Which cards to carry, and how to get cash.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 3× on dining worldwide, 3× on online groceries, 3× on gas and EV charging, 3× on vacation homes (Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar); 2× on all other travel. Visa network — near-universal acceptance globally. Includes primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage delay, and emergency evacuation. $100/year hotel credit through Chase Travel; $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit every 4 years (added June 2026). Points transfer 1:1 to United, British Airways, Air France/KLM, Singapore Airlines, and others; Hyatt transfers at 4:3 for cardholders from June 2026 (existing cardholders: 4:3 effective October 2026). The benchmark entry-level travel card.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 8× on Chase Travel, 4× on flights and hotels booked direct, 3× on dining worldwide, 1× everywhere else. Annual credits include $300 for travel; $300 for Sapphire Exclusive Tables dining ($150 January–June and $150 July–December); and up to $500 for The Edit, issued as up to $250 per eligible prepaid booking of 2+ nights. A separate up-to-$250 credit for eligible prepaid two-night Chase Travel hotel stays runs through December 31, 2026. Other time-limited credits include DoorDash, Lyft, StubHub/viagogo, and Peloton. Includes Priority Pass Select and Chase Sapphire Lounge access. Transfer partners include United, Hyatt, British Airways, Air France/KLM, and Singapore Airlines at 1:1. Best for frequent travelers who will actually use the credits; check the linked issuer page because benefits have end dates and enrollment rules.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 3× on eligible United purchases (9× total on eligible United flights when the card's 3× is combined with the 6× base MileagePlus earning), 2× on dining and hotel stays booked directly with the hotel, and 1× elsewhere. Includes two United Club one-time passes each year, a first checked bag free for the primary cardholder and one companion on eligible United flights, priority boarding, and primary rental-car coverage. The annual fee is $0 for the first year, then $150. Partner credits have enrollment and purchase rules, so treat them as savings only if they match spending you already make.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 5× on eligible United purchases (11× total on eligible United flights when combined with base MileagePlus earning), 2× on dining and other travel, and 1× elsewhere. Includes United Club membership for the cardholder and one guest; broader United Club All Access eligibility requires Premier Gold status or $50,000 in annual card spend. The first and second checked bags are free for the primary cardholder and one companion on eligible United flights. Includes a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit and time-limited partner credits with separate enrollment rules.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 4× at Hyatt properties; 2× on dining, airline tickets, local transit, fitness clubs; 1× everywhere else. Annual free night (up to Category 4 — easily worth $150+). Automatic Discoverist status (room upgrades, late checkout). One of the best hotel cards for value — the annual free night often covers the fee entirely.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 6× at Marriott hotels; 3× on dining, gas, groceries; 2× everywhere else. Annual free night (up to 35,000 points — mid-tier Marriott). Automatic Silver Elite status; 15 Elite Night Credits per year toward Gold. Good for Marriott loyalists who want to accelerate status and free nights.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 3× on British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling purchases; 1× everywhere else. Travel Together Ticket (a companion voucher) earned at $30,000 annual spend. Avios transfer to Aer Lingus, Iberia, Qatar, and others. Most useful for transatlantic economy or short-haul European flights where Avios redemptions offer strong value.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 3× on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations; 3× on dining and grocery; 1× everywhere else. 500 bonus points per $2,000/month in purchases (up to 1,500/month). Preferred pricing on Aeroplan redemptions. Aeroplan is a Star Alliance program — points usable on United, Lufthansa, ANA, Singapore, and 45+ partners. Good for Star Alliance flyers.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 26× at IHG hotels (10× IHG Rewards + 6× Platinum bonus + 10× card bonus); 5× on travel, dining, and gas; 3× everywhere else. Annual free night (up to 40,000 points — solid mid-tier IHG). Automatic Platinum Elite status. 4th award night free on reward stays of 3+ nights. IHG portfolio includes InterContinental, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 4× at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000/year); 4× at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year); 5× on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel; 3× on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel; 1× elsewhere. Includes dining, Uber Cash, Resy, and Dunkin' credits with enrollment and monthly or semiannual limits. Points transfer to airline and hotel partners including Delta, British Airways, Air France/KLM, ANA, Marriott, and Hilton. Strong for dining abroad, but acceptance varies sharply by merchant and destination; carry a Visa or Mastercard backup for local restaurants, markets, and smaller shops.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 5× on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel (up to $500,000/year); 5× on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel; 1× everywhere else. Centurion Lounge access + Priority Pass Select + Delta Sky Clubs (10 complimentary visits/year when flying Delta; $50/visit after). $200 airline incidental fee credit (one designated airline annually), $400 Resy dining credit ($100/quarter at eligible Resy restaurants), $600 hotel credit (up to $300 semi-annually on Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings via Amex Travel), $200 Uber Cash, $300 digital entertainment credit, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Extensive travel insurance. Best for lounge access and premium travel perks — the earn rate is mediocre for everyday spending. Points transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners via Membership Rewards — same programs as Amex Gold. Same Amex acceptance caveat applies.

