Do people take cash still?
Discussion
Most places still take it, it’s places like mobile coffee shops and street food traders moving away from it, it’s a faff, not many of their clients carry it and then it adds another layer of risk and admin to deal with it
Coupled with banks closing adds another layer of effort that you have to go further to put it in your account.
I can’t remember the last time I even took my wallet out, must be pre covid since I’ve not just used Apple Pay for everything. The only palce I went that didn’t take card was at a food festival for some welsh cakes, so they lost the trade and I went to the stall next door and got some welsh cakes still.
I think card is the new cash personally, years ago, places didn’t take card.
Coupled with banks closing adds another layer of effort that you have to go further to put it in your account.
I can’t remember the last time I even took my wallet out, must be pre covid since I’ve not just used Apple Pay for everything. The only palce I went that didn’t take card was at a food festival for some welsh cakes, so they lost the trade and I went to the stall next door and got some welsh cakes still.
I think card is the new cash personally, years ago, places didn’t take card.
djc206 said:
Cash is still popular in some countries but the decline does seem to be universal. I always take some when travelling, the amount would depend on the destination.
It's great being held up in Costabucks by some tattooed cockwomble tryingto get his I Phone 6 to pay for a latte and a slice of Dundee cake.
Nethybridge said:
It's great being held up in Costabucks by some tattooed cockwomble trying
to get his I Phone 6 to pay for a latte and a slice of Dundee cake.
Haha, in fairness I used to think that about people counting out their change in shops and on buses. Plus ça change and all that.to get his I Phone 6 to pay for a latte and a slice of Dundee cake.
You're right up the chuff in USA if you don't carry a bit of cash and some of it needs to be in small notes. Their tipping culture makes "card only" life a challenge - and you don't want to get caught with a wallet full of $20s and $50s.
I always carry a few local Bongos wherever I go, just in case. Even in UK there's usually a note tucked into my phone as well as the credit card.
I always carry a few local Bongos wherever I go, just in case. Even in UK there's usually a note tucked into my phone as well as the credit card.
It depends where you’re going I think.
We were surprised by the amount of cash-only places in some parts of Eastern and Northern Europe, and used more cash in a few weeks than we’d use in a year in the U.K.
It was a little embarrassing when I had to wait for a card owner to insert batteries into a card machine for some ridiculously cheap coffees. That was Spain and after that I carried cash.
We were surprised by the amount of cash-only places in some parts of Eastern and Northern Europe, and used more cash in a few weeks than we’d use in a year in the U.K.
It was a little embarrassing when I had to wait for a card owner to insert batteries into a card machine for some ridiculously cheap coffees. That was Spain and after that I carried cash.
Panamax said:
You're right up the chuff in USA if you don't carry a bit of cash and some of it needs to be in small notes. Their tipping culture makes "card only" life a challenge - and you don't want to get caught with a wallet full of $20s and $50s.
I always carry a few local Bongos wherever I go, just in case. Even in UK there's usually a note tucked into my phone as well as the credit card.
I think it’s interesting to read other people’s perspectives on this. As a nearly New Yorker (live in NJ but have offices across the street from the Empire State Building) it is extremely rare that I use cash. Maybe when I park in the city and have to tip but that’s a couple of times a year. I always carry a few local Bongos wherever I go, just in case. Even in UK there's usually a note tucked into my phone as well as the credit card.
I can see how it could be different for a tourist but even when I travel in the US I don’t need cash.
Conversely, when I return to the UK I do use cash. I don’t like paying for every round on my card. Not sure why, it could be due to being used to transaction fees in the past. We don’t have them now and the best exchange rate is through cards. Just felt off at first but through paying cash it really did bring home how expensive a pub night is. I have started doing so now when I visit though.
I was in Denmark and Sweden this year and did not see the currency. I’m sure it will be the same when I’m in Norway in August. I feel like I’m missing out on part of the fun of travel from when I was a kid. Figuring out exchange rates and trying to pay with French Francs.
I was in Lisbon earlier in the and whilst the vast majority of places are card only there were still some places where cash was required. I also like to tip using cash, not sure why.
I've also recently booked some rural accommodation in Northern Spain and the proprietor said she'd prefer cash if possible so I'll make sure I oblige. No smirking at the back.
I've also recently booked some rural accommodation in Northern Spain and the proprietor said she'd prefer cash if possible so I'll make sure I oblige. No smirking at the back.
Edited by Venisonpie on Sunday 23 July 17:19
h0b0 said:
I think it’s interesting to read other people’s perspectives on this. As a nearly New Yorker (live in NJ but have offices across the street from the Empire State Building) it is extremely rare that I use cash. Maybe when I park in the city and have to tip but that’s a couple of times a year.
