Travel Tips: Should You Carry Cards or Cash?

Taking a trip overseas is supposed to be relaxing. You expect to shop, swim, and see the sights, but the reality is that traveling always comes with some stress… and this usually involves money. Instead of making memories, you’re worrying about the “what ifs”. What if your credit card is declined? What if you run out of cash? What if you lose your slim money clip wallet?

Fortunately, with proper planning, you can ensure that your trip goes smoothly and that you don’t lose your hard-earned money.

Should you carry cards or cash?

Travelers tend to steer clear of cash because let’s face it, exchange rates can be brutal. Carrying cash also puts travelers at risk of theft. However, credit cards aren’t cheap, either. Financial institutions have earned a reputation of being finicky because of the fees that they’ve imposed on international credit card charges. So, if both cards and cash are “problematic”, what’s a traveler to do?

The answer is simple. You should carry both cards and cash in your bi-fold wallet for men. As they say, you shouldn’t put all of your eggs in a single basket.

Carrying cards and cash is safer since you’ll always have an alternative mode of payment in case one of them is stolen or lost.

Let’s look at some of the reasons why you should carry cards and cash when on vacation:

Cash

You should always travel with cash. It doesn’t matter if it’s only a couple of dollars -- cash can come in handy, especially if you’re taking a trip to a place where it’s nearly impossible to find an ATM, such as a tropical island. Similarly, in some countries, you’ll likely find stores that take cash only. In addition, cab drivers in developing countries don’t typically take credit. You should also use cash for small purchases such as buying a bottle of water.

Reserve your cards for big expenses such as hotel bills, dinners, and duty-free shopping. Before exiting the airport, change your cash to local currency. Don’t bother changing cash from the U.S. since it’s unlikely that you’ll get a better deal.

We recommend storing your cash in a slim money clip wallet, such as the Trayvax Old Glory Element. It can hold up to ten cards and as many as five pieces of paper money.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are convenient and reliable. That’s why so many travelers count on credit during their trips. In fact, some stores, restaurants, and hotels only take credit. And since MasterCard and Visa are accepted in most countries, you’ll have no problem paying with your card.

The downside, though, is that a credit card is one of the most commonly stolen items. Someone could pick your pocket while you’re taking touristy pictures, and you wouldn’t even notice. When a pickpocket retrieves your credit card, this can result in fraud and identity theft. You might even have to cancel your trip to resolve the fraudulent charges.

Plus, credit cards are at risk of RFID skimming. This is when someone uses a scanner to retrieve the data stored in your card. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution to this: RFID-blocking wallets. These are cutting-edge wallets that block electromagnetic fields so that skimmers can’t steal your information, no matter how hard they try.

You should also consider carrying your cards in a front pocket wallet. When traveling, you should never slip your wallet into your back pocket. If you do this, you’re basically asking to be pickpocketed. Use slim wallets for men like the Trayvax Ascent Wallet instead. It slips into your front pocket without being too bulky.

Debit Card

If you have enough cash and you haven’t maxed out your credit card, you won’t need to use debit. Still, it’s a good idea to bring your debit card in case of emergencies. For instance, you may need to retrieve cash during your trip. Although debit cards are harder to “hack”, not all debit cards can be accessed in all countries. In some cases, you’ll need to inform your bank that you’ll be using it overseas. Additionally, some ATMs charge you for each transaction, using your debit card in another country could result in an eye-watering accumulation of fees.

Another downside to using debit is that it’s linked to your bank account. When a fraudster finds a way into your account, they can take everything. It’s easier to dispute fraudulent charges on a credit card.

Where can you find a wallet that can carry it all? Since you’ll be bringing cards and cash, you will need a wallet that can comfortably fit both. At Trayvax, we have a wide selection of slim wallets for men. Some of our wallets also have RFID-blocking technology, which is a must-have for any traveler.