Something about OP reminds me of Judy Gemstone. Maybe it’s the crassness?

It’s not particularly surprising the Australian dollar is down. The US has imposed tariffs despite having a trade surplus with Australia, started a trade war with Australia’s key trading partner, threatened punitive taxes on Australian pension funds because their government was looking at ways to tackle taxation minimisation schemes by American companies like Amazon, and is demanding greater and greater defence commitments despite attacking it and other allies on non-defence issues.

Anonymous wrote:With the current exchange rates, we are finding travel in Australia to be so cheap. There are plenty of restaurants in Sydney, for example where a main is only $20-40 AUD, with $40 being at an upper end place. That's only about $26 USD. Best part is that when you get the bill there are no tips expected. Contrast that to a comparable major city like NY or even DC where entrees now run $40-50 USD each and appetizers are $20-25 USD now. The US isn just insanely expensive. Even in 3rd tier cities like Indianapolis, entrees are running $30-40 at anywhere not Applebee's.

Plus the quality of stuff in Australia is amazing. It's so cheap right now, cannot recommend it enough to take advantage of the eexchange rates.

Where do you normally eat in DC? This seems like a lot more than I usually spend going to family/ethnic type places.

Anonymous wrote:I've been to Australia for work and it is very nice but boy, that plane ride is something else.

Yes even biz (never flown 1st) you're still interminably in a flying can.

I've been to Australia for work and it is very nice but boy, that plane ride is something else.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much were your plane tix OP?

$1700 each. We used miles +$1200 though to get upgraded to business class. Totally worth it.

So if you'd stayed home, you'd have saved all the money you spent getting there and back. The money evens out.

Why would you stay home? This is the travel forum, duh.

Exchange rate in NZ and Fiji even better.

Anonymous wrote:We always found hotels expensive in major areas but then we stay at Park Hyatt etc.

lol. “We choose expensive hotels that we find to be expensive.” Maybe you’re not as well-off as you’d like to think you are?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much were your plane tix OP?

$1700 each. We used miles +$1200 though to get upgraded to business class. Totally worth it.

So if you'd stayed home, you'd have saved all the money you spent getting there and back. The money evens out.

Are you white? I'm not, and the racism stressed me out

Some parts of Australia expect tips in higher end restaurants. 10%, not 20%.

Anonymous wrote:How much were your plane tix OP?

$1700 each. We used miles +$1200 though to get upgraded to business class. Totally worth it.

How much were your plane tix OP?

We always found hotels expensive in major areas but then we stay at Park Hyatt etc.

With the current exchange rates, we are finding travel in Australia to be so cheap. There are plenty of restaurants in Sydney, for example where a main is only $20-40 AUD, with $40 being at an upper end place. That's only about $26 USD. Best part is that when you get the bill there are no tips expected. Contrast that to a comparable major city like NY or even DC where entrees now run $40-50 USD each and appetizers are $20-25 USD now. The US isn just insanely expensive. Even in 3rd tier cities like Indianapolis, entrees are running $30-40 at anywhere not Applebee's.

Plus the quality of stuff in Australia is amazing. It's so cheap right now, cannot recommend it enough to take advantage of the eexchange rates.