Note: Renamed the Classic Green Card in August 2026 and closed to new applicants. Existing cardholders keep all benefits unchanged.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 3× on travel (including transit, rideshare, taxis, and hotels), 3× at restaurants worldwide, 1× everywhere else. $219 CLEAR Plus credit offsets most of the annual fee (CLEAR raised its membership price to $219/year effective July 1, 2026; the $100 LoungeBuddy credit was discontinued January 2025). Same Membership Rewards transfer partners as Gold and Platinum. Underrated: the 3× on transit and rideshare is unusually broad for a travel card, making it useful in cities where you're taking lots of local transport.

No foreign transaction fee on all three tiers. Gold includes a first checked bag free, priority boarding, and 15% off eligible award travel. Platinum adds a yearly companion certificate after renewal but does not include Delta Sky Club access. Reserve includes 15 Delta Sky Club visits per Medallion year when flying an eligible Delta itinerary, with unlimited visits after $75,000 in eligible annual card spend, plus four one-time guest passes and a broader companion certificate. Check the issuer's fare and access restrictions before relying on a lounge or certificate benefit.

Most useful if you fly Delta regularly — the free bag on Gold alone covers the annual fee for checked-bag travelers. SkyMiles are Delta-only (no airline transfer partners), which limits flexibility.

No foreign transaction fee on all three tiers. Hilton Honors: no fee, 7× at Hilton; 5× at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations; 3× elsewhere; and Silver status. Surpass: $150 after its introductory first year, 12× at Hilton, 6× at those same U.S. dining/grocery/gas categories, 4× on U.S. online retail, Gold status, up to $200 in annual Hilton credits, and a free night after $15,000 in annual spend. Aspire: $550, 14× at Hilton, 7× at U.S. restaurants and on select travel, Diamond status, an annual free night, and Hilton and flight credits. Surpass and Aspire do not currently include Priority Pass; do not choose either for lounge access.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 6× at Marriott; 3× on dining and flights; 2× everywhere else. Annual free night (up to 85,000 points — premium Marriott properties, more valuable than Chase Boundless). $300 dining credit, $100 Marriott on-property credit, Priority Pass Select, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, automatic Platinum Elite status (suite upgrades, lounge access). The premium Marriott card for loyal customers who can maximize the credits.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 10× on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via Citi Travel; 3× on air travel, hotels, dining, supermarkets, gas, and EV charging; 1× everywhere else. Mastercard network — strong acceptance in Eastern Europe and Latin America. ThankYou points transfer to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Singapore KrisFlyer, Avianca LifeMiles, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines AAdvantage, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, JetBlue, and others. The Turkish Airlines transfer is particularly valuable for Star Alliance and oneworld redemptions. $100 annual hotel benefit on $500+ single hotel booking via Citi Travel.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 2× on American Airlines, restaurants, and gas; 1× everywhere else. First checked bag free on domestic AA flights for you and up to 4 companions (saves $35/bag/direction). Preferred boarding. $125 AA flight discount after $20,000 spend. Best for AA flyers whose primary benefit is the free bag and AA miles — the earn rate is modest for general spending.

