Just a few weeks until Christmas and with currency exchange rates at $1.60 against the Great British Pound it makes sense to travel West to start the Christmas shopping. However, beware – it can also cost you $1.60 per minute to make a call from the USA back to the UK if you’re roaming on a UK mobile network. Even more dangerous is if you decide to use your smartphone or tablet to research best deals, store locations and restaurants using mobile data – you could end up being charged up to $10.00 per megabyte if you’re outside of a wifi hotspot.
Here are some top tips to help your festive shopping trip run smoothly;

• Make sure you check with your UK network to see if there is a bolt on deal they can offer for using your mobile in the USA.
• If not then consider buying a pay-as-you-go USA SIM card complete with a USA number and much lower call and data rates for the trip.
• USA SIM cards can be bought locally as well but this often involves presenting ID and a lot of red tape so probably worth avoiding on a quick shopping break.
• Try to use texts where possible – if you get split up from your group or partner in a busy shopping mall it costs far less and should reunite you with your friends or family.
• Switch off mobile data on your smartphone or device and try to limit data usage to wifi hotspots in cafes, bars, hotels and restaurants.
• Do your research from your hotel the night before but check you make sure the wifi connection isn’t a hidden charge on your bill or is limited.

Alternatively, you can switch off all devices, grab a free map at the hotel reception and simply ask for advice or directions – after all the natives are supposed to be friendly in down town Manhattan.