In our past travels to Europe, we found it more convenient using credit cards-for keeping track of expenses, avoiding carrying cash/going ti ATM's etc. Just curious if anyone has had any issues at all using cards in Prague (we have Visa, Mastercard, Amex),
I'm sure there are some places that only take cash - but other than that - any issues using cards in places that except them?
From Prague we are traveling to Budapest, so same question.
I last went to Prague with a group of friends last October. I have a no foreign transaction Mastercard card that I use for trips abroad, we had amassed a kitty of spending money which I placed on the card and used it for pretty much all of our expenditure, mainly bars and restaurants. We experienced no issues whatsoever. Amex might be the only issue, even in the UK there are plenty of major high street chains that won't accept it as it charges higher fees than Mastercard or Visa so you can imagine what the acceptance rate is for smaller, independent places.
Never found a place that only accepted cash, that's not to say that they don't exist but we never encountered any. A market trader is unlikely to accept cards but that's pretty much a global issue. Likewise Budapest, been several times and always paid by card at restaurants, bars etc, cash at a cheap stand for a sausage and beer but that's to be expected.
Just watch out for dynamic currency exchange. Always decline and opt to get charged in Koruna.
Thanks, we've done similar elsewhere, just wanted to make sure. We too have no fee cards, so it makes it much easier.
Just wondering (in both Prague and Budapest) if you are using a credit card, when you sign are the charges displayed in Euros or reflected in local currency.
If in local currency, I guess we can do the conversion just to make sure things are correct.
I have traveled to Europe seventeen times since 2005 to ten countries (including Prague and Budapest). I used credit cards for everything except small purchases like post cards, a sandwich, Starbucks just because I find it more convenient than carrying a large amount of cash and running to ATM's. I can't recall being refused by a vendor for cash instead.
You always want to see the charges displayed in the local currency--just as you always want any ATM withdrawals to be displayed that way. If you see any other currency displayed, you are allowing the shop/restaurant/hotel/bank to use whatever exchange rate it likes to convert from the local currency to dollars/euros, etc. You can be 100% certain that the chosen exchange rate is not in your favor. That is a common practice in many European countries these days. Insist on being charged in the local currency.
Just returned a week ago from Prague and Budapest......we took a debit card with a pin for getting local cash at the ATM and put all other charges on our credit card. No trouble at all......even the taxi drivers take credit cards!
Thanks for all the information.
By the way, I found this,,,just to help with conversions. Here's the link:
https://www.pragueczechtravel.com/information/czech-currency-exchange-koruna.php
Just wondering if anyone has any other suggestions:
Get the conversion app for your phone...so easy!
