In our increasingly digital world, it is tempting to believe a holiday can be conducted entirely with contactless payments and credit cards. However, money experts are issuing a sharp warning to British holidaymakers: relying solely on plastic when travelling abroad is a costly mistake. Research shows that over a third of travellers are unexpectedly caught out, finding themselves in situations where physical money is, quite simply, essential. From tipping staff in hotels and restaurants to paying for taxi journeys or buying souvenirs from smaller, independent retailers, card payments are often simply not an option, particularly once you venture outside major metropolitan areas.
This reliance can lead to a disastrous panic when local currency is suddenly needed. Being forced to make an emergency cash withdrawal from a foreign ATM can incur punishing bank charges and conversion fees, while a last-minute dash to an airport exchange bureau guarantees a notoriously poor exchange rate, instantly chipping away at your holiday budget. The solution is simple preparation: always pack a small ‘cash cushion’—a modest sum of the local currency for those vital transactions. Furthermore, always check the fee structure of your prepaid or debit card before you depart, ensuring you are not hit with punitive fees just for using your own money overseas.
