Storage is a small expense that often catches travellers out, because some operators take cards and others take only coins. Here is how to tell which is which and what to prepare in advance.
Published September 30, 2026 · 2 min read
Yes, as long as the storage service takes card payments. Luggage-storage services and self-storage companies that accept cards can take a card funded from a crypto wallet where the card network is accepted. The merchant sees an ordinary card payment and does not need to handle crypto. What matters is whether the operator has a card terminal or an online checkout, not where your money came from.
Online luggage-storage bookings and self-storage companies with a website or a staffed desk usually take cards. Some left-luggage lockers and small operators are cash-only, and this is independent of the card issuer. A coin-operated locker at a station, for example, will not read any card. If the listing or the machine does not show card symbols, assume cash and plan for it.
It depends on how you pay. A virtual card is issued right away and is enough for an online booking. It also works contactless through Apple Pay and Google Pay. A physical card is delivered by mail and covers tills, terminals and ATMs, so order it well before you travel. Nexus Pay offers both: the Signature virtual card, the Business virtual card with higher limits, and a physical card.
| Option | How you pay | Card to use | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online luggage-storage booking | On the booking page | Virtual card | Balance must cover the charge |
| Staffed storage desk with a terminal | Tap or insert at the terminal | Physical card, or virtual card in a phone wallet | Ask whether the desk takes cards before you hand over bags |
| Self-storage unit | Online checkout or at the office | Virtual card online, physical card in person | Confirm that the operator accepts card payments |
| Cash-only locker | Coins or notes | No card works | Withdraw cash at an ATM beforehand |
Enough to cover the charge. The card spends only the available balance, with no credit and no overdraft, so a payment that exceeds your balance is simply declined. Move the amount to the card before you reach the counter or open the booking page. Do not rely on topping up at the last minute, when you may be standing at a desk with your bags.
Moving money from the wallet balance to the card costs 0.1%, and purchases on the card carry 0% from Nexus Pay. Swapping coins inside the wallet costs 0% at the exchange rate with no markup, and the amount you receive is shown before you confirm. If the locker is cash-only, you can withdraw at an ATM for 0.25% per withdrawal. The ATM owner may add its own fee, shown on the screen before you confirm. Because the fee is charged per withdrawal, one larger withdrawal costs less than several small ones for the same total.
Run through a short list before the trip:
You can also freeze and unfreeze the card in the app in one tap if you misplace it. This is general information, not financial or legal advice.
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