How to order US Dollars
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Order your US Dollars online with our Click & Collect currency service. Pick your collection date and collect from your chosen M&S store’s bureau de change.
Click & Collect USD in as little as 60 seconds.
*Subject to availability.
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Or visit a participating M&S store to buy US Dollars. With stores nationwide - many open seven days a week and late into the evening - you can buy your Travel Money at a time that suits you.
Why buy US Dollars from M&S Travel Money?
Whether you're sightseeing in Seattle, in Boston on business or grabbing a bargain in the Big Apple, there’s a lot to organise for an epic trip to the USA. That’s why M&S Travel Money makes it easy to get your Travel Money, with:
- Stores open 7 days a week.**
- A choice of collection options.
- A buy back service for you to exchange leftover currency.
**Store opening hours vary.
What you need to know about the US Dollar
The US Dollar is the official currency of the United States of America, as well as all US overseas territories. The US Dollar became the official currency of America in 1792, just 20 years after the United States Declaration of Independence.
Each Dollar contains 100 cents and its currency symbol is $.
US currency comes in both coins and banknotes.
Coins include:
1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents, USD1 ($1)
Banknotes include:
USD1, USD2, USD5, USD10, USD20, USD50, USD100
You can buy US Dollars online using our Click & Collect or in-store services.
^^Please note not all denominations are available to exchange.
America travel guides
From Louisiana's French Quarter and New York's Little Italy to Tex-Mex cuisine and Tennessee BBQ, the USA is a melting pot of culture!
With a country as big and diverse as the United States of America, you can bet your bottom Dollar that you'll always find something new to experience. Whether you want to experience the glamour of Hollywood or explore the trails of the Grand Canyon like a cowboy, the USA has no shortage of things to do.
But no matter what you want to do in America, there's a good chance you'll need to leave a tip. If you want to properly thank your waiter for the cup of joe, be sure to have some US Dollars (USD) on hand.
Check out our top picks for America to learn more about the different destinations you can explore, relax in and enjoy:
Boston, Chicago, Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco
Frequently asked questions
The US Dollar is the legal tender of the United States, and it is also widely accepted in Mexico, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Peru, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Bahamas and Barbados.
Yes, you can use your bank card in the US, but it’s a good idea to take cash too. Tipping is expected in America, so always have cash to hand in a range of denominations. If you do choose to use your card, remember that banks may charge you a foreign currency transaction fee, and try to pay in the local currency.
Prices vary from city to city and state to state, so it's always worth planning and researching ahead of your trip. Here's an estimate of what you can expect to pay:
New York
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant for 2: $56 (£44.40)
- Bottle of water: $2.23 (£1.77)
- Regular cappuccino: $5.88 (£4.66)
- Slice of pizza: $3.77 - $4.29 (£2.99 - £3.40)
- Hotels per night: $80 - $400 (£63 - £317)
- Metro single ticket: $3.25 (£2.58)
San Francisco
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant for 2: $50 (£40)
- Domestic beer at a restaurant: $8 (£6.12)
- Bottle of water: $2.22 (£1.70)
- Regular cappuccino: $5.62 (£4.30)
- Hotels per night: $100 - $400 (£79 - £317)
- One-way city bus ticket: $2.60 (£1.99)
New Orleans
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant for 2: $52 (£39.78)
- Domestic beer at a restaurant: $6 (£4.59)
- Bottle of water: $2.17 (£1.66)
- Regular cappuccino: $5.26 (£4.02)
- Hotels per night: $100 - $300 (£79 - £237)
- One-way city bus ticket: $1.25 (£0.96)
You shouldn’t expect to use any currency other than USD in the United States, as it probably won’t be accepted.
If you’re visiting or travelling through the US, you’ll need either a visa or Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver.
You can learn more about visas via the US State Department.
You should also make sure your passport will be valid for the length of your stay.
Tipping is a major part of American culture, and the amount you tip depends on the service:
- Bartenders: tip around 20%, or add $1 per drink.
- Housekeeping: tip between $2 and $5 per night.
- Waitstaff: a standard tip is 20% on top of your bill, unless a service fee is already included.
- Taxi drivers: round the fare to the nearest dollar, or tip between 15% and 20%.
English is the primary language in the US, but Spanish is also widely spoken.
Like many western countries, the USA is generally quite safe to visit, but you should always be aware of your surroundings and check the latest FCDO travel advice before departure. Gun crime and theft tend to be more common in urban areas. Check for weather warnings before visiting areas prone to hurricanes, like Florida.
That depends on what you’re planning to do! The US is a very large country, with different climates and attractions. Some areas can experience extreme weather like hurricanes, so be aware if you’re visiting the Atlantic coast or Gulf of Mexico in the summer-autumn months.
Yes, it’s best to buy your US Dollars before your departure date. This helps you secure better exchange rates than you may find at the airport, and avoids having to spend your holiday time searching for a bureau de change.
Other popular currencies
If you are planning a future holiday or a trip that takes in multiple destinations, these other currencies may be useful: