US help.

[cscs3]

Firstly, you got misled on the tips. Always tip 15%; 20% if the service was especially good. 5-10% is going to make them spit in your food.



Let me help you out a bit. Those are the prices to buy USD against SGD - they're the number of SGD you need to pay to buy one USD.

So when you're buying USD, you want the lowest price (1.2395). And when you're selling USD, you'll want the highest price.

(That all said, you don't need or want to take too much cash with you. I usually only took $100 or $200 with me - basically enough to get a taxi to the hotel when I arrived - and used credit cards for everything else. Carrying thousands of dollars in cash is just asking to get mugged.)

Actually credit card is no no especially big item as service charge now a day is anywhere in 3 to 3.5% plus very bad exchange rate.

 

[patryn33]

Actually credit card is no no especially big item as service charge now a day is anywhere in 3 to 3.5% plus very bad exchange rate.

That's true for ppl who cares about 10-500 extra charges in fees and exchange rate.
Those see other way no biggy.
It's boils down to how one view at $$, a lot of these very subjective

 

[Shiny Things]

thanks bro for your advise, btw is LA downtown safe? any scammer or those ppl that tries to tie something on your hand and ask you to pay $$, sorry ar I noob

Downtown LA's a lot better than it used to be, but it's also not very exciting. I hardly ever go to LA, but the last time I was down there on business, I went out for lunch one afternoon, and downtown was utterly deserted at 1pm on a weekday right in the middle of the banking district. It was eerie.

You're a lot better off skipping downtown and spending time in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, or Venice Beach.

 

[critical888]

Tmobile USA sim card - currently out of stock, stock replenish next week but limited stock with lots of reservation, so i will give those go earlier trip one first.. but if urgent my usa friend will post to your usa hotel.

Lycamobile USA sim - still have 10+ in stock

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/t...nd-wifi-hotspot-mifi-korea-japan-4656245.html


By the way guys, i have COSTCO membership card, i can rent to customer who buy my prepaid sim card, any form of donation is welcome if u find the card useful to u. u get to buy kirkland vitamins, etc etc, lots of cheap things but usually in bulk. Closed membership supermarket in usa. just let me know.. the donations by user will go to the yearly fee i paid!

find that its such a waste that i have a membership card and i like use it one year once, coz of car rental discount n stuffs

my costco card do not have a picture so anyone can use it

 

[rocky86]

Downtown LA's a lot better than it used to be, but it's also not very exciting. I hardly ever go to LA, but the last time I was down there on business, I went out for lunch one afternoon, and downtown was utterly deserted at 1pm on a weekday right in the middle of the banking district. It was eerie.

You're a lot better off skipping downtown and spending time in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, or Venice Beach.

ohh, haha the ppl there friendly?? anything things i need to look out for? did u try the metro?

 

[patryn33]

By the way guys, i have COSTCO membership card, i can rent to customer who buy my prepaid sim card, any form of donation is welcome if u find the card useful to u. u get to buy kirkland vitamins, etc etc, lots of cheap things but usually in bulk. Closed membership supermarket in usa. just let me know.. the donations by user will go to the yearly fee i paid!

find that its such a waste that i have a membership card and i like use it one year once, coz of car rental discount n stuffs

my costco card do not have a picture so anyone can use it

U can get a refund before you leave.

 

[Shiny Things]

ohh, haha the ppl there friendly?? anything things i need to look out for? did u try the metro?

1) Yes, Americans are incredibly friendly. So don't be shy when you're travelling: talk to people in bars! Ask people for directions! Strike up conversations!

2) Honestly there's not a lot you need to watch out for. America's relatively safe; just don't go carrying around your branded handbags and flashing wads of cash and advertising "look at me I'm a dumb tourist mug me please".

3) The LA Metro blows. It doesn't actually go anywhere you'd want to go. Don't bother.

 

[rocky86]

Thanks bro for all the advise! btw did u went to the factory outlet over there? heard alot of cheap branded stuff

 

[ceecookie]

Thanks bro for all the advise! btw did u went to the factory outlet over there? heard alot of cheap branded stuff

Once u go factory outlet, u wont want to shop at local Kate Spade, Coach etc etc unless u want the latest release

I was at Seattle Premium Outlet last month - a KS crossbody that groupon is currently trying to sell at S$215 with RRP of $350 was only 60 USD there

 

[rocky86]

Once u go factory outlet, u wont want to shop at local Kate Spade, Coach etc etc unless u want the latest release

I was at Seattle Premium Outlet last month - a KS crossbody that groupon is currently trying to sell at S$215 with RRP of $350 was only 60 USD there

omg! that so cheap!! u hooted alot of branded? any idea how much does dataplan prepaid card cost?

 

[winorlose]

even US outlets has the latest kate spade coach etc.. and its like 50%+10% off!

A kate spade bag my wife bought during our June trip was US100+ and it's selling here at Taka for SGD600+. Guess what? "New Arrival" somemore!

cannot compare the mkt here and there la.. we are only a tiny red dot

just go there..open your eyes..what's more impt is to sink yourself into the atmosphere. Enjoy the culture, weather, food. Shopping is secondary man..

