9 Times To Always Have $1 and $5 Bills on Hand While Traveling

9 Times To Always Have $1 and $5 Bills on Hand While Traveling

Dawn Allcot  Thu, June 6, 2024  GoBankingRates

As we shift toward a cashless economy, there are still times you want cash on hand. For instance, when you fuel up at the gas pump, you can save as much as 10 cents per gallon — that’s more than $1 if you have a 12-gallon tank and take it down close to empty. There are other times, especially on vacation, when you’ll want a stash of $1 or $5 bills.

Before you leave for a trip, it’s wise to withdraw some $1 and $5 bills from the ATM and keep them in your pocket, a change purse, or your wallet for easy access.

In fact, you might find yourself reaching for your wallet more than you might imagine on vacation in the U.S. Just getting from the airport into your hotel room often requires contact with multiple service providers who all supplement their income with tips.

1. Restaurant Servers

Most restaurants allow you to leave a tip for the server on your credit card when you pay the bill. But tipping in cash, instead, puts money in the server’s pocket that evening. And for many people living paycheck to paycheck, that extra money can make a difference. That’s why it’s a good idea to carry cash for tipping.

The standard rule is to tip 20%. Restaurants often publish suggested tip amounts at the bottom of the receipt, saving you the trouble of pulling out your phone to do the math.

You may also want to carry cash to pay for your restaurant meal. According to LawPay.com, in all but a handful of states, restaurants are permitted to add credit card surcharges to your bill — and many do.

Businesses in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York are prohibited from adding credit card surcharges, although New York allows a “cash discount” that’s essentially the same thing as a surcharge.

If you want to save money on vacation, read your restaurant bill carefully and avoid surcharges by paying in cash.

2. Housekeeping at the Hotel

If you’re staying in a hotel that cleans rooms daily, try to leave between $1 and $5 per day, according to Southern Living. There might be a new housekeeper each day. If the hotel only provides service every few days, it’s fine to leave a tip at the end of your stay. If you’re in a large suite or a luxury hotel, you might increase that amount to $10 per night or more.

Make sure to leave the tip in a visible spot, such as on the nightstand. If the hotel has stationery and a pen in the room, it’s a nice touch to leave a quick thank you note.

3. Room Service

If you order food from the hotel restaurant, it’s easy to put the charge on your room bill. But it’s a good idea to have money to tip the person delivering the food. Just as you would in a sit-down restaurant, 15% to 20% of your bill is the norm, according to Travel + Leisure.

4. Hotel Bellhop

Justin Nels, managing director of Isla Bella Beach Resort in Marathon, Florida, told travel site AFAR.com that it’s a good idea to tip your bellhop between $2 and $5 per bag, depending on the size and weight of your luggage.

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