What can't you buy for cash anymore?

The last time I purchased an airline ticket for cash was in the late 1990s - about 25 years ago. Since then it was always online. The last time I checked (some 5-6 years ago) it was not possible to buy an airline ticket for cash at the airport or a travel agency.

Are there any similar situations where it is not possible to buy for cash?

On Easyjet flights, you cannot purchase a drink or food, or even duty free goods unless you use a credit card.

Online purchases, very hard to pay in cash there. If I had a magical box that takes cash and beams it to the right place I would also pay cash there. 😅

Idolenz

Online purchases, very hard to pay in cash there. If I had a magical box that takes cash and beams it to the right place I would also pay cash there. 😅

Well, I actually have some customers at my online auctions who prefers to send payment in cash. Received €7 this week in a letter. Unfortunately more and more online auctions does not permit cash advertised as accepted payment, but some customers send cash anyway.

Most dealerships won't take cash for their cars. You can pay part of your downpayment in cash but the rest must be certified cheque (or digital).

I couldn't pay the parking for many places as it was CC only. Many pop machines are going this way too.

COINMAN1

On Easyjet flights, you cannot purchase a drink or food, or even duty free goods unless you use a credit card.

That of course is a problem if you don't mind them ripping you off, and not only them, most airlines in Europe are cashless and have extreme prices. It's possible though to bring yourself most of what they offer - a sandwich and a chocolate bar from home and a bottle of mineral water from the kiosk in the gate (after passing the security check). Perhaps you can even take a coffee to go from the gate, I haven't pushed my luck, yet.

I remember those good old days when eat and drink was included to the price of the air ticket. Economy ticket was always at least a (small) sandwich and a tiny soda can, coffee/tea and a cookie. After serving everybody the steward/ess would return and offer refills. First class tickets would also include one of these souvenir bottles of alcohol.

Serial_Number_8

Most dealerships won't take cash for their cars. You can pay part of your downpayment in cash but the rest must be certified cheque (or digital).

 

I couldn't pay the parking for many places as it was CC only. Many pop machines are going this way too.

When it comes to dealerships it depends on the total sum and on the dealership. According to current (local) legislation they are not obliged to accept cash payment for more than the equivalence of €2,000. Edit: In Germany it would not be a problem to pay in cash for the full sum.

Parking depends on what city you're parking in. This year I have paid for parking in cash in several cities (Eurozone). Larger cities tend to have newer systems, which means parking-app's and CC's only. Many smaller cities have (free) disc parking.

If you think of it as buying a service: rental cars, no way without credit card.

I was quite dismayed the other week that many cafés in London wouldn't take cash anymore. In the Netherlands there are for a few years now completely cash-free supermarkets. Also here in Belgium there are increasingly many checkouts in supermarkets that are card-only, but the general option to pay cash is still there.

Luckily Germany loves its cash and in many places paying by card is even still relatively cumbersome with only some local payment systems being accepted but not major credit cards. A few months ago there was even a large-scale outage of payment terminals across the country because of some firmware issue of the terminals themselves, which made people appreciate their cash again, if even only for a short time.

Diesel in most places I have been in the Netherlands!

It's a nuisance, most pumps seem to be unmanned and card only. 

I'll be there next week – September migration safari –, and will get hit with a nasty ‘cross border transaction fee’ on my Euro credit card in the Eurozone single market when I buy diesel in Smakt (NL).

Hibernia

Diesel in most places I have been in the Netherlands!

Reminds me of the time I was in Spain in 2017, I brought on my trip a giant bagful of 5 eurocent and no one would exchange my coins. So I did what any normal person would do and paid 30 euro with 5 eurocent coins. My friend said his hands were dirt black after running them through.

Everyone should come to Mexico where cash is the almighty emperor. Many businesses will not accept cash (or don't know how to work their card readers), and on many flights cash - in pesos mind you - is only accepted.

I recently attended a college (American) football game and none of the concessions vendors accepted cash. I am okay with using a card for large impersonal transactions (such as at the grocery store), but I would much rather use cash for small purchases.

Hibernia

Diesel in most places I have been in the Netherlands!

It's a nuisance, most pumps seem to be unmanned and card only. 

