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How would you pay in the USA? Do they prefer cash, credit cards (visa or
mastercard or?), maestro or travellers cheques or something else?
Thanks, simon

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"rover" <rover@globe.com> wrote in message news:cqvdmd$l5k$1@online.de...
> How would you pay in the USA? Do they prefer cash, credit cards (visa or
> mastercard or?), maestro or travellers cheques or something else?
> Thanks, simon

Everyone will take cash. Visa & Master Card are among the most popular
credit cards.

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In news:cqvdmd$l5k$1@online.de rover <rover@globe.com> wrote:

> How would you pay in the USA? Do they prefer cash, credit cards (visa or
> mastercard or?), maestro or travellers cheques or something else?

Pretty much anything but travellers checks; many businesses think that
handling them is too much a hassle.

Nearly any place that takes Visa will also take MasterCard and vice versa
(and I presume their international equivalents).

Some places get annoyed at credit card purchases for amounts of under
US$10 or so.

Even McDonalds takes credit cards.

I'd hope that your ATM/debit card would work here, but I'd check; the US
tends toward parochialism in a number of areas :-)

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@visi.com

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In article <hXGAd.4160$F67.260@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com>,
Service Tech <servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote:
>Everyone will take cash. Visa & Master Card are among the most popular
>credit cards.

Depends what you're buying. Hotels and rental cars often prefer credit cards.
Airlines, too.

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"C" <caspam@doj.ca.gov> wrote in message news:cqvitn$29u$1@blue.rahul.net...
> In article <hXGAd.4160$F67.260@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com>,
> Service Tech <servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote:
> >Everyone will take cash. Visa & Master Card are among the most popular
> >credit cards.
>
> Depends what you're buying. Hotels and rental cars often prefer credit
cards.
> Airlines, too.

They *prefer* Credit Cards, but they'll take cash.

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"Service Tech" <servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote in message
news:bXIAd.4181$F67.1148@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
>
> "C" <caspam@doj.ca.gov> wrote in message
> news:cqvitn$29u$1@blue.rahul.net...
>> In article <hXGAd.4160$F67.260@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com>,
>> Service Tech <servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote:
>> >Everyone will take cash. Visa & Master Card are among the most popular
>> >credit cards.

Most places in the US will accept American Express as well.


>>
>> Depends what you're buying. Hotels and rental cars often prefer credit
> cards.
>> Airlines, too.
>
> They *prefer* Credit Cards, but they'll take cash.

I think you'll find you'll have quite a bit of difficulty renting a car for
cash -- at minimum, they'll request a large deposit. Similarly, with most
hotels, you'll almost certainly be asked to pay for your stay in advance
and, possibly, leave a deposit on top of that.

>
>

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"C" <caspam@doj.ca.gov> wrote in message news:cqvitn$29u$1@blue.rahul.net...
> Depends what you're buying. Hotels and rental cars often prefer credit
cards.
> Airlines, too.

Paying cash for airline tickets are one of the items that DHS look for to
give you the "special treatment."

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"rover" <rover@globe.com> wrote:
| How would you pay in the USA? Do they prefer cash, credit
| cards (visa or mastercard or?), maestro or travellers cheques
| or something else? Thanks, simon

I use cash only for a taxi, a tip, a movie theatre, or misc.
expenses less than $10. You may want to get about $50-100
in USD before leaving home. Travelers cheques are passé.
I use credit cards everywhere in the U.S. If you have a bank
debit card with a Visa or MC logo, it will likely work at any ATM.
Many places have a desktop device in which you slide your card,
and sign your same on a screen. Most gas stations have "pay at
the pump" with credit cards.

Caution: Do not bring only one card. Bring cards issued by
two different banks. Sometimes, a card issued by bank 'x' does
not go thru for some reason, and another card issued by bank 'y'
works fine. This may be rare and due to a computer glitch that
can be cleared with a call to customer service, but its easier just
to pull out another card.

In 25 years of using CC's, its happened to me 4x: When renting
a car in Alaska; when paying for a meal in Oregon; when filling a
prescription at a pharmacy; and when checking into a hotel in
Cannes, France. The Clerk says, "Your card was declined," so
I say "To bad for them. Try this one, instead." [Roger]

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>Travelers cheques are passé.

I agree that they're not used much anymore, but I think
that most hotels, restaurants, etc. will still accept them.
But credit cards are more convenient.


>Do not bring only one card. Bring cards issued by
>two different banks.

That's a good suggestion. You also might want to contact
the credit card companies prior to your departure to
a) find out how much available credit you have on the
cards, and b) alert them that you'll be using them in a
different country, just to avoid any possibility that their
computers might suspect that someone stole your credit
card number when it's suddenly being used in a different
country (someone at American Express suggested this
to me once).

