Card or Cash in the USA ?

Designator

Hi all,

travelling to Boston in march for a weekend , been there before and in New York also but always brought cash with me. This time I have a revolut card and Im thinking would it be safer and better to maybe bring half cash and half on my revolut card? I presume you can tap a revolut card in america the same way you can here?

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058333777/card-or-cash-in-the-usa

You can, it's backed by Mastercard.

Be warned some places may charge you in euros plus a conversion fee if you tap. Better off inserting the card and paying in dollars when you get the option. Then you'll get whatever rate Mastercard is charging, which is better than most places.

Nigel Fairservice

My last 2 triips to the US have been cashless. I used Curve instead of Revolut but both are Mastercards and will work fine. I had my main Bank of Ireland card with me in case I was stuck.

radiotrickster

I brought cash on my last trip about a year ago. A couple of places were cash-only but then some were card-only, so it helped to have both.

circular flexing

It doesn't hurt to have a small amount of cash for tips.

hynesie08

Couple of 20s in your pocket for tips and small things, card for meals/tickets/bar tabs.

dastardly00

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121692211#Comment_121692211

What did you do for tips?

Nigel Fairservice

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121701335#Comment_121701335

You can add tips on the payment terminals.

Designator

What way does revolut work as regards fees etc? If I was to get some dollars on my revolut card for america is there any fees I need to be aware of for using it in america or for tapping it etc?

circular flexing

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121701570#Comment_121701570

In my experience, there are still some instances where cash is still needed for tips e.g. any hotel staff

dastardly00

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121724817#Comment_121724817

Yeah I'd agree

TheChizler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121691810#Comment_121691810

It's always been the other way around for me, if you insert you get the option to convert which you have to accept or not, if you use contactless there's no opportunity to ask you so whatever is on the screen gets taken.