Hi everyone, could you please advise what is the best place to get physical US dollar bills?
I live in Perth. I do know airport exchange ATMs are expensive so trying to avoid them.
Sometimes if I go to a country that does not have a very developed ATM network or money exchange stores that take only $US bills, then could you please advise where to get them.
Which bank?
Yes
Citibank?
At Austpost you can order foreign currency
😲
You're visiting a non-US country where the adopted currency is USD? Check the ATM situation in the specific country. Otherwise one of the most expensive ways to get US currency is to have it imported by an Australian bank, shipped to a local distribution point and held in inventory for the occasional local exchange. All at Australian labour and freight rates and business operating margins.
Many of the lesser developed countries will also change Australian Dollars, particularly 50's and 100's just as readily as USD. The larger notes always have a home on the black market.
That's only the case in Asia Pacific region. It's always best to have USD or Euros everywhere else.
I strongly suggest shopping around at currency exchange locations.
The big conglomerates often give appalling rates, in Adelaide there’s a few smaller exchanges offering literally 10% better than them, I’ve found the same in Sydney.
The United States has plenty, I'd try there.
Currency exchange, usually your local Chinatown is a good bet in Australia . Depends on where you're going but Hong Kong used to have a whole building of them, go booth to booth and haggle. These are usually cash only I think.
Where to Purchase Physical US Dollars
Go to Chinatown, walk into a CBA/Westpac/ANZ/NAB branch, ask for the USD/AUD rate. Cross the road and ask a hole in the wall forex shop with an Asian dude/lady manning it. Whoever has the better rate wins your business. Simple.
It sounds like you are travelling for a holiday and dont need a lot of it.
It will be better if you state the country you are travelling to and maybe people might suggest USD is not needed. If you are asking where to exchange USD, it is safe to assume you are not a frequent traveller and perhaps others can give you guidance on if the country really need USD or not.
For example, I have read a lot on websites that state Bali needs USD. My experience is AUD and IDR works fine there.
Actually, i was planning to go during Summer to some of the central Asian countries like Kazakhstan, Tajikistan etc.
Ask your bank…