Upgraded Points Survey Reveals International Traveler Payment Habits and Challenges
A recent survey by Upgraded Points of 1,500 international travelers highlights a split in payment preferences abroad, with local currency cash (71%) and physical credit cards (69%) being the most utilized methods. While mobile wallet usage is rising—particularly among Gen Z travelers at 56%—many travelers still face friction during international trips due to unexpected costs and security protocols. The study identifies significant pain points, including exchange rate discrepancies for 34% of respondents and unexpected foreign transaction fees for 29%. Additionally, 26% of travelers reported having a card declined while abroad. Among U.S. travelers, Visa emerged as the leading card network, with Chase and Capital One identified as the most common issuers.
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Topics: consumer behavior exchange rates international payments traveler spending habits