Cash or contactless credit on vacation.

That's behind the NYT paywall, for us non-subscribers.

I can’t see the actual article, either, but I could see that the title is “Travelers Ask, Cash, What’s That?” Does that mean that customers basically aren’t carrying, or using (or withdrawing) cash? Or are merchants essentially not conducting transactions in cash any more? Have ATM’s for those on vacation basically gone the way of landline telephones, cassette tape machines, and suitcases without wheels?

As for the recommended Debit cards, I’ve only used mine for making ATM withdrawals, at least in the past 23. Purchases using plastic have been strictly Credit cards (no foreign transaction fees, and points rewards), not Debit. Oh, and I’m still using some cash, and still making some ATM withdrawals when traveling, but maybe I’m just out of the loop.

The only person who wanted cash on my vacation (last week) was a Paris taxi driver.

This link should be free from the paywall

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/08/travel/travel-cash-currency-conversion.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuomT1JKd6J17Vw1cRCfTTMQmqxCdw_PIxftm3iWka3DLDm4SiPgPCpaN_wDRf6N9at921D2ARJpKLaU1Sfp536pUOEpzRhOzo5yC3pQZJiF_4aSCYlQL5bOfF7Yp7W2tKWCjNOZ0wLD44UqIbGO5CqzAgnF1dhJioME1aQr-3HAXxa7CF-J-3dJ_3qslFYk6EWlbHFSCufLrDhR6MMzXLU2Pr1lrBJwKHG3bjtWe6LkfcQpNCFOgT3l34Gw06d80K8pAde-kbEZmIJyi9O1XXm94L46pBIkzQZzWnthqs73Pqx-OzKmm1oOLQTvD_oVOQXfcpwRa-1A&smid=url-share

Just got back from 3 weeks in Europe. Had a 100 euro (from cashing out at Monte Carlo Casino), never spent it. Didn't go to an ATM once the whole time...huge change from other trips. Everything is contactless credit. Saves you from doing much tipping.

We were in the south of France and in small villages. No one took cash. All the toll roads we used took our US tap-to-pay credit card--no problems.

Pretty accurate article - I live in NZ and do not carry any cash at all now. In fact I'm about to downsize my wallet because its big with a big coin purse LOL

Just returned from 25 days in Spain and since we had a bunch of Euros from before the pandemic we paid for a lot of things in cash just to use the Euros. During the entire trip we only came across three places that did NOT accept credit cards; two in Zaragoza and one in Burgos. Some coins came in handy for tipping. Most of the time it was contactless payment even in the smallest of small towns.

Just spent a week in Iceland and two weeks in Scotland and used contactless credit everywhere. Had to force one cab driver to take my cash so I could use it up!

10 days in the U.K. and only used cash once, card machine was down at a pub. Had the ale selection not been so excellent, I would have just walked to another pub.

If you previously always came home with a stack of cash for next time, I’d rethink that strategy.

Here’s a benefit of using cash, in at least this one circumstance - I booked a hotel in Lucca, Italy today for our trip this fall. Although the reservation was made using a credit card, we’ll actually pay in cash, as they offer a 10% discount for doing so.

Ten percent off beats earning a few frequent flyer Card points, even if it does involve pulling euros out of an ATM!

Well, if you are going to Germany, bring cash. I can't tell you the number of businesses that have Cash Only signs in their windows or at their stands. Farmers markets, small bakeries, private restaurants, etc. are cash only. Accepting credit cards adds additional costs onto a small business and since many of them are trying to recover from huge losses because of Covid (and many did not receive near enough support from the government) they prefer to stick to cash.
I just got back from 6 weeks in Spain and used cash almost exclusively except for a few hotels where I used my debit card.

The need for cash or not depends on your actions and your locations.

In a little village in Provence, my husband pays cash for his morning cup of coffee. We bought a piece of art in a village; she only accepted cash. I went to the nearby ATM. Sure, I would rather have used my CC to get the miles but I wanted the piece and wanted to support her.

At a market in Strasbourg, I bought some linen shirts. The merchant said cash only when I pulled out my CC to pay. I was a few euros short; he accepted what I had and did not direct me to go get more cash. He was a delightful polite gentleman.

The carry out only pizza maker in our village is cash only. A few of the local produce venders in a nearby market - cash only. The clothing merchant at that same market accepted CC.

Otherwise, CC tap and pay - toll roads, groceries, restaurants, gelato…

The costs of handling cash or cards varies across Europe. There are a number of countries where cash is the expensive one for a business to accept as it requires bank deposits where there isn't a high volume of cash recirculation.

And, to add to the above, how strict the tax codes are and the enforcement. There’s a bit more tax avoidance in some countries around the Mediterranean.

Public toilets still want coins. As do donation boxes for some of those free attractions.

If your itinerary includes Vienna, I know of several restaurants located in non-tourist and tourist areas where the only payment accepted is cash. In Germany at major train stations the eateries and food courts, you'll find lots of them only take cash.

It's still good to have cash. We met vendors who required it, and as aforementioned a taxi driver. Doesn't hurt to carry maybe a hundred or two Euros just to be safe. Most importantly is if you have to go potty, or you see a nice gift at a market and they only take cash.

What about Eastern European countries (Poland/Czech/Hungary)? I would enjoy not withdrawing money and paying ATM fees. Yes, I agree to have a small amount of local currency just in case.

"What about Eastern European countries - Poland"

I was in Gdansk for 5 nights, back in 2018, and used Apple Pay for everything (taxis, museum admission, meals, tram tickets, on the train to Poznan, and more) EXCEPT clearing my hotel bill, which required me to insert a physical card.

Poland, Cechia, Hungary ...

The cards work fine. Yes, you will still want some local currency coins and cash although, many will accept your Euros.

For many, many reasons.

Get $100 worth. Pay for you next dinner in cash. Then carry around a some small notes for a Gelato, an apple from Farmer's Market, or toilet money.

You can afford to travel to multiple countries. Worrying about a few extra dollars of ATM fees?

Not just ATM fees, also converting money back to US dollars at end of trip. I will have 4 different currencies.
I try to figure out how much cash I need in each country but typically take out more than I need.
Yes, “cost of traveling” but I like to be efficient.

"I try to figure out how much cash"

For that trip to Gdansk in 2018 - looks like got 200 zlotys from an ATM, spent 75 zlotys, and got rid of the remaining 125 zlotys when I cleared my hotel bill.

There are times I wish we would return to the barter system. You know, a couple of chickens for a night at a hotel.

"barter system"

Back in the day, my grandmother trading 1 egg for a postage stamp.