Money Exchange in the US

[Matthew Moore]

Hey guys

as I have posted before, visiting LA over the next few weeks and I fly out next weekend,

I have a 28 degrees master card, so I can withdraw money from that easily in the US in terms of zero fee's and a good exchange rate.

although i know i will have cash on myself from the day (gifts from different people) and i dont want to load the cash onto my card,

what/where is the best place to exchange the cash for $US for the best return $AUD for $USD?

Should I exchange before I go, or once I am there?

Cheers !

 

[skywalkerLAX]

Glad to hear you are able to spend some time in CA!

Let me say however it is absolutely no good idea to take a lot of cash with you to LA. I don't know what activities you have planned or what hotels you plan to stay at but I would recommend depositing the money into your checking account and withdraw it when needed. If you have a Westpac account then you will be able to withdraw money free of charge at Bank of America. HSBC offers that as well IIRC however there are not many HSBC ATM in LA (Downtown, Chinatown and Beverly Hills).

In Australia the exchange counters charge a pretty hefty comission. Usually that is not the case in the U.S. or at the branch where you are banking.

What sum of money are we talking about here?

Cheers
S