when cash when credit card?

We use credit cards whenever we can in Italy so we don't have to hit the bancomats as often. Restaurants in particular.

We used a Capital One card that doesn't charge any kind of international fee.

There is not a correct answer to your question -- it is mostly personal preference. I pay cash if I can get a discount and CC if I don't. Use cash for street vendors and most nominal purchases. Obviously cash if they don't take cc but most places do.

I followed Rick Steves advice and used the credit card for big purchases such as the hotel room and cash for everything else.

Most hotels will give a discount if you pay in cash (from your post it looks like yours do). Paying in cash will get you a discount in many places. Merchants don't like taking credit cards because they have to pay a fee, so they pass that fee on to you. We do not use our credit card at all when traveling (well, maybe for renting a car) but use our debit card just like at home or else get money from an ATM. You didn't say where you are going, but if you are in major cities, ATMs are as plentiful as they are here. It's impossible for anyone to guess how much money you'll need each day without knowing what you'll be doing and how much you like to shop. When I make an itinerary, I list admission fees and travel expenses for the things we plan to see each day, approximate food cost based on what kind of meals we want to eat, and add money for any shopping we have planned. Those things can vary wildly. If you run out of money, you can run to the ATM, but make sure you let your bank know that there will be transactions from a foreign country or they might reject them!

Kathy - not sure exactly what you are looking for. I choose to use my credit card whenever I can because it is a "reward card". I do this at home, abroad, etc. I use my cc to book our rental car because it often gives me rental car insurance. We don't carry a balance that causes us to pay interest and I realize that I am paying a small foreign transaction fee for each charge abroad.

Only you would know what your bank will charge you, whether you pay your balance off, etc. Then you can compare these costs to the discount that you are offered and choose the one that gives you the best deal. I know people who ONLY use their credit card for emergencies and people like me who charge $2.00 at a local grocery store.

For what it's worth - we found AmX to be accepted less in Italy than in other countries we had traveled. And in Sicily last year almost every merchant, including the smaller B&B's, accepted only cash. We used our Debit/ATM card to get cash out - sometimes twice a day!

Generally I only used my credit card if the purchase was approaching 100 euros. It probably also helped that I used it at a shop at Ostia Antica (a tourist site) which is going to be more willing to accomodate tourists and their credit. Frankly, with the reputation cards have for being cranky and the possibility your company will freeze your account even when you tell them not to, carrying cash is actually more peace of mind for me.

On my next trip we will use cash for our hotel (discount), meals (unless we splurge in a restaurant that takes credit), and shopping.

I did use a credit card to pay for my train ticket from the airport last time and I will use a credit card again to book our train tickets this year. Using the self-service ticket machines is quite simple and the machine is perfectly happy to use a credit card.

So...my very general rule of thumb: credit card for transportation (airfare, trains, car rental), for hotels (unless discount offered), and for purchases over 100 euro.

As for how much cash you'll want to carry--that depends on your spending habits. You will obviously need enough to cover your hotel rate, whatever that may be, and then for your food, sightseeing, public transportation, and the most important thing of all: gelato!

Thanks so much for the input. I always use my credit cards here for everything as they are rewards/miles cards and never use my debit card. I'm a bit uneasy using my debit card as it seems more risky. I will use a credit card for the train to Amalfi and back to Tuscan region. How about the ferries in Amalfi?

Thanks to everyone. I'm starting to feel more clear about the money situation. Went to my bank yesterday and the person I sat down with was so excited that we were going to Italy because it was exactly, to the day, one year anniversary for her and her family's trip to Italy. She was a great help, too. Every circle of friends I have have people who have been to Italy and all LOVED it. One week and counting.

Relying heavily on cc's can add up in other ways. My mom dearly wanted a certain souvineer in a tourist shop, but had to buy a minimum of 25 euros, so she added on crap she didn't want. I was elsewhere or could have loaned her the cash she needed. I think you should always have a minimum of about 50 euros on you for taxis, coffee, etc.

Kathy,

To answer your question about the ferries in Amalfi, we took one from Sorrento to Capri. Cash only.

Debby

In Italy do they have credit card minimums? Tchnically, I didn't think that was legal, at least here in the US. Most places that charge minimums ar trying to cover the cost of their credit card fees charged to them.

In Italy do they have credit card minimums? Tchnically, I didn't think that was legal, at least here in the US. Most places that charge minimums ar trying to cover the cost of their credit card fees charged to them.

Tracy...it all depends on the store/hotel/shop owner. There's nothing to stop a merchant from passing onto you their credit card processing fees, although most companies eat the charge as a cost of doing business. Rest assured that if a merchant doesn't charge the 3 per cent credit card fee to you, they'll make it up simply by increasing prices by 3 per cent.

Stick with Rick's advice credit larger purchase cash for smaller items. I would not recommend using debit cards. The beauty of a credit card is that if you want to dispute a charge you can, and the money hasn't left your bank account. If you get cash discounts take advantage. I used credit wherever I could just like home like at retail chains and some restaurants. It is a heck of a lot more convenient and I don't have to carry tons of money with me everywhere. Just be sure to safegaurd your cash and credit because there is a lot of petty theft. (I've gone to Italy 4 times in the last 10 years and haven't had a problem, just be aware of your surroundings especially if taking public transit and anywhere where there are large crowds. If you are traveling with a spouse, I suggest you carry one credit card and he carries a different card that way if one is lost or stolen you still have a backup.

Tracy, credit card mins are perfectly legal in the US or anywhere else. It is the merchants options to accept cards and they set any conditions as long as it doesn't violate the credit card contract. In the US, by contact with the credti card companies, the merchant cannot give a discount for cash OR add the processing fee. A few years ago gas stations found a small loop hole and for awhile offered cheaper gas for cash but I think that was closed. It is my understanding that some European countries have some laws that negate that contract provision in Europe so they can be more flexible with cash discounts and adding fees. So always ask for cash discount.

The last time we were in Italy we carried little cash and found we were missing out on discounts. ie: bought wine glasses in Murano and saved a large amount by borrowing money from my son and husband. We are going again next month and will take mostly cash and use credit card for those hotels that do not offer a cash discount. But please use your money belt, we had a couple interesting encounters with Gypsies with babies.