Contactless payment
Holiday fund: Don’t put everything on one card
Even a drink on the beach can now be paid for without cash in some places
©Getty Images
When it comes to money, it all comes down to the mix when on vacation: With the right combination of cash, cards and mobile payment with your smartphone, travelers can avoid unnecessary fees and go easy on their wallets.
What is the best form of payment for travelers to take with them on vacation? When putting together the means of payment, coins and bills should not be missing, because the drink at the bar and the tip for the porter are still paid in cash. But a means of payment alone is not enough for a trip.
If high amounts like the hotel bill are due, the credit card helps. “It is not advisable to rely solely on one means of payment,” the German Travel Association (DRV) gave the tip.
Cash laughs
Every pickpocket thinks so. Every 23 seconds, a German traveler abroad becomes the victim of a theft. Therefore, carrying cash should be kept to a minimum. Reveal what the euro is worth at the other end of the world currency converterwhich are very helpful on the go as an app on the iPhone.
And where is the best place to exchange my money? In countries outside the EU with a “soft” currency, the local exchange rate is usually cheaper. This means countries with fluctuating value stability such as Cuba. If you have a “hard” currency with a stable exchange rate, such as the British pound, it is advisable to exchange it before leaving Germany. If possible, the foreign currency should be issued in the travel destination, as the return exchange at German banks is only possible under unfavorable conditions or not at all.
The pros and cons of plastic money
“Plastic money” offers a much higher level of security. The 8.5 by 4.3 cm large credit cards make everyday travel much easier. When used within the European Union, there are no fees. In addition, no deposit is required when renting a rental car. You also save yourself complicated budget calculations – as long as the account is covered. If lost, the card can be blocked against misuse by telephone. The toll-free number for the central blocking station (Tel. 116 116) therefore belongs in the address book of every mobile phone.
On the other hand, there is an annual fee and the conversion commission for foreign currencies of a maximum of two percent. Withdrawing money from the ATM with a credit card is also becoming more expensive. Banks usually collect a fee of between two and four percent.
The most popular are Visa and Eurocard credit cards. American Express is only accepted in better restaurants and hotels abroad. Attention: Due to the increasing misuse of cards, cashiers abroad increasingly want to see a photo ID.
Sea side, well developed, close to the beach: This is how you can see through the code words of the tour operators
23 images
Some banks, such as DBK and Hansetic Bank, issue credit cards that you can use to withdraw cash abroad free of charge.
Maestro card as a trump card
It is cheaper to withdraw money with the widespread Giro card, the successor to the EC card. The 900,000 machines worldwide can be recognized by the Maestro or Cirrus sign (similar to the Maestro sign with two circles) and are not just limited to Europe.
Even in the USA, South Africa and Thailand, ATMs even spit out dollar, rand and baht banknotes after entering the PIN.
Pay via an app on your smartphone: a mobile wallet is a kind of virtual wallet.
© Imago Images
On the rise: paying with your smartphone
The easiest way is to use mobile payment, which is more common in many holiday countries than here. All that is needed is a smartphone with an NFC interface, a stored digital card and the option of making contactless payments at the checkout, which is indicated by a wave symbol.
The best-known apps for mobile payments are Apple and Google Pay. It should be remembered that the international limit was activated before departure and roaming charges may apply when using it in non-EU countries.
Traveller’s checks and Sparcard
One of the fewer and fewer traveler’s checks is one of the financial cushions on the go. They are accepted by hotels, shops and restaurants as an equivalent means of payment and, unlike cash, are replaced if lost. The most common traveler’s checks are available in various currencies and denominations from major banks, savings banks and travel agencies. They must be purchased prior to travel for a fee of one percent of the value.
The Sparcard from the Postbank remains a German specialty. With this credit card, cash can be withdrawn free of charge at all Postbank ATMs in Germany. However, since February 2021, a fee of EUR 5.99 has been charged abroad for withdrawals from ATMs with the Visa symbol.
If you put everything on one card on holiday, you can quickly find yourself penniless. A technical malfunction at the ATM, loss or theft suddenly renders the vacationer immobile. Therefore keep cards and notes in different places if possible – not everything in one purse or handbag.
Also read:
– Send suitcases: How your holiday luggage arrives at your destination before you – and how much it costs
– Verdi on the airport chaos: “The system is pretty ramshackle”
– Airport chaos: Which countries have made provisions for the summer – and which have not