Jim

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Remove "NOSPAM" from my address when sending me e-mail.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
-

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On Thu, 30 Dec 2004 01:35:03 GMT, "Service Tech"
<servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote:

>
>"C" <caspam@doj.ca.gov> wrote in message news:cqvitn$29u$1@blue.rahul.net...
>> In article <hXGAd.4160$F67.260@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com>,
>> Service Tech <servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote:
>> >Everyone will take cash. Visa & Master Card are among the most popular
>> >credit cards.
>>
>> Depends what you're buying. Hotels and rental cars often prefer credit
>cards.
>> Airlines, too.
>
>They *prefer* Credit Cards, but they'll take cash.

I don't think you can rent a car without a credit card, unless you
want to leave a deposit that is equivalent in value to the car.

Most rental companies won't accept debit cards, either.
--
Barbara Vaughan

My email address is my first initial followed by my last name at libero dot it.

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"JamesStep" <jamesstep@aol.comNOSPAM> wrote in message
news:20041230081636.06135.00001958@mb-m23.aol.com...
> >Travelers cheques are passé.
>
> I agree that they're not used much anymore, but I think
> that most hotels, restaurants, etc. will still accept them.
> But credit cards are more convenient.
>
>
>>Do not bring only one card. Bring cards issued by
>>two different banks.
>
> That's a good suggestion. You also might want to contact
> the credit card companies prior to your departure to
> a) find out how much available credit you have on the
> cards, and b) alert them that you'll be using them in a
> different country, just to avoid any possibility that their
> computers might suspect that someone stole your credit
> card number when it's suddenly being used in a different
> country (someone at American Express suggested this
> to me once).
>
> Jim

Also check with each card you carry what their exchange rate is for the US.
I found that when I traveled in Canada the exchange rates varied widely
depending on which card I used. But in all cases, I did better using a card
for the exchange than cash.
Momma

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"Service Tech" <servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote in message
news:bXIAd.4181$F67.1148@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
>
> "C" <caspam@doj.ca.gov> wrote in message
> news:cqvitn$29u$1@blue.rahul.net...
>> In article <hXGAd.4160$F67.260@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com>,
>> Service Tech <servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote:
>> >Everyone will take cash. Visa & Master Card are among the most popular
>> >credit cards.
>>
>> Depends what you're buying. Hotels and rental cars often prefer credit
> cards.
>> Airlines, too.
>
> They *prefer* Credit Cards, but they'll take cash.
>

They generally require a credit card to reserve the car,
they are happy to take cash, travellers cheques or debit
cards in final payment but unless you have a credit card
you'll need to lodge a large security deposit at the very least

Keith

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Service Tech wrote:
> "rover" <rover@globe.com> wrote in message news:cqvdmd$l5k$1@online.de...
>
>>How would you pay in the USA? Do they prefer cash, credit cards (visa or
>>mastercard or?), maestro or travellers cheques or something else?
>>Thanks, simon
>
>
> Everyone will take cash. Visa & Master Card are among the most popular
> credit cards.
>
>

Not everyone in the travel business will take cash. Car
rentals and hotels come to mind. Some will, many
won't. The car rental companies want the cret card
so they can charge you whatever they want to.

Doug McDonald

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"PTRAVEL" <ptravel88-usenet@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:33h5oaF3vsjn3U1@individual.net...
>
> "Service Tech" <servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote in message
> news:bXIAd.4181$F67.1148@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
> >
> > "C" <caspam@doj.ca.gov> wrote in message
> > news:cqvitn$29u$1@blue.rahul.net...
> >> In article <hXGAd.4160$F67.260@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com>,
> >> Service Tech <servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote:
> >> >Everyone will take cash. Visa & Master Card are among the most
popular
> >> >credit cards.
>
> Most places in the US will accept American Express as well.
>
>
> >>
> >> Depends what you're buying. Hotels and rental cars often prefer credit
> > cards.
> >> Airlines, too.
> >
> > They *prefer* Credit Cards, but they'll take cash.
>
> I think you'll find you'll have quite a bit of difficulty renting a car
for
> cash -- at minimum, they'll request a large deposit. Similarly, with most
> hotels, you'll almost certainly be asked to pay for your stay in advance
> and, possibly, leave a deposit on top of that.
>
Although I've never done it myself, many times I see cash going over the
counters at Airlines, Car Rentals, & Hotels. I don't know what the
arrangements or circumstances were though. Just keep in mind, if you have
anyone refusing cash, call me. I'll take it.<g>

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"Everyboysmomma" <noway@maine.rr.com> wrote in message
news:HbUAd.107953$AL5.78243@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
>
> "JamesStep" <jamesstep@aol.comNOSPAM> wrote in message
> news:20041230081636.06135.00001958@mb-m23.aol.com...
> > >Travelers cheques are passé.
> >
> > I agree that they're not used much anymore, but I think
> > that most hotels, restaurants, etc. will still accept them.
> > But credit cards are more convenient.
> >
> >
> >>Do not bring only one card. Bring cards issued by
> >>two different banks.
> >
> > That's a good suggestion. You also might want to contact
> > the credit card companies prior to your departure to
> > a) find out how much available credit you have on the
> > cards, and b) alert them that you'll be using them in a
> > different country, just to avoid any possibility that their
> > computers might suspect that someone stole your credit
> > card number when it's suddenly being used in a different
> > country (someone at American Express suggested this
> > to me once).
> >
> > Jim
>
> Also check with each card you carry what their exchange rate is for the
US.
> I found that when I traveled in Canada the exchange rates varied widely
> depending on which card I used. But in all cases, I did better using a
card
> for the exchange than cash.
> Momma
>
Good Catch !! I forgot all about exchange rates. Not only do they charge
for the exchange, most have a service charge also. Whenever I leave the
country, (no often) I check on the charges for expense report reasons.