I can see how it could be different for a tourist but even when I travel in the US I don’t need cash.
Conversely, when I return to the UK I do use cash. I don’t like paying for every round on my card. Not sure why, it could be due to being used to transaction fees in the past. We don’t have them now and the best exchange rate is through cards. Just felt off at first but through paying cash it really did bring home how expensive a pub night is. I have started doing so now when I visit though.
I was in Denmark and Sweden this year and did not see the currency. I’m sure it will be the same when I’m in Norway in August. I feel like I’m missing out on part of the fun of travel from when I was a kid. Figuring out exchange rates and trying to pay with French Francs.
The US one is an interesting example. I always carry a bit of cash for tips but also in case my credit card companies have a moment. I’ve needed, in the true sense of the word cash in the US very infrequently and generally only out in the sticks so it’s mostly carried as an insurance policy. Cash only businesses seem to be vanishingly rare these days. Where I used to take a couple of thousand $ with me back when I first ventured across the pond now I’ll take a few hundred and try and break it into small bills early on. I can see how it could be different for a tourist but even when I travel in the US I don’t need cash.
Conversely, when I return to the UK I do use cash. I don’t like paying for every round on my card. Not sure why, it could be due to being used to transaction fees in the past. We don’t have them now and the best exchange rate is through cards. Just felt off at first but through paying cash it really did bring home how expensive a pub night is. I have started doing so now when I visit though.
I was in Denmark and Sweden this year and did not see the currency. I’m sure it will be the same when I’m in Norway in August. I feel like I’m missing out on part of the fun of travel from when I was a kid. Figuring out exchange rates and trying to pay with French Francs.
South Africa or rather Southern Africa generally it’s always wise to carry a small amount of cash. Southeast Asia too. Still plenty of places that don’t take cards or where it would be unwise to do so unless you’ve got a spare when it gets cloned.
Depends where your going, didn't bother in Belgium or Ibiza but in Albania 95% places didn't even accept card and it's a closed currency so you need to bring ££ with you and get it converted in the city centre.
Off to Romania in a few months and will bring some cash, seems most places accept card in the capital but not everywhere. To make it more confusing some are cash only and some are card only
Off to Romania in a few months and will bring some cash, seems most places accept card in the capital but not everywhere. To make it more confusing some are cash only and some are card only
In Spain and the Canaries, it's usually all card, even for piddling amounts.
Having a card like Revolut, Monzo or Chase means no fees and bank rates.
Still get the odd "cash only" restaurant and The Black Chicken in Benidorm, for example, charges you 50c every time you use a card payment when next door will take 1.8 Euros on a card without any fuss at all.
Annoying when you miss it's cash only and get screwed on a withdrawal fee.
Having a card like Revolut, Monzo or Chase means no fees and bank rates.
Still get the odd "cash only" restaurant and The Black Chicken in Benidorm, for example, charges you 50c every time you use a card payment when next door will take 1.8 Euros on a card without any fuss at all.
Annoying when you miss it's cash only and get screwed on a withdrawal fee.
Nethybridge said:
djc206 said:
Cash is still popular in some countries but the decline does seem to be universal. I always take some when travelling, the amount would depend on the destination.
It's great being held up in Costabucks by some tattooed cockwomble tryingto get his I Phone 6 to pay for a latte and a slice of Dundee cake.
Um.. No. It's gone full circle for me. Always got cash but for small amounts, the card (phone) is quicker and easier. Cash for the bigger items.
Panamax said:
You're right up the chuff in USA if you don't carry a bit of cash and some of it needs to be in small notes. Their tipping culture makes "card only" life a challenge
Id say that's utter rubbish tbh. I head over to the US between 8-10 times a year (mainly NY and FL) normally and am always card-only. All tips have been done exclusively by card on every visit for the past couple of years and also pre-covid. Certainly all restaurants, fast food, coffee shop, ice cream parlours, parking facilities, general stores, bars, cigar lounges, etc...
djc206 said:
Haha, in fairness I used to think that about people counting out their change in shops and on buses. Plus ça change and all that.
I'm the same always find it frustrating waiting for someone to count out their cash in either coins or notes to pay for things. Use my phone to pay for everything, it's fast and never let me d9wn so far.
Jamescrs said:
I'm the same always find it frustrating waiting for someone to count out their cash in either coins or notes to pay for things.
Use my phone to pay for everything, it's fast and never let me d9wn so far.
Everyone who posts on here extolling the virtues of using your phone to pay for things appears to be completely perfect. I can only assume that none of the total idiots I've been stuck behind on the tube in London ever post on Pistonheads. Believe me, it happens. It happens with surprising frequency. Use my phone to pay for everything, it's fast and never let me d9wn so far.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff