Cash or Cards?

[Cruiser Elite]

Some discussion over in the ‘AUD Prediction' thread about Members usage of Cash V Cards on O?S visits – might be interesting to actually poll the Mship.

Personally I always use Credit Cards for ALL payments where possible + cash drawn on Debit Cards for ALL non CC acceptance spend – I never buy cash for OS travel.

I remember back to the Travellers Cheque days I had 2 x USD100 Amex TCs that I carted around for like 5yrs before I finally decided to cash them.

If landing in a country that I do not hold carryover cash from a previous visit I just withdraw a nominal amount at airport on arrival to get me over emergencies – I hate spending cash in Oz or OS.

Feel free to openly express your own personal views and spending habits.

 

[Cossie]

Can there be a third option, both cards and cash! That's what I would vote.

 

[Pleb Status]

Cash generally does not earn any FF points, is a pain to carry around (particularly change) and is subject to 'wastage' at the end of an OS trip unless you are particularly careful.

I normally only hold a small amount of local currency, along with say USD100 and EUR100, for emergencies but try not to use it if possible.

 

[tgh]

cards almost without exclusion, just a bit of cash in case.
wi fi and eftpos machines are like plastic bags , they pervade the planet

 

[Fifa]

I exclusively use a Citi debit card for cash withdrawals and 28 Degrees MC for credit card payments.
My wallet also contains cards from my 'home' banks but I have never had to use them.

 

[Buzzard]

I do take some cash but use my credit cards as much as possible. If I need more cash then I withdraw from my Citi account. I haven't been paying much attention so only noticed yesterday, a cafe that takes cash only is about half the price for drinks.

 

[karen blancfield]

I exclusively use a Citi debit card for cash withdrawals and 28 Degrees MC for credit card payments.
My wallet also contains cards from my 'home' banks but I have never had to use them.

Yes, the same here. Need very little cash anywhere we travel. ..... it's a back up only. We find travelling as a couple, little cash needed. With friends, sometimes it's easier to split bills with cash.

 

[Cynicor]

I don't even bring cash with me any more. I assume I'll find a working ATM before I find someone who doesn't take card.

FX free cards are the way to go; both Citi debit for cash and the credit for most purchases.

 

[OATEK]

I take a little cash for the first day, usually GBP or Euro depending on where we are starting out, or say HKD if staying there. Like others have carried around USD and still had them when I got home. So BW Mastercard (no Forex charges) for accommodation and any other opportunity, and QCashcard for ATM withdrawals.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

With friends, sometimes it's easier to split bills with cash.

OS or Oz - makes no diff - take your friends cash, pay with your card and bank the FF pts. Fly further, farther, faster!

Post the Travellers Cheque days I carted around 2 x $100 Amex TCs for like 5yrs just as backup before finally converting them.

a cafe that takes cash only is about half the price for drinks.

One Cafe in particular? Or common in the far off lands you visit?

 

[BacchusMarsh]

I hate spending cash in Oz or OS

OS or Oz - makes no diff - take your friends cash

And then.... save it? Donate it?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And then.... save it? Donate it?

Then you get creative as to how, where and when you invest it for a rainy day.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

What is cash ?

 

[boomy]

For me the question is cash or AMEX. If I can't avoid a place that doesn't accept AMEX then I'll use cash.

 

[RB]

Citi debit card is our go to. There have been many places we have travelled where cash is still the main go. We are not people that stay at hotels & also tend to eat at smaller establishments/bars

 

[albyd]

I always use my CC exclusively - usually my Citi US MC since it has no currency fees and a fair exchange rate.
I usually take no more than a few hundred $US or Euro for incidentals where cards don't work. With Public transport accepting cards and even Apple pay on the Tube in London, usually hardly ever use my cash.

 

[scwappy]

Don't often take much cash at all. Use credit cards and ATMs with Citi Debit. Stung in Cuba with no wide credit card acceptance and large fees (10-15%) to use ATM's. Had even done some research first, but didn't take enough EUR. Oh well

 

[kermatu]

It depends a bit on the country but in general I will have around $200 worth of the local currency as a safety net or any time if I feel there's a risk to using a card. I also have a travel card where I know I can withdraw more cash if needed. But I mainly use credit cards as it is so much more convenient than fumbling for notes or coins. So I pretty much return with the same amount of foreign cash as when I departed, but it suits me as a fairly risk averse traveller.

 

[Pleb Status]

For me the question is cash or AMEX. If I can't avoid a place that doesn't accept AMEX then I'll use cash.

Unless you have an Amex that has no FX fee (do they exist in Australia?), a FX free MC (BW World, Coles Rewards etc) is better value overseas.

 

[amaroo]

Unless you have an Amex that has no FX fee (do they exist in Australia?),

CBA DIA AMEX earning 1.2 QFFP /$ .... see more here http://www.australianfrequentflyer....es-points-earn-ahead-82582-2.html#post1673896