General Information » Money » Credit Cards

Most hotels, restaurants, retailers, supermarkets and tourist sites take Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diner's Club. Smaller shops and neighbourhood markets, like La Boqueria and Santa Caterina, don't, and operate cash-only businesses. A sign in the shop window will indicate which cards are accepted.

Individual shop owners don't charge transactional fees on top of the stated prices, but your bank probably will, sometimes 1% to 2% of the amount charged.

Call your credit card company before you leave home and tell them you will be travelling internationally. If you don't do this, the company may ring you to confirm purchases or freeze your account until they can verify that you are in possession of your card.

Jot down your credit company's international phone number and pack away a copy of your account information. It will come in handy if you have to report a lost or stolen card.