Is cash still widely used?
Yes, alongside cards. The USA has excellent card acceptance virtually everywhere, but cash remains important for tipping (restaurants, taxis, hotels), street food vendors, farmers markets, some food trucks, and smaller local businesses. Some businesses in major cities have gone fully cashless, which is controversial.
ATMs and withdrawing cash
ATMs are extremely widespread. Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank machines are the most common.
- Fees vary — typically $3-5 per withdrawal for foreign cards plus home bank fees
- Use ATMs at major bank branches rather than standalone machines to avoid high fees
- Many convenience stores charge $2-4 for ATM use
Card acceptance
Excellent. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are broadly accepted. Contactless is widely but not universally available — chip-and-sign is still common.
Tips for travelers
- Always carry $20-40 in small bills for tips — tipping 15-20% is expected in restaurants
- Some parking meters, laundromats, and vending machines are cash-only
- Street food trucks vary — some card-only, some cash-only
- Sales tax is added at the register and varies by state — not shown on price tags