Currency exchange while traveling: why do some still carry wads of cash? (page 26 of 28)

What I’m left with is a square, Cartesian mind...

The mindset of someone proving God’s existence? 😏 When it comes to science, you’re collecting all the high-school clichés.

but enough to know that in most cases, using a debit card to withdraw cash is the cheapest way to spend money abroad.😉

Paying by card is cheaper than withdrawing cash with ATM fees.

Finally, physical cards are becoming more and more like fossils. Smartphone payments are the way forward now.

A risk you don’t want to take before your departure flight.

Michel

Doubt... dubitation... in short, you're hesitant about paying by phone due to technical limits like access to recharging or network coverage, etc...

Concerns that aren’t backed up by experience. Here in Africa, we’re moving more and more—and very quickly—toward a cash-free society. A huge amount of transactions are now done by phone, even in a rural market or a neighborhood grocery store. And yet, these aren’t the places where access to electricity or network coverage is most developed.

I can go weeks without handling cash and still visit places so exclusive that credit-card-carrying tourists never even hear about them...

Honestly, when I return to Europe, it feels strange to go back to cards and cash and no longer be able to easily send money to my loved ones in an emergency. Things that Mobile Money makes possible for very little cost.

" Not to mention that walking around with loads of cash means constantly worrying about getting it stolen." That’s your fear, not mine. Why? Because no one knows I have it. 😏 On the other hand, everyone can see all your comings and goings to and from ATMs. 😄

You pontificate, I collect clichés—all is well.

Paying by card is cheaper than withdrawing cash with ATM fees.

Absolutely, I never said otherwise.

You should reread the discussion....

But sometimes, in certain destinations, cash is necessary, which is why we end up hitting the ATM (you’re making me repeat myself too...).

A move to avoid when boarding your outbound flight.

You’ll have to ask Masterpo about that.

Hello, Paying to access your own money almost anywhere in the world makes sense to me—a service comes with a cost, same as when you entrust it to an institution. Worrying about carrying cash? Sure, in some countries, but I also stress over my bank cards, especially back when "cloning machines" (the "iron") were a thing. That said, cash is still essential as soon as you step off the tourist trail, in places without electricity, or for other reasons like in Cuba. Some travelers will mix both. Safe travels!

Like I said, do exactly what you want. You feel superior and part of some kind of tourist elite because you pay with cash and look down on the card-paying plebs. More power to you, really.

Personally, I don’t feel pride or shame about any of it. I didn’t even know this could be such a long-winded topic or even a reason to bicker with fellow forum members.

But apparently, you need a bone to chew on. Well, go ahead—mine are at your disposal.

For my part, this is the end of it. I knew I shouldn’t have stuck my foot in this mess. Oh well.

You pontificate, I collect clichés, all is well.

You don’t like being explained to; that’s normal, you’ve got the beautiful certainties of a delayed high schooler. In that case, you shouldn’t have asked.

You should ask Masterpo.

Masterpo’s the guy who was recently claiming that nowhere in Europe do you board a plane without showing ID? No, thanks.

Michel

Warnings that aren’t backed by experience. Here in Africa, we’re moving more and more—and very quickly—toward cash-free systems. A huge amount of transactions are now done by phone, even in a rural market or a neighborhood grocery store. And yet, these aren’t the places where access to electricity or network coverage is most developed.

This info is really interesting and updates this discussion. 🙂

I was actually thinking more about the Altiplano, where I recently traveled. Many areas have no network coverage, and that can sometimes be a problem.

For electricity, I was thinking more from the perspective of the carefree traveler. I often run out of battery on my camera. The same thing could happen with my smartphone... I can recharge using my vehicle, but not all the time...

Maybe you can tell me if there are systems that work with elbow grease or solar power?

I’m celebrating this discussion. You two would make a cute couple, you and Manon. 😄

"You feel superior and part of some kind of tourist elite because you pay with cash and look down on the plebeians who use cards.

I live on social benefits, among other things, and I’m careful with my money and expenses even though I travel all the time. See how the internet distorts everything—you’ve just proven it to me. End of discussion as far as I’m concerned!!!

Good evening, I’m not trying to teach anyone anything—I’m just sharing what the situation is like here.

There are solar chargers, and more simply, power banks. That’s why I’ve never run out of battery with my mobile money, even when wandering through the really remote areas of Madagascar or Central Africa.

As for the network, Starlink is available in more and more places too, when the local network happens to fail.

It’s my party in this thread. You and Manon would make a cute couple.

You asked me to explain. Since you don’t know jack about epistemology, of course it feels weird to you.

Michel

I live on social benefits among other things, and I watch my money and expenses closely even though I travel all the time

This part needs some explaining, even if it’s not the main topic. I wonder how someone can live on social benefits and still afford flight tickets. Traveling costs an arm and a leg, after all. Unless you’re a CAC40 CEO flying private, of course. 😎

Since you don’t know jack about epistemology, of course it sounds weird to you.

What’s the connection between withdrawing money, exchanging currency while traveling, and epistemology?

What’s the connection between withdrawing money, exchanging currency while traveling, and epistemology?

That’s Agnès’s question. I’m not supposed to work when I’m chatting on VF.

Michel

I live on social benefits, among other things, and I watch my money and expenses closely, even though I travel all the time

This calls for some explanation, even if it’s not the main topic. I wonder how someone on social benefits can afford flight tickets. In case you didn’t know, traveling costs an arm and a leg. Unless you’re a CAC40 CEO flying private, of course. 😎

Simply because you don’t know who’s eligible for social benefits—just like the over 10% of French people who are entitled to them but don’t claim them because they’re unaware of their rights (it’s that simple). 😏

You're not planning to go again? I can understand that. 😉

I wasn’t aware of these alternative ways to load up on cash.

I’ll have to look into it for my trip to Central Asia.

Who works for VF?

In my case, my foreign payment card is a bit special—I get charged more if I make withdrawals.

That’s more or less true for all cards. They either allow a few free withdrawals (e.g., 3 with Bourso) or a fee-free amount (e.g., 200 € with Revolut), but after that, it’s pay-to-play. Still, way cheaper than traditional bank cards, though.

(I won’t go into details, it’s not interesting)

Oh, but there are people here who *love* this stuff.

It’s a special card, so not super useful. I’d end up paying higher fees when I get back than I would for foreign currency payments—that’s the main thing. So I don’t want to withdraw with this card.

True, I’m paying in cash less and less these days.

In Sweden, cash is barely accepted anymore. The same was true in Scotland, where I ended up exchanging money for nothing—at the airport, no less—because I was staying in a 100% residential neighborhood and was worried I wouldn’t be able to buy a bus ticket without cash...

In Denmark, on the other hand, since I didn’t want to withdraw cash just to pay for the bus (which didn’t take cards), I bought a ticket through an app—something I’m not a fan of, though.

I think we’ll exchange a little money to have some kroner. My mom likes paying in cash.