The chill wind of London in winter stings the cheeks, yet the illuminations on Oxford Street always make the heart skip a beat. However, beneath those dazzling lights, we travelers often taste a sense of helplessness. There are moments when the pound notes in our wallets are treated as little more than scraps of paper.
I’m CityNomix. Today, I’m sharing a travel log from my stay in London during the winter of 2025, combining my work in digital marketing with my passion for street photography. The theme is “money”—specifically, the credit cards that serve as a lifeline for any traveler.
Let me give you the conclusion upfront. As of 2026, you need almost no cash for a trip to the UK and London. Instead, if you don’t have the “right credit card,” you won’t even be able to ride the Tube or buy a bottle of water. Furthermore, I will share my own spine-chilling experience (a failure story) about the fatal trouble many travelers fall into: “My main card won’t work.”
If you are thinking, “I have my main credit card, so I’ll be fine,” this article might just save your trip. Here is a realistic survival strategy for navigating London’s completely cashless society comfortably.
Conclusion: The 2 Essential Credit Cards for Your UK Trip
For those of you short on time before your trip, here is the verdict. In London travel, a credit card is not just a payment method; it is infrastructure itself. Approaching your trip with the following two-card system is the optimal solution to avoid trouble.
1. Main Card (VISA or Mastercard)
Your usual high-reward card. However, be warned that JCB or AMEX are insufficient as primary cards (reasons to follow).
2. Backup Card (No Annual Fee VISA, e.g., Epos Card)
This is the most critical point of this article. This serves as your lifeline when your main card is stopped by an “AI security lock.” Without a spare VISA, you could be stranded locally.
Why do I emphasize “backup” so much? Because London is more cashless than you imagine, and an unusable card means an immediate inability to act.
[Real Experience] No Cash Needed? London’s Latest Cashless Reality
“How much cash should I exchange if I’m going to the UK?”
Friends often ask me this, and my answer is always “Zero, or maybe 20 pounds as a souvenir.” During this stay, the only time I used cash was once to hand over a tip. Everything else was completed with card or smartphone contactless payments.
Board in 1 Second! Contactless Payments on the London Tube
The backbone of London transport, the Tube. It used to be common sense to buy an “Oyster card” and top it up. But in 2026, that common sense is becoming a thing of the past.
For the current London Underground, you simply tap your contactless credit card (or Apple Pay / Google Pay) on the yellow reader at the ticket gate. There is no need to line up to buy a ticket or pay a deposit for an Oyster card.
Some might worry, “Can I really pass through the gate with my foreign card?” I was skeptical at first, too, but the response speed of the gates is on par with Japan’s Suica. The smoothness of the gate opening gives you the sensation of “traveling like a local.”
What’s more, there’s the “Price Cap” system. No matter how many times you ride in a day, you won’t be charged more than a certain amount (about £8.50 for Zones 1-2). This means you can traverse London without worrying about overspending. However, there is a condition: “Keep using the same card (or device).” If you tap in with the physical card and tap out with your phone, they may be treated as separate trips, and the cap won’t apply.
Fully Cashless Self-Checkouts at Supermarkets (M&S)
Marks & Spencer (M&S), a supermarket beloved by Londoners. Many of you will stop by to buy shortbread or tea as souvenirs. However, there is no place for “cash” here either.
Especially in central city stores, manned registers are extremely scarce, and Self Checkouts are the mainstream. And many of them are “Card Only.” If you fill your basket and line up at the register only to realize you only have cash, you have no choice but to return the items to the shelf.
Operation is simple. Scan the items, press “Finish & Pay,” and tap your card on the terminal. While it’s easy not to have to speak with a clerk, the harsh reality is that you can’t buy anything without a digital payment method.
Warning! The Trap of “Unusable” Credit Cards in London
Now for the main topic. Based on my experience of breaking into a cold sweat in London, I will talk about two “traps” regarding credit cards.
Trap 1: JCB and AMEX Declined at Local Stores
JCB, the international brand from Japan. While we want to support it, unfortunately, in London—especially in independent shops, small cafes, and regional cities—the JCB merchant network is overwhelmingly inferior to VISA/Mastercard.
For example, even at souvenir shops in major terminals like St. Pancras Station, it is not uncommon for JCB to be missing from the acceptance marks next to the register. AMEX is better than JCB, but there is still a 20-30% chance (by my feel) of being told, “Sorry, Visa or Mastercard only.”
The awkwardness of being told “Card declined” while feeling the gaze of locals waiting behind you in a crowded line is something you never get used to, no matter how many times you experience it.
Trap 2: Japanese Cards Falling Prey to “AI Security Locks”
This is the most terrifying trap. Do you think, “I have a VISA, so I’m safe”? Actually, your main card from your home country is the most dangerous.
Card companies have recently heightened the sensitivity of their fraud detection systems (AI) to the limit. The AI judges the behavior of “a person who usually lives in Japan suddenly trying to make a high-value payment in a London supermarket” as “suspicious activity” and immediately locks the card.
This is a record of a tragedy I actually experienced at M&S. I put about 20,000 yen worth of souvenirs for family and friends, tea for myself, and coffee beans into my basket and headed to the self-checkout in high spirits. However, the terminal displayed the word “Declined.”
