Cash or Card Abroad? What 1,500 Travelers Say About Paying
Austin – October 29, 2026 -- Most international travelers still pack both cash and plastic: 71% use local-currency cash abroad and 69% use a physical credit card, according to a new Upgraded Points survey of 1,500 adults who traveled internationally in the past 12 months.
The respondents included 1,000 U.S. adults and 500 adults from other countries. They answered questions about payment methods, cash habits, credit card use, airport currency exchanges and confidence with exchange rates.
Cash in the local currency is still in most wallets
More than 8 in 10 travelers (81%) carry cash in their destination's currency. Of those, 64% use it at street vendors, markets or small businesses, 55% use it for tips and other customary cash payments, and 53% keep it for emergencies.
Few people load up on it at once. About 44% exchange enough cash for several days, while 26% exchange enough for the full trip.