Card networks down for days? What to do

What stops working

• Tap-to-pay, chip cards and phone wallets at the register
• Self-checkout lanes and many app-based ordering systems
• Online payments for delivery, rideshare and subscriptions
• Transit gates and parking machines that only take cards
• ATMs, if your bank's systems are affected too

Is it one store, or the network?

If one store's reader fails while your card works next door, it's that store's terminal. For that, see Card readers down? What to do at the register. If cards fail everywhere for hours, plan for the days below.

If a winter storm is forecast

Ready.gov says a winter storm can last a few hours or several days and can "cut off heat, power and communication services". When a storm is in your forecast, check your cash and small bills before it arrives. See cash boxes in the Shop →

What usually keeps working

• Cash you have before the outage starts
• Your food, water and supplies at home
• Stores that choose to run a cash-only line
• Radio broadcasts and printed information
• Deposit insurance, which covers bank failure, not outages. The FDIC says it protects your money "in the event of a bank failure," up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, for each account ownership category.

First 24 hours

Card reader down right now? See the quick guide →

1. 1Assume every purchase for the next few days needs cash.
2. 2Count what you have and split it: most stays home, a small amount goes in your wallet.
3. 3Keep small bills. Ready.gov says to have small bills on hand. A store running a cash line may not be able to make change.
4. 4Skip nonessential purchases so your cash lasts.
5. 5Check a battery radio or official local alerts for store and transit updates.

Not sure how much to keep? Work it out with How much cash should you keep at home for an outage?

Days 2 to 7

• Eat from your home stock first, starting with what spoils fastest. For what to eat in what order, see No-cook meals for a power outage.
• If you can't reach your bank either, see Bank and ATM access and Your bank's app or ATM isn't working. What now?.
• Coordinate with neighbors. Swapping change and sharing information can save you a trip out.
• Keep a written record of anything you pay for or owe, so you can check charges that post late.
• If a prescription refill falls during the outage, ask your pharmacist what to do.

Apartment notes

• Many buildings collect rent, laundry or package fees digitally. Ask your building now what happens when those systems are down.
• Keep cash somewhere that isn't obvious and isn't the first drawer by the door.

Buy / Borrow / Skip