Which would you prefer? Cash or plastics in traveling?

I prefer a mix of two. I carry half the money in cash (well hidden nd taken care of) coz a lot of places either do not accept cards or the amount is too small to pay by a card. For all my shopping needs while traveling, i sue my card. But the deal is, if you are traveling internationally, credit cards charge quite a bit for currency conversion. In such situations, cash is the best.

I prefer a mix of the two myself. Cash can always be lost or stolen but credit cards can be cancelled when one notices they are missing. Money can be exchanged. You have got to make sure you are getting a good excange rate on both money and plastic though. My husband lost his wallet once overseas and had all his cash stolen. He cancelled all his credit cards and then got his wallet back with cards intact.

When I first began traveling I took traveler's checks and got high charges in some banks in Europe. These days I like to take along a small amount of local currency for all the countries that I plan to visit on a trip. I often take US dollars because this is a desired currency in many different countries in the world. I take a debit card that I use when necessary. Like on my latest trip I converted my pounds to the three different currencies that Baltic countries have. I arrived at 6am in Tallinn, capital of Estonia so I used an ATM machine to get cash out of my bank account. A few times exchange offices have given me notes worth a huge amount and that have been bothersome for getting a drink to have or a tram ticket. I like to many get low value notes rather than a few high value notes.

I have always been more inclined to take cash. I mean I do have a credit card but I dont use it. Its just an extension on my Mom's credit line but I really dont use it. Its nice to know that I dont have any debts with anyone or anything. Even if I know I can pay for it. But then again, thats just me.^_^

I would just prefer to bring along a card instead of having a lot of cash in my pocket. Cause if you have cash and someone takes your wallet then you have lost that money. Were as if you have a card and your card was lost, then you would be able to cancel that card out and maybe have another card sent out to you and you will still have that money and not lose it.

Usually I try to carry as much money as I think I will need in cash/travelers checks depending on where I am going to, and how much money I am taking (if it's a lot of money, say, more than £200, I would bring half in travelers checks as they are more secure). However, occasionally I mis-estimate, or see something extra special that i would like to buy and bring home, and so it's always handy to be able to fall back on your credit or debit card, and it would be nice if the credit companies stopped charging so much to convert your funds ;)