Pre-Departure Orientation Manual - US Agency for International ...

USING CASH
06/14/2012 New Edition
For safety and convenience reasons, Americans do not carry a lot of cash. They often pay by check,
debit card, or credit card. Note: Some fast food restaurants and taxis may require payment by cash.
DEBIT CARDS
Debit cards are issued by your bank. You can use debit cards to make payments at locations that accept
credit cards, but, unlike credit cards, the money is taken directly out of your bank account.
CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards allow you to pay for things without cash or checks, then you pay the credit card company
monthly. You are charged interest for any charges you do not pay back that month. If you do not pay
the bill in full each month, you may build up considerable debt. Shop around for cards with low interest
rates, stay within your budget, and pay your credit card bills in full each month.
CASHING CHECKS
You may be asked to show some documents of personal identification when you pay for something with
a check or get cash at your bank from a check. Forms of identification include a passport, driver’s
license, national or state ID card, or credit card.
BANKING SERVICES
You will need to set up an account at a bank in order to deposit money and write and cash checks.
Banks offer a variety of services and charge varying amounts for those services. If you are new to the
United States, explain that to the bank representative when you set up an account. Ask him or her to
explain the services available to you and to explain terms you may not understand. Ask American friends
or colleagues for advice. Ask about checking accounts, savings accounts, bank cards, debit cards, and
credit cards. Different banks charge different types of fees, and in different amounts. If you overdraw
from your checking account you may be charged a fee. Before selecting a bank and opening an account,
make sure that you are aware of any fees that you may be charged, including Automated Teller Machine
(ATM) fees.
CHECKS DRAWN ON FOREIGN BANKS
If you deposit a check drawn on a foreign bank in your U.S. checking account, it may take several weeks
before the money is credited to your account. A faster method is to have the money wired to your U.S.
account.
TIPPING AND GRATUITIES
The term tipping refers to extra money given for service provided. There are some areas in which
tipping is always expected:
Baggage handling in airports – $1.00 per suitcase.
Taxis – 10% of the fare.
30