No foreign transaction fee. Full Admirals Club membership (including guests) — American Airlines' lounge network. Earns 4× on AA, 10× on hotels and car rentals via aa.com; 1× everywhere else. First and second checked bags free. Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles toward AAdvantage status. Best for frequent AA flyers who want Admirals Club access and don't want to pay for membership separately (~$800/year as a standalone).

No foreign transaction fee. Both earn 2× on every purchase worldwide — no category tracking. Venture X adds Priority Pass lounge access, a $300 Capital One Travel credit, and 10,000-mile anniversary bonus, making the net cost ~$95/year for frequent travelers. Miles transfer to 18 airline partners (Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Air France/KLM, Singapore Airlines, Turkish, Avianca, Etihad, Qantas, Japan Airlines, Qatar, and more — Japan Airlines and Qatar added Sep 2025). Most transfer 1:1; Emirates is 1,000 Capital One miles → 750 Emirates miles. Visa network on Venture X (check the physical card for Venture — may be Visa or Mastercard by batch). Verified Aug 2026.

No foreign transaction fee on both. Savor ($95): 4× on dining, entertainment, streaming, and grocery stores; 1× everywhere else. SavorOne ($0): 3× on the same categories. Same Capital One Miles transfer partners as Venture. Good for travelers who spend heavily on dining and entertainment but don't want to track travel categories. SavorOne is one of the better no-fee cards for international restaurant spending.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 3× on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases; 2× on gas, EV charging, cable, streaming, and local transit including rideshare; 1× elsewhere. The anniversary Companion Fare starts at $122 total ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) only after at least $6,000 in purchases during the prior anniversary year. A free checked bag and preferred boarding apply to the cardholder and up to six guests on the same eligible reservation when the flight is paid with the card.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 2× on travel and dining; 1.5× on everything else. On their own these rates are mediocre — the value comes from BofA Preferred Rewards status. At Platinum Honors tier ($100,000+ in BofA/Merrill assets), the multipliers become 3.5× travel/dining and 2.625× on everything else, making it one of the best flat-rate earn cards available. Elite adds Priority Pass Select, $150 lifestyle credit, and $100 airline incidental credit. Only relevant if you're already deep in the BofA/Merrill ecosystem.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 5× on hotels, 4× on airlines, 3× on other travel and dining, 1× everywhere else — among the best airline and hotel earn rates of any mid-tier card. $50 annual airline credit. Points transfer to Choice Hotels, Flying Blue (Air France/KLM), Aer Lingus, Avianca, British Airways Avios, and others. Underrated: the 4× on all airlines (not just one) is rare at the $95 price point and puts it ahead of most airline co-brands for general flight spending.

No foreign transaction fee. No annual fee. Earns 3× on restaurants, travel, gas and transit, streaming services, and phone plans; 1× everywhere else — no category caps. Points transfer 1:1 to Aer Lingus, Air France/KLM, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Iberia; JetBlue 1:1; Choice Hotels and Wyndham at 1:2. Same transfer partner ecosystem as the Autograph Journey ($95), with no annual fee. Named TPG's No-Annual-Fee Card of the Year and NerdWallet's best no-annual-fee travel card for 2026 — rare among $0 cards for offering genuine airline transfer partners.

No foreign transaction fee. Bilt 2.0 launched February 2026 (issued by Cardless/Column N.A.), replacing the original Wells Fargo card. Three tiers — Blue ($0/year): 1× on everyday spend, 1.25× on rent and mortgage payments; Obsidian ($95/year): 3× on dining or groceries (one category choice per calendar year), 1× everywhere else, plus 1.25× on rent/mortgage; Palladium ($495/year): 2× on everyday purchases, 1.25× on rent/mortgage, Priority Pass lounge access, $200 Bilt Cash/year, $400 hotel credit via Bilt Travel ($200 semi-annually). All tiers require 5 transactions/month to earn points. Transfer partners: 25+ programs including Hyatt, United, American, Alaska, British Airways, Turkish, and Marriott — one of the broadest lists available.