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"Roger (B)" <rcblinn-sss-@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:LCJAd.200$Gj2.136@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
>
> Caution: Do not bring only one card. Bring cards issued by
> two different banks. Sometimes, a card issued by bank 'x' does
> not go thru for some reason, and another card issued by bank 'y'
> works fine. This may be rare and due to a computer glitch that
> can be cleared with a call to customer service, but its easier just
> to pull out another card.

Very true. My UK egg card didn't work in US petrol pumps for some reason.
But my lloyds debit card worked fine.

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In news:AnVAd.7372$iC4.4848@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com "Service Tech"
<servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote:

> Although I've never done it myself, many times I see cash going over the
> counters at Airlines, Car Rentals, & Hotels.

Certainly no problem with airline tickets and cash; you're not borrowing
the airplane :-)

Perhaps you're seeing a cash transaction at car return time or checkout
time.

They take my credit card at check in/rental time, and always ask if I'm
keeping the charge on the card at checkout/return time, suggesting that
they're prepared for alternate forms of payment now that they know I
haven't destroyed or stolen their property.

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@visi.com

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"Mark Hewitt" <mail@markhewittDotCoDotUk.spammers.will.die> wrote in message
news:cr18vd$v3m$1@ucsnew1.ncl.ac.uk...
>
> "Roger (B)" <rcblinn-sss-@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:LCJAd.200$Gj2.136@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
> >
> > Caution: Do not bring only one card. Bring cards issued by
> > two different banks. Sometimes, a card issued by bank 'x' does
> > not go thru for some reason, and another card issued by bank 'y'
> > works fine. This may be rare and due to a computer glitch that
> > can be cleared with a call to customer service, but its easier just
> > to pull out another card.
>
> Very true. My UK egg card didn't work in US petrol pumps for some reason.
> But my lloyds debit card worked fine.
>
More than one card is recommended due to getting your CC # hijacked.
Happens to me quite often. Check your transactions as often as possible.
If you cancel your only card, you'll be stuck for a few days at least.

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"Bert Hyman" <bert@visi.com> wrote in message
news:Xns95CF67F459325VeebleFetzer@news.mpls.visi.com...
> In news:AnVAd.7372$iC4.4848@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com "Service Tech"
> <servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote:
>
>> Although I've never done it myself, many times I see cash going over the
>> counters at Airlines, Car Rentals, & Hotels.
>
> Certainly no problem with airline tickets and cash; you're not borrowing
> the airplane :-)

That may be the case in the USA. However some airlines (e.g. easyJet) don't
take cash at all.

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In news:cr1c3c$i9$1@ucsnew1.ncl.ac.uk "Mark Hewitt"
<mail@markhewittDotCoDotUk.spammers.will.die> wrote:

>
> "Bert Hyman" <bert@visi.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns95CF67F459325VeebleFetzer@news.mpls.visi.com...
>> In news:AnVAd.7372$iC4.4848@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com "Service Tech"
>> <servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Although I've never done it myself, many times I see cash going over
>>> the counters at Airlines, Car Rentals, & Hotels.
>>
>> Certainly no problem with airline tickets and cash; you're not
>> borrowing the airplane :-)
>
> That may be the case in the USA. However some airlines (e.g. easyJet)
> don't take cash at all.

I actually spoke out of turn; while I've never ->heard of an airline
refusing to take cash over the counter for a ticket sale, that doesn't
mean that it doesn't happen, or can't happen, even in the US.

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@visi.com

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"Bert Hyman" <bert@visi.com> wrote in message
news:Xns95CF67F459325VeebleFetzer@news.mpls.visi.com...
> In news:AnVAd.7372$iC4.4848@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com "Service Tech"
> <servicetech1@netzero.com> wrote:
>
>> Although I've never done it myself, many times I see cash going over the
>> counters at Airlines, Car Rentals, & Hotels.
>
> Certainly no problem with airline tickets and cash; you're not borrowing
> the airplane :-)

Actually, not quite true. Though you can buy a plane ticket for cash in the
US, you _will_ get the dreaded SSSS on your boarding car, and mandated
secondary inspection, meaning a thorough search of all carryon, wanding, pat
down (otherwise known as groping), etc.


>
> Perhaps you're seeing a cash transaction at car return time or checkout
> time.
>
> They take my credit card at check in/rental time, and always ask if I'm
> keeping the charge on the card at checkout/return time, suggesting that
> they're prepared for alternate forms of payment now that they know I
> haven't destroyed or stolen their property.
>
> --
> Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@visi.com

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