Couple of quick questions.

[wrestlingchick26]

I am busy planning my solo WDW holiday in November . And was just wondering a couple of things.

1. What travel card/bank card/credit card did you use/recommend? I was given some really bad information on my last holiday and ended up with lots if bank fees- don't want that again.

2. Did you use your iPhone while overseas? I want to use mine for the Disney apps/skype and Facebook. What is the best way to do this?

3. Is there any limit on the amount of shopping you can bring back through customs?

 

[ssour]

I use an Australia Post travel card and just my regular credit cards since I'm too lazy to organise anything else. If you're looking for a true credit card I'd have a look at 28 degrees MasterCard.

If you put your phone on plane mode you should still be able to access the wifi network for My Disney Experience, Viber, Skype etc. Again, I'm too lazy to organise a phone over there so I normally just turn my data off and use the above things on wifi with the occasional text message to someone if they don't have Viber.

I've forgotten what the third thing was so I'll put it in a different post.

 

[ssour]

Yes there is a limit of $900 AUD per person ($450 if under 18). This doesn't apply to clothes or personal items (perfume is included in the limit though I believe) and alcohol and tobacco purchases have their own limits. It applies to electronics, souvenirs, jewellery etc. There is thankfully no limit on the number of shoes you can buy (other than the luggage weight limit of course)!

If you go over the limit you are expected to declare that, I am pretty sure plenty of people (and I know some personally) go over and don't declare having done so. Souvenirs are a bit tricky to explain away but I guess you could have owned the jewellery from before you went away. Not that I am encouraging you to beat the system in any way. A families allowance can also be pooled.

 

[aussie shaz]

We use the 28 degree MasterCard. It's been great. Good exchange rate and no fees.
Regarding shopping, I'd say if its just for personal use and gifts for friends and family, you'd be fine. I'd worry more about luggage allowance than customs.

 

[wrestlingchick26]

Thanks got the info- especially about the phone, I off my want to have get one over there so glad I can use my own.

I have seen the Aus post travel cards and was leaning that way.

In planning a big shopping spree of all the country music CDs that we can't get over here. Don't think it will go over the limit though so should be all ok with customs

 

[PrincessInOz]

Depending on how long you are going, you might consider getting a local SIM card with a prepaid option.

I was there for 28 days and the AT&T GoPhone prepaid monthly plan for the Smart Phone worked out best for me. I paid $60 for the GoPhone prepaid plan for the month. For that I had unlimited talk and text; plus 2 GB data. Effectively, its the equivalent of their $2 per day GoPhone prepaid plans (if you're there for less time); only with data included.

I walked into an AT&T shop and they signed me up. I walked out working within 10 minutes and the micro SIM for free.

 

[wrestlingchick26]

I'm only going for 14 days all up but 5 of them will be a cruise ship so I won't need a phone.

 

[bswift]

I've used a CommBank travel card for the last few years, including when I spent 5 months living in North Carolina. Never had any real problems with it, only issue is that at Target, it swipes as a debit instead of credit and you just have to go back and select the right option.

Do you have an iPod touch by any chance? That's what I use when I'm travelling, so there's no risk of ridiculous roaming fees. I used it for MDE in the parks as well as Skype, FB etc.

 

[zanzibar138]

1. What travel card/bank card/credit card did you use/recommend? I was given some really bad information on my last holiday and ended up with lots if bank fees- don't want that again.

I am also a lazy traveller and tend to just use my existing credit cards. Haven't had any problems so far.

2. Did you use your iPhone while overseas? I want to use mine for the Disney apps/skype and Facebook. What is the best way to do this?

I have an ipod touch that I take and just connect to any free wifi that's around. Theoretically you could do the same with your phone, I'm just ultra-paranoid! My phone has not been overseas.

3. Is there any limit on the amount of shopping you can bring back through customs?

As the others have mentioned, I would be more concerned about weight limits for luggage. Customs officers know that the US is good for shopping, and aren't going to go crazy if you bring in items for personal use.

 

[wrestlingchick26]

No unfortunately no iPod touch- think I am just going to go with my phone, that way I have a camera as well.

Has anyone used Qantas cash? It looks really good on paper.

I am taking a very very small amount of clothing with me so that I can bring lots back, think I should be ok with luggage allowance lol

 

[Sugarglider]

for years I just took my ATM cards - the bank had a thing with a minimum spend they waived fees. then the era of travel cards arrived and the NAB changed everything.
I have used Travelex Cash Passport - very happy with that.
I now also have a qantas cash card - very happy with that.
the best credit card is MasterCard 28 degrees. Otherwise I avoid using my credit cards to avoid the fees.
Many ppl on these boards have been happy with Aus Post cards.

for years now I have gotten a sim card in advance from Travelgear.com.au - worked like a dream the moment I touch down in DFW. Saved me the time of setting up a phone on arrival in the USA. Although a lot of the Aussie phone companies now have introduced special packages after all the kerfuffle with people not managing their international roaming nor reading their fine print. So check out your carrier - they may have a deal for you. Also depending on where you are staying - a lot have free wifi - but i will use the phone as a hotspot for the tablet if i can't get free wifi - and the T-Mobile deals are quite generous on downloads

I've never worried about customs. I've purchased a bunch of stuffs on my trips. I don't know how much it cost - never bothered to keep track. I usually strip it of all the packaging anyway to make it easy to carry and perhaps I start using it straightaway. becomes hard to tell what is the new items. unless you are buying something major or in commercial quantities I would think you would be fine.

have a great trip!

 

[Luisa]

With your iphone, just go in to 'settings' then 'cellular' and turn off cellular data, that restricts you to wifi and stops any apps doing the sneaky using data thing in the background.

I've found with customs honesty is the best policy. I always tick yes to food and yes to over $900 worth of stuff, when they ask what it is I tell the truth- a ridiculous amount of candy and lots of clothes, cosmetics and souvenirs. They usually just laugh and send me through. The only time they decided to do a search was when I came back from Hong Kong, but when the lady doing the search asked me what the food was and I showed her the candy from the airport she didn't even bother unzipping my bag and sent me on way.

 

[wrestlingchick26]

You guys are all super helpful

I'm going to go with qantas- liked the look of it the best of all the travel cards.

I will take my phone and use it purely when there is wifi available.

And I'll just take the honest approach with customs and declare everything- they will probably laugh at me but id rather that than a fine.