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.
Mobile wallets are used by 44% of travelers, led by Gen Z
A physical debit card is used by 35% of travelers. Mobile wallets are used by 44% overall, including 56% of Gen Z travelers and 22% of travelers age 61 and older.
Only 35% feel very confident about exchange rates
Confidence splits along gender and age lines. While 44% of men feel very confident understanding exchange rates abroad, just 26% of women do. Among generations, 28% of Gen Z travelers feel very confident, compared with 40% of Gen X travelers and 37% of Baby Boomers.
Planning starts early for many. Nearly one-third (32%) begin working out how they will pay abroad three to six months before departure. Among U.S. travelers, 20% start more than six months ahead, compared with 12% of non-U.S. travelers.
Chase and Capital One lead among U.S. issuers
Among U.S. respondents, Visa was the most commonly used card network at 24%. Chase followed at 21%, Capital One at 19% and American Express at 15%.
More than a third paid more than expected because of exchange rates
Problems at the register are common. Among all respondents, 38% were contacted by their bank or card company about a purchase made abroad, and 34% paid more than expected because of the exchange rate. In addition, 29% were charged an unexpected foreign transaction fee and 26% had a card declined.
"Spending money should be the easy part of a trip abroad," said Ryan Smith, Director of News at Upgraded Points.