Can't believe nobody has mentioned the Unicef Change For Good program for small change!
I did, in my starter for the discussion :) It's a great program, Qantas raises an average $1.4 million per year for Unicef through Change For Good!
Absolutely David, always the best thing to do with your spare change.. for what’s probably less than the price of a cr@ppy airport coffee to each individual, the cumulative effect can be superb.
I follow a similar steps to what others said here. When travelling I minimise the use of currency whenever possible (i've never even held NZ or SG currency despite frequent trips) I just use a good travel card. If I do have any currency left over I pay any outstanding hotel costs with every last $ first and the remainder is charged to my card. I also use self service checkouts or top up public transport cards to get rid of coins.
I have a travel draw where I stash all my various location specific cards such as public transport, express path cards and spare bag tags.
Coins definitely go in the Change for Good envelopes. :-)
For paper currency, I have an old Daytimer zipper binder (https://bit.ly/2Ol2fvu) that I've filled with vinyl zip pouches (https://bit.ly/2LX53SJ), one for each currency. Oyster / Octopus cards, etc., also go in the same pouches. I don't usually swap out SIM cards anymore since I now have a very good roaming plan, but when I did, I kept them in a business / credit card holder (https://bit.ly/2OjoCkV) in the binder as well. I also try to keep a stash of immigration / customs forms for frequent destinations, for those times when the airline runs out.
I have an ING debit card and use it to take cash out as I need it or to pay for things wherever I am, so I don’t usually have a wad of cash with me. It’s fantastic, and the rates I get are comparable with pre ordering with someone like Amex, and vastly better than Airport exchange desks.
As an aside, I also noticed on a trip last week in SIN that when offered the chance to pay for a card transaction in SGD or AUD, AUD was always cheaper.
I follow a similar steps to what others said here. When travelling I minimise the use of currency whenever possible (i've never even held NZ or SG currency despite frequent trips) I just use a good travel card. If I do have any currency left over I pay any outstanding hotel costs with every last $ first and the remainder is charged to my card. I also use self service checkouts or top up public transport cards to get rid of coins.
I have a travel draw where I stash all my various location specific cards such as public transport, express path cards and spare bag tags.
What about when you want to eat at a hawker centre ?
In 2013/14 the UK had major problems with the 50 pound note (forgeries) and changed them 3 times.. I had a few problems cashing them, so now only keep the smaller denominations. "Left overs" I keep in envelopes, larger coins eg 1 & 2 pound, 50cE and above I tend to keep in bank coin bags and the smaller ones go into the change for good envelope on the plane coming home. I do tend to accumulate quite a few each trip.
When travelling I minimise the use of currency whenever possible (i've never even held NZ or SG currency despite frequent trips) I just use a good travel card.
That's rather brave! I can't imagine setting foot in any country without some coin of the realm, especially in Asia – food stalls, markets, little hole-in-the-wall places, there are so many places where it's all about cash.
I avoid getting cash unless absolutely necessary - and if I have to, I get the smallest amount possible from the ATM, often useful for public transport where cards aren't accepted, tips in countries where it's expected and so on: but that's mostly for things like lounges, bell hops and hotel maids - if I'm having a meal or a drink in a bar and paying with card, there's always the option to add a tip where expected.
There are some countries where I can't remember the last time I touched cash or coin: the UK, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, UAE and several others all come to mind (heck, in the UK I can even use my iPhone to enter/exit the Tube and the Transport for London website still provides handy travel statements for tax, etc), so it's easy to do in most major cities. Taxi fares used to be one of the only 'biggies' where it was hit and miss whether or not you needed cash or could pay by credit card, but now with Uber, that's straight onto the credit card, so the rest is just small things as above.
Even in Australia, I can't remember the last time I used cash for anything - with the advent of paywave, most places have nixed their EFTPOS minimums or if they do have a minimum, it's something token like $5.
However, there are some places like Hong Kong and Taipei where you really need cash (public transport card top-ups only possible by cash, and most market stalls etc only take cash), but generally I'll whack any extra onto my Octopus/EasyCard to have ready for the next trip, and to save me losing it, haha. :)
If I dont donate coins, I store them in old 35mm film canisters (Yes, old school) for next time.
As for notes, I take the minimum out and depend on iPhone wallet/card, Octopus|Sucia|Pasmo or AliPay.
