[*Shira*]

You can pay with either cash or credit card at the bigger vendors, but some (including Mahmoud) will charge more for credit card because of the surcharge they have to pay. Smaller vendors might not take credit card.

Don't bother with traveler's checks. Most vendors don't accept them, and even some banks won't accept them. The bank in a 5-star hotel would accept them, but some neighborhood-type banks won't, and those in a 3-star hotel probably won't.

I concur with Lauren's suggestion that when you get your cash from the bank you should insist that your bills very very crisp and new looking, not worn. Many Egyptian banks and vendors will reject bills that show any sign of wear.

It's okay to pay in either Egyptian pounds or American dollars at most places that tourists would go.

Some vendors bargain, while others don't. Mahmoud doesn't.