Page 24 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

22  VISITING THE USA

Communications & Banking DIRECTORY

Most banks in the US can accept transfer of funds from foreign Financial Services
banks. Many travelers already use credit cards or cash/debit American Express Helpline
cards, so getting money from a bank or ATM should be relatively Tel (800) 221-7282.
simple. It’s best to buy traveler’s checks in US dollar amounts American Express
before entering the country in order to avoid delays and extra Travel Service
charges. The country offers excellent telephone and mail Tel (866) 901-1234.
services; cell phones and Wi-Fi hotspots have made keeping in Cirrus/Mastercard
touch easier and less expensive than ever, and most hotels also Tel (800) 424-7787.
offer wireless Internet (Wi-Fi). Travelex
Tel (516) 300-1622, (877) 414-6359.
Telephones activated for roaming. However, Visa Global Customer
Although public telephones roaming rates can be steep. If Care Services
may still be found in hotel you want to use a compatible Tel (800) 847-2911.
lobbies and on some streets, GSM phone, buying a local SIM
they have largely been replaced card ($10 or less) will prove to
by mobile phones. Local calls be a cheaper option. AT&T is a and malls. Other financial
cost between 50 cents and $1, popular service provider while institutions such as savings-
with additional charges for some networks also sell basic and-loans and credit unions
longer calls. Some hotels offer phones for as little as $15. also offer banking services.
guests free local calls, but some Traveler’s checks can be cashed
levy hefty charges per call, so as long as you have your pass-
check ahead. Making inter- Postal Services port. Banks also give cash
national calls is very expensive. Post offices are open from 9am advances against credit cards,
Visitors who wish to use their to 5pm (weekdays) with some but card companies charge a
own cell phone in the US will open on Saturday mornings. high fee for this service. Most
need a tri-band phone and a Postcards and letters can be banks will not exchange foreign
SIM card that has been dropped into big blue mail boxes currency. Banking hours are
on street corners. Domestic mail 9am to 4pm, weekdays, but
should include the five-digit zip some banks remain open till
Reaching the code. Rates for international 6pm on Fridays, and some open
Right Number mail vary, so buy stamps from a on Saturday mornings as well.
• The international code for local post office. To receive mail,
the US is 1. General Delivery service is ATMs
• For long-distance calls available, whereby letters are
within the US or to Canada: held for you at a specific post Almost all banks have 24-hour
dial 1, the 3-digit area office for 30 days. Mail forwarding ATMs, as do most train stations,
code, and the 7-digit services also exist for a fee. airports, and malls. The primary
local number. US bank-card networks are
• For local calls: dial the 7- or Visa Plus, Cirrus/Mastercard,
10-digit local number. Internet Access Star, and Interlink. Be sure that
• International direct-dial call: Local libraries, shopping malls, your bank permits international
dial 011 followed by hotels, and university hangouts cash withdrawals, and that your
country code (UK: 44; are perhaps the easiest places card and personal identification
Australia: 61; New Zealand: to access the Internet. Most number (PIN) are compatible
64; South Africa: 27) then library computers will let you with US machines. Many
the city or area code (omit
the first 0) and then the send e-mail and surf the web. ATMs charge a fee of $1 to
local number. Many large cities have areas $3 per transaction. Exchange
• International call via the such as parks or malls where rates, however, are better than
operator: dial 01, followed by Wi-Fi is offered for free or for a those for traveler’s checks or
country code, then city code small fee. Most cafés, restau rants, foreign currency.
(without the first 0), and then and hotels offer free Wi-Fi. The
the local number. number of Internet cafés is
• For operator assistance: dwindling with Wi-Fi being Credit Cards
dial 0. readily available. The most commonly accepted
• An 800, 888, 877, or 866 credit cards are VISA, Master-
prefix indicates a free call. Card, American Express,
• Directory inquiries: dial 411. Banking Japanese Credit Bureau (JCB),
• For emergencies: Banks can be found in all US Discover, and Diners Club (DC).
dial 911. cities and towns, and many have Credit cards can be used in
service centers in supermarkets hotels, restaurants, stores,

022-023_EW_USA.indd 22 11/2/16 2:42 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Eyewitness Travel
LAYERS PRINTED:
Euro spread template V2 “UK” LAYER
“UK” LAYER
Practical template
(Source v1.7)
(OpenType)
Date 5th March 2013
Date 10th November 2006
Size 125mm x 217mm
Size 125mm x 217mm