I've just got myself set up with a US Bank Account and I wish to make a one off transfer from my UK account (My pay goes here) to my US account to tide me over until the split pay takes effect.
My own UK bank wants to pull my pants down with transfer fees and no doubt similar from the other side. I've tried using the Post Office online service but they don't recognise the Wiring number or my account number....
Any advice?
You have a few options - none great!
Use you bank and pay the fee - most banks offer different fee's for different service levels (From memory, RBS ranges from free for 5 days, 10 for 3 and 20 for immediate) - send it in advance and take the free option (usually hits in 3 days anyway) - always hit recipient account pay all fees (US banks will take fees anyway - and getting the double paid fee back is next to impossible!)
Another option is take cash and deposit at other end - don't take stirling as the US will fleece you on exchange rates - post office and tesco do good rates. however, you must declare it at customs if over a certain amount and run risk of temporary confiscation - as well as of theft.
you could try a prepaid visa debit card, in USD - that will give you something to spend against for a few weeks
but mostly - one in the shorts and wire the money (I have to send cash to my US account regularly for some property I still have there
finally, if you have time before you go - and don't yet have one , get an Amex card ! Once in US transfer it from GBP to USD and change the address (can be done online IIRC) - this will transfer your FICo credit score to the USA - which may help get better terms on loans, not so big deposits for utilities etc (unless you have a ton of CCJ's etc - in which case ithe becomes an opportunity to rebuild a credit rating
hope that helps