Cash or Card? Countries where you still need cash.

[Flyfrequently]

Quite a few restaurants in Funchal, Madeira (Portugal) notionally accepted card until you tried to actually use it and “the terminal never work”. “Use cash okay”.

Also in Lisbon @Scarlett apparently it is because it is costly for the merchant - somewhere around 30% we were informed.

 

[RooFlyer]

I take cash, 3 credit cards, 3 ATM cards and then everything available to be used on my Google wallet as well.

That's just sensible, although I wouldn't take that much cash! I get off the plane with 2 CCs, 2 debit/ATM cards, about US$20 cash in small bills and about A$50 equiv in local currency. Often I have the US$ and local currency left over from a previous trip. If I have a lot of local, I'll take it all and use it up.

Absolutely no stress about wondering if a merchant will take a particular form of payment (and hassle when they don't).

 

[SYD]

Also in Lisbon @Scarlett apparently it is because it is costly for the merchant - somewhere around 30% we were informed.

Lisbon (and Porto) aren’t so bad but outside of those, cash only was common.

Not sure about those merchant fees. Sounds a bit odd.

 

[Cynicor]

I can’t imagine 30%. I can barely imagine 3% on interchange fees tbh

 

[N860CR]

I can’t imagine 30%. I can barely imagine 3% on interchange fees tbh

If it goes through a card machine, they’ll be paying tax. If it’s cash… “ah nobody needa know hey”