Small notes for tipping?

[aussie57]

Need some advice from CCers because they are awesome & they know stuff ;)

We have bought some $US for our upcoming Panama Canal Cruise through Australia Post & it was issued in $50notes. When we arrive, we'll have one night in LA & one night in Ft Lauderdale pre-cruise, so we'll need to be tipping porters, bell boys, waiters etc. Where can I change my US $50 into some $1 & $5 notes? Will the currency exchange places at Sydney International Airport permit this? Or do I have to try & do it at LAX?

Thanks in advance

[MicCanberra]

Need some advice from CCers because they are awesome & they know stuff ;)

We have bought some $US for our upcoming Panama Canal Cruise through Australia Post & it was issued in $50notes. When we arrive, we'll have one night in LA & one night in Ft Lauderdale pre-cruise, so we'll need to be tipping porters, bell boys, waiters etc. Where can I change my US $50 into some $1 & $5 notes? Will the currency exchange places at Sydney International Airport permit this? Or do I have to try & do it at LAX?

Thanks in advance

 

As you arrive in LA prior to your cruise, try the hotel desk for change, at least some of it down to $10s, then when onboard, you can go to the guest services and get change and or the casino. There is also the option to prepay your gratuities fro the cruise which makes it a lot simpler while onboard as well.:D

[gaechann]

Need some advice from CCers because they are awesome & they know stuff ;)

We have bought some $US for our upcoming Panama Canal Cruise through Australia Post & it was issued in $50notes. When we arrive, we'll have one night in LA & one night in Ft Lauderdale pre-cruise, so we'll need to be tipping porters, bell boys, waiters etc. Where can I change my US $50 into some $1 & $5 notes? Will the currency exchange places at Sydney International Airport permit this? Or do I have to try & do it at LAX?

Thanks in advance

 

Look at you two! Off again! Good on you!

Yes, obtaining small notes is a real pain and though it is easily done once on-board, prior to that you could perhaps purchase something from an airport shop when you first arrive in LA.

 

I remember now to keep what $US I don't use for the "next time"!

 

All the best! Gae

[NSWP]

Aussie57, Anne and Allan...On my recent trips to the Land of Tipping, sorry..US of A, I have found the $1 tipping notes are looked upon with disdain by cabbies, luggage handlers, porters, barmen, waiters, bellboys etc, they seem to be looking at $5 notes these days, perhaps even $10's. Call it inflation.

 

Hotel desks and Purser desks on board the ships will generally break down your big notes to 'tipping currency.'

 

Above all enjoy.

Edited October 8, 2014 by NSWP

[Aussieflyer]

The $1 tips are OK for on board but you might be looking at larger denominations on land. Obviously waiting to board to change your money is not very useful as you will need it before the cruise as well. Is it possible to buy a bit more currency before you leave and get that in smaller notes? Commission payable unfortunately. Otherwise maybe buy something at the airport when you arrive to get some change for the driver and porter at the hotel. Then try the hotel desk for more after that.

Like Uncle Les' description of the US but one of my favourites is LOTFAP!

Edited October 8, 2014 by Aussieflyer

[The_Big_M]

Need some advice from CCers because they are awesome & they know stuff ;)

We have bought some $US for our upcoming Panama Canal Cruise through Australia Post & it was issued in $50notes. When we arrive, we'll have one night in LA & one night in Ft Lauderdale pre-cruise, so we'll need to be tipping porters, bell boys, waiters etc. Where can I change my US $50 into some $1 & $5 notes? Will the currency exchange places at Sydney International Airport permit this? Or do I have to try & do it at LAX?

Thanks in advance

 

They won't do it here in Sydney. As it's their business, they understandably don't want to do it for free when you've bought elsewhere.

 

Just do it when you get to LA. Just like some places here, some won't change money, but others will, so you might have to try a couple, but it's pretty common/understandable so shouldn't be too hard.

