money in NZ and Australia
 

We will be going to New Zealand and Australia in late September. Do the people there accept US dollars? We have traveled to many countries. It seems that most will accept US dollars these days even though the informations says they won't. Thanks so much for you help!

No, we don't. At the risk of sarcasm (perish the thought) we're not 3rd-world countries. Will Macy's in the US accept our dollars? Not last time I tried, that's for sure.

The AU$ in particular is gradually appreciating against the US$, which makes such a move highly unlikely if for no other reason - but the fact remains that the US$ is foreign currency.

Just make sure your cards and their overseas access are in order and hit the ATM when you arrive.

No.

Most shop keepers would have no idea what an USD was worth against the Australian or NZ dollar.

You might – and it is a big “might” get acceptance at a major hotel, and the exchange rate will be lousy.

Anywhere else, not a chance.

As would be the exact case with AUD in the US, Peter_S_Aus!

LV2TV - your best option for obtaining AUD and NZD is to use your debit/credit cards in any one of the myriad ATMs in the airport and throughout the city.

Naturally, you can use international credit cards in hotels, taxis and in most shops for purchases AUD 10+.

If I was an informed shop keeper, I think I would offer dollar for dollar. That would yield about a 10% margin on the exchange rate.

Noice!

Peter, you might enjoy "Dear Guest ..." Click on my screen name ;)

Also, Australia and New Zealand have different currencies so you can't use Australian $$'s in NZ or vice versa.

At Australian banks you'd be charged at a foreign currency conversion rate for changing cash.

Same applies in NZ.
Rob.

Is this a joke?

Unfortunately, Susan7, it may not be.

One could always bring a bag of beads, some tomahawks, blankets, and perhaps some sticks of tobacco. That should do OK for Aus, and maybe some cowrie shells for NZ.

Not sure whet the xe.com exchange rate is for the tomahawk against the USD, or the blanket vs. the cowrie shell. But there's bound to be someone who knows.

How about Foxwoods Wampum Points? God knows I have plenty of those!

http://www.foxwoods.com/default.aspx

OK, I get the point. I really meant nothing at all by this. I hadn't noticed if the other countries that did accept foreign were 1st, 2nd or 3rd... I had no idea I would strike a nerve. Please forgive me. We will definitely get local currency. I guess I will need to change my user name now...

No need to change your screen name, LV2TVL, but I'm sure you would have a similar reaction to people wanting to know whether they could use Euro/AUD/NZD/YEN, etc in the US.

BTW, would be interested to know which countries you visited where most people accepted USD.

LV2TVL, don't worry, we just appreciate any opportunity for a bit of a joke because it can get tame on this forum. No raw nerves struck at all, at least on my part.

Now seriously, I can do a good deal on a case of 12YO Kentucky bourbon...

You are forgiven,LV2TVL. Just enjoy your trip (and bring lots of US$...to convert, of course). Better yet, use your credit card for a better exchange rate.

_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

For what it's worth, many resorts in the Maldives only accept USD - they even charge in USD and guests are asked to tip the workers in USD. I had a hard time getting some of their local currancy to take home as a momento.

Indonesia also requires that visas on arrival be paid in USD, or at least they did when I lived there.

So, don't feel bad TV2TVL, it never hurts to ask.

I was asked the same question by some friends of mine who made the trip to NZ. I had to also emphasize we don't take Discover Card here either, as that was the credit card they wanted to bring.

My US debit/check card works fine here since it has a mastercard logo on it. Regular debits won't work. Have a great trip!

LV2TVL, we all got a bit horrible on your money question, but Fodors can be like that.
I’ve seen a few threads about tipping waiters, cab drivers, bar tenders et al on here, mostly from a North American perspective. The tipping culture in Aus is different – a 10% tip in a restaurant is generous, there’s no need to tip bar staff (leaving a little loose change on the bar is OK), and a three dollar coffee costs, well, three dollars. Hair dressers don’t expect tips.
No need to tip the person who cleans your room or puts a Swiss chocolate on your pillow. Generally in taxis, I’d tip along the lines of “keep the change”.