Take USD with me or grab it as soon I hit JFK?

[frankie4fingers]

Hi all

I am going to be landing into JFK in 10 days and I need to have some cash on arrival to cover costs for a couple of things. First time I have been to the US so I am not sure of the best way to ensure I have cash before leaving the airport.

I would be taking about $1000 out so I am not sure whether there are limits on US ATM's or not. I have my ING account so I will get the forex charges back for using ATM's so that not's a big concern.

Am I better to find an ATM in the airport or take the cash with me before leaving Melbourne?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks

 

[opusman]

You always need small notes in the US for tipping and an ATM won't give you those. I would go to a bank here and get a bit out in advance and ask for some ones and fives.

 

[amaroo]

I'm lazy, always take it with me regardless of exchange rate.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I regularly travel the US and never use my ATM or credit card. Cash is king in the US.

 

[DC3]

You always need small notes in the US for tipping and an ATM won't give you those. I would go to a bank here and get a bit out in advance and ask for some ones and fives.

Before you go, for sure.

Agree with opusman in taking a swag of ones and fives. I never need ATM twenties/fifties on arrival but carry about $US250 in larger notes from Oz. Top-up from an ATM later in the trip as needed.

 

[frankie4fingers]

Thanks for the advice from all.

Is it much of a muchness as to who will give me the best rate before I leave.....bank v post office or any other options?

 

[Himeno]

I've never taken local cash with me when I've gone overseas. Always exchanged the notes I have on hand on arrival and/or go to the ATM on arrival.

 

[pippen_2k]

Order through travelex online and choose a pickup point that suits you

 

[DC3]

For small amounts I don't shop around too much. Check out the Money Exchange places. I keep away from the banks and the PO, who usually have to order it in and may charge an extra fee.

Edit: Be careful about ordering online, as you may not be able to specify the denominations that you are after and end up with larger notes than what you wanted.

 

[frankie4fingers]

For small amounts I don't shop around too much. Check out the Money Exchange places. I keep away from the banks and the PO, who usually have to order it in and may charge an extra fee.

What do you consider a small amount?

 

[get me outta here]

I definitely take cash, about 1000 would be right for me.
The various exchanges are competitive and a little bit of play off against each other if you have the time and they are nearby.
I usually say something like, ‘ I’m shopping around what will you give me if I give you 1000 AUD’? They usually ask what the others have offered. The post office is reasonably competitive. But all very similar.
That way they can’t hide the hidden costs.

 

[Daver6]

As for needing small notes for tipping. At places like restaurants, valets, porters at hotels etc, they will always be able to break a large note for you so that you can tip. Hundred's might be an issue, but twenties, no problem at all.

 

[DC3]

What do you consider a small amount?

I only ever carry about $US250 (a mix of $1, $5, $10, $20 for example), from Oz, in cash, to make sure that I've enough for the first days, then top-up as needed at ATMs. Mostly pay things on cc where I can.

However, we all see this differently. It's just a matter of what you are comfortable doing.

Edit: For content

 

[bPeteb]

What interesting responses.

We always get money from an ATM on arrival. We never take anything except what we might have left over from a previous trip.

For those who say they never use ATMs what's the aversion? Getting money from anyone here prior to leaving is so bloody expensive. Uber from airport needs no cash. Checking into a hotel needs nothing either.

Check JFK's website to see what ATMs are at the airport, and where they are.

 

[Matt_01]

I am the same as @pippen_2k order online it is cheaper and collect either in town or at the airport on departure. You need to allow 3-4 days for collection however I have collected within a shorter timeframe with all the correct paperwork. In my experience airport rates are not good the exception being Japan.

 

[cove]

We always have small notes in US dollars when we arrive to cover off tipping and an occasional taxi.

 

[get me outta here]

In the US, there are a fewer other places where you can tap your card under $100. It’s a bit backward like that but it is changing.

 

[bPeteb]

In the US, there are a fewer other places where you can tap your card under $100. It’s a bit backward like that but it is changing.

Agree about tapping not working even on machines where it showed paywave symbol. We'd just insert chip card instead. I'll be tempting fate but that worked every time. Most ATMs only dispensed $20 notes. Easily didn't and broken. Only got 50s twice in four weeks.

 

[jpp42]

I have just come back from 2 weeks in the US. A few notes:

* This was my first trip where I used zero US dollars cash. I don't frequent upscale hotels where I need to tip people like the bell staff, and Uber now supports electronic tips on your card, so there was no need for cash for tipping. All restaurant meals support tipping on the credit card receipt (as they have for decades now).
* Cash is not king in the US any more - credit cards are. All taxis, small takeaways, etc, always accept credit cards for everything. No one batted an eye if you used a card for a $1.50 purchase at a convenience store for example. There are never any extra credit card fees imposed by the merchant (I use a Bankwest Platinum Mastercard with no foreign exchange fees).
* You will even find shops that no longer accept cash at all -- some in the airports were now "cards only."
* Paywave/Paypass acceptance is very quickly increasing. I had no troubles at major chain stores like CVS, Kroger (grocery), Target, etc. Smaller stores like the aforementioned convenience stores tended to have the capability on the machine, but the charge didn't always go through. You can always insert the chip as a backup for the "tap and go." Everywhere now supports chips - no more swiping.
* The only credit card issue I had was at a petrol station where the machine on the pump required me to enter a ZIP code which obviously I couldn't. I had to pay inside the shop.

So I would look hard about whether you really need any cash on a daily basis. I did carry about $200 USD (which I always have with me anyway as travel emergency money, for use in any country), but never touched it. If you do feel the need to tip at fancy hotels, about the only case I can think of where USD is actually still required, then the amount you'll need is pretty small anyway and the method you use to obtain it (ATM, forex at airport, etc), is not significant.

 

[get me outta here]

It does seem to be a matter of personal preference. In the US, I carry what to me is a lot of cash, but most of it stays in the safe. I always come back home with most of it. I find it useful when say going out with friends to contribute to the bill. Getting the Airtrain from JFK is easier with cash straight from to gate agent.
When home in Aus I carry and use no cash at all. To answer the original Q, I'd still get some cash here. The PO is as good as anywhere, or an online order as others have said.