United States Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

The United States uses the US dollar (USD or $), and cards are accepted almost everywhere, including contactless payments in most cities. Carry a small amount of cash for tips, food trucks, transport, and occasional cash-only businesses, but avoid exchanging large sums at airports. As a useful October 2026 guide, US$1 was approximately S$1.28, although the United States exchange rate changes constantly. Budget for sales tax, tipping, ATM fees, and card foreign-exchange charges, then track spending in the Hello app with automatic multi-currency conversion.

The local currency is the United States dollar, divided into 100 cents. Notes commonly used by travellers are $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100; coins include the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter. As an October 29, 2026 reference point, US$1 was about S$1.28, while US$100 was approximately S$128.02 at the quoted market rate. Your bank, card network, or exchange counter may apply a spread or fee, so treat online rates as a benchmark rather than the final amount charged. The United States exchange rate can move between booking your trip and paying for dinner. A practical mental conversion is to multiply dollars by 1.28: a $25 meal is roughly S$32 before taxes, tip, and card fees. Prices displayed in the US generally exclude sales tax, which varies by state and city and is added at checkout. Use the Hello app to record USD expenses while travelling; its automatic exchange-rate conversion shows the approximate SGD total and helps keep a realistic trip budget.

The best United States money tip is to exchange only a small emergency amount before arrival, then use a low-fee card or bank ATM instead of airport currency counters. Airport exchange desks and hotel front desks are convenient but commonly offer less competitive rates and extra commissions. If you need cash, compare the displayed rate and total fee before confirming, and keep the receipt. Banks and established exchange bureaux in major cities are generally safer than informal street exchanges. Never hand over your passport or allow a cashier to rush the transaction. When a card terminal asks whether to pay in SGD or USD, choose USD so your card issuer performs the conversion; selecting SGD may trigger dynamic currency conversion at an unfavourable rate. Keep a small reserve of $40–$80 in mixed notes for tips, markets, transit, or card outages. The Hello app can scan receipts in different currencies, categorise spending automatically, and convert each purchase into SGD, making it easier to compare actual costs after fees.

Credit and debit cards are the easiest way to pay in the United States: Visa and Mastercard work widely, American Express is common, and contactless tap-to-pay is available at many shops, restaurants, transit systems, and attractions. Add at least two cards to Apple Pay or Google Pay and keep one physical card separate from your wallet. Before departure, tell your bank about international travel if required, confirm your foreign transaction fee, and make sure your PIN works. ATMs are widely available at bank branches, airports, supermarkets, pharmacies, and convenience stores, but independent machines in bars or tourist areas can add high surcharges. Bank ATMs may charge around $3–$5 per withdrawal, in addition to your own bank’s fee. Decline unfamiliar exchange-rate conversion and withdraw in USD when offered that choice. US payment habits differ from markets where WeChat Pay or PayPay dominate: those apps are not the standard option for most American merchants. Hello’s app can import bank statements in CSV or PDF format, helping reconcile card purchases, cash withdrawals, and shared expenses after your trip.

Tipping is customary in the United States, especially for full-service dining, and travellers should budget for it rather than treat it as an unexpected surcharge. At sit-down restaurants, 15%–20% before sales tax is a common range for good service; some restaurants add a service charge or automatic gratuity, so check the bill before paying. Bartenders often receive $1–$2 per drink or around 15%–20% of the tab. For taxis and rideshares, 10%–15% is typical, while hotel housekeeping may receive about $2–$5 per night and luggage attendants around $1–$2 per bag. Tour guides, salon staff, and delivery workers may also expect a tip. Counter-service cafés usually offer an optional tip screen, but tipping is discretionary when no table service is provided. A $60 restaurant bill could become roughly $70–$75 after a 20% tip and local sales tax. Keep small notes for quick gratuities, and review suggested percentages on payment screens before selecting one. Track tips separately in Hello so your budget reflects the complete cost, not just the menu price.

The safest approach is to use reputable card terminals, bank ATMs, and official transport or attraction websites, while refusing rushed requests for cash or gift cards. Common scams include ATM skimming, fake payment links, inflated taxi fares, counterfeit cash, and callers demanding payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer. Inspect ATMs for loose card readers or unusual overlays, cover your PIN, and choose machines inside bank branches where possible. Keep your card in sight at restaurants when practical and enable instant transaction alerts. When receiving cash, check the amount and familiar security features before leaving the counter; do not accept a replacement note from a stranger who claims yours is fake. Legitimate US government agencies, hotels, and airlines do not demand urgent payment in gift cards. Avoid handing over your card to someone who wants to “help” with a terminal, and never share one-time banking codes. If a card is lost, freeze it immediately through your bank app and keep an emergency backup card separately. Hello’s receipt scanning and AI categorisation can also reveal duplicate or unusually high expenses while they are still easy to question.

Travellers usually need a card for everyday purchases, some cash for small payments and tips, and a clear plan for tax, gratuity, and ATM charges. The following answers cover the most common United States currency questions.

Should I bring cash to the United States? Bring a modest emergency amount, such as $100–$200, but rely mainly on a low-fee card. Cash is useful for tips, small vendors, laundromats, and occasional cash-only businesses.

Can I use Singapore dollars in the United States? Generally no. Convert SGD to USD through a bank, ATM, or established exchange provider; merchants normally do not accept foreign notes.

Is tipping mandatory in the United States? It is not usually a legal requirement, but it is an established custom for restaurant servers, bartenders, drivers, hotel staff, and many service workers. Check whether a service charge is already included.

How much should a United States trip cost? In 2026, a budget traveller might spend roughly $60–$120 per day excluding long-distance transport, while a mid-range visitor may spend $150–$300 or more, depending heavily on city and accommodation. New York, San Francisco, Honolulu, and major event periods can cost substantially more.

How can I stay connected without surprise roaming bills? Buy and activate Hello eSIM for the United States before departure for instant connectivity on arrival, then use Hello’s budget and expense-splitting tools to monitor data, transport, meals, and shared costs.