Foreign Exchange - should I purchase USD in Australia, or take AUD to US and convert there?

Foreign Exchange - should I purchase USD in Australia, or take AUD to US and convert there? Pretty much ruled out withdrawing overseas due to poor forex rates with CBA. Have found some pretty decent rates here in AU, but just thought I would ask the question

Give a ball park as to the amount you whish to transact.

I think the most important thing is the exchange rate and what's going to happen to it ,most are predicting the Aussie dollar to fall ,so if would exchange ASAP as the rate is very good at present .it also depends on the amount you want to exchange .

oops ,meant so I would exchange ASAP  

Unless you expect AU$ fall significantly I would suggest do not change at all. Use credit card whenever you can and withdraw cash from overseas if you need. I found it cheapest way – we travel half Europe and always withdraw in local currency. There is small catch – usually you only can withdraw from credit card and bank charging you enormous interest since day one. Solution is simple – get fee-free interest card with low credit limit and put funds upfront on this account. Or get debit Visa or Master card.

I re-read your message and I think you confusing withdraw from bank account (or transfer to foreign account) with withdraw from credit card. Withdrawing from bank account indeed attract unrealistic conversion rates. Withdraw from credit card happens at exchange rates plus they charge conversion fee 2% from memory and plus fixed overseas transaction fee. I continuously transfer funds overseas and found this way is cheapest. Only cheaper is pay by credit card overseas and you should do it whenever you can.

Getting a new card is out, as I am leaving on Friday, so I guess the question is; based upon AU$6000 do I:

a. Convert AUD to USD in Australia (approximately 1AU = 0.9US)

b. Take AUD cash over to the US to convert (unsure of the rate I'll get though)

c. Take my card and withdraw (dodgy bank fees???)

I'm guessing there's not going to be much in it, but based upon canvasing 6 forex places in Melbourne yesterday, there's quite a bit of variation between outlets (yielding approximately a $200 difference at times!)