First time travelling outside the US in early April. Any advice for how to shop using credit cards?

[Guest]

How does that work since it's different currencies, using US dollar to whatever country (in my case, Canada then planning to Europe next)?

I have a couple that does not have foreign transaction fees.

Is it better to just have their money currency on hand?

I apologize, I'm not sure how to ask this that would not sound so dumb.

I just wanna make sure I get charged correctly and avoid being scammed.

Thanks for any input.

[Ciarán]

Most places accept credit cards at this point unless you’re at small local markets or something. Just select whatever the local currency is when it asks on the pin pad. We were in Eastern Europe at the end of last year and most people were paying with Apple Pay/cards on their phones even.

[Benjamin]

I always just use credit cards that don't have exchange fees, that should work fine. Maybe carry some cash too for certain situations where it's needed, especially in less developed countries.

[Mary]

Have them charge you in local currency and allow your bank to make the conversion that is the most economical and the easiest way to do it if your credit card does not have a foreign transaction fee

[Patricia]

You will be hard pressed to find a business that doesn't take visa and master card here in Canada. Amex is less accepted though, maybe half and most small businesses dont take it b/c the merchant fees are so high.

Apple/google pay is fairly well widely accepted as well.

[Diane]

Credit cards and a little local currency. In some places like Guatemala the street vendors like American $1 bills. There are also countries where the money needs to be crisp.

[Inge]

I have an ATM card from Charles Schwab. They don’t charge to change currency and reimburse ATM fees. I just take out cash as needed. Whether you can use mostly credit cards depends on the country. I only used credit cards in Sweden , but found they like cash in Italy.

[Genaro]

Whenever paying with credit card ask them to charge you in the local currency. Otherwise the card reader could charge in USD with a very bad rate.

[Blake]

If I do need local currency, i find it best to use an atm with no extra fees, safest associated with a bank, instead of taking out money in advance. I never go anywhere with local currency ahead of time. And absolutely use a credit card with no transaction fee, and as mentioned above, always pay in their currency. I always tell the cashier or restaurant person as we are paying, so that they don't choose USD. It's not always available to the patron to choose, but the person working.

[Steve]

I always take cash when I visit the USA, and when I go to Mainland Europe, but if you use a card to buy anything, ALWAYS use local currency to pay for anything.

[Jonathan]

Biggest thing when using your credit card is to always always always select the local currency if given an option on the card reader. Do not select USD on the card reader. Your cc company will always have a better rate than that processing company.

[Jo-Anne]

Credit cards for sure, also link your CC with your wallet as they are digital and makes life so easy. Always purchase in the currency, and convert at home, this is especially true if you are taking cash at an ATM. Do NOT let the bank convert, they'll charge you a fortune. Decline it. Do have some cash on hand and you can get it there upon arrival.