Field Guide · Currency & foreign fees

Money Abroad, Without the Markup

By Rachel Julian, Editor-in-Chief · July 21, 2026 · 4 min read

The quiet money-losers abroad are the airport kiosk and the “charge in your home currency” trap. Here’s how to pay overseas without the markup — plainly.

Direct answer: Paying abroad is where small, avoidable fees add up. A no-foreign-fee card and one rule — always pay in the local currency — solve most of it. Here’s the rest.

Paying abroad is where small, avoidable fees add up. A no-foreign-fee card and one rule — always pay in the local currency — solve most of it. Here’s the rest.

Should I use cash or card abroad for work?

Card for most things — better rates and a clean expense trail — ideally one with no foreign-transaction fee, plus some local cash for taxis, tips, and small vendors. Card for the record, cash for the gaps.

Are airport currency exchanges a bad deal?

Usually, yes — airport kiosks tend to offer the worst rates and the highest fees. A bank ATM at your destination or a no-foreign-fee card almost always beats them; if you must, change just enough to get started.

How do I pay for things in another country?

A card with no foreign-transaction fee for most purchases, contactless or your phone where accepted, and local cash for small or cash-only spots. Always choose to be charged in the local currency, not your home one — “dynamic currency conversion” quietly costs you.

What is a good exchange rate?

As close to the mid-market (“interbank”) rate as you can get — the real rate you can look up in seconds. No-fee cards get you near it; airport kiosks and dynamic currency conversion are the ones to avoid.

Can I use my phone to pay abroad?

In much of the world, yes — Apple Pay and Google Pay work wherever contactless is accepted, often more widely abroad than at home, with good rates and no skimming risk. Keep a physical card as backup.

How much cash should I bring on an international trip?

Enough for the first day and cash-only situations — taxis, tips, small vendors — then pull more from a bank ATM as needed rather than carrying a wad. The right amount is “a little,” topped up locally.

More answers for the road in the Field Guide.

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The Field Guide is The Sales Traveler’s own editorial — experienced-traveler judgment, on the traveler’s side. Where an answer touches a rule or number (policy, tax, security), confirm it with the primary source; we don’t invent specifics. Independent and reader-funded; no paid placements.