Falling!!! Help!!!

[serfty]

I'm hanging out to buy a couple of JR passes as well. I would have loved to have purchased them in January but you can only buy them no more than 3 months out from actual travel.

I need to complete the deal before the end of next week. (We head off at Easter) I am looking to get a quote next Monday as the prices vary from week to week.

Note, while the AUD/USD rate has improved by almost 8% over the last week, the AUD/JPY is up by only 6% and most of that in the last few days.

Considering a 7 day Economy pass is around $460 (These were updated overnight) & we need two, I need to keep a close eye on this.

 

[Flashback]

I found it paid off for me to shop around also, there were 3 places in Perth that sold the JR Pass, and the place that was cheapest when I first enquired (by $20-30!) ended up being the most expensive on the day that I did in fact purchase it (the day before I left... talk about cutting it fine! Was to my advantage though), and the one who was previously the most expensive ended up being the cheapest c'est la vie!

 

[turtlemichael]

I am looking to get a quote next Monday as the prices vary from week to week.

Good point. When I bought a couple of JR passes last year (in the heady days of a cent equaling a yen) I found that the Japanese agency (I think it was Kinetsu) was given rates from Tokyo only once a week so there may not be an immediate and direct correlation between a rising Aussie dollar and falling JR pass prices. Bottom line is that its worth ringing round the agencies to check current prices.

 

[Flashback]

Good point. When I bought a couple of JR passes last year (in the heady days of a cent equaling a yen) I found that the Japanese agency (I think it was Kinetsu) was given rates from Tokyo only once a week so there may not be an immediate and direct correlation between a rising Aussie dollar and falling JR pass prices. Bottom line is that its worth ringing round the agencies to check current prices.

And in the case of the Perth agencies ... it's updated once a month :shock:

Like you I was also very lucky, as at the time it was 104 Yen = 1 AUD :mrgreen:

 

[Bill]

I am travelling to the US next month and have held back in buying some USD but now that the AUD is gaining a little ground I am thinking the time may be right to jump in buy some dollars.

I know there are fees and what not that have to be paid when purchasing but there seems to be a fairly large disparity in rates between the various institutions. Can anyone point me in the right direction as to where the best rate may be in the Sydney area.

I have only recently discovered this site and I must say it is very informative so I'm betting that someone out there will be able to help me out.

As this is my first post please be gentle if there is a thread elsewhere that I haven't found.

Cheers.

 

[Flashback]

I am travelling to the US next month and have held back in buying some USD but now that the AUD is gaining a little ground I am thinking the time may be right to jump in buy some dollars.

I know there are fees and what not that have to be paid when purchasing but there seems to be a fairly large disparity in rates between the various institutions. Can anyone point me in the right direction as to where the best rate may be in the Sydney area.

I have only recently discovered this site and I must say it is very informative so I'm betting that someone out there will be able to help me out.

As this is my first post please be gentle if there is a thread elsewhere that I haven't found.

Cheers.

Welcome to AFF Bill! While I don't have any experience in this, there seems to be a few options.

Change funds at a bank or using travellers cheques are two of them.

Do you have a preference?

 

[Bill]

Thanks Flash.

I am wanting to get cash and the banks vary considerably in the rate on offer. I guess what I'm really after is if anyone knows what bank is offering the best cash rate.

 

[Alanslegal]

Ahhhh fellow Japan travellers!

Will need to pick everyone's brains on Japan, as I'll be there 12-19 May.

I have a booking at the Tokyo Hilton but its not prepaid, and I want to pay now! Lock in the rate at 68+yen per $1aud. Going to give the Hilton a call


KPC - are you travelling on similar dates?

 

[Alanslegal]

I am wanting to get cash and the banks vary considerably in the rate on offer. I guess what I'm really after is if anyone knows what bank is offering the best cash rate.

Welcome Bill

How does 68.3UScents per $1AUD sound, with no commission or fees? If this sounds like the ballpark, its the Flight Centre Money Exchange on the corner of George and Market Sts.

I'm going to take a walk to Chinatown now see if I can get some good rates plus a bowl of noodle soup on the side

 

[Bill]

Thanks Alan, that's about the ballpark figure I've been getting. Just so happens my agent is Flight Centre, might give them a call.

Enjoy the soup:mrgreen:

Cheers

 

[kpc]

Ahhhh fellow Japan travellers!

Will need to pick everyone's brains on Japan, as I'll be there 12-19 May.

I have a booking at the Tokyo Hilton but its not prepaid, and I want to pay now! Lock in the rate at 68+yen per $1aud. Going to give the Hilton a call


KPC - are you travelling on similar dates?

We arrive Tokyo early am 18 May (Staying at Hilton Shinjuku ) before heading to Kyoto on 19 May pm (Kyoto Westin Miyako), arrive back in Tokyo on 23 May am, and leave Tokyo 24 May evening. Looks like we might cross paths at the Hilton in Tokyo

 

[drron]

Well CBA through xpressfx have cash at 0.6861 and TCs at 0.6951.
If you have a gold CBA CC you can go into a branch and get TCs commission free.In the USA they really are as good as cash-we have never had a problem using them in stores,restaurants and hotels.You only need your drivers licence for ID(and it is usually not asked for) and you dont pay a fee cashing them.
And welcome bill.

 

[Fifa]

I shopped around for rail passes in January and phoned at least six Sydney agents. Most quoted the same price and I asked each of them if they would re-price the passes using the exchange rate of the day.

Only one travel agency (Japanese) reduced the price and I was more than happy with the end result!

So... it's certainly worth asking.

 

[turtlemichael]

Has anyone paid for AA tix through Brisbane in the last few days? They seem to have a calculator set about 5 cents below reality.

 

[kpc]

Only one travel agency (Japanese) reduced the price and I was more than happy with the end result!

So... it's certainly worth asking.

Can you post the travel agent (and contact details) or kindly PM the info. Thanks!

 

[Fifa]

Can you post the travel agent (and contact details) or kindly PM the info. Thanks!

You have a pm.

 

[serfty]

You have a pm.

Et Moi? S'il vous plait

 

[Fifa]

Et Moi? S'il vous plait

Yes, you have a pm too!!!

 

[serfty]

Thankyou muchly ...

 

[Alanslegal]

I have a booking at the Tokyo Hilton but its not prepaid, and I want to pay now! Lock in the rate at 68+yen per $1aud. Going to give the Hilton a call

Ya! Hilton has emailed me a credit card authorisation so I can make a payment now. Hopefully it processes soon and get rates just below 70yen - Oh and my reservation still remains cancellable and refundable