Originally Posted by
tom911
I don't have a debit card as I get much better consumer protection rights with a credit card, so can't help with the fine points of debit cards. I just can't imagine not having some local currency for things like tips, a soft drink somewhere, or even a hot dog from a street vendor. You an always use your leftover cash the last day towards your hotel bill or souveniers/gifts.
Agreed. I think it's embarrassing to pay for anything under $10-20 with a credit card, and the ATM cards charge the merchant a fee (at least they do in the US - something in the news lately) and again you might not get as good an exchange rate as you would with your credit card.
Like Tom, we've found merchants at the end of our stay quite willing to take part payment in cash and part in credit card.
Depending on one's spending habits, it would be helpful to have $50 or more in cash with you for incidentals.