Reimburses all ATM fees worldwide — including the foreign bank's own surcharge — credited at end of each month. No foreign transaction fee. No minimum balance. The gold standard for international ATM withdrawals. Requires opening a linked Schwab brokerage account (free, no minimum). One caveat: if you accept Dynamic Currency Conversion at an ATM, Schwab reimburses the operator surcharge but not the DCC markup — always choose local currency.

Reimburses ATM fees worldwide with no published cap. No foreign transaction fee. Works as a brokerage-linked account — no separate brokerage required if you already use Fidelity. Functionally equivalent to Schwab for international ATM use. Good backup or primary option if you're already in the Fidelity ecosystem.

Fee-free only at Allpoint network ATMs (~55,000 locations globally, but concentrated in US, UK, Australia, Canada). Out-of-network ATM fees abroad are not reimbursed. Also passes through a 0.2% Mastercard foreign exchange fee on international transactions. The SoFi Plus subscription tier does not add international ATM reimbursement. Inferior to Schwab or Fidelity for international travel — use only if you're already a SoFi customer and confirm Allpoint ATM availability at your destination.

Citi accountholders can withdraw fee-free at Citi-branded ATMs in countries where Citi operates branches: UK, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE, Bahrain, India, Mexico, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and others. Citigold and Citigold Private Client tiers receive full worldwide ATM fee reimbursement. Standard accounts pay fees at non-Citi ATMs internationally.

Uses the mid-market (interbank) exchange rate with a small transparent conversion fee starting from ~0.57% depending on currency pair — typically far better than bank rates. ATM policy (US accounts): first $250/month in withdrawals is fee-free, then $1.95 + 1.95% per withdrawal beyond that. Third-party ATM operator surcharges are separate and not covered by Wise.

Most useful for: currencies where your home bank has poor rates, currencies with limited ATM availability, and spending directly with the card where mid-market rate matters. Not a substitute for a primary bank card for large or emergency withdrawals. Check current ATM limits in the Wise app (fee structure updated May 2026).

Standard plan: fee-free weekday currency exchange up to $1,000 per monthly cycle, then a 0.5% fair-usage fee. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals on the U.S. Standard plan carry up to a 2% Revolut fee from the first withdrawal; ATM operators may add their own fee. Premium currently includes up to $800/month and Metal up to $1,200/month of out-of-network withdrawals before the 2% fee. A 1% weekend exchange markup applies to Standard-plan exchanges from Friday 5 pm through Sunday 6 pm ET.

Most useful for: holding balances in multiple currencies before departure, occasional card spending within the monthly FX limit. Verify current US plan limits at revolut.com/en-US before relying on specific numbers.

Accepted at about 130 million merchant locations worldwide. Visa is broadly accepted across regions, but merchant acceptance is local and no network is universal. Carry a second card from another issuer and verify the network logo before purchasing or withdrawing cash.

Accepted at more than 150 million locations worldwide. In most major travel markets its practical acceptance is comparable to Visa, but individual merchants and ATMs can support only one network. A Visa and a Mastercard from different issuers provide useful redundancy, not guaranteed universal coverage.

Strong in: US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UAE, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong.
Weak in: Southeast Asia (local shops), Eastern Europe (outside capitals), Latin America (markets, small vendors), India (outside luxury hotels), rural areas globally.

Upscale hotels, international chains, and airports often accept Amex, while local restaurants, markets, guesthouses, and transport may not. Acceptance changes by country and merchant, so avoid unsupported global percentage comparisons and always carry a Visa or Mastercard backup.

Discover operates internationally via partnerships with Diners Club and UnionPay, giving it theoretical coverage in ~185 countries. In practice, merchant acceptance outside the US is very thin and unpredictable. You may find it works at some hotels and larger retailers, but it fails routinely at local businesses, restaurants, and markets. Do not use Discover as a primary international card. The main benefit — no foreign transaction fee — is outweighed by acceptance problems.

Avoid airport exchange desks entirely. The ATM inside the airport is fine — use the ATM, not the staffed desk.

