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| Name | US Dollar |
| Symbol | US$ |
| Code | USD |
| Unit | dollar |
American banknotes (bills) often confuse visitors: they're all the same size and the same colour. Be especially careful not to hand over too much cash, and always check your change carefully. Be careful not to accept incomplete or severely torn notes, as they can be refused; small rips are usually not a problem. Bills come in denominations of 1, 2 (rare), 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars.
Coins come in 1 (penny), 5 (nickel), 10 (dime), 25 (quarter) cent and 50 cent denominations; there is also a dollar coin.
| Item | Amount |
| cup of coffee | US$ 1.50 |
| hot dog | US$ 1.75 |
| movie ticket | US$ 10.50 |
| taxi ride from Midtown to the Upper West Side | US$ 12.00 |
| small bottle of water | US$ 1.50 |
| souvenir t-shirt | US$ 10.00 |
| Yankees Bleachers ticket | US$ 12.00 |
| pair of AG jeans | US$ 160.00 |
| Protein shake from a juice bar | US$ 4.50 |
| Subway ride | US$ 2.00 |
| Low End | Mid Range | High End | Deluxe |
| US$ 30-120 | US$ 120-299 | US$ 300-500 | US$ 500+ |
| Low End | Mid Range | High End | Deluxe |
| US$ 5-10 | US$ 10-20 | US$ 20-35 | US$ 35+ |
Tipping is expected in restaurants, bars and better hotels, taxis, and by hairdressers and baggage carriers. In restaurants, wait staff are paid less than the minimum wage and rely upon tips to make a living. Tip at least 15% unless the service is terrible, in which case a light tip will get your point across. Most New Yorkers either tip a straight up 20%, or just double the 8.25% sales tax. At bars, bartenders typically expect a USD 1.00 tip for every drink they serve (at preferred drinking spots, the old rule of fourth round free stands and decent tips help perpetuate that tradition). Never tip in fast-food, take-out or buffet-style restaurants where you serve yourself.
Taxi drivers expect 10% and hairdressers 15% if their service is satisfactory. Baggage carriers (skycaps in airports, bellhops in hotels) receive USD 1.00 for the first bag and USD 0.50 for each additional bag. In 1st class and luxury hotels, tipping can reach ludicrous proportions - doormen, bellboys and parking attendants all expect to be tipped at least USD 1.00 for each service performed - including simply opening a taxi door for you. (Business travellers should tip the cleaning staff USD 5.00 a day.)
