Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

34
CHAPTER 2 . PLANNING AN AFFORDABLE TRIP TO AUSTRALIA
The Australian Dollar, the U.S. Dollar & the British Pound
For U.S. Readers The rate of exchange used to calculate the dollar values
given in this book was US$1 = approximately A$1.54 (or A$1 = US 65¢).
For British Readers The rate of exchange used to calculate the pound
values in the accompanying table was £1 = A$2.60 (or A$1 = 38p).
Note: International exchange rates for the Australian dollar can fluctuate
markedly. Check the latest rate when you plan your trip. The table below,
and all the prices in this book, should be used only as a general guide.
A$ US$ UK£ A$ US$ UK£
0.25 0.16 0.09 30.00 19.50 11.40
0.50 0.33 0.19 35.00 22.75 13.30
1.00 0.65 0.38 40.00 26.00 15.20
2.00 1.30 0.76 45.00 29.25 17.10
3.00 1.95 1.14 50.00 32.50 19.00
4.00 2.60 1.52 55.00 35.75 20.90
5.00 3.25 1.90 60.00 39.00 22.80
6.00 3.90 2.28 65.00 42.25 24.70
7.00 4.55 2.66 70.00 45.50 26.60
8.00 5.20 3.04 75.00 48.75 28.50
9.00 5.85 3.42 80.00 52.00 30.40
10.00 6.50 3.80 85.00 55.25 32.30
15.00 9.75 5.70 90.00 58.50 34.20
20.00 13.00 7.60 95.00 61.75 36.10
25.00 16.25 9.50 100.00 65.00 38.00
shopkeepers in remote parts may not
cash traveler’s checks.
TRAVELER’S CHECKS
Traveler’s checks are something of an
anachronism from the days before the
ATM made cash accessible at any
time. Traveler’s checks used to be the
only sound alternative to traveling
with dangerously large amounts of
cash. They were as reliable as currency,
but could be replaced if lost or stolen.
These days, traveler’s checks are less
necessary because most cities have
24-hour ATMs that allow you to withdraw
small amounts of cash as needed.
But if you expect to withdraw money
every day, you might be better off with
traveler’s checks, since you will be
charged an ATM withdrawal fee if the
bank is not your own.
You can get traveler’s checks at
almost any bank. American Express
offers denominations of $20, $50,
$100, $500, and (for cardholders
only) $1,000. You’ll pay a service
charge ranging from 1% to 4%. You
can also get American Express traveler’s
checks over the phone by calling
& 800/221-7282; Amex gold and
platinum cardholders who use this
number are exempt from the 1% fee.
AAA members can obtain checks
without a fee at most AAA offices.
Visa offers traveler’s checks at
Citibank locations nationwide, as well
as at several other banks. The service
charge ranges between 1.5% and 2%;
checks come in denominations of $20,
$50, $100, $500, and $1,000. Call
& 800/732-1322 for information.