I've not used any cash for my last 2 o/seas trips, and for comparison, my last ATM wdl in Australia was over 45 days ago. So you can live/travel without physical cash for extended periods.
sid
sid
Member since 07 Jan 2011
Total posts 205
Can't believe nobody has mentioned the Unicef Change For Good program for small change!
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,016
I did, in my starter for the discussion :) It's a great program, Qantas raises an average $1.4 million per year for Unicef through Change For Good!
Ourmanin
Ourmanin
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 08 Jun 2018
Total posts 144
I did, in my starter for the discussion :) It's a great program, Qantas raises an average $1.4 million per year for Unicef through Change For Good!
Absolutely David, always the best thing to do with your spare change.. for what’s probably less than the price of a cr@ppy airport coffee to each individual, the cumulative effect can be superb.
banana0692
banana0692
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 03 Oct 2016
Total posts 11
I follow a similar steps to what others said here. When travelling I minimise the use of currency whenever possible (i've never even held NZ or SG currency despite frequent trips) I just use a good travel card. If I do have any currency left over I pay any outstanding hotel costs with every last $ first and the remainder is charged to my card. I also use self service checkouts or top up public transport cards to get rid of coins.
chris1167
chris1167
Member since 19 Mar 2016
Total posts 5
Coins definitely go in the Change for Good envelopes. :-)
aggie57
aggie57
QF
Member since 04 Apr 2014
Total posts 136
I leave coins on the bedside table in my hotel room. Tip for the cleaning crew.
rob01
rob01
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 10 Nov 2011
Total posts 110
I have an ING debit card and use it to take cash out as I need it or to pay for things wherever I am, so I don’t usually have a wad of cash with me. It’s fantastic, and the rates I get are comparable with pre ordering with someone like Amex, and vastly better than Airport exchange desks.
rencontre
rencontre
Member since 27 Aug 2015
Total posts 9
Leave any remaining coins in my room for housekeeping
346
346
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 May 2017
Total posts 55
What about when you want to eat at a hawker centre ?
MRYJDrake
MRYJDrake
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 31 Oct 2016
Total posts 206
That's my go-to
Racala
Racala
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 22 May 2018
Total posts 64
In 2013/14 the UK had major problems with the 50 pound note (forgeries) and changed them 3 times.. I had a few problems cashing them, so now only keep the smaller denominations. "Left overs" I keep in envelopes, larger coins eg 1 & 2 pound, 50cE and above I tend to keep in bank coin bags and the smaller ones go into the change for good envelope on the plane coming home. I do tend to accumulate quite a few each trip.
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,016
That's rather brave! I can't imagine setting foot in any country without some coin of the realm, especially in Asia – food stalls, markets, little hole-in-the-wall places, there are so many places where it's all about cash.
JimmyP
JimmyP
Member since 08 Aug 2018
Total posts 1
I simply consolidate all my notes together in one large bulldog clip. I then take the currency I need depending on destination.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
I avoid getting cash unless absolutely necessary - and if I have to, I get the smallest amount possible from the ATM, often useful for public transport where cards aren't accepted, tips in countries where it's expected and so on: but that's mostly for things like lounges, bell hops and hotel maids - if I'm having a meal or a drink in a bar and paying with card, there's always the option to add a tip where expected.
There are some countries where I can't remember the last time I touched cash or coin: the UK, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, UAE and several others all come to mind (heck, in the UK I can even use my iPhone to enter/exit the Tube and the Transport for London website still provides handy travel statements for tax, etc), so it's easy to do in most major cities. Taxi fares used to be one of the only 'biggies' where it was hit and miss whether or not you needed cash or could pay by credit card, but now with Uber, that's straight onto the credit card, so the rest is just small things as above.
Even in Australia, I can't remember the last time I used cash for anything - with the advent of paywave, most places have nixed their EFTPOS minimums or if they do have a minimum, it's something token like $5.
However, there are some places like Hong Kong and Taipei where you really need cash (public transport card top-ups only possible by cash, and most market stalls etc only take cash), but generally I'll whack any extra onto my Octopus/EasyCard to have ready for the next trip, and to save me losing it, haha. :)
asw
asw
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 08 Aug 2012
Total posts 11
If I dont donate coins, I store them in old 35mm film canisters (Yes, old school) for next time.