Austin – October 29, 2026 -- Most international travelers still pack both cash and plastic: 71% use local-currency cash abroad and 69% use a physical credit card, according to a new Upgraded Points survey of 1,500 adults who traveled internationally in the past 12 months.

The respondents included 1,000 U.S. adults and 500 adults from other countries. They answered questions about payment methods, cash habits, credit card use, airport currency exchanges and confidence with exchange rates.