There should be plenty of credit limit left. The PIN was correct. But it was rejected every time. Checking my smartphone, I received an email from the card company saying, “Usage restricted due to suspected fraudulent activity.”
To unlock it, you often need to call the support center in your home country or perform SMS authentication. However, if you have swapped SIM cards locally or the office is closed due to time differences, you are stuck. I had to leave the carefully selected souvenirs there and leave the store in tears.
Avoid Trouble! The Ultimate Backup Card “Epos Card (VISA)”
The main card stops. JCB doesn’t work. The savior in such a desperate situation was the sub-card, Epos Card, which I had made “just in case” before leaving Japan.
The Absolute Security of the Globally Accepted VISA Brand
After the failure at M&S, I tried buying again at another store. This time, instead of my main card, I took out the Epos Card from the back of my wallet. When I tapped it on the payment terminal, the green “Approved” light lit up instantly. The relief I felt then is indescribable.
Because Epos Card uses the VISA brand, there are almost no stores in London where it cannot be used. The Tube, cafes, supermarkets—I could break through everything with this single card.
No Annual Fee Ever & Extensive Overseas Support
The reason I recommend Epos Card as a sub-card is not just because it’s a VISA.
- No Annual Fee Forever: Zero maintenance cost, so you don’t lose anything even if you don’t use it.
- Overseas Travel Accident Insurance: Coverage is often included (please check current conditions, but it is generally very traveler-friendly).
- Immediate Issuance Possible: Speed that can make it in time even just before your trip.
A massive haul of spoils spread out on the hotel bed. These were all purchased with the Epos Card after my main card stopped. If I didn’t have a spare, I couldn’t have brought these memories back home.
Conclusion: Secure Your London Trip with a Backup VISA Card
London is beautiful and exciting, but its infrastructure is also a severe digital society. The era of “managing somehow if you have cash” is over. And the overconfidence that “one main card is enough” crumbles easily before AI security.
To make your trip the best it can be, and to avoid wasting time on unnecessary trouble locally: In addition to your main card, please be sure to keep a “VISA brand sub-card issued by a different card company” in your wallet. That single card will likely become the strongest charm protecting your London experience.
UK Credit Card Guide: Frequently Asked Questions & Details
For those who want to know more, I will dig deeper into common questions in a Q&A format.
1. Importance and Usage of VISA in the UK
Q: Why is the VISA brand essential?
A: VISA and Mastercard have an overwhelming share in the UK and are available in almost 100% of stores. Usage is the same as in other countries: chip reading (PIN entry) or contactless (touch payment). Contactless is particularly mainstream; just tell the staff “Contactless, please.” You can pay without a PIN up to the limit (often increased to £100), making it very speedy.
2. The Real Situation of JCB in London
Q: I only have a JCB card; is London travel possible?
A: Honestly, it is very difficult. It can be used in luxury department stores (Harrods, Selfridges) and some tourist spots, but it is unsupported in most Tube ticket machines, local restaurants, and supermarkets. Traveling with only a JCB significantly narrows your options for transportation and dining. Be sure to prepare a separate VISA or Mastercard.
3. Contactless Payment Details for the London Tube
Q: Do I need to register in advance to ride the Tube with a credit card?
A: No. You can ride simply by tapping your contactless card (one with the wave symbol) on the yellow reader at the gate. The same applies to cards registered with Apple Pay or Google Pay. However, foreign transaction fees may apply, so for long-term stays, it is wise to choose a card with low fees or use a debit card like Wise.
4. About Credit Card Foreign Transaction Fees in the UK
Q: How much is the fee when using a foreign card?
A: Generally, a foreign transaction fee of about 1.6% to 2.2% of the payment amount is added. This is often cheaper than the fees at currency exchange counters, making card payments more economical than exchanging cash. However, if the terminal allows you to choose between “GBP (Pounds)” or your home currency (e.g., “JPY”), always select “GBP.” Choosing your home currency often applies an unfavorable rate set by the merchant.
5. Differences from Debit Cards and Recommended Usage
Q: Is a debit card okay instead of a credit card?
A: Yes, VISA or Mastercard debit cards work without issues. Sony Bank WALLET and Wise debit cards are particularly popular among London travelers and students due to their low exchange fees and instant app notifications. However, debit cards may not be accepted for deposits at hotels or car rentals, so it is safer to have one credit card as well.
6. Recommended Cards for Expats and Students in the UK
Q: Can I live with only a foreign card for a long stay?
A: It is possible for the time being, but for the long term, we strongly recommend opening a local bank account (Monzo, Revolut, Lloyds, etc.) and getting a local debit card. This is necessary for paying rent and receiving salary. The general flow is to start life with your foreign credit card immediately after arrival and open a local account as soon as your address is settled.
7. The Latest Cashless Penetration Rate in the UK
Q: Are there really no places that only accept cash?
A: According to UK Finance data, more than half of adults in the UK live almost without using cash. However, it is not completely zero. For example, small B&Bs in rural towns, some market stalls, old paid public toilets, and some tips may require cash. Nevertheless, for London tourism, 99% can be completed cashless. Holding one £20 note just in case should be sufficient.
