In Bucharest, most taxis I saw near Gara de Nord wanted cash. I got in one from Cristaxi and the dude groaned when I asked about card-said “not workin...

That’s Dynamic Currency Conversion. Basically, the ATM wants to convert the money for you using their trash exchange rate instead of your bank’s. Alwa...

Outside the major cities, cash is king. In Sochi, I flagged down a cab and the driver literally laughed when I showed my card. He pointed to a tiny st...

In Moscow, I used the Troika card for metro and buses-super convenient. Paid cash at the machine to load it. Some stations have card options, but fore...

The hostel I stayed at near Kurskaya in Moscow only took cash-even though their site said card accepted. Guy at the front desk apologized and pointed ...

Honestly? It’s hit or miss now. My US card worked at Sberbank ATMs in Moscow, but only after trying three others. Got 100,000 RUB max per transaction....

Yeah, that’s been a problem since sanctions. Western cards (especially Visa or Mastercard issued outside Russia) often don’t work anymore. My US Visa ...

Yep, happened to me outside a Sberbank near Kitay-Gorod. Card just got eaten mid-transaction. No error or anything. Went into the branch next morning ...

I used Bolt app in Kigali twice and paid through the app with my card-worked like a charm. But street taxis? All cash. I hailed one and driver said “n...