United States — Currency & Money

Currency is the US dollar (USD). Cards are accepted almost universally — Visa, Mastercard and Amex work at hotels, restaurants, taxis and most small businesses; contactless and Apple/Google Pay are widespread. Cash is useful for tipping, small bodegas, food trucks and older taxis. ATMs charge USD 3–5 per withdrawal plus your bank's foreign fee; in-network bank ATMs (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) are free for their own customers.

Tipping is mandatory in the service sector: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, USD 1–2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, USD 2–5 per bag for hotel porters and USD 20+ per lap dance at strip clubs. Sales tax (0–10%) is added at the register, not shown on menu prices.