The United States dollar is the official currency of the USA. Just like British pounds and pence, each dollar is made up of 100 cents.
The currency code for the US dollar is USD, so look out for this if you’re buying travel money in the UK. If you have a Global Money Account, the US dollar is one of the 18 currencies you can hold in your account.
To open a Global Money Account, you’ll need to have an eligible HSBC UK current account. This excludes our Basic Bank Account, Appointee and MyAccount.
You can easily exchange your dollars by visiting your local currency exchange bureau.
The exchange rate between US dollars and British pounds changes daily, so try to exchange your money when you can get the best rate.
There’s no limit to the amount of cash you can take into the USA. However, you’ll need to declare larger amounts (anything over USD10,000) when you land.
The amount of money to take will depend on:
For example, you may want to take extra dollars if you’re visiting expensive cities like New York or Las Vegas. You may want to take more if you’re planning to travel a lot too.
If you want to start spending as soon as you land, try to exchange your money at home. Shop around for the best exchange rates by visiting a travel money bureau or using HSBC Travel Money to order US dollars online. That way you can avoid high-fee exchange services like those in airports.
If you want to travel light, you can easily exchange your money in the USA by visiting a bank, credit union or currency exchange bureau. You can also withdraw dollars from cash machines, but you’ll usually be charged extra card fees. However, there are no HSBC fees with Global Money. Non-HSBC fees may apply.
Debit cards are widely accepted all over the USA. You’ll be able to pay by debit card in most businesses, but be aware that there may be fees involved.
When it comes to using your debit card in the USA, it may be worth looking for a card with low or no fees outside the UK. A Global Money Account could help you avoid some of these charges, but a 2.75% charge still applies to debit card transactions outside the UK using other HSBC accounts.
Explore: Using your card outside the UK: fees and charges explained
Credit card payments are common across the USA, though you may need to pay extra fees to do so. Most Americans have at least one credit card and you’ll be able to make contactless payments in many major retailers.
Don't be surprised if you're asked to sign for your transactions as some shops don't use chip and PIN. Make sure you've signed the back of your card.
It's not compulsory to get travel insurance for a trip to the USA, but it might be worth thinking about whether it’s worth getting it. It can cover you if your trip is delayed, you fall ill or if a suitcase gets lost.
Explore: Taking out travel insurance with HSBC
If you’re visiting the USA for less than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for an ESTA travel authorisation. This lets you visit the USA without a visa. For longer visits, you’ll need to apply for a visa.
The USA has a big tipping culture, and a lot of service staff rely on tips to get by. Most service staff prefer cash tips – tips made via card will need to go through the business first, which could mean a longer waiting time.
Here’s a general guide for tipping:
