Should I use cash or card when travelling?

Is it better to carry cash or card when traveling?

Ugh, remember that trip to Oaxaca in 2023? Absolutely needed cash. Street food, tiny shops, taxis—cards were useless. I felt so stupid the first time I tried to pay for a ridiculously delicious memelitas with my Visa. The lady looked at me like I was an alien. Cash is king down there, no question. Seriously, I even had to get pesos from an ATM, a total pain in the butt because of the fees.

But then, in that amazing boutique hotel in San Miguel de Allende, they only took cards. High-end places. Big purchases, cards. No way I was carrying enough cash for that room. Luckily, my card worked. It was a relief. No issues.

Lesson learned: both cash and cards are essential. You need that backup cash for those unexpected situations. Those random awesome street tacos you just HAVE to try. But, for larger things…hotels…flights…cards are so much easier. Don’t be me, stuck fumbling for pesos when all you want is that incredible mole negro.

• Cash: Always carry some, especially in less touristy areas.
• Cards: Essential for larger purchases and hotels. Check for foreign transaction fees beforehand!! Seriously, I nearly choked on those fees.
• ATMs: Find ATMs that don’t charge ridiculous fees. Research is key!
• Pesos: If going to Mexico, get pesos! Avoid the exchange rate ripoffs at the airport.

Is it better to pay with cash or card?

Cash flow reigns supreme. Credit card interest is a beast. My annual percentage rate (APR) is a painful 19.99% on one card. Ouch. Debt spirals faster than you think. Seen it.

Budgeting is key. With cash, you see it disappear. That $20 bill vanishing makes you think twice about that latte. I’m down to two lattes a week now, saving maybe $40 a month. Small wins. What’s the point of saving, really?

• Control: Cash gives it.
• Visibility: You feel your spending.
• Debt Avoidance: No swiping, no problem.

Using my debit card for groceries is my compromise. Track everything on a spreadsheet. My system. Nerd alert. Big data rules. Credit cards offer sweet rewards, though. My airline card gives miles, got a free flight to Miami last year. Worth it. But the cash back card? Meh. Only 1%.

• Rewards: Travel points are gold. Cash back, sometimes.
• Security: Lost cash is gone. Cards offer fraud protection. Lost my wallet in Rome once. Nightmare. But the card company had my back.

The digital age nudges us toward cards. Still, cash offers a tangible connection to spending. Philosophical, I know. The future of money? Who knows. But today, I choose a mix. Cash for everyday small things. Credit cards for travel and big purchases. Debit for regular bills. A bit of chaos, but it works. My way.

Is a travel money card better than cash?

Cash, crisp and cool against my fingertips… a tangible memory, a whispered secret of bygone eras. But the hum of a card reader, a sleek plastic rectangle, promises a different kind of freedom. A silent transaction, a digital ghost.

Convenience? Absolutely. The card whispers promises of effortless transactions. No fumbling for change in crowded markets, no anxieties about petty theft. The ease, the silent glide of the transaction.

Yet, a crumpled bill, a forgotten coin… they evoke a simpler time, don’t they? There’s a certain romance, a primal connection to the physical act of exchange. A silent exchange between strangers. This palpable connection, so fleeting.

Security? A clear advantage. The card’s cold, unfeeling surface holds a safer secret than wads of cash. Lost cash feels like a piece of your soul lost, too. The card, though… reported lost, a simple replacement. It is easier to replace than cash. It’s a relief. My last trip to Rome… it taught me this.

Small payments… Ah, the charming chaos of a bustling city. A tram ticket, the insistent chime demanding cash. A gelato, purchased with sweaty coins. Those moments… irreplaceable. The card can’t replicate that specific feeling.

Exchange rates. The card wins. The bank’s subtle magic, weaving its invisible threads of conversion, often beats the often inflated fees at exchange bureaus. Competitive exchange rates are paramount. Consider this: better rates means more pasta, more adventures.

• Pro Cash: Tangible, Immediate, Accepted everywhere (not entirely true, though)
• Pro Card: Secure, Convenient, Often Better Exchange Rates
• Consider: A blend of both is often optimal. Cash for small, local transactions. Card for larger purchases and peace of mind.

My personal experience in 2024? Paris. The card made navigating the metro a breeze. But the small cafes, those charming bistros… cash only. The sweet taste of freshly baked bread paid for in euros. Both are necessary. Essential, even.

Should I get a travel money card or cash?

Card’s slicker, safer. Better rates, usually. Watch out for sneaky fees though. Cash is king in some spots. Street food, tips. Mix it up. Card for big stuff. Cash for the rest. Done.

• Security: Cards win. Lose cash, you’re screwed.
• Convenience: Cards, again. No bulky wads.
• Exchange Rates: Cards often edge out cash exchanges, especially at airports. Do your homework. My go-to is Capital One Venture X. No foreign transaction fees.
• Fees: Cards can sting you with ATM fees, inactivity, etc. Read the fine print.
• Acceptance: Cash is still king for street vendors, tipping, smaller shops. Think back alleys of Bangkok. Needed cash.
• Budgeting: Cards help track spending. Easy to overspend with cash. Lost track in Tokyo last year. Oops.

My rule: Load a card. Stash some cash. Covers all bases. Last trip, Lisbon, used my Revolut card for most things. Cash for pastel de natas. Priorities.

What is the disadvantage of a travel money card?

Acceptance limits. Cash still king. Problem solved.

Travel cards offer fixed exchange rates. Locks you in. Market fluctuates. You lose.

Fees exist. Hidden. Drains the balance.

ATM withdrawals cost. Sometimes. Check the fine print. Always.

Lost card? Nightmare. Replacement takes time.

Travel cards expire. Funds trapped. Bureaucracy.

• Card not universally accepted. Local markets, small shops often prefer cash.
• Fixed exchange rates can be disadvantageous. If the market shifts favorably, you don’t benefit.
• Fees can accumulate. Load fees, inactivity fees, ATM fees.
• Lost or stolen cards are difficult to replace. Especially abroad. My card was eaten by an ATM in Naples in 2023. Three days lost.
• Expiration dates and leftover funds. Dealing with expiring cards and retrieving remaining balances can be a hassle. Mine had $17.32 left. Not worth the effort.

Plastic breaks. Metal bends. Cash is king. Still.

Is it better to have money in cash or card?

Cash? Nostalgia. Cards? The future, maybe.

• Cash: Tactile. Finite. Gone too fast.
• Card: Ubiquitous. Trackable. Debt’s whisper.

Convenience? Cards win. Security? Cards, arguably. Rewards? Cards, always. Mindfulness? Cash. Choose your poison.

My take? Cash for small joys. Cards for survival. Banks, huh, always win.

Further Considerations

• Cash fosters awareness. Spend it, see it vanish. A visceral lesson.
• Cards offer protection. Fraudulent charges? Dispute them. Cash? Good luck.
• Rewards lure. Points, miles, cashback. A siren song of consumerism.
• Online world needs cards. No exceptions.
• Budgeting apps help. Card spending becomes data. Control emerges… or does it?

Digital payments, contactless, mobile wallets… cash fades. But it is not dead. Not yet.