When a foreign ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in USD rather than the local currency, it's applying its own exchange rate — typically 3–7% above the interbank rate, with extreme cases documented at 13–18%. This markup goes to the bank or merchant, not your card issuer.

At ATMs: When prompted "Proceed in USD or [local currency]?" — always choose local currency. Some ATMs in tourist areas default to USD and pre-check it; look carefully before confirming. If the machine forces conversion with no opt-out, cancel and use a different ATM.

At card terminals: If a terminal asks "Pay in USD?" or a salesperson offers "I'll charge you in dollars" — always decline. Select local currency.

Even Schwab does not reimburse DCC markup — it only reimburses the operator surcharge. DCC is a hidden markup on the exchange rate itself.

A 4-digit numeric PIN is the safest format for international ATM compatibility, but supported lengths vary by machine and network. Confirm your issuer's overseas ATM support before departure; do not assume a longer PIN will work everywhere. A leading zero is a valid digit on modern networked ATMs, so there is no need to change an otherwise valid 4-digit PIN solely for that reason.

How to change PIN before travel: Visit a US branch in person (most secure method), or use a US ATM — insert card, select PIN Change from the main menu. Allow 24 hours to propagate. Do this before departure; changing a PIN while abroad can be complicated.

Credit card cash advance PINs: US credit cards often have no PIN assigned. If your credit card is also an ATM backup (not recommended — cash advances accrue interest immediately with no grace period), call your issuer 7–10 business days before departure to request a PIN by mail.

Some currencies are non-convertible — they cannot be legally exchanged outside the country, or have no exchange value abroad. Do not bring these home.

• Moroccan Dirham (MAD): Non-convertible. Cannot be exchanged outside Morocco. Spend down or convert back to a convertible currency before leaving.
• Cambodian Riel (KHR): No exchange value outside Cambodia. USD is widely used there — withdraw/use USD instead.
• Vietnamese Dong (VND): Non-convertible outside Vietnam. Spend down before departure.
• Indonesian Rupiah (IDR): Technically convertible at major financial centers but rates outside Indonesia are very poor. Exchange in-country.

Always select local currency at ATMs and card terminals — never USD. Choosing USD activates dynamic currency conversion, which adds 3–7% above the real exchange rate. See Exchange section for full detail.

Stick to ATMs attached to a physical bank branch. Independent kiosks in airports, tourist areas, and convenience stores charge higher fees and often apply DCC automatically. In Europe, avoid Euronet and Cardpoint machines specifically — they are notorious for high fees. Look for ATMs displaying the Visa, Plus, Mastercard, or Cirrus network logos.

Flat ATM surcharges (Thailand's 220 THB, for example) make small frequent withdrawals expensive. Take out enough for 2–4 days at once. Keep excess in a hotel safe. Exception: in high-crime areas, carry only what you need for the day.

Most large issuers use automated fraud monitoring and no longer ask for travel notices. Before departure, confirm your mobile number and email, enable transaction alerts, check that the card is unlocked for international use, and save the issuer's international emergency number. If your bank or credit union still offers a travel-notice setting, use it. Carry cards from different issuers and keep the backup separately.

Cash is widely used even in major cities. Many local restaurants, small shops, temples, shrines, vending machines, ryokan, and festivals are cash-only. Cards are becoming more accepted in Tokyo and Osaka but the shift is slower elsewhere.

ATMs for foreign cards: Seven Bank machines at 7-Eleven and other locations accept major international card networks and offer an English interface. Limits and ATM fees vary by card brand, time, and issuer and are shown before withdrawal; do not rely on an old universal no-fee or ¥100,000-limit claim. Japan Post Bank also accepts many foreign cards, with its own operating hours, limits, and possible fees.

Withdraw cash at the airport Seven Bank ATM upon arrival and carry enough for the first day or two.

Cards accepted at hotels, shopping malls, chain restaurants, 7-Eleven. Local markets, street food, tuk-tuks, and local transport are cash-only. ATM surcharge of 220 THB (~$6.30) applies at all major Thai banks per withdrawal. AEON Bank charges a lower 150 THB but has fewer locations.

