Trip to US and UK - Currency, Mobile Sim etc?

bluespider on 25/05/2022 - 10:14

I will be traveling to US (Boston) for a week on business trip in mid-July and then a week holiday in London to visit family.

What would be best way to carry or get/exchange USD and Pound?
Most transactions in US I will be doing through my AMEX corporate card but need some cash say 500USD or so just in case.
Whereas in UK, I won't be using my AMEX corporate card, so what are best options if I need to carry/take about 500 Pounds?

Also, if I need to get some US and UK mobile sim, what are my options? Can I buy them in Australia itself before travel? If so, which ones?

Thanks a lot for your help in advance.

Travel American Express Credit Card Europe North America Travel SIM Card United Kingdom United States

Comments

  • GG57 on 25/05/2022 - 10:16
    +4

    For only a week in each country, I would use ATMs and use global roaming on my existing provider.

    • bluespider on 25/05/2022 - 10:17

      thank you. Will need to find out which of my ATM cards (Westpac/CBA) are better to use in that case.

  • JMosk on 25/05/2022 - 10:26

    I used to get access to amex lounges for free with my corporate card.
    If you have any layovers would recommend walking to the applicable lounge and asking what the cost to get in would be (they will have to swipe your amex).

    Regarding a sim you could get one from somewhere like simcorner.com if you didn't want to use roaming. Depends on your needs

  • dasher86 on 25/05/2022 - 10:59

    Also, if I need to get some US and UK mobile sim, what are my options? Can I buy them in Australia itself before travel? If so, which ones?

    it will depend on what type of use you are looking for.
    If it is just receiving calls and SMS and little data you may want to look at roaming plans on your current phone.
    So what telco are you with - some of them have decent roaming rates to US and UK as long as you don't plan to use too much data.
    I assume work should be paying for your phone whilst you are working in Boston.
    In London best just to get a sim at the airport.
    That is if the telco roaming options do not appeal to you.

    • bluespider on 25/05/2022 - 11:22

      Thank you. Allow me to share the info…

      If it is just receiving calls and SMS and little data you may want to look at roaming plans on your current phone.

      Its more data :) less calls or SMS.

      So what telco are you with - some of them have decent roaming rates to US and UK as long as you don't plan to use too much data.

      I am with amaysim, see this : https://imgur.com/a/iXhKFxV

      I assume work should be paying for your phone whilst you are working in Boston.

      Correct

  • Ocker on 25/05/2022 - 11:22

    You can make a cash withdrawal at most overseas ATM's that accept Visa or Mastercard. Foreign currency will be dispensed and your card charged in AUD
    Just bear in mind you will be handing our a lot of tips in USA so make sure you have plenty small denomination bills.

    • bluespider on 25/05/2022 - 11:23

      Thank you for the tip :)

  • Hybroid on 25/05/2022 - 11:31

    UK SIM card can be bought in the airport easily. Three is usually decent value for money network and some of their SIMs allow you to use data in the USA.

    • jjjaar on 25/05/2022 - 13:12

      Three used to be good, but now they even charge a daily allowance for European roaming.

      GiffGaff is good for UK - OP you can get the sim sent to you before you leave too.

  • JimmyF on 25/05/2022 - 12:07

    Does your phone support esims? If so, just grab one of these. Lots of pick from.

    If you look at the 3 Global ones, you could use the same sim for UK and the US. Lots of deals like 10gb for 30 days for $20.50 USD or 20gb for $29.50 USD or 35gb over 365 days for $39.50 USD. Those can all be used in both countries you are going to. Just be aware that the time starts as soon as you SCAN the QR code to 'load' the sim card into your device, so don't do this too early!

    https://mobimatter.com/

    • bluespider on 25/05/2022 - 12:11

      great, thanks, need to check if Xiaomi Poco X3 supports it or not.

      • JimmyF on 25/05/2022 - 13:02

        If it doesn't support esim, you can often buy a physical sim version of the 3 global plan on ebay or even try https://simsdirect.com.au/

  • dasher86 on 25/05/2022 - 13:11

    The other option is Optus

    https://www.optus.com.au/mobile/plans/international-roaming/…

    +$20 data add on (need optus sim).
    14 days UK & USA 10 GB

    $10
    https://www.optus.com.au/prepaid/sim-plans/30

  • upended on 25/05/2022 - 14:32

    With roaming, check if your Australian mobile provider allows Wi-Fi Calling. If they do, you will be able to make and receive calls and text messages when you are connected to Wi-Fi. I was overseas earlier this year and I managed well without purchasing a local SIM.

  • bluespider on 08/07/2022 - 14:14

    I need to use about $500 USD (to use in US) and £500 (to use in UK).

    Which is better option out of these below?

    a) get these from one of my nearby foreign currency exchange counter in Sydney OR
    b) get there from Sydney International Airport.
    c) use my Westpac Debit/Mastercard mostly in US/UK to make a cash withdrawal?

    • FirstWizard on 19/07/2022 - 11:05

      option c) But I do NOT think Westpac is a good card for this purpose.

      But use a debit card that is:
      i) Foreign transaction fee free
      ii) Overseas ATM Fee free
      iii) Refunds any overseas ATM operator fees - this is different to ii) as it refunds fees charged by the 3rd parties.
      iv) Uses exchange spot rates provided by visa/Mastercard, not the bank's exchange rate. These rates are published on the visa/MasterCard website and are always better than the bank rate.

      Some banks have none of these features - and you end up paying an arm and a leg in fees for each withdrawal, some banks only have a subset.

      I use an ING Orange Everyday Debit Card - has all of the above. You have to jump through a few hoops (deposit $1000 and make x5 transactions a month - quite easy actually, or have a home loan with ING) to activate the features, but worth it.

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