Shopping in New York

M4RKM

you are always allowed to check in 2 suitcases on most transatlantic flights.
Why you are actually thinking of taking clothes to "throw away" is beyond me.

Also, bear in mind, that everything you buy, you're only allowed to bring back £145 worth of goods, which by my reckoning, and many trips to new york, isn't a full suitcase worth.

You did mention about "me staying there", i think on that you mean the immigration people. Well, when you step off the plane, you go through immigration with only your hand luggage, and they may ask to see your return plane ticket / e-ticket confirmation.

Also, can I just mention, for that every New York related question, there is a dedicated STICKY New York Thread at the top of the board, which many of us moneysavers frequent, so will always be able to help you.

Eagle_1

I think Acid means buy clothes abroad and bring them back without having to pay anything to customs and that
dunno like

Poopsie

Yea i agree with Eagle_1 i think thats what Acid means but if so i'm not too sure what the answer is

Edinburghlass_2

I would buy a holdall on wheels, Tesco do a value version for around a tenner, and you can pack an inordinate amount in it and empty only weighs 2.5 kg, if that helps?

ash213

Going to new york in june, me and the missus are gonna take around £2,000 spends.

Shall we just take a credit card or take cash ?

I have just recieved a Halifax credit card, never had one before but i have just realised that i may be charged abroad if i use this card in shops ... IS this correct ?

What is the best option for me as i will be spending in shops and restaurants.

Ideally i dont wanna be strolling round new york with a wad of cash in my pocket.

Cheers guys.

M4RKM

There is a dedicated thread to all New York Questions and answers stuck to the top of this forum

Yes you will get charged if you use it abroad, this is usually 2.75% as a currency commission.

Take both, have cash for your everyday purchases, things like food, drink, etc, and you may want to use your credit card, if you make any high value purchases. I've been to NYC many times, and never once been threatened or asked to hand over money, but i've read in guide books, that you should always keep a $20 seperate as "mugging money" so you have something to hand over and you never reveal how much you have on you.

GlennTheBaker

1. Open Nationwide FlexAccount.
2. Stick the £2K in a savings account and earn a few quid interest on it.
3. Before you leave for the USA, put the £2K in your FlexAccount.
4. Use Nationwide debit/cash card to withdraw US$ fee-free from ATM's in USA, making sure you use machines that don't apply a charge themselves (eg Bank of America).

Also, have a look at the sticky thread at the top of the board re spending overseas - this question is asked almost every day so all the answers are in there.

hammy_the_hammer

you have time to apply for a nationwide credit card and flex-account (search for full info on this forum) ...can't go wrong.
i would also like to reinforce how safe manhattan is with regards to street crime and general anti-social behaviour ...if you went back to the 70's and 80's it was a dodgy place to be ...but now it is far safer than most major UK cities...and more importantly you actually feel more secure
just take the precautions you would take when away anywhere

hammy_the_hammer

i also predominantly use bank of america for cashpoint using nationwide card

sallysaver

No problems with HSBC and the Nationwide debit card either and they seemed to be on every corner (well virtually) Sally