Money & Payments in Los Angeles (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

ATMs display fees on-screen before you complete withdrawal — you can decline if the fee seems high
You can get cash back at checkout at most grocery stores and retailers with zero or minimal fees — often the smartest way to get small bills
Many POS screens default to aggressive tip suggestions (25–30%) — for pre-made items or quick counter service, tapping a lower percentage or 'No Tip' is normal
Large groups (6+): Always check your restaurant bill for auto-added gratuity before adding extra tip
California's full minimum wage applies regardless of tips, so tipping culture here is traditional custom rather than wage subsidy — yet remains firmly expected
Card payment is the default for tips in LA; cash tips are appreciated especially for housekeeping, bellhops, and counter-service staff

ATM Fees

Overview: ATM fees are charged by two parties: the ATM operator and your own bank. All ATMs display fees on-screen before withdrawal, and you can decline the transaction.
ATM Availability: ATMs are plentiful throughout Los Angeles, including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and convenience-store machines
National Average: $4.77
Los Angeles Specific: $3.00
Local reports suggest downtown/LAX ATMs often charge around USD 2–5 per transaction

Ways To Avoid Fees

Use ATMs within your own bank's network
Request cash back at checkout when making debit card purchases at retail stores (usually free or minimal fee)
Choose banks that participate in shared networks like MoneyPass or Allpoint for access to thousands of fee-free ATMs
Withdraw larger amounts at once rather than multiple small withdrawals
Some online banks (e.g., Charles Schwab, Ally Bank) reimburse all out-of-network ATM fees domestically

Tipping Norms

Overview: Tipping is deeply embedded in Los Angeles culture. California law requires all employees to earn the full minimum wage (USD 16.50–17.87/hr as of 2025–2026) before tips, yet tipping remains strong and expected.
Cultural Note: Tipping is a deeply valued gesture in Los Angeles. Consistent under-tipping can earn a negative reputation in the service community. A tip paired with a smile and sincere 'thank you' is part of the city's culture of gratitude.

Key Practices

Payment Method: Card tips: Ask server on receipt or add to digital payment after signing
Service Charges: Some restaurants now add health/wellness fees (legal in LA); locals often subtract these from tip percentage (e.g., if 4% service fee is added, leave 16% tip instead of 20%)
Automatic Gratuity: Parties of 6+ often have 18% gratuity auto-added; check receipt before tipping further to avoid double-tipping
Low Service Recourse: If service is poor, address it politely with a manager rather than leaving no tip, which is seen as harsh in LA hospitality culture

By Service Type

Bars

Standard Range: USD 1–2 per drink, or 15–20% of total tab for a full evening
Note: More generous tipping (especially for craft/complex cocktails or upscale venues) enhances experience

Hotels

Valet: USD 3–5 when car is returned (USD 5–10 in West Hollywood/DTLA)
Bellhops: USD 1–2 per bag
Housekeeping: USD 2–5 per night (recommended daily to ensure different staff each share)

Tours And Guides

Standard Range: 10–20% of tour price

Salons Spas Barbers

Standard Range: 15–20% of service cost; USD 3–5 extra for assistants
Note: Smaller independent shops often rely more on dollar amounts (USD 2–5 tip) than percentages

Rideshares And Taxis

Standard Range: 15–20% through the app or cash; a few dollars minimum for short rides
Note: Long freeway rides merit higher percentage tips

CaféS And Coffee Shops

Standard Range: USD 1 or no tip for simple coffee; USD 1–2 for customized drinks
Note: Aggressive tip percentages (20%, 25%, 30%) often appear on point-of-sale screens; you are not obligated to accept these defaults for basic items

Full Service Restaurants

Standard Range: 18–20% of the pre-tax bill for good service
Note: 15% is considered minimal; 20%+ is standard and increasingly expected

Retail Cashiers Front Desk

Tip Expected: No

Food Trucks And Counter Service

Standard Range: Optional; USD 1–2 is common for basic orders; 10–15% for complex/higher-priced meals
Note: Card readers with tip prompts are now standard at most food trucks. Tapping 'No Tip' for a simple coffee or grab-and-go item is completely acceptable

Card Acceptance

Overview: Card payments are nearly universal in Los Angeles. Credit and debit cards are accepted at the vast majority of restaurants, retailers, and service providers.

Details

Retail: Standard across shops, markets, and commercial venues
Restaurants: Full card acceptance across nearly all establishments, from fine dining to casual cafés
Small Venues: A small number of cash-only mom-and-pop restaurants and independent shops remain, but these are increasingly rare; you can generally avoid them
Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Venmo, and other contactless/app-based payments are widely accepted

Banking

Itin Requirement: ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) can substitute for SSN. Takes 9-11 weeks to obtain via IRS; not available for short-term visitors.
Minimum Typical Deposit: $25
Typical minimum for checking accounts (e.g., Wells Fargo); varies by bank.
Foreigner Friendly Banks: Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Chase have documented experience with non-residents. Online fintech alternatives (Wise, Relay) available for non-residents without U.S. address, though services differ from traditional banks.
Opening Account As Visitor Or Nomad: Challenging but possible. Most require in-person visit to a branch, U.S. address for correspondence, and either a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Los Angeles branches (including Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and branches in downtown LA) have experience with non-residents.
Practical Notes: Call branch manager beforehand to confirm non-resident account opening policies, required documents, and minimum balance. Requirements vary significantly by bank and branch. In-person appointment typically required. Processing can take 1-2 weeks once approved.

Requirements Nonresident

Valid passport (primary ID)
Secondary form of ID (consular card, foreign driver's license, etc.)
U.S. mailing address (not necessarily permanent residency)
Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN
Proof of U.S. address (utility bill, rental agreement, or mail from a U.S. entity)

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Los Angeles

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Los Angeles