Travelling to USA in Sept - should we buy some US dollars now?

[littl_flier]

The Most Departures To Manhattan - New York Airport Service

taken it myself. It's only convenient if you are staying near Grand Central - otherwise you have to schlep to your destination from Grand Central.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll have to look at this closer to the time!

PS. The CBA cash rate today is 0.8515. Keep shopping Febs, just beware of those diamond rings in Tiffany's!

 

[simongr]

Actually setting aside the ridiculously expensive stuff in the Tiffany's the base price of the silver stuff is about 20% below the Sydney store price. I got something that retailed for about A$350 for US$250.

I actually know the NY store better than I know the Sydney store...

 

[serfty]

Now approaching 87¢: Oz Forex Foreign Exchange | Real Time Forex Charts

 

[simongr]

Looks like my ipod touch is getting cheaper by the day!

 

[JohnK]

Now approaching 87¢

Why wouldn't it? I am back in Australia. The Australian dollar took a tumble, against all currencies, while I was overseas and has been recovering since I returned.

Also if anyone wants to know when I am overseas next I will be happy to provide that information for a small fee in return....

 

[JohnK]

I think I'll rely on the CC for this trip, especially with the Earth+ Foreign Currency Fee waiver. (apart from MC)

I think you are referring to these benefits for the Earth+ card

Save on international cash advance fees - the usual 1.5% fee charged by Westpac^ doesn’t apply on Earth+
Save on foreign currency transaction charges - no 1.5% Westpac^ fee here either

Unfortunately if you read the fine print

^ American Express and MasterCard fees related to processing foreign currency transactions will still apply

This would appear to be 2.5% for Amex and around 3% for Mastercard.

Can someone please explain for me as I am not sure what the actual saving is going to be using the Earth+ card for cash advances instead of using something like the Citibank Readicredit card?

 

[littl_flier]

Currently 0.8816 although it was 0.8871 at 4pm.
Interesting article here:

Aussie dollar continues to climb - Business - Business - smh.com.au

US trips are getting cheaper by the day. There was talk of 0.89 before the month was out; that just leaves tomorrow. Time to think about YUPP's.

 

[Mal]

Yep still looking good...

Now will it rise to parity like I predicted earlier in this thread? Time will tell.

Havn't bought my $ yet for my U.S trip in Nov, (although sold my T/C's that I had onhand at a relatively favourable rate), but monitoring things...

 

[Mal]

Thanks Mal, turns out that CBA wanted $12 minimum commission for TC's and $8 for Notes. Being the accountant that I am, I wasn't going to spend $20 to get $200 in TC's and $300 in notes. :shock:

CBA waives TC charges for Gold/Plat Credit Card holders. Amex do too I believe. Not everyone want's to charge to issue TC's

Actually last time I bought TC's and Cash via Amex online, I walked in the store and they waived both set's of commission based on my Plat Amex Credit Card that I presented as identification... not knocking it of course, but not sure I can expect it everytime !

 

[serfty]

I'm off to the LOTFAP Nov 1; my QFF year ends 31st October - nothing going wrong I hope to requalify WP by Nov 5th... Arriving back on Oz just in time to leave again for ZQN do.

At this stage I'm not considering pre-purchasing "the ready"!

 

[straitman]

Me too; I'm off to the LOTFAP Nov 1; my QFF year ends 31st October - nothing going wrong I hope to requalify WP by Nov 5th... Arriving back on Oz just in time to leave again for ZQN do.

Have a great trip serfty and we'll see you in ZQN.

 

[Shano]

I'm off to the LOTFAP Nov 1; my QFF year ends 31st October - nothing going wrong I hope to requalify WP by Nov 5th... Arriving back on Oz just in time to leave again for ZQN do.

1200 SC in 5 days? Have I interpreted this correctly?

You must be worried about QF enhancing WP requalification requirements

 

[Keith009]

1200 SC in 5 days? Have I interpreted this correctly?

You must be worried about QF enhancing WP requalification requirements

From his profile, I gather that he's on a LTG run. Getting in before they (potentially) 'enhance' away LTG for new entrants.

 

[ethernet]

Are Australian Banks the worst in the world?
Dollar now over.90, and the best I could get was .88 (WOULD BE 0.87, BUT i PAY NO COMMISSION BECAUSE I have a YHA youth hostel card.
Annualised a 2.3% difference * 365days is an awful lot

Then we have which bank charging very unfavorable Visa exchange rates (points stealing is one term- apparently NOT illegal), plus a margin, plus some fee, maybe 1.5%. Add ATM fees if applicable. Fully sick.

Even PAYPAL has joined the exchange rate racket. Was going to take a forex prepaid credit card, until I discovered the nett loss was 4.5% on the deal.

I know there are some great deals on US Vetran/services - no fees whatsoever. Does Australia have any good deals? and where do you go to get foreign currency at a FAIR rate?

 

[Mal]

Even PAYPAL has joined the exchange rate racket. Was going to take a forex prepaid credit card, until I discovered the nett loss was 4.5% on the deal.

I made a paypal payment tonight in $US.

1 AUD = 0.878335USD

Agree it ain't as good as it could be, although better than what I paid on the 25th Sept
1 AUD = 0.844684USD

And other rates I've paid previously...

Still looking good for my holiday....

 

[Mal]

1200 SC in 5 days? Have I interpreted this correctly?

Nothing too weird about that If Qantas change the goalposts, then I'll be doing a 'flying' holiday to the US...

 

[parsonstrish]

in us at present, in montreal on wkend, the canadians excited that their dollar is currently worth more than us.
going into atm bank on tues. when my pay goes in and keeping fingers crossed i will get .90 cents in the dollar.