ATM withdrawals and 28 Degrees for CC transactions when overseas.

  • Edsanwong on 22/04/2015 - 08:44

    If you are a Melbourne, I still some USD cash left over from my last US trip.

    Otherwise as others said, 28 Degrees and/or Citibank http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/citibank_plus_transaction_accou… are very good for travellers.

    • BigTed on 22/04/2015 - 10:27
      +3

      Don't use 28 degrees for cash withdrawals. Only for foreign credit purchases.
      Citibank is the way to go for ATM withdrawals and will almost certainly be the cheapest option for exchange.

      • Edsanwong on 22/04/2015 - 10:59

        Thanks for correcting.

    • Ameliayli on 24/04/2015 - 00:47

      Edsanwong, do u have any usd you would like to sell?

      • Edsanwong on 24/04/2015 - 11:59

        PM me please

  • Gotchas on 22/04/2015 - 15:52

    In sydney bank of China is good too

  • [Deactivated] on 22/04/2015 - 19:36
    +1

    hi guys thanks for the replies, I am going to go with the citibank card and take my amex with me as backup.
    Thankyou for the help, I'm leaving in 5 weeks so enough time to get citibank card organized.
    Thanks again!

  • Ameliayli on 24/04/2015 - 00:44

    Anyone in melbourne have usd they would like to sell?

  • mkapadia on 16/05/2015 - 13:21

    Any body got CAD that they would like to sell in Melbourne, please im me.

  • zappy32 on 19/05/2015 - 09:45

    Just in case anyone else digs this up with Westpac you get free withdrawals from Bank of America.

    http://www.westpac.com.au/travel-centre/access-money-oversea…

    Oh, and I have a couple of toonies in Melbourne if that helps mkapadia? ;)

  • kobrien456 on 22/05/2015 - 23:47

    Take US cash. Cards are a pain.

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