Budget for USA!

[jorza]

Hi guys!
As im leaving in two weeks, i have more than enough funds to suit any kind of budget.
But what im needing to know, is how much (in your personal experiences) would you say i would need to bring to USA for spending.
I have already paid for flights and hotels.

I am going for two and a half weeks with my partner, travelling to NYC, LV, LA and Hawaii.
Im looking about bringing about $6000, which after (todays) exchange rate changes to about $5400 which is roughly $320 per day. Is this too much, is this not enough? Were wanting to explore as many attractions as possible, disnyeland (LA)..etc. a full tourist holiday. We will be catching cabs everywhere and buying food to take out.

Also my partner will have roughly $220 per day to spend.
This is a roundabout total of $540 per day for two people. (shes a shopper though...unfortunately)

Would love your input.

Thanks.:mrgreen:

 

[harvyk]

Depends on what sort of traveler you are. Some people would be able to survive on $20 a day, others would struggle with $1,000 per day.
That said, a budget of $540 per day for two people would mean you would be eating in some pretty nice restaurants, be able to see all the attractions you want and probably be able to take a taxi rather than other public transport to most attractions.

 

[jorza]

Depends on what sort of traveler you are. Some people would be able to survive on $20 a day, others would struggle with $1,000 per day.
That said, a budget of $540 per day for two people would mean you would be eating in some pretty nice restaurants, be able to see all the attractions you want and probably be able to take a taxi rather than other public transport to most attractions.

I think thats the problem!
This is my first time since a young chap out of Australia, not 100% sure what sort of traveller i am!
I want to see as many attractions as possible, i think its more the dining and taxi fares im unsure of. Not looking at doing too much shopping. More so, just experiencing the culture and diversity.

 

[serfty]

I pay most things with Credit/Charge cards but what can't really be avoided is have a supply of $1 notes at hand for the onerous practice if tipping.

$1 a drink to the bartended, $1 per bag for the Hotol shuttle driver, $1 here ... $1 there ...

 

[jorza]

I pay most things with Credit/Charge cards but what can't really be avoided is have a supply of $1 notes at hand for the onerous practice if tipping.

$1 a drink to the bartended, $1 per bag for the Hotol shuttle driver, $1 here ... $1 there ...

I've heard, my partner and i have gotten into the habit of tipping lately.
We went to QLD for a few weeks and calculated a total loss of about $200 in tips!!!
Should i get a cash passport from somewhere like Travelex, the world's foreign exchange specialist - Order Travel Money Online
What would you say the normal daily spending budget should be?

 

[Alanslegal]

I usually put most payments onto credit card and the card I and many others use here is the 28 Degrees card.

I try not to have too much cash on me, maybe $100 tops. I withdraw as I need using the 28 Degrees card which is usually in credit, and I am happy to bPay into the account as needed.

 

[harvyk]

I pay most things with Credit/Charge cards but what can't really be avoided is have a supply of $1 notes at hand for the onerous practice if tipping.

$1 a drink to the bartended, $1 per bag for the Hotol shuttle driver, $1 here ... $1 there ...

It's funny the looks I get whilst doing forex and I ask for loads of $1's. I virtually every time need to explain that I need the $1's, because I'll have barely left the airport before the first one goes out.

I still haven't really got my mind around tipping over there, when I think I'm been generous I find out it's actually a little stingy, and vice versa, I know I have been places where I should have left a tip but didn't, and conversely I have left a tip in places where I didn't need to.

All that said, I have yet to have bad service anywhere. I don't think I've had a meal spat in, and I have yet to be chased down the street by a waiter who feels I didn't leave enough. So don't stress out about tipping / taxes over there. (I know I did the first time I went across by myself)

Back on topic, I normally allow somewhere around the $150 mark for myself. That allows me to see a few things, buy a souvenir or two, eat dinner at a not so bad restaurant and top it off with a few drinks on the town. I tend not to travel in taxi's (unless the TA pick the nicest hotel in the bad part of town :evil: ) mostly relying on public transport. Breakfast tends to be finding a cafe somewhere, lunch tends to be at a food court / take-a-way.

I tend not to be the most luxurious traveler, picking the cheaper places to stay rather than the 5 star choices figuring that I will only go back to the hotel to shower and sleep. That said, I also tend to try and find places that are either in the CBD or at least the center of where the action is.

My traveling style could be described as "limited planning", in other words I don't tend to actively plan where I am going to go. I do like walking around and exploring a city. The advantage in doing so is you soon lose the need for any maps as you learn where everything is. It's pretty rare that I'll pay for entry into a museum or other tourist attraction, preferring the free options, that said if it is something I am keen to see, I will part with $$$ to see it.

