USA travels - mobile, money changer and insurance info needed

the.piemaker on 15/06/2014 - 13:08
Last edited 15/06/2014 - 13:08

Going to the States in a month's time and will be there for 2 months. Need a couple of recs from the OzB community.

1) Can anyone recommend a good prepaid mobile service that provides good data coverage and is relatively cheap? I've had a look at the Wiki page and T-Mobile's Pay Per Day plan seems okay. Anyone used them before?
2) I'm looking to buy SCTI travel insurance. Has anyone used them before? They seem pretty cheap with decent coverage but if anyone has an alternative suggestion, I'm all ears.
3) Any money changers in and around Melbourne with decent rates? I am in the South East. I've been looking at rates here and there and I'm only looking to change a couple hundy before using my trusty Citibank debit card when I get to the US.

Thanks in advance.

Travel

Comments

  • RockyRaccoon on 15/06/2014 - 16:58

    I'm only looking to change a couple hundy before using my trusty Citibank debit card when I get to the US.

    If you want to give your money away go for it, but better to wait until the US and take the money out there. Worst case is a few dollars for using a foreign (Non Citibank) ATM at the airport.

    BTW if you have the 28 deg mastercard you will find even Macca's in many locations accepts credit cards, so cash isnt that necessary.

    So you wont need any US cash until you get to the US. BTW Most 7/11's in the US west coast have Citibank ATM's

    • the.piemaker on 15/06/2014 - 18:02

      Thanks. Do you know if the cabs there accept card?

      • RockyRaccoon on 15/06/2014 - 19:47
        +1

        No I dont. where are you going first - do you really need a cab? There are shuttles etc which can save money unless you have a cab full of passengers. (dont forget the 20% tip and luggage charges) I have always rented a car.
        It can depend on the city you are visiting.

        As I said, even if you cant find a citibank ATM in the airport, paying another ATM for access is going to be far better than exchanging money here before you go.

        LAX doesnt appear to have one, apparently all ATM's are run by bank of America - $3 charge

        SFO nothing in terminal

        DFW nothing in terminal

        But I am now told that Citibank ATM's are in 7/11's nationwide in the US not just the west coast.

        While that appears an "issue" the $3 atm fee on a few hundred dollars will more than cover the difference in the exchange rate you will pay here in Australia. Using Australia post you will tend to have a 3-3.5% spread (difference from daily quoted rates) so $200 will cost you $6 where as the citibank rate will be around .5% max ($1)

    • ryu on 16/06/2014 - 09:54

      Sorry for going off the subject a bit. For Citibank debit card, what's the difference between withdrawing cash off overseas citi bank ATMs and local banks' ATMs?

      • RockyRaccoon on 16/06/2014 - 12:34
        +1

        Firstly the Citibank card you need is the Citibank PLUS account. Other Citibank cards are just like any other debit card. They all charge fees for ATM withdrawals overseas the PLUS version doesn't. Check their website.

        Like all debit cards if you withdraw from an affiliated ATM you pay no fees charged by the ATM.

        So there are 3 Fees (or costs to you)

        1. For using another banks ATM's (unless they have an arrangement with that other bank) - this also applies to the Citibank plus card
        2. Fee for overseas withdrawal. This can be a further $3-5 per transaction. Citibank PLUS has no Fee for this.
        3. A foreign exchange rate %. This is where they take the daily rate quoted and give you less.

        Eg if the exchange rate is 1AUD = .943USD the bank can give you .89USD so your "fee" is .053 (5+ cents for each dollar) So $100 will cost you in lost exchange rate $5+ That being you get $USD 89 for your $A100.

        Now Citibank Plus gives a very favourable, rate often about .005 in the dollar different from the daily quoted rate, (or there abouts) so your cost for changing your $AUD100 at the same "daily" rate would give you $US 93 which means $4 more to spend.

        The exact amounts will vary, but trust me and the others here who use the same card, you will always end up more in your pocket if you use the citibank plus account.

        The only negative is that it gives you no interest on the money you hold in the account. But tahts only a very small loss of interest over the time.

  • nekro on 15/06/2014 - 18:48

    Used T mobile when I was in the states 4 years ago on a 6 week visit.. never had any probs.
    Used Travel insurance direct.. use google to get a discount code(usually 5% off) might be cheaper than the others.

  • carny3 on 09/07/2014 - 13:15

    I might be too late for you but I was there for about 11 months 2 years ago and T mobile offered the best monthly plan without locking you in (depends on where you will spend most of your time).

    Travel insurance refer to the attachment - they are a ratings website. Haven't used SCTI personally but are recommended. http://www.canstar.com.au/travel-insurance/

    Can't tell you about AUS credit cards - I only withdrew cash until I had my account set up over there but wouldn't recommend withdrawing here. You would be better off using an AUS debit card in the US to withdraw cash.

  • Natt on 16/07/2014 - 18:37

    Another vote for tmobile used when we were I the US about a year ago

  • twinkles on 17/07/2014 - 12:37

    If you are with Vodafone on a red plan you can pay $5 a day and it just uses your own credit and data.
    In only just found out about this and plan on using it next month in the USA. I will just pay for a data add on pack $30 for an extra 4gb then the $5 per day.

    http://www.vodafone.com.au/personal/international-roaming

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