Technology & Infrastructure: Cash Vs. Cards: What Restaurant Owners Need to Know

As the World Cup arrives in Kansas City, restaurants will serve thousands of international visitors with diverse payment habits. Many operators ask: Do international travelers prefer cash? Should we stock extra bills and change? Or are cards still dominant? The truth is nuanced, and important for smooth operations, customer satisfaction, and revenue capture. 

Myth vs. Reality: Do International Travelers Prefer Cash?

There’s a persistent belief that international visitors rely mainly on cash, and while cash does remain a component of international spending, data suggests that cards are still very significant:

A global survey found that cash and credit cards were tied at roughly 42% preference overall for international trips, with debit next at about 30%. Prepaid and e-wallet usage trailed these primary methods (Fernandes, 2023).

Another payments industry survey found that many travelers “want to use credit cards” but sometimes end up using cash or debit when their preferred card is not accepted (Cooley, 2024). Travelers want speed and convenience when they make purchases, and that often means using a credit card. With this survey proctored by the Stawhecker Group, a firm based out of Omaha Nebraska, 78% of participants from the Oceania Region states they preferred debit cards, while 70% of European travelers said they prefer debit cards. 

Even though the use of cash has significantly declined since the presence of the pandemic by fewer ATM withdrawals and higher use of digital methods, cash is still deemed as essential for travelers to carry. "Only 6% of survey participants said they refuse to carry cash" (Cooley, 2024). Modern payment methods such as digital wallets and buy now, pay later lagged far behind more traditional options like cash and debit cards. Only 18% of those surveyed said they use digital wallets, and only 6% said they use buy now, pay later for travel-related expenses (Cooley, 2024). 

Discover, a widely popular credit card carrier conducted a global survey looking at the trends of using electronic payments in North America and European countries, and they found that Cash is a reliable fallback for most travelers. "International travelers know that the payment methods accepted abroad may differ from what they normally use and most carry cash to ensure they have a way to pay for expenses. 23% of travelers typically utilize cash as their primary method of payment when they travel to another country. European international travelers are more likely than North Americans to utilize cash. Credit cards continue to be the most-used payment method for North American international travelers" (DFS Services LLC, 2024). 

_{Chart or Graph Sourced from DFS Services LLC}

Key Takeaway:  Cash surpasses debit card preference for European international travelers. North American travelers are less focused on cash in general. 

What does this mean for restaurants? Cash is not the dominant payment method overall among international travelers, but it is commonly carried as a backup, especially for small purchases, tipping, or when cards aren’t accepted. Credit and debit cards are still primary payment tools for most international visitors, with major global networks such as Visa and MasterCard widely used. 

Card Preferences: More Than Just Cash Vs. Card

International visitors often bring a mix of payment tools: 

Credit Cards

• Widely used for medium and larger transactions. 
• Often offer better exchange rates than cash conversion. 
• May carry foreign transaction fees unless traveler has a travel - optimized card. 

Debit Cards

• Commonly used to withdraw cash from ATM's.
• Useful when credit cards aren't accepted.

Digital Wallets & Travel Cards

• Some travelers use digital wallets (e.g., Apple Pay) when accepting infrastructure exists 
• Travel - specific multi-currency cards help reduce fees

Digital Wallet Adoption is on the Rise: Digital wallets (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, PayPal) provide a way for consumers to digitally save their payment methods in a secure application on their mobile device and then use that device as a contactless payment method (i.e., Tap to Pay).

Two in three consumers surveyed had used a digital wallet. European adoption of digital wallets was more advanced than that of North Americans. Digital wallets were so widely used in Europe that 10% of Europeans rated PayPal as the most universally accepted payment method. 

• In Europe, 26% of respondents have never used a digital wallet.
• In North America, 37% of respondents have never used a digital wallet.
• 34% of Europeans use digital wallets frequently.
• 24% of North Americans use digital wallets frequently.

_{Chart or Graph Sourced from DFS Services LLC}

Key Takeaway: Digital wallets are used more frequently in Europe than in North America. 

Practical Realities for Kansas City Restaurants

International cash exchange is available locally. Visitors will be able to convert foreign currency to USD via local services, which may influence spending behavior:

• Order Express - Kansas City Independence Check Cashing – local currency exchange service impacting cash supply

• Order Express – additional branch in southwest KC

• CFSC New Money Express – cash servicing options

• Western Union & MoneyGram – money transfer services with currency exchange

• Country Club Bank & other banking locations that can handle foreign cash and exchange services

Travelers can also exchange money before arriving or withdraw USD at ATMs, and many do so to avoid airport or tourist booth rates. 

Important Note: The official website for Kansas City International Airport indicates that standard airport currency exchange services may not be offered at the main terminal. Visitors should plan accordingly.