What's your prediction on the Australian Dollar?

[Cynicor]

It's not a record high, so just leave it. It may be up or down.

 

[TheRealTMA]

We will be traveling to Singapore in May so thinking when to convert currency / pay for the hotel. Now or later?

How long is a piece of string? It's not really possible to answer definately. You could look at projections for the AUD as a guide. I remember seeing something about a predicted 6.5C rise in the AUD/USD but not sure about SGD.

 

[tgh]

I can confidently identify a major weakening of the $Au , I can even predict the time.
Mid April it will crash (when we leave au) and Mid May it will recover ( when we arrive home)

 

[SydneySwan]

I can confidently identify a major weakening of the $Au , I can even predict the time.
Mid April it will crash (when we leave au) and Mid May it will recover ( when we arrive home)

I am sorry but you are wrong. It will crash at the start of April when we leave AU and rebound strongly on our return in late May.

 

[ellen10]

I can confidently identify a major weakening of the $Au , I can even predict the time.
Mid April it will crash (when we leave au) and Mid May it will recover ( when we arrive home)

Oh dear we leave mid April and return early June.
I don’t hold out much hope for us then!

 

[tgh]

We have already paid for most stuff at the stellar (puke) February rate , but we also expect to go through some cash swanning around in the US with #1 son and family. Somehow Dad pays on these jaunts.. not sure how that came about ….

 

[drron]

Though since we decided we are not going to the USA anymore the Aud takes absolutely no notice of our travels now.

 

[JohnK]

I have found a new trick for our Thai holidays

- Pay for airfares in AUD
- Pay hotels in AUD
- Pay car hire in AUD

Takes all the stress of the exchange rate out. And yes I do realise that rates/prices can fluctuate but I only ever look at the AUD rate/price and I search and still find value and that's what I book.

We have 9 nights with full breakfast for 2 @ $44/night. We've stayed there before. Excellent value.

 

[RAM]

We have already paid for most stuff at the stellar (puke) February rate , but we also expect to go through some cash swanning around in the US with #1 son and family. Somehow Dad pays on these jaunts.. not sure how that came about ….

The backup plan of a fee-free/spread free CC like 21 Degrees is always our choice, even with the cash. If the current rate on the day while overseas is higher then we us the CC.

Last effort in Jan/Feb 24 saw us take advantage of the brief bounce in the EUR/AUD rate (for example). Made/saved enough to not feel guilty about the 3rd visit to one of our favourite restaurants.

 

[SYD]

The backup plan of a fee-free/spread free CC like 21 Degrees is always our choice, even with the cash. If the current rate on the day while overseas is higher then we us the CC.

Last effort in Jan/Feb 24 saw us take advantage of the brief bounce in the EUR/AUD rate (for example). Made/saved enough to not feel guilty about the 3rd visit to one of our favourite restaurants.

add a fee free VISA CC/DC and you can take advantage of big swings each way - just remember which one locks in a daily rate (MC?) and which is dynamic (VISA?). I usually forget which is which .

 

[RAM]

add a fee free VISA CC/DC and you can take advantage of big swings each way - just remember which one locks in a daily rate (MC?) and which is dynamic (VISA?). I usually forget which is which .

From experience, the 21 Degrees (MC) is a dynamic one with multiple transactions on the same day but spread out over some hours - all at different (but better rates) then we paid to get the cash.

One reminder for PayPal users.

NEVER take the default offer (where they show the amount in Australian Dollars) as this adds in their spread of around 3%. Always go the next step and chose the original local currency.

I don't know how recently PayPal changed this approach but it always used to show the local (foreign) amount first and then give you the option of choosing to convert it into AUD.

 

[SYD]

From experience, the 21 Degrees (MC) is a dynamic one with multiple transactions on the same day but spread out over some hours - all at different (but better rates) then we paid to get the cash.

That could depend on where you are / Timezone. Pretty sure MC has a daily rate but I don’t know when it switches.

This helps calculate the rate for a day.

Mastercard Currency Converter | Currency Exchange Rate Calculator

Mastercard currency converter tool calculates foreign exchange rates for all the major currencies worldwide to enable cross-border purchases and ATM transactions.

www.mastercard.com

Whereas (I believe), VISA is more dynamic with the spot rate (eg XE or Google etc).

 

[I love to travel]

So back on topic what do we think of AUD over the next month or so. Seems to be very static the last few weeks.

 

[SYD]

So back on topic what do we think of AUD over the next month or so. Seems to be very static the last few weeks.

That depends on what currencies you’re looking at. All over the place in Sth Am. Climbing against Chilean peso. Steady to Uruguayan and improving to the basket case Argentinian peso (after massive devaluation). How all that translates to relative cost on the ground is a cough shoot. So far Chile has been good value. Uruguay is relatively expensive (but still good after they rebate 22% VAT on foreign CCs). I’ll be in Argentina soon - no idea what it’ll be like compared to previous visits!

The usual suspects of GBP, EUR and USD seem to be edging slightly higher but who’s crystal ball is shinier than another’s?

 

[RAM]

That could depend on where you are / Timezone. Pretty sure MC has a daily rate but I don’t know when it switches.

This helps calculate the rate for a day.

Mastercard Currency Converter | Currency Exchange Rate Calculator

Mastercard currency converter tool calculates foreign exchange rates for all the major currencies worldwide to enable cross-border purchases and ATM transactions.

www.mastercard.com

Whereas (I believe), VISA is more dynamic with the spot rate (eg XE or Google etc).

Just looked through latest statement fpr 21 Degrees and rates varied for each transaction on same day.