Money in the United States: Sales Tax, Tips, Cards and Deposits

US travel spending involves more than the displayed price. Retail sales tax is commonly added at checkout, tipping suggestions need interpretation and hotel card holds can exceed the room charge.

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Dollars and cents

One US dollar, USD or US$, equals 100 cents. Notes are $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100; the $2 note is less common. A quarter is 25 cents, a dime 10 and a nickel 5.

Notes have similar dimensions, so read the denomination. Small bills are easier than $100 notes for tips, taxis and modest purchases.

Cards and backup cash

Cards and mobile wallets work widely in cities and chains, but carry a little cash, a physical card and a backup. Mobile payment does not override a rental supplier’s named-card deposit requirement.

If a terminal asks Debit or Credit with an overseas card, ask for the appropriate processing route rather than guessing a PIN. Never disclose your PIN to staff.

Venmo and Zelle

The Venmo app has local eligibility requirements, including physical presence in the US and a suitable US mobile number. Zelle operates through participating banks and credit unions. A foreign card does not automatically give access.

Arrange a recognised alternative if a host requests only one of these transfers. An app-like payment request is not evidence that an irreversible transfer has normal card-purchase protections.

Taxis and ride apps

In the Uber or Lyft app, check destination, estimated price and payment before confirming. Busy-period pricing, tolls and airport pickup charges can affect the fare. Use the designated pickup area and match the vehicle to your booking.

Confirm card acceptance in conventional taxis. About 15–20% is a practical tipping range for good service, depending on context. An in-app tip need not be duplicated in cash.

Restaurant tips

For table service, budget around 18–20% of the pre-tax bill, adjusted for service. Check for an included gratuity or service charge, especially in a group; a compulsory fee is not necessarily a tip passed to your server.

On a paper tip slip, enter the final total and keep a copy. A terminal’s 25% or 30% suggestion does not decide for you. Counter-service tipping remains discretionary.

Sales tax is local

There is no single nationwide sales-tax rate. State, county, city and product type matter. New York City’s standard combined rate is 8.875%, with exemptions and special treatment for some purchases.

Oregon has no general sales tax, but that does not eliminate lodging taxes or specialised charges. Do not transfer one state’s rules to another; compare checkout totals.

Hotels and resort fees

Under the federal rule effective May 2025, displayed short-term lodging prices must include mandatory fees such as resort fees. Government taxes may be separate but must be disclosed before payment.

An itemised resort fee should not become a surprise mandatory addition at the final stage. Check parking, breakfast, deposits and cancellation terms, especially in Las Vegas.

Card holds

Hotels, rentals and fuel pumps can pre-authorise more than the eventual bill. Holds reduce available credit and can take days to release, depending on the merchant and card issuer.

Arrange enough headroom and ask about deposits beforehand. Obtain a final checkout or return statement and distinguish pending transactions from settled charges.

New York: OMNY

OMNY is New York’s contactless public-transport payment system. Tap a supported bank card, mobile wallet or reloadable OMNY transit card on the subway and eligible services. The standard fare is $3 and the local-service seven-day cap is $35.

Keep the same card or device to build towards the cap. Separate payment media per passenger avoid confusion; paying for several people with one card does not give each a separate cap. Airport and commuter services can have different fares.

San Francisco Bay Area: Clipper

Use Clipper, a supported mobile version or the system’s contactless bank-card options. Check the service and any youth or concession fare rather than assuming all payment media have the same discounts.

BART requires entry and exit taps; bus arrangements depend on the operator. Stay with the same medium rather than switching between a physical bank card and its mobile version during a journey.

No federal visitor sales-tax refund

The federal government does not refund state or local sales tax to foreign visitors. There is no nationwide airport Tax Free procedure covering all shopping.

Limited state or retailer arrangements may exist, but establish eligibility beforehand. A receipt and goods in your luggage do not themselves create entitlement. Duty-free purchases remain subject to your next destination’s import allowances.

Budget the complete cost

Use the converter for a dollar estimate, not a guaranteed card or ATM rate. A terminal’s home-currency conversion can be expensive.

Include tax, tips, parking and road tolls in a daily budget. A slightly more expensive room with included parking can cost less overall than a cheaper room requiring an expensive garage.

Samesun San Francisco is among our approved accommodation recommendations. Check room and bathroom arrangements and the final price; not every room type suits a family equally. Check rooms on Trip.com