Strategy: use Schwab or Fidelity debit to get the surcharge reimbursed. Withdraw larger amounts at AEON or another bank to amortize the flat fee. Thai Baht is fully convertible — you can exchange it back before leaving if needed.

Vietnamese Dong (VND) is required for daily life. USD is accepted for some hotel bills and tour operators in major cities but is not a substitute for VND at street level. Best ATM options: VPBank (fee-free, up to 10M VND/transaction) and ACB (fee-free, up to 3M VND/transaction). Avoid TPBank (introduced ~3.3% fee June 2025).

VND is non-convertible outside Vietnam — spend down or convert back to USD at an in-country bank before leaving.

Cards accepted at malls, international hotels, and upscale restaurants in Bali and Jakarta. Local warungs, transport, markets, and most small businesses are cash-only. Best ATMs: BCA and BNI — no foreign card surcharge. Avoid Mandiri ATMs (added Rp50,000 fee in February 2026). Withdraw from BCA or BNI at malls or in central areas.

Cambodian riel (KHR) is the official currency. U.S. dollars are widely accepted in tourist businesses and many urban transactions, but they are not Cambodia's legal tender and are not accepted literally everywhere. Change may be returned in riel, and damaged U.S. notes can be refused. ATMs may offer USD or KHR depending on the bank; read the currency and fee shown on screen. Carry clean small-dollar notes plus riel for markets, transport, and low-value purchases.

Cards accepted at upscale hotels, international chains, and urban restaurants in major cities. Auto-rickshaws, street food, local shops, markets, smaller restaurants, rural areas, and temples require cash. Keep 2,000–5,000 INR in cash at all times. ATM fees from Indian banks (SBI, HDFC, ICICI): typically ₹150–₹200 per transaction for foreign cards.

UPI for foreigners: UPI One World is a prepaid wallet offered through authorised issuers to eligible foreign visitors, using passport and valid-visa verification at designated onboarding locations. Availability, eligible nationalities, issuers, and pickup points can be event- or airport-specific, so confirm current access before depending on it. It does not require a Safaricom SIM; Safaricom is a Kenyan network and was previously listed here in error.

Cards accepted at larger hotels, upscale restaurants, and some shops in Marrakech, Fes, and Casablanca. Medinas (old cities), souks, local transport, street food, and small vendors require cash. ATMs are available in cities.

Critical: the Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is non-convertible outside Morocco and cannot be exchanged abroad. Do not exchange currency into dirhams before arriving. Budget conservatively since leftover dirhams are essentially worthless outside the country — you can exchange them back to euros or dollars at Moroccan airport banks before departure.

UAE: ~84% of transactions are contactless. Cards (Visa, Mastercard) accepted almost universally in Dubai and Abu Dhabi — shops, restaurants, taxis, even small vendors in malls. Cash rarely needed except for very small street vendors.

Saudi Arabia: Highly cashless in cities. Mada (domestic debit network) is dominant; foreign Visa/Mastercard credit cards accepted at most merchants. Cash still used at smaller local shops and in rural areas.

Jordan: Cards accepted at hotels, upscale restaurants, and larger shops in Amman, Aqaba, and Petra. Local souks, taxis, and rural areas require Jordanian Dinar (JOD) cash. JOD is fully convertible — you can exchange it before or after arrival.

Contactless payment (tap) accounts for ~80% of in-person card transactions across Europe, near 100% terminal capability. Contactless limits raised post-COVID (€50 in EU; £100 in UK). Apple Pay and Google Pay work on virtually all contactless terminals via Visa or Mastercard.

Cash rarely needed in UK, Netherlands, Nordics, and major German cities (though Germany historically prefers cash more than peers). Carry €10–30 in cash for small cafes, markets, and tips in France, Spain, and Italy. In smaller towns and rural areas across all countries, cash is more common.

Australia surcharge note: Some businesses add 0.5–2% for card payments — this is legal in Australia and disclosed at point of sale.

