Tourists are being warned about a currency error that could result in them being unable to make digital payments in some destinations.
Many people in the UK use bank cards or mobile payments for goods and services, and many citizens no longer carry cash. But anyone traveling to Europe on vacation this summer is urged to plan ahead, as the use of digital payments in some popular destinations is not as common.
Saurabh Chawande of payment solutions expert myPOS said: “Many of us use our cards and mobile phones as an integral part of everyday life, paying for everything from half a liter of milk at the supermarket to booking a holiday. summer. In the UK, it’s rare to find a restaurant or shop that doesn’t accept digital payments, but it’s not so simple in Europe.
“In some European countries, such as Austria, Germany and France, digital payments are not used as widely as in the UK, and some businesses may not accept them. Therefore, it is highly recommended that we plan ahead to avoid disappointments and we investigate our holiday destination and how widespread the use of digital payments is.
“If you visit a restaurant or retail store, be sure to ask the staff if they accept cards before purchasing something, especially if you don’t carry cash. While digital payments have made everyday transactions much more convenient, it is important do not assume that it is available in all cases when traveling abroad.
Many consumers find card payments to be a fast, convenient and secure way to purchase a variety of goods and services. Meanwhile, they benefit small and large businesses by improving cash flow management, reducing transaction times and streamlining the transaction process, BristolLive reports.
The use of card payments is experiencing a sharp increase in countries that use the euro as their main currency, according to data from the European Central Bank. It revealed that the number of card payments soared by 15.6% to 36.5 billion in the first six months of 2023, compared to the first six months of 2022.
And while tourists are urged to do their homework on their destinations before traveling, there’s another key step that shouldn’t be forgotten either. Saurabh Chawande added, “Preparing for a vacation involves a lot of planning and tasks to attend to even before you leave home.
“And it is important not to forget a simple but very important measure that we must take to be able to use our cards abroad. It may be necessary to inform your bank that you are going to travel abroad, as some cards will have automatic protection against them. They place fraud blocks if someone tries to use them in a different country.
“It can be as simple as logging into your bank account online or through the official app and authorizing the use of your cards in Europe. This can avoid embarrassing situations where your bank blocks your card because you haven’t told them it’s traveling, which could leave you with a financial headache when you’re supposed to be enjoying a well-deserved break.
