In the Netherlands we just let dumb foreigners use their creditcard instead of making things complicated for them. You'll be charged an arm and a leg for it though but if you stick to the approved tourist areas your Visacard will be accepted.
But UPI will feel more convenient. And it works everywhere.
in any case, the Dutch supermarket chain albert heijn still doesn’t accept any cards except some non starter locally developed ones.
i always found it interesting that the netherlands are so far behind places like the UK when it comes to payments. even countries in SE Europe have better payments infra than the Netherlands.
Some debit cards (or pre-paid 'charge cards', such as any specifically marketed for travel) like Monzo bank's don't, are just like using it at home in GBP (as long as you make sure you're being charged the foreign currency, not 'helpfully' converted for you (at a terrible rate) by the merchant's PoS provider).
> Some debit cards (or pre-paid 'charge cards', such as any specifically marketed for travel)
for anyone checking this thread, these two are not the same. debit cards are different from pre-paid, and some shops will have issues with pre-paid.
> not 'helpfully' converted for you (at a terrible rate) by the merchant's PoS provider
oh yes, this is one of things travellers always need to be aware of: never select currency conversion by the PoS, always charge in the local currency and let your bank to the conversion.
..hence one or the other..?
> never select currency conversion by the PoS, always charge in the local currency and let your bank to the conversion
That's not good generic advice. Be aware of your best card's fees and see what's better. Credit cards especially are generally atrocious. Some banks' debit cards are free (Monzo, Revolut) and others are no better than credit cards. Hence the market for the pre-paid ones I suppose.