Some tips on money matters and the currency in Wester USA:
- Make sure you can use your card to withdraw money in Western USA. This function usually has to be activated at your bank.
- Always make sure you bring enough cash with you. In Western USA you pay with American dollars. The exchange rate between the dollar and the euro varies continuously due to international currency trade.
- You’ll find plenty of ATMs in Western USA. In city centres, shopping malls and also in a number of amusement parks you can easily withdraw money with your credit card. These ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) accept most credit cards. Please note that there are costs involved in withdrawing money. Often this is a percentage of the withdrawal amount and/or a fixed amount per transaction. It is generally advantageous to withdraw larger amounts at once.
- There is no country in the world where credit cards are as well accepted as in America. Also in Western USA you can pay almost everywhere with your credit card.
- Tipping is something typically American and can be a bit confusing for tourists. Waiters, bartenders, taxi drivers, doormen, bellboys, chambermaids, etc. work in the service sector and are poorly paid. Americans like to decide for themselves how much the service was worth and show their appreciation through the tip. So tips are part of the salary. Tipping is therefore almost obligatory and there are some guidelines for different services. In a restaurant the tip is normally between 15% and 20% of the bill (without tax). This is about 2 to 2.5 times the tax. Tipping is not required in fast food restaurants or self-service. Bartenders get about 50 cents per drink.