Taking cash

[Scaramouche]

We always take cash. Even worse, we’re known for taking TCs 😂 never paid with them, just change up at reception. We tend to favour cash abroad.

[megaflyer]

I use CC for everything these days. I get a MUCH better exchange rate on my card and dont have a budget as such - I check online each day (as I do in the UK) and monitor my spends, it really isnt much more than I expect as I am a man of routine and know what I want and want i dont . Works for me - cant remember the last time I needed a dollar bill (except for tips - and I take a wad of $1 and $5 with me for that purpose from ICE )

[rsvdaz]

Minimal amount of cash these days I seek out quarters for tolls and everything else is on card(s)

[Latics]

This will be our first year where we’ve got a NatWest reward account with no transaction fees, will be taking dollars for tipping and smaller purchases

[Ninnybobs]

Originally Posted by alisonjones

I couldn't not take cash - I love getting my dollars and smelling them

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I have to agree with you 100%

[Katnic1]

What’s the contactless limit in Florida please?

[mseagle]

Originally Posted by Katnic1

What’s the contactless limit in Florida please?

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I believe it’s $100

[Kraken]

I'm in the "take minimal cash" camp on this one. I probably take about $300 + any dollars left over from previous trips - everything else goes on the JaJa (formerly Post Office) credit card. No transaction fees.

I just work on the premise that if cash is lost / stolen, it's gone (when over the insurance limit). Keeping it in an in-room safe is next to useless, I've seen how fast they can be opened by someone with the right gadget (think about 15 seconds). If a credit card is lost / stolen, it's not my money the crooks are spending and a card can be stopped very quickly.

I fully understand the "card out of your sight" bit in restaurants - we only eat in reputable places where the risk of cloning is pretty low. On my last visit (Nov 2019) pretty much everywhere, bar restaurants, were on chip & PIN. Certainly the outlets all were, as were Publix, Wal-Mart, 7-11 gas stations etc.

Do not rely on a single credit card though - just in case your main one gets blocked for whatever reason. Two transactions in the same restaurant in short space of time is enough. Pay for pre-dinner drinks at the bar on your card [low amount] then an hour later try to pay for the meal [high amount] can trigger fraud systems. They see the first transaction as being the test one to ensure the card is good, then whack it with a high-value transaction.