I'll be there next week – September migration safari –, and will get hit with a nasty ‘cross border transaction fee’ on my Euro credit card in the Eurozone single market when I buy diesel in Smakt (NL).

You may be with the wrong bank … Also isn't Dutch Diesel more expensive than in Germany? I know the prices have converged with the German CO2 tax, but whenever I cross the Netherlands I just try to make sure that I under no circumstances run out of fuel :D

53th0s

If you think of it as buying a service: rental cars, no way without credit card.

Most likely.

It's many years ago when I rented a car, but I can see the upside on this , no need to have large sums in cash for the deposit. If I remember correctly, in old days it was customary to pay a deposit of what today would be around €200 in case of damages to the car. Today, you just drop the car without anyone inspecting it before you go on with your business.

Hibernia

Diesel in most places I have been in the Netherlands!

It's a nuisance, most pumps seem to be unmanned and card only. 

I'll be there next week – September migration safari –, and will get hit with a nasty ‘cross border transaction fee’ on my Euro credit card in the Eurozone single market when I buy diesel in Smakt (NL).

That is most likely because you focus on the cheapest diesel.

As another poster said, you should try with a different bank - or at least different payment card.

Some places here in New Zealand don't even accept cash as payment.

One of them is Nando's - as in the famous South African restaurant chain.

Aidan.

BCNumismatics

Some places here in New Zealand don't even accept cash as payment.

 

One of them is Nando's - as in the famous South African restaurant chain.

 

Aidan.

Same thing here. This kind of places seems to slowly slide out of our list of favorite places. The competitors are still there.

I think these days you cannot pay for a decent hotel in cash (to stay more than a few days) although it may be possible. 

In France I noticed especially in the small villages almost everything was paid in cash.

KennyG

Hibernia

Diesel in most places I have been in the Netherlands!

Reminds me of the time I was in Spain in 2017, I brought on my trip a giant bagful of 5 eurocent and no one would exchange my coins. So I did what any normal person would do and paid 30 euro with 5 eurocent coins. My friend said his hands were dirt black after running them through.

 

Everyone should come to Mexico where cash is the almighty emperor. Many businesses will not accept cash (or don't know how to work their card readers), and on many flights cash - in pesos mind you - is only accepted.

Vending machines are a good way to get rid of low value coins although you would be able to buy a lot of coffee with that.

Yep I can faintly recall cash being king in Mexico when I was last there in 2016.

Worldwide collection

I think these days you cannot pay for a decent hotel in cash (to stay more than a few days) although it may be possible. 

 

In France I noticed especially in the small villages almost everything was paid in cash.

That really depends on the country you're staying in. Even though most people that I talk to think it's no longer possible to book a hotel room without having to consult booking.com etc., they are so wrong. Almost all decent hotels with a staffed reception can be booked walking in from the street. It might even be cheaper than via an online third part service. In some countries you'll even get a discount when paying in cash (if you “forget” to ask for a receipt).

Edit: After going through all of the times that I've booked a hotel room online via third party services (such as booking.com and the like), only two of the hotels ever produced a receipt of payment on their own accord, and both hotels were in Germany. Until now third party services were not obliged to report any of the transactions made via their platforms, but new EU legislation has changed this, so all online activity must now be declared by third party services.

53th0s

Hibernia

Diesel in most places I have been in the Netherlands!

It's a nuisance, most pumps seem to be unmanned and card only. 

I'll be there next week – September migration safari –, and will get hit with a nasty ‘cross border transaction fee’ on my Euro credit card in the Eurozone single market when I buy diesel in Smakt (NL).

You may be with the wrong bank … Also isn't Dutch Diesel more expensive than in Germany? I know the prices have converged with the German CO2 tax, but whenever I cross the Netherlands I just try to make sure that I under no circumstances run out of fuel :D

Payment in cash doesn't depend on your bank.

I found Germany to be more expensive last time I was here, though that was six months ago – I will be in both countries next week, and will do a comparison! One thing which affects a price comparison is whether or not the diesel vendor is on or off the motorway – motorway diesel is dearer generally. My German diesel tends to be motorway, as I won't be stopping in the country this time. Netherlands is local, in a town.

Hapertas

Hibernia

Diesel in most places I have been in the Netherlands!

It's a nuisance, most pumps seem to be unmanned and card only. 

