credit card use in russia/belaru/poland
 

any problem using visa/mastercard to charge items, restaurants etc in the above countries? have used them all over the world but this is my first visit to this area.

We had no problems in Poland.

Very much depends on the town and where you are trying to charge. Large hotels and restaurants and tourist shops will take CCs. For smaller items or in small local stores you will likely need cash.

...never a problem in Russia, Belarus, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine. Just a caveat NYT mentoned, in some of the smaller outposts be prepared with local currency. The larger cities, many of which are striving for and in some cases attaining world class, whatever the hell that means...you'll be stunned by today's St. Pete, Moscow, Warsaw, Krakow and even Minsk. Been traveling these former Iron Curtain domains since the grim dark days of yore...but scenic beauty and travel excitement were to be found everywhere.

Jim: You will enjoy and learn a lot about this part of Europe. Promise.

20 years ago credit card acceptance would have been limited to large hotels or tourist shops, but today, it's the same as anywhere else, take credit cards and some cash in local currency.

I've found credit card usage to be widespread in Poland, from entrance fees, small supermarkets to restaurants, shops and hotels. Much like in any Western European country. You would need cash zloty where you wouldn't think of using cards, such as kiosks, for bus fare, street stalls and milk bars. Most terminals were chip-and-pin, with an option of swiping (lots of US visitors).

thanks very much for the info. looking forward to the visit very much. any particular concerns about identity theft issues?

The trouble can be on your end, when you come home to find how many extra fees you bank has imposed -- possibly $2 to $5 for each and every charge. Check out the fine print before you go, also warn your bank of your trip so your card isn't blocked. Take out a good chunk of local currency from an ATM once on the ground, and use cash for all but large purchases to minimize the fees.
Or you can find a financial institution with low or no foreign currency fees, but not all of us have that option. Look around on this board where the currency debate is perpetual.

thanks for the information.i was trying to determine if there are any increased identity theft problems in russia from credit card use. from the responses i've gotten, apparently it isn't any worse then anywhere else.

we use the capitol one visa credit card abroad. they don't charge a foreign currency transaction fee or per use fee.

During my two weeks in Russia last year, I found a number of restaurants -- even in Moscow and St. Petersburg -- which didn't take credit cards. I'm talking "mid class" sorts of places. And when I was in Suzdal, well, I think only the one restaurant attached to a hotel took credit cards. This fact surprised me only because like in this thread, I had been led to believe that "nearly everyone" takes credit cards there these days.

The only place I had trouble using a credit card in Poland was in the one ticket machine I used to buy a 3-day transit pass (perhaps there was a problem with the machine or perhaps it expected a chip and pin card). As for cash, I recommend carrying small bills, e.g., 5 or 10 zl. Many merchants were reluctant to change 20 or 50 zl. notes (even though they are only worth $6 and $15, respectively).