General Overseas Cash Discussion

[VPS]

Busker on Southbank in Melbourne over the weekend had a QR code on his sign asking for tips using that !!

I'm sure some do but that doesn't mean they all do

 

[Port Power]

I did think about just withdrawing cash at an ATM with the card and sucking up the 3% fee. It would be a one time withdrawal.

You can definitely put your credit card into credit and then withdraw cash at an ATM. As there is cash in the account, it does not incur interest. I've often done this in UK and USA.

 

[Melburnian1]

I haven’t used any cash in the UK for years.
I never take any.

Good for you, but a risky strategy if your card is suddenly 'misused' by a waiter, or taken by a pickpocket (assuming one's cash is stashed separately and away from prying hands).

'To not take cash' is advice I won't be following, and I've rarely found exchange rates at destination for AUD to be disastrous in Asia or the UK. I never exchange AUD for foreign money in Australia.

Cash can be very handy for small purchases: if buying an AUD5 souvenir or a small amount of fruit at a streetside stall or market, it's not appropriate to burden the seller with extra costs of cards for small transactions.

 

[Lynda2475]

Good for you, but a risky strategy if your card is suddenly 'misused' by a waiter, or taken by a pickpocket (assuming one's cash is stashed separately and away from prying hands).

'To not take cash' is advice I won't be following, and I've rarely found exchange rates at destination for AUD to be disastrous in Asia or the UK. I never exchange AUD for foreign money in Australia.

Cash can be very handy for small purchases: if buying an AUD5 souvenir or a small amount of fruit at a streetside stall or market, it's not appropriate to burden the seller with extra costs of cards for small transactions.

Not really most of us who travel cashless travel with multiple cards, stored separately. If a pick pocket takes your cash its gone, credit and debit cards come with protection for fraudulent transactions/theft, not to mention PIN. On a TI claim much easier to prove card tranactions than how much cash was on your person.

I travel with Citi-bank debit and Macquarie bank debit cards (never in wallet/pocket together) which both have no fees and the Mastercard exchange rate, IME exchnage places offer higher rates. I use app to move money from linked savings account (online only cant be accessed via card) onto the transaction account thus topping up what is on the card as needed.

I also have a couple of credit cards with me (always leave 1 credit card and 1 debit in the safe with my passport).

I can easily get small amounts of cash if needed, just rarely seems to be needed anywhere. Paying by debit or credit means you dont end up with leftover foreign currency particularly coins which are heavy and cant be exchanged for other currencies.

Of course depends on where you are going, if going to Cuba you need cash. UK or USA not necessary at all.

YMMV but over past 5 years years I travelled to UK, USA, Fiji, Spain, Portugal, Singapore, Hong Kong, Croatia and Bosnia all without any local currency in my wallet when I arrived and had no issues whatsoever with using primarily cards and getting a small amount of cash (i reckon less than AUD $100) if needed.

Better that spending money is earning interest until I spend it rather be stored as cash.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Good for you, but a risky strategy if your card is suddenly 'misused' by a waiter, or taken by a pickpocket (assuming one's cash is stashed separately and away from prying hands).

'To not take cash' is advice I won't be following, and I've rarely found exchange rates at destination for AUD to be disastrous in Asia or the UK. I never exchange AUD for foreign money in Australia.

Cash can be very handy for small purchases: if buying an AUD5 souvenir or a small amount of fruit at a streetside stall or market, it's not appropriate to burden the seller with extra costs of cards for small transactions.

I also have multiple cards, including on my phone and always have one separately stored
I can access cash from my bank account via an ATM if and when I need it.

 

[JohnK]

I'm one who prefers to use cash overseas. Whether that be AUD converted to local currency or using Wise to transfer to Thai bank account and withdrawing Thai baht.

I don't use credit cards often except where I think it's safe.

On 27 Aug I used 28 degrees to buy bacardi at BKK airport where the staff take card and scan and on 28 Aug used it at Tops supermarket where I tapped card.

On 02 Sep noticed 3 transactions from wish.com au for $35, $34 and $32. I don't think I've ever bought anything from them.

Call 28 Degrees last night. Limited access. Apparently those 3 transactions have been rejected but they're still showing on my account and balance gone. Card now cancelled and I'm not in Brisbane until 25 Sep.

I'm almost certain staff at King Power BKK took details of the card. I have other cards but that's not the point. I see no reason to stop using cash overseas.

 

[Lynda2475]

or using Wise to transfer to Thai bank account and withdrawing Thai baht.

How is that any different than using a debit card with no fees at an international ATM if cash is needed?

It is not practical nor possible for most travelers to open local bank accounts in every country they may visit.

where the staff take card and scan

Even at home in Australia it is generally not a good idea to let cards be taken out of your sight - anyone remember the card skimming scandal in ChinaTown Sydney some 20 years ago?

I don't hand over my card, the terminal should be presented to you at counter in a store or at the table in a restaurant. If you use NFC chip on mobile, then even less chance they can have card details out of sight.

 

[JohnK]

How is that any different than using a debit card with no fees at an international ATM if cash is needed?

It is not practical nor possible for most travelers to open local bank accounts in every country they may visit.

Understood. My preference is to use cash not credit cards or debit cards. I feel I have better control with cash.

I don't know if it's still possible but Wise had some sort of card available that can be used in any country.

 

[marks]

On 27 Aug I used 28 degrees to buy bacardi at BKK airport ....

Yet another reason not to drink bacardi

 

[Flyfrequently]

Recent summary of cash v card on our trip .
Lisbon : all card except one restaurant (even though website stated cards accepted - apparently fees are high)
 Nazare: cash only, vendors and cafe., Surf Museum took card
Porto: all cards apart from one stall vendor for €1 tea towel
Amsterdam & Haarlem: all card
 HKG: taxi cash only as was cheap and cheerful noodle joint.
Had to spend my last few HKG$ on duty free.....