"Unlike other countries you still need to take a credit card (and maybe even some cash) as backup"

"still"

I take a reliable CC and cash any fucking day over Apple and Google Pay or any shit payment "app" like Revolut which simply blocks you out of your account if on a device they seem to not like / that is not attested, while preventing browser-based usage.

You stupid tech bros. Appps, apps, apps, everything via an app.

Even the Tokio metro paper tickets via cash work well. No phone needed!