Poland: Cards widely accepted in cities. Blik (local mobile payment) is dominant among Polish consumers but not accessible to foreign tourists without a Polish bank account. Carry PLN cash for markets and smaller towns.

Czech Republic: Prague is very card-friendly. Outside cities, smaller shops and rural areas prefer Czech Koruna cash. Euro not accepted — always use CZK.

Hungary: Budapest: cards accepted at most restaurants and shops. Rural Hungary and local markets: cash in Hungarian Forint. Euro not accepted.

Romania: Cash remains common even in Bucharest for smaller venues. Outside cities, primarily cash. Keep Romanian Leu (RON) on hand.

Argentina: Exchange rules, card conversion mechanisms, cash rates, ATM limits, and fees can change quickly. International cards are widely usable in major cities, but the rate applied is set by the network and issuer and may differ from cash-market rates. Check the current official rate, card-network rate, and any legal parallel-market spread immediately before travel. Argentine ATMs often combine low withdrawal limits with substantial local fees, so compare the on-screen cost with a reputable exchange or transfer service before accepting.

Peru: Cash dominant outside Lima. USD accepted at upscale hotels and some tourist venues; Peruvian Sol (PEN) required everywhere else. Markets, transport, local restaurants: cash only. ATMs available in Cusco and major cities; fewer in rural areas.

Colombia: Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena: Visa/Mastercard at hotels and upscale restaurants. Local neighborhoods, street markets, transport, and tips: cash (Colombian Peso, COP).

Kenya: M-Pesa mobile payments dominate. Foreign tourists can register for M-Pesa using a valid passport + Safaricom SIM (available at Nairobi airport) — after funding at any M-Pesa agent, you can pay via QR code at most local merchants. Cards accepted at Nairobi hotels and larger restaurants. Local markets, transport, and most daily spending require cash or M-Pesa.

South Africa: Cards (Visa, Mastercard) widely accepted in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and safari lodges. Contactless standard. Smaller businesses, township areas, and local markets prefer cash. Due to crime risk, avoid carrying large amounts of cash — use ATMs inside bank branches or shopping centers (not standalone outdoor machines).

Singapore: Cards and contactless accepted everywhere at modern establishments. Hawker centres (local food courts) are often cash-only — carry SGD 20–50 for meals. PayNow is used by locals but not accessible to foreign visitors without a Singapore bank account.

Australia: ~87% of transaction value is electronic. Contactless (tap) is universal. Cash rarely needed. Some businesses add a 0.5–2% surcharge for card payments — this is disclosed at the terminal before you confirm.

Canada: Interac debit is dominant among Canadians but foreign Visa/Mastercard cards work fine. Cards accepted almost universally. Cash rarely needed. Non-bank ATMs charge CAD $1.50–$3 fees.

New Zealand: 94% of transaction value is electronic. Cards and contactless accepted nearly everywhere including rural areas. Surcharges for credit cards are legal in NZ (often 1–2%) — debit cards typically surcharge-free.

Cards accepted at international hotels, Red Sea resort towns (Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada), and upscale Cairo restaurants. Local markets, taxis, and most day-to-day transactions require Egyptian Pound (EGP) cash. Baksheesh — small tips expected throughout the day for guides, drivers, bathroom attendants, and anyone who helps with luggage or directions — is a constant low-value cash need; keep a stock of small EGP notes rather than breaking large bills repeatedly.

ATMs are widespread in Cairo, Luxor, and resort areas; foreign-card acceptance is most reliable at major-bank machines (National Bank of Egypt, CIB, QNB). The Egyptian Pound has gone through a managed devaluation in recent years — check the current exchange rate close to departure rather than relying on a figure from an earlier trip.

Resort properties and tourist infrastructure: cards universally accepted. Local restaurants, markets, transport, taxis, and tips: cash. USD is often accepted on many smaller islands (particularly islands with USD as the official or semi-official currency), but paying in local currency usually gets better value. ATM availability varies significantly — larger islands have plenty; smaller islands may have one or two machines with limited hours or frequent outages. Carry USD cash as a backup on any Caribbean trip.