I'll be there next week – September migration safari –, and will get hit with a nasty ‘cross border transaction fee’ on my Euro credit card in the Eurozone single market when I buy diesel in Smakt (NL).

That is most likely because you focus on the cheapest diesel.

 

As another poster said, you should try with a different bank - or at least different payment card.

My point is that I was trying to use cash as a payment mechanism. 

Regarding card usage in a foreign country – in my experience it will generally attract some kind of levy, whether it is built into the exchange rate, or a fee for usage.

Hibernia

Hapertas

Hibernia

Diesel in most places I have been in the Netherlands!

It's a nuisance, most pumps seem to be unmanned and card only. 

I'll be there next week – September migration safari –, and will get hit with a nasty ‘cross border transaction fee’ on my Euro credit card in the Eurozone single market when I buy diesel in Smakt (NL).

That is most likely because you focus on the cheapest diesel.

 

As another poster said, you should try with a different bank - or at least different payment card.

My point is that I was trying to use cash as a payment mechanism. 

 

Regarding card usage in a foreign country – in my experience it will generally attract some kind of levy, whether it is built into the exchange rate, or a fee for usage.

That really depends on the bank. I have one which doesn't charge fees for any euro withdrawals within the Eurozone and one which doesn't charge for cash withdrawals in any currency worldwide and gives the actual market exchange rate. Back in the day they would even refund foreign ATM fees (like they are common in the US for example) if you sent in the receipts, but that stopped a few years ago. 

And neither are premium accounts or anything like that, both accounts and attached cards have zero fees. Admittedly these type of offers have become rare, but they are still out there. 

Hibernia

Hapertas

Hibernia

Diesel in most places I have been in the Netherlands!

It's a nuisance, most pumps seem to be unmanned and card only. 

I'll be there next week – September migration safari –, and will get hit with a nasty ‘cross border transaction fee’ on my Euro credit card in the Eurozone single market when I buy diesel in Smakt (NL).

That is most likely because you focus on the cheapest diesel.

 

As another poster said, you should try with a different bank - or at least different payment card.

My point is that I was trying to use cash as a payment mechanism. 

I understand, and when you want to use cash to pay for diesel you will end up at the more expensive gas stations. Hence, looking for cheap diesel will most likely give you the impression that most pumps are unmanned, since those are the gas stations that are able to keep a low price.

Hibernia

 

I found Germany to be more expensive last time I was here, though that was six months ago – I will be in both countries next week, and will do a comparison! One thing which affects a price comparison is whether or not the diesel vendor is on or off the motorway – motorway diesel is dearer generally. My German diesel tends to be motorway, as I won't be stopping in the country this time. Netherlands is local, in a town.

Well, yes, as is everything you buy at the Autobahnraststätte. The only nice thing in my opinion about those places are their toilets, really well managed. You should try to take the Bundesstraße to your destination. It's much slower than the Autobahn, but you'll see one gas station after the other and get a good impression on what the average price is on diesel. Or you can use this website to compare prices: https://www.adac.de/verkehr/tanken-kraftstoff-antrieb/kraftstoffpreise/

I definitely agree with you there, best managed toilets on the continent in Germany, well worth the small entry fee [payable by cash on entry]. The worst toilets I have ever encountered were in France on the Autoroute – a toll road, so one might expect to find decent facilities.

I will be driving from Póznan (PL) to Smakt (NL), and more interested in speeding through than in looking for cheap diesel on slower roads, I usually avoid needing to stop in Germany at all. Diesel in Poland is still around 25% cheaper, and all the vendors always take cash or card.

Hibernia

 

I will be driving from Póznan (PL) to Smakt (NL), and more interested in speeding through than in looking for cheap diesel on slower roads, I usually avoid needing to stop in Germany at all. Diesel in Poland is still around 25% cheaper, and all the vendors always take cash or card.

You will need a very economical car (or a very large jerrycan) to make it all the 850+ km on Polish diesel only. Even though my car could perhaps just make it on the last fumes, I could not allow to drive faster than 90-100 km/h. Driving faster than 110 km/h + overtakings makes the consumption rise by 30% or more.

Hibernia

I will be driving from Póznan (PL) to Smakt (NL)

So, you will most likely use the Autobahn A2 here in Germany.

