Cash or Card? Countries where you still need cash.

[SYD]

Prepay cash is still a thing. But can prepay using card inside the store. The ones inside the store don't seem to require a zip code

No dramas using CC at Chevron pumps in CA, OR and WA states earlier in the year. Didn’t even ask for zip code from memory.

 

[Quickstatus]

I wonder what the Canadians do with their 3 letter and 3 digit zip codes when buying fuel in the US.? I've heard they are suppose to pad the 3 digits with 00

 

[exceladdict]

Waiting for an AFFer to say that they did Japan with credit card only

Oh, I tried! Id have to check the statements to confirm but it was mainly smaller restaurants and cafes where we used cash, sourced from ATMs at 7-11s or similar.

No dramas using CC at Chevron pumps in CA, OR and WA states earlier in the year. Didn’t even ask for zip code from memory.

Neither did "cough & Go" [edit before anyone gets cheeky: gas stations] in Colorado.

No, I'm not making that up.

 

[Quickstatus]

No, I'm not making that up.

Yep can confirm K&G are all over Colorado and they have competitive prices

 

[VPS]

Just in case any male needs a hair cut in Leeds you'll need cash for this guy

Barber at centre of Alex Carey haircut furore gives his side of story

The hairdresser at centre of the 'barbergate' furore has clarified his story and pleaded with fans to stop making online reviews - as the identity of the player who did a runner remains a mystery.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Quickstatus]

My barber is still cash... But we have an agreement where he will accept Woolies gift vouchers - paid for with CC of course
I used to give him a $100 W-eGC good for 5 cuts preRona
PostRona good for 4 cuts.
But he put his price up again in 1 July
So now a $90 W-eGC = 3 cuts.

 

[jastel]

The law in Oregon just changed...I was yelled at for getting out of the car and trying to pump my own gas a few years back. Didnt get as far as trying the CC.

 

[SYD]

The law in Oregon just changed...I was yelled at for getting out of the car and trying to pump my own gas a few years back. Didnt get as far as trying the CC.

I was there just a few months ago and oblivious to “the law”. I pulled up to a station pump and a guy just appeared from nowhere. Took me a sec to check which century I was in!

But they did accept CCs at least.

 

[Quickstatus]

I pulled up to a station pump and a guy just appeared from nowhere.

Cash Tip?

 

[jastel]

According to a friend...apparently its an old law for fire safety, you need training etc. Then it was used to keep more local jobs. Then during covid nobody wanted to work and so stations shut at night and nobody could fill up...so now apparently its fine for us idiots to pump our own gas again.

I do remember that gas was considerably cheaper there than in other states but...despite the full driveway service. What were the prices for you Syd?

 

[SYD]

Cash Tip?

No, I actually still paid by card at the bowser. The guy just watched so maybe they were in transition mode….

 

[Lizzi]

Just went through France last week and didn't need cash (used ING debit visa). Hit Italy and I needed cash for the metro - the ticket machines in Milan keep declining my ing card.

 

[SYD]

Madrid appears to be pretty much card everywhere. Seen a couple of “card only” places.

Unfortunately, 28° MC is routinely popping up with DCC option - don’t let the machine out of your sight until it’s completed processing! Haven’t seen it appear the few times we’ve used ING VISA Debit.

 

[Lat34]

Madrid appears to be pretty much card everywhere. Seen a couple of “card only” places.

Unfortunately, 28° MC is routinely popping up with DCC option - don’t let the machine out of your sight until it’s completed processing! Haven’t seen it appear the few times we’ve used ING VISA Debit.

thanks for heads-up re DCC with 28° MC - happened only once to us during USA, Sth America earlier this year when staff didn't ask while processing . Wonder if increased frequency is just a Euro/ESP-thing?

 

[SYD]

Wonder if increased frequency is just a Euro/ESP-thing?

Possibly. Pretty rare in the UK, but more often than not in Portugal and Spain.

I recall last year only getting it when I inserted a physical card (when the POS didn’t like tap) but this trip, 99% tapping iPhone and getting DCC maybe 75%….

 

[OZDUCK]

I got a lot of DCC Options in Prague last year on my 28 Deg. card. I don't remember it happening proportionally as much in Germany.

 

[SYD]

I got a lot of DCC Options in Prague last year on my 28 Deg. card. I don't remember it happening proportionally as much in Germany.

Yep, I was in Berlin last year tapping (where I could) was usually straight through. Occasionally DCC option.

 

[Pushka]

I have to ask. DCC?

 

[RooFlyer]

I have to ask. DCC?

Dynamic Currency Conversion. Where the merchant's machine offers to charge you in local currency, or A$. The A$ rate will be poor, so its a bad idea, especially if you are using something like 28 Degrees, with good FX and no fee for being charged in the local currency.

The merchant should ask you to choose, but sometimes they go ahead and do A$ without asking

 

[SYD]

Dynamic Currency Conversion. Where the merchant's machine offers to charge you in local currency, or A$. The A$ rate will be poor, so its a bad idea, especially if you are using something like 28 Degrees, with good FX and no fee for being charged in the local currency.

The merchant should ask you to choose, but sometimes they go ahead and do A$ without asking

It’s something like 5% to 6% fee….