Cash or Card? Countries where you still need cash.

[jastel]

Not in my experiences...tried zeroes, tried 90210, tried putting zero in front or after real codes, doesnt always work. Tried Mastercard, Visa, Amex (Australian ones obviously) Unless it got fixed since my last trip in late 2019 before covid.

 

[Lynda2475]

The ticket machines in the subway in NYC even have a sign saying to enter 00000 for foreign cards

 

[jastel]

Maybe they do but we were talking gas pumps...not had any trouble with subways. Probably because they take cash too!

 

[Daver6]

Well, I'd imagine Russia these days will require cash

 

[Lynda2475]

Last year I used my Aussie issued Citibank debit to pay for petrol at pump for my friend who was giving me a ride to the airport in Chicago, 00000 worked but as always ymmv.

 

[SYD]

Again not my experience anytime in the last 10 years except for Cuba.

See post #1. Plenty of restaurants in Lisbon and Porto were cash only. Yes, you can go elsewhere but miss out on the local stuff.

The very famous and expensive Swan Oyster Depot in SFO is cash only. If you want to eat there (after lining up), make sure you have cash. Lots of it.

 

[cjd600]

The ticket machines in the subway in NYC even have a sign saying to enter 00000 for foreign cards

tap and go on the subway, easy

 

[Pushka]

Again not my experience anytime in the last 10 years except for Cuba.

Have had multiple completely cashless holidays in last 3 years (UK, USA, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Fiji). I didn't have any situation where cash was needed, and many venues are now cashless.

Where I've had cash on other trips I have found myself struggling to use it all, because cards are easier and so widely accepted. I've had a GBP20 note in my travel wallet for 5 years cant see myself withdrawing anymore.

Mind you I have also not used an ATM in Australia to withdraw any cash since 2019. I'm completely cashless at home and that is also the goal when travelling overseas.

Don't think you've been to Egypt, Israel or Jordan yet then.

 

[RooFlyer]

Well, I'd imagine Russia these days will require cash

Reminds me - possibly the ultimate case - Iran! No 'foreign' cards accepted at all, due to sanctions, so you take $US or Euro cash , & exchange them at the airport - for about 0.5kg of rials. $1 is approx 40,000 rials and the most common denomination is worth about $2.

 

[Pushka]

Reminds me - possibly the ultimate case - Iran! No 'foreign' cards accepted at all, due to sanctions, so you take $US or Euro cash , & exchange them at the airport - for about 0.5kg of rials. $1 is approx 40,000 rials and the most common denomination is worth about $2.

Saudi Arabia - only accepts Euro based credit cards. US ones were outright rejected, with a smile on their face.

 

[Mattg]

I'm currently in the Netherlands and even some of the major supermarkets (e.g. Albert Heijn) don't accept international credit cards.

 

[SYD]

I'm currently in the Netherlands and even some of the major supermarkets (e.g. Albert Heijn) don't accept international credit cards.

Wow. I used to go to NL once or twice a year for business and don’t recall having that problem but I wasn’t going to supermarkets!

 

[FishFood]

Sweden we needed cash only at the (seemingly only) laundromat in Stockholm.

I'm glad to hear someone had the same experience as me, I withdrew cash for this laundromat then had a lot of trouble spending the rest of it due to many businesses being card only.

I finally managed to spent the cash at Ikea, where they took me to a self service checkout, removed the out of order sign and I was able to pay with cash. Afterwards they replaced the out of order sign

 

[Pushka]

I'm currently in the Netherlands and even some of the major supermarkets (e.g. Albert Heijn) don't accept international credit cards.

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[Lynda2475]

See post #1. Plenty of restaurants in Lisbon and Porto were cash only. Yes, you can go elsewhere but miss out on the local stuff.

I didnt have any issues paying by card in Lisbon or Porto in 2018 and I ate local. But if you want cash in Portugal it is very easy to find a fee free ATM (unlikl Spain which tends to have an ARTM fee)

Post automatically merged: Jul 6, 2023

Don't think you've been to Egypt, Israel or Jordan yet then.

Zero interest in the ME. I dont spend my tourist $ in countries where it is not safe for a woman to travel alone, and where a women's rights arent protected. Also not interested in religious sites.

Given the incident in Qatar with all those women being internally examined (aka assaulted and our govt did nothing) i would not even transit any ME country.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Card only at Magnolia Silos bakery in Waco, TX, USA yesterday. I didn't have one with me. Had to get a local to pay with card for me and give them the cash.

Another local Waco restaurant also refused to accept cash. I only became aware of this after dinning. I left the cash on the table and walked out.

 

[Lynda2475]

Card only at Magnol Silos bakery in Waco, TX, USA yesterday. I didn't have one with me. Had to get a local to pay with card for me and give them the cash.

With the crowds they get makes sense to be card only and not have the risk of handling cash. The whole Hudson Yards precinct in NYC is cashless too.

Barangaroo in Sydney is cashless too, a trend for high tourist traffic. Safer for employees (no worry of being held up) and less chance of theft for the business owner.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Any machine (petrol pump, subway ticket machine) that requires a PIN will accept 00000 for foreign cards - no problem.

Nope. Failed for me within the last 24 hrs in the US.

Post automatically merged: Jul 6, 2023

With the crowds they get makes sense to be card only and not have the risk of handling cash.

Actually throughout the grounds there are large numbers of armed security guards. So the no cash option seems odd.

 

[Lynda2475]

Actually throughout the grounds there are large numbers of armed security guards. So the no cash option seems odd.

Well firstly its Texas those Texans love their guns, and secondly more likley to do with the celebrity factor and the somewhat unpopular zealot views of the owners.

 

[Matt_01]

In Taiwan you need cash to top up the easy card and in some places that were outside of the major cities a number of the smaller shops only took cash. Cash is required at most of the vendors at the night markets and some taxis did not have CC facilities.