Americans beware!
 

The current exchange rates are not so good for shopping.

<What the heck were you expecting? we still love you http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif>

No, but they're great for us :-)

I just bought a $183 ticket from ORD/SJC for only €150!

I'm glad you still love us, and I'm going to love you all back next week, or, to misquote chexfan: Je <couer> Paris!

And to hell with the exchange rate! I'll worry about my credit card next month!
(Just call me Scarlett...)

hey, you want to try planning a tripm through Europe using Australian Dollars - or Pacific Pecos as we refer to them! It is really depressing. We can almost Afford the US portion of our planned holiday (6 weeks in US, 3 weeks in UK, 3 weeks in Europe), but the Europe portion is going to require a fifth mortgage!

You for got the "s", Scarlett darling... http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

I hope you have a great trip! However, dress warm, it's been really cold here lately!!

Hmmm, let's see....one credit card for airfare, hotel, dining, miscellaneous expenses, and one credit card to be maxed out buying a single pot of mustard at Hediard...oh my stars, you are correct, it should be plural. My deepest apologies.

dctorres: Cold is a relative concept. Not only is it slightly balmier in Paris than in New York at the moment, but Paris doesn't have two feet of (imprecations deleted to protect the innocent) snow all over it that I have to shovel. Thank you for your--ahem--warm wishes.

Oooohhhhhh, bad joke http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

I am originally from Chicago, where -40 windchills are common. After living here for a few years, 25F weather seems like the Arctic to me. I've lost the respect of all my friends back home http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Trust me, cosmetics shopping (skincare and shampoo treats) are still quite the bargain compared to the US! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif And those samples. . .*sigh*

(as she writes with a Caudalie mask plastered to her face!)

I was in Paris and Amsterdam in mid January, and the exchange rate kept going up every day while I was there. Indeed, everything did turn out to be very expensive.

According to my calculations, the American dollar is still strong in France, at least compared to what it was like when I was in college (mid-90's). According to my calculations as of today, US$1 = €0.92 = 6.02FF. US$1 to 6FF is not bad at all. When I was in college, one US dollar got you only around 5 francs. At one point, I remember getting only 4.8 francs for one US dollar!

Yes, but that was a completely different time. I was here for university at the same time and remember getting 4.8 as well. Hell, it made me reconsider moving back here a few years later http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

However, the dollar is much weaker than it was 6 months or a year ago.

The raw numbers on exchange rates are only a guideline. The real issue is purchasing power: see The Economist's Big Mac Index.

I don't much care what the exact exchange rate is as long as I can get a decent hotel room in my price range, a very good meal (or fifty), and some chocolates. Then I'm happy.

I'm not much of a shopper anyway. I tend more toward a hit-and-run on Monoprix than tout le jour en les grands magasins. But put me down in a market or, in a pinch, the food hall at Au Bon Marché and you won't see me for a couple hours...

les grands magasins are overpriced. i just go straight to the boutiques for clothes rather than to GL. they mark up prices

When is the big trip?

Yes severly overpriced (went to the Printemps de l'Homme yesterday... Grand Prize goes to their 225€ white T-shirt!) still I like the fact they stay open till 22:00 on Thursday (Saturday Shopping is HELL).