COVID Cash or Card? Answered Thanks.

George Vancouver

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2019

• Jul 1, 2021

• #1

To those currently on the Camino, is everything still pretty much cash-based or have merchants and albergues switched to non-cash transactions because of Covid?

 

trecile

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés, Norte, Salvador, Primitivo, Portuguese

• Jul 1, 2021

• #2

Check out this recent thread

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/cash-on-the-camino-covid.70328/#post-928376

@LTfit says that they paid cash everywhere.

 

George Vancouver

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2019

• Jul 1, 2021

• #3

trecile said:

Check out this recent thread

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/cash-on-the-camino-covid.70328/#post-928376

@LTfit says that they paid cash everywhere.

Click to expand...

Thanks.

 

arobins

Anna

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2021

• Jul 1, 2021

• #4

I plan on taking cash/euros and credit cards. If I need more cash I’ll go to an ATM. I’ve booked some pensions/hostels already with my CC.

 

ivar

Administrator

Staff member

Donating Member

• Jul 1, 2021

• #5

In Santiago (and I think bigger cities in general) tap and pay cards (Apple pay and so on) is used mucho more now. Even for small purchases..

 

lisaflora

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2021

• Jul 1, 2021

• #6

George Vancouver said:

To those currently on the Camino, is everything still pretty much cash-based or have merchants and albergues switched to non-cash transactions because of Covid?

Click to expand...

I am on Norte ....very hard to exchange dollars..most banks now say you must have an acct or thyeveont have a caja. I wind up pulling cash off my debit or credit card (watch cash advance fee). I use credit card for all purchases in stores, restaurants, and even most albergues. Very few require cash but you must always have some euro

 

trecile

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés, Norte, Salvador, Primitivo, Portuguese

• Jul 1, 2021

• #7

lisaflora said:

I am on Norte ....very hard to exchange dollars..most banks now say you must have an acct or thyeveont have a caja

Click to expand...

I believe that has been the situation for a number of years.
I use my Charles Schwab debit card to withdraw Euros - they rebate all ATM fees.

 

Marbe2

Active member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2015-2023 walked all or part of CF 11 times

• Jul 1, 2021

• #8

I use cards with zero conversion charges. Always pay in Euros not dollars.