 

[Nizar]

Is Amex more generally accepted in the US and without surcharges ?
If so then just put everything on the card (except maybe a few hunge for tipping).
9,000 points is not too bad :mrgreen:

 

[jorza]

What about a multi-currency passport through Travelex?
Im sure $5.5K for 17 days would be enough for one person? When i put it like that, im sure ill be fine, but when i break it down to $320 a day, i feel like it wont be enough. However, i also feel Hawaii will be a place where i will spend virtually nothing. Just be on the beach all day or at the resort.
New York and Las Vegas will be my killers and ive heard cabs in LA are horrendously expensive. Worse than here in Melbourne.

 

[UP4014]

Old fashion, but in the US I'm still happy to use travellers cheques, they are free to cash and low risk and the rate is also good. I also carry a wad of cash especially on short trips as I don't care to be visiting banks when I only have a few days somewhere.

 

[serfty]

It's funny the looks I get whilst doing forex and I ask for loads of $1's. I virtually every time need to explain that I need the $1's, because I'll have barely left the airport before the first one goes out...

My standard MO is to withdraw a few $20's using 28° / CitiDebit then at the first reasonable opportunity get change.

For me this has typically been at an A/C bar, when using a drink chit I ask for change "of twenty" ... the bartenders know the deal and is happy to break the note down knowing you are likely to leave a note for them when you take the rest.

 

[jorza]

My standard MO is to withdraw a few $20's using 28° / CitiDebit then at the first reasonable opportunity get change.

For me this has typically been at an A/C bar, when using a drink chit I ask for change "of twenty" ... the bartenders know the deal and is happy to break the note down knowing you are likely to leave a note for them when you take the rest.

What is this 28 degrees card, ive never heard of this.

 

[serfty]

What is this 28 degrees card, ive never heard of this.

It's basically a fee free Credit card with no arbitrage or forex fee on exchange rates. The product (and its predecessor the "Wizard Clear Advantage" have been used for maybe a decade for getting cash at ATMs.

More here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../28-wizard-mastercard-cash-advances-6960.html

 

[drron]

Eating and eating well are a lot less expensive than in Australia.There are a lot of upmarket chain restaurants though these are mainly in the burbs.
If you really want to treat yourself to a top restaurant it is always cheaper to do so at lunch.In NYC we always have a lunch at Le Bernadin a 3 star Michelin restaurant.Usually in the top 20 in the world and usually number 1 in NYC.It is a fixed price $75 for lunch but $130 for dinner.Compare that to Australian restaurants that make the top 100 lists like Tetsuyas.
I am another old fashioned fellow using TCs and cash-I am asked for ID much more frequently using a CC than a TC.
Another suggestion-don't ignore shopping there are some great bargains there.

 

[phily]

Eating and eating well are a lot less expensive than in Australia.There are a lot of upmarket chain restaurants though these are mainly in the burbs.

You're right. American cafes and restaurants are so cheap compared to ours. But that's because the wage given to waiters is miserable, and that's why they work so hard to please customers, for they need your generous tips. Given the lower cost of restaurant food there, and the paltry wages given to wait staff, I'm very happy to tip 10-15% when in the US.

 

[UP4014]

diner breakfasts are great, real hash browns (not the ones they serve here purporting to be), bacon, eggs, lots of tabasco!

All for $10.50

 

[horseman]

Budget a good hundred or so a day for tips, and at least a grand closer to 1500 for spendings

 

[RB]

Budget a good hundred or so a day for tips, and at least a grand closer to 1500 for spendings

Perhaps you would like to outline one of your typical days on holiday?

 

[blackcat20]

I usually allow about $1000 a week, give or take. That's for food, activities, drinks and shopping (and I love to shop in the US).

 

[harvyk]

Budget a good hundred or so a day for tips, and at least a grand closer to 1500 for spendings

A hundred a day for tips? Are you one of those people who suggests tipping everyone with $10 notes?

Not everything is tip worthy, and the general rule I've always followed is $1 tip for small things eg taxi's unless it's a long drive, in which case it's 10% of the fare, a $1 per drink at the bar unless there is a tab in which case I'd treat it the same as a restaurant bill, and around 15% of the post tax bill at restaurants, and I tend to leave a dollar or two for maids at hotels (a good way of getting rid of extra coins)

Sometimes I'll go a little higher if the service was really good, sometimes I'll go a little lower if the service was poor.