For data plan, we always buy the AT&T 1mth data plan for US$60..seems like the best choice liao even though our trip was only 2weeks. If more than 1 person..just tether the data plan and carry a portable rechargable battery just in case.

you will definitely need it to move around (google map, yelp app reviews for restaurants etc)

 

[patryn33]

Thanks bro for all the advise! btw did u went to the factory outlet over there? heard alot of cheap branded stuff

Not come across any Singaporean traveling there for the 1st 1 or 2 times missing out on outlet shopping.

My cousins only cared for shopping. My indo friends and family only care about shopping too. It's very subjective with regards to interest.

U can hoot a pair of cole haans like usd$60
Levi red tag only usd$25
RL big pony tee it's usd$40-50
tag heuer if u lucky can find items at 50% off
Tumi suitcase ~usd$200-300
Samsonite usually under usd$100
Timberland boots is like usd$90, deck shoes ~usd$40
Puma and under armor shoes usually after 50% is like usd$40-50
Higher end shoes can look at allen edmonds order on shoebank.com and get it shipped free to u at the hotel
The list go on and on

 

[Erwinlow]

how much would be the cheapest return ticket to new york end dec? don't mind long stopovers etc.

 

[Shiny Things]

how much would be the cheapest return ticket to new york end dec? don't mind long stopovers etc.

USD 1,034 r/t on China Eastern.

Leave Dec 14th on MU566 SIN-PVG; then MU587 PVG-JFK.
Return Jan 3rd on MU588 JFK-PVG, then MU543 PVG-SIN.

 

[Erwinlow]

USD 1,034 r/t on China Eastern.

Leave Dec 14th on MU566 SIN-PVG; then MU587 PVG-JFK.
Return Jan 3rd on MU588 JFK-PVG, then MU543 PVG-SIN.

i'm guessing that's the cheapest to new york usually? don't think the middle eastern carriers would be even cheaper right?

paid about 1.25k on air china last time, flew to SFO, return from LAX, stopover taipei both legs.

 

[Shiny Things]

i'm guessing that's the cheapest to new york usually? don't think the middle eastern carriers would be even cheaper right?

paid about 1.25k on air china last time, flew to SFO, return from LAX, stopover taipei both legs.

Yeah, I used Hipmunk to find that, so the mid-eastern carriers would have been in the search as well.

 

[swatchie]

Not come across any Singaporean traveling there for the 1st 1 or 2 times missing out on outlet shopping.

My cousins only cared for shopping. My indo friends and family only care about shopping too. It's very subjective with regards to interest.

U can hoot a pair of cole haans like usd$60
Levi red tag only usd$25
RL big pony tee it's usd$40-50
tag heuer if u lucky can find items at 50% off
Tumi suitcase ~usd$200-300
Samsonite usually under usd$100
Timberland boots is like usd$90, deck shoes ~usd$40
Puma and under armor shoes usually after 50% is like usd$40-50
Higher end shoes can look at allen edmonds order on shoebank.com and get it shipped free to u at the hotel
The list go on and on

I wouldn't buy a Samsonite in the US. It's cheaper in Germany.

 

[patryn33]

I wouldn't buy a Samsonite in the US. It's cheaper in Germany.

U sure? American brand cheaper in Germany. Cheapo samsonite can be easily found ~usd$60-70.

Go Germany might as get rimowa. Lol

Anyway hoot those fell off the Chinese truck maybe even cheaper.... Haha

 

[swatchie]

U sure? American brand cheaper in Germany. Cheapo samsonite can be easily found ~usd$60-70.

Go Germany might as get rimowa. Lol

Anyway hoot those fell off the Chinese truck maybe even cheaper.... Haha

Yes you are right. Sorry I was confused. I was actually referring to Rimowa

 

[kenpachi82]

Hi guys, I need some assistance in planning for a trip to NYC for a lone traveler.

Background: I’m in a difficult period in my life and just wish to go out, relax, and breathe again. NYC is one place I would like to go once in my lifetime and I have decided to do it now. Purpose of the trip is to visit touristy sights, and I will not be shopping (window-shopping at famous landmarks is ok) nor driving.

Dates: I am available to go from September to early Dec. Please suggest the best time to go? I wouldn’t want to pack heavy luggage, so perhaps earlier is better? Say mid-October? I’m OK with packing to withstand up to 10°C or so. It’s also easier to go around in less cold conditions. Target duration is about 10-12 days.

Places I want to go: As mentioned, I would like to visit common touristy places, and take in nature sights and nice sceneries. My list for now only includes Wall Street, Central Park, Empire State Building, Broadway, Times Square (sorry, haven’t done much research). I would also like to take day trips (or a 2D1N trip) out of NY to a neighboring city or two (Boston? Washington DC? Niagara falls?)

Accommodation: Kindly suggest hotels/hostels with top priority being SAFETY, followed by costs and convenience. As a single male traveler, I don’t really need to stay in 4* hotels. Will be happy to stay in a small room in a safe location near to subways for easy movement. Target below USD 200.

Sorry that I didn’t go through the 100+ pages of information. If anyone could help me do a rough guide, I will refine it myself and then ask for your opinions again. Appreciate lots!