To refill, get off the Autobahn in Hannover, Bielefeld or Dortmund (for example). You will find a much cheaper gas station (cheaper than at any Autobahnraststätte) within a 2km radius of any off-ramp. You won't lose much time leaving the Autobahn particularly if you look up gas stations before starting your journey. You shouldn't have any problems paying cash – except if you try to pay with a €200 note.

There are usually lots of traffics jams on the A2, especially around Hannover and the Ruhrgebiet. You wouldn't want to get into one without enough Diesel in your tank. 😉

Safe travels!

Hibernia

I definitely agree with you there, best managed toilets on the continent in Germany, well worth the small entry fee [payable by cash on entry]. The worst toilets I have ever encountered were in France on the Autoroute – a toll road, so one might expect to find decent facilities.

 

Belgium, hands down. They only have loos at stations with restaurants, of which there are not many, but nothing in any standard parking lots. Like nothing. No facilities. Only fences to keep you away from any emergency nature opportunities. How lorry drivers who have to spend the night there cope I do not know …

Polish motorways on the other hand are a delight every time. Smooth, not that busy, and all round pleasant in my experience. 

Safe travels! 

Money has made a slight come back here, but generally higher end shops and big purchases like say a car or major home appliance they will not take cash money, but cash as in like a debit card with no chip (So processing fees are minimal or non existent.

Many retailers encourage credit card, as you can charge surcharges inposed by all our greedy Australian owned banks, but many shops will charge extra as a kick back.

Capitalism is king here now and many stores will push extra warranties and hire purchase for big ticket items. They hate cash buyers like me, because their profit margins are cut. Capitalism is based on greedy, stupid and poor people not the well off, astute or sensible like myself.

Smaller shops, dairies, food outlets etc, accept paper money - less keen on coins unless a tiny purchase. I am amazed when they whip out the eftpos terminal for even trivial purchases under $5 (Virtually nothing costs cents only unless a tiny lolly or single pencil). They always look dejected when they see that old fashioned papery stuff and those round metal things the 17 year old sheltered employee heard about from her grandparents, that we used in the days we hunted dinosaurs for dinner and there was no Snapchat or Facebook.

But its a recommended law here than coins of 10c, 20c and 50c are only legal tender up to and including $5 and those of $1 and $2 to $20. But its not the law and shops that do not accept cash, must show signs at the entrance that are easy to see and find (But only in English, though so many non English speaking migrants, will be confused although they are fine as over 75% of all retail owners and staff are Asian or Subcontinent.

Cheques were phased out in 2021 and 2022 - again thanks to our greedy Australian profit driven banks.

“Capitalism is based on greedy, stupid and poor people not the well off, astute or sensible like myself.”

Capitalism is  inert, greed comes from the human heart, without it we wouldn't have such problems.

Cheques are in the process of being phased out in Australia - as like here in New Zealand, they have become obsolete.

Have a read here;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheque .

Aidan.

redsmithstudios

“Capitalism is based on greedy, stupid and poor people not the well off, astute or sensible like myself.”

Capitalism is  inert, greed comes from the human heart, without it we wouldn't have such problems.

 

Agreed to the latter. Capitalism is a tool and how this tool is used depends on those using it.

redlock

Hibernia

I will be driving from Póznan (PL) to Smakt (NL)

So, you will most likely use the Autobahn A2 here in Germany.

To refill, get off the Autobahn in Hannover, Bielefeld or Dortmund (for example). You will find a much cheaper gas station (cheaper than at any Autobahnraststätte) within a 2km radius of any off-ramp. You won't lose much time leaving the Autobahn particularly if you look up gas stations before starting your journey. You shouldn't have any problems paying cash – except if you try to pay with a €200 note.

There are usually lots of traffics jams on the A2, especially around Hannover and the Ruhrgebiet. You wouldn't want to get into one without enough Diesel in your tank. 😉

Safe travels!

 

This is a regular journey, and we time travel to avoid peak traffic in Germany – has always worked out so far. 

A2 all the way more or less, and right past Bielefeld, so might have a look at that as a diesel solution ;)

Packing 50 Euro notes. Car has a range of 650 miles on a full tank.

One stop in Belgium to buy chocolate, the following day on the way to France!

Most of the Polish motorways are nice and new, and spreading all the time!