[aussie57]

Thanks everyone :)

[Tara Jane]

It is a lesson that we learnt with experience when purchasing foreign currency to ask for small denominations. Some places give you an opportunity to state what size notes you require. I usually check a few places but generally end up with buying online at travelex.com.au no commission but of course you are paying for it in the conversion rate. Collection is either at one of their offices (my local travel agent) or at one of the airport kiosks.

Edited October 14, 2014 by Tara Jane

[MicCanberra]

Getting smaller notes is not that difficult, give the cabbie a larger note, they provide change, and you give a tip out of the change or round up prior to the change. Then get smaller notes at your hotel or on the ship.:D

[aussie57]

Getting smaller notes is not that difficult, give the cabbie a larger note, they provide change, and you give a tip out of the change or round up prior to the change. Then get smaller notes at your hotel or on the ship.:D

 

Thanks Mic

We actually need to tip the porter at the airport & are getting a complimentary shuttle to hotel, so probably buying a drink at LAX might give us a start

[mr walker]

Getting smaller notes is not that difficult, give the cabbie a larger note, they provide change, and you give a tip out of the change or round up prior to the change.

 

Didn't work for me on my 1st ever trip to USA. Got a taxi in LA and the cost was $22 (it was some time ago). Being young (well younger) and foolish, smallest I had was $50 & the cabbie had no change. Expensive lesson coming, but was able to get the person I was meeting with to fix it up. Always travel with small notes now :)

[MicCanberra]

Didn't work for me on my 1st ever trip to USA. Got a taxi in LA and the cost was $22 (it was some time ago). Being young (well younger) and foolish, smallest I had was $50 & the cabbie had no change. Expensive lesson coming, but was able to get the person I was meeting with to fix it up. Always travel with small notes now :)

 

Yes, it can happen, but then wherever you land will have a shop of some sort at the airport, buy some gum and a drink for some change.:D

[NSWP]

I recollect post cruise getting a $15 'seniors special' haircut in San Francisco, gave the owner/barber a $20 note, no change forthcoming, so I asked for it, he threw $5 at me yelling !"£$%^&* expletives about tight Ass Aussies.

 

Such is life, when one is not fully aware of tipping protocols in the US of A.

 

Another time, in LA, I bought a drink at a bar in the hotel, the barman did not come near me again, then a fellow drinker told me no tip, no more service.

 

Yes, the taxi drivers think whatever you give them is all theirs too. I recollect one time in Honolulu, got a taxi from the airport to hotel in Wakkiki, the fare was probably $37, I told the driver to keep the $3 change, he chased me into the hotel lobby, ranting and raving.

 

Yes if they don't get 15% to 20% they get cranky.

Edited October 15, 2014 by NSWP

[MicCanberra]

I recollect post cruise getting a $15 'seniors special' haircut in San Francisco, gave the owner/barber a $20 note, no change forthcoming, so I asked for it, he threw $5 at me yelling !"£$%^&* expletives about tight Ass Aussies.

 

Such is life, when one is not fully aware of tipping protocols in the US of A.

 

Another time, in LA, I bought a drink at a bar in the hotel, the barman did not come near me again, then a fellow drinker told me no tip, no more service.

 

Yes, the taxi drivers think whatever you give them is all theirs too. I recollect one time in Honolulu, got a taxi from the airport to hotel in Wakkiki, the fare was probably $37, I told the driver to keep the $3 change, he chased me into the hotel lobby, ranting and raving.

 

Yes if they don't get 15% to 20% they get cranky.

 

While some places in the US add the tips to the bill in advance. I prefer these establishments, no working out what is appropriate, just one price.:D

[aussie57]

The whole thing makes me nervous :(

[The_Big_M]

I recollect post cruise getting a $15 'seniors special' haircut in San Francisco, gave the owner/barber a $20 note, no change forthcoming, so I asked for it, he threw $5 at me yelling !"£$%^&* expletives about tight Ass Aussies.

.

 

A 1/3 tip! Sounds more like a "greedy yank!"

 

Unless you had your hair specially styled, that was worthy of such a tip? ;)