Everyone’s holiday checklist will vary greatly, but one Brit residing in Benidorm has issued a reminder about an essential item to pack. Neglecting to do so could result in significant regret.
He advised that if you’re planning a trip to this popular Spanish resort, it’s crucial to bring some hard cash instead of solely relying on contactless payments.
Harry Poulton, who regularly imparts travel advice and tips about Benidorm to his nearly 38,000 followers on his @harrytokky account, has noticed something worth paying attention to. The 24-year-old has observed that many businesses are now only accepting cash, shunning card payments.
This could be due to small businesses wanting to avoid processing fees, potential chargebacks, and security concerns associated with card transactions.
Each card payment incurs fees that businesses must cover. These charges may be a percentage of the transaction or a flat fee, leading some businesses to prefer cash-only transactions.
His video garnered over 24,000 views and hundreds of likes, with him stating: “Warning for anyone coming out to Benidorm in the next couple of months. Do you need to bring cash to Benidorm?”
Harry, originally from Brighton, confessed that he no longer carries cash. This is not uncommon, as many people now use contactless cards or mobile payments.
A recent visit to Benidorm revealed that numerous businesses now only take payments in cash. Though most ATMs dispense cash easily, you might find yourself in a precarious position during a power outage.
Such an incident occurred a few weeks ago when Spain announced a “national emergency” during a brief period of power cuts that affected the Benidorm strip – and it could potentially happen again. Therefore, it’s wise to prepare beforehand.
Always keeping some spare change on hand can be invaluable during emergencies. Harry elaborated: “There are quite a few bars that don’t accept cards, which is really surprising. We all know about the Benny blackout, well, there was no way to pay by card then […] so what does that tell you?”
“Should you bring cash to Benidorm? Absolutely. I’m always carrying a tiny little bit of cash 1747998806 around with me just in case. You don’t want to be ordering your drink, and you get caught short when the card machine isn’t working”.
However, he noted that you don’t need to bring your entire holiday fund. Paying by card or phone is still acceptable, but it’s a good idea to keep a small cash reserve handy.
Since relying solely on cash also poses risks, Harry suggests striking a balance between the two. Debate has sparked online as individuals weighed in on whether cash or card reigns supreme, with many voicing support for the tangible currency.
“Cash is king,” one commenter declared, while another emphasized their preference by stating they “only brought cash” during a trip.
“Anyone with common sense takes money on holiday, and they’d only take out enough for that day with them,” one man advised in the lively discussion.
