Credit cards for the USA, Australia and New Zealand: tips, holds and checkout surcharges
Cards are a main way to pay in these countries, but there are specifics: tipping on a card, holds at fuel pumps and hotels, card surcharges, and ZIP prompts.
תשובה מהירה
- In the USA, Australia and New Zealand, paying by card or tapping is normal in most shops, to the point where some visitors barely use cash. Be ready for tipping, holds at fuel pumps and hotels, surcharges some businesses add for card payments, and terminals that ask for a ZIP code.
- The fees and exchange rate you pay depend on your own card, not the country. Read your bank's terms and carry a backup card plus a little cash.
Credit cards for the USA: the overall picture
In the USA, most shops, restaurants and services accept cards, and tap-to-pay is increasingly common. Some unattended machines such as parking meters, ticket kiosks and fuel pumps can use older systems, so you may have to try more than one method when a machine does not respond.
Pre-trip steps are the same as anywhere: enable overseas use, set alerts, know your PIN and carry a backup card. The basics are in our guide to how credit cards work abroad.
Tipping on a card and paying at the table
In the USA, tipping is widely expected at restaurants, taxis and some services. Terminals often have a tip option on the screen or slip. A common routine is that staff bring a slip for you to fill in the tip and sign, or the terminal offers choices. Customs differ by service, and in Australia and New Zealand tipping is not an expected rule in many places. Ask or read the bill if unsure.
- Check whether a service charge is already included before adding a tip.
- The final slip is what gets charged, not the first slip before tip.
- Keep a little cash for services where tips are given in cash, such as porters.
Fuel pumps and hotels: card holds
At automated fuel pumps the machine may place a temporary hold before you fill up and charge only the actual amount afterwards. Some pumps ask for a ZIP code, which a Thai card may not have in the US format. If the pump refuses, try paying at the counter with an attendant instead.
Hotels and car rental firms often place a hold on the card at check-in or pick-up. Ask what is held and when it is released, and make sure the card you use has enough available limit. For car rental deposits, see our overseas car rental guide.
Card payment surcharges: Australia and New Zealand
Some businesses in Australia and New Zealand add a surcharge when you pay by card, and a few shops in the USA add a card fee or offer a cash discount. A surcharge should be shown on signage or on the amount before you confirm, so do not confirm until you have seen the final total.
ZIP prompts and machines that do not take a foreign card
Some US machines, such as fuel pumps, parking kiosks or online purchases, may ask for the ZIP code of your billing address, and a foreign card typically has no US-format ZIP.
- Try inserting or tapping and see whether a ZIP is requested.
- If it refuses, pay at the counter with an attendant.
- For websites, use the address and postal code your bank has on file, or ask your bank if the site rejects it.
- Carry a little cash in case a machine will not work.
Using cards in Australia and New Zealand
Both countries have a strong tap-to-pay culture and many places accept cards and phones. Remote areas, markets or nature attractions may have unreliable signal or machines, so carry a little cash and a backup way to pay.
- Check whether prices are in Australian or New Zealand dollars, which are different currencies.
- If a terminal asks whether to pay in baht or local currency (DCC), decide using your card's terms; see our DCC guide.
- If heading to remote areas, download offline maps and check whether payment points exist.
Which card is best for the USA? Criteria, not a ranking
We do not recommend or rank any bank's card. Use these criteria to judge for yourself.
- Foreign transaction fee and exchange margin in your card's terms.
- A network your destination accepts, and a backup card on a different network.
- A usable PIN and Apple Pay or Google Pay support if you want it.
- Enough limit to absorb hotel and car-rental holds.
- A way to reach the bank if the card has a problem.
To compare with other options such as debit, travel cards and cash withdrawals, see our guide comparing travel cards, credit cards and cash.
Card or cash in the USA: what to carry
In most cases you can rely mainly on cards and carry a small amount of cash for cash tips, parking machines or small shops that do not take cards, terminal outages, and emergencies. Keep a backup card separate from your main card.
Staying online for alerts and OTPs
Bank alerts and in-app confirmations need mobile data. A data-only eSIM bought and installed online is one option, and because it is data-only it does not receive SMS; see our SMS OTP guide. See current plans on the eSIM page.
שאלות נפוצות
שאלות נפוצות
Can I use a credit card everywhere in the USA?+
Most places accept them, but parking machines, automated fuel pumps or some small shops may not work with a foreign card, so carry a little cash and a backup card.
Do I tip on the card?+
In the USA the terminal or slip usually has a tip line you can fill in. If unsure whether a service expects a tip or includes one, check the bill or ask. This differs from Australia and New Zealand, where many places have no fixed tipping custom.
Why does the fuel pump ask for a ZIP code?+
It is a billing-address check built around US cards, and a foreign card usually has no ZIP. Try paying at the counter with an attendant instead.
Why does a hotel or car rental place a hold on my card?+
It secures possible extra charges such as incidentals. Ask what is held and when it is released, and keep your checkout paperwork.
A shop added a fee for paying by card. Is that allowed?+
In some countries and shops it happens, and it should be shown before you confirm. If unsure, ask before paying and check that country's rules from an official source. This article does not guarantee any particular rule.
Which credit card is best for the USA?+
We do not rank cards. Terms change and suit people differently. Use the criteria in the choosing section and check the latest terms with the bank directly.
Do I need to bring US dollars in cash?+
A small amount of cash helps for tips and small places, with cards covering most of the rest. Other options such as ATM withdrawals are covered in our ATM guide.
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קשור
- Using a Credit Card Abroad: How It Works, Fees and What to Know Before You Tap
- What Is DCC? Pay in Baht or Local Currency When Paying by Card Abroad
- Renting a Car Abroad with a Credit Card: Deposits and Rental Insurance Explained
- Preparing for Your First USA Trip and Choosing Internet: eSIM or Another SIM