Credit cards are widely accepted in Yogyakarta. Cards accepted by merchants are usually displayed on the front door or near the cashier.

You are well advised to use your credit cards very selectively. Also it’s a good idea to keep all receipts for verification.

Unfortunately Indonesia and Yogya in particular is a source of a great deal of credit card fraud. Thieves insert small memory chips into those devices used to swipe the card, then return to ’service’ the device, take out the chip and then start making illegal cards. Many times you will be long gone before fraudulent charges start showing up on your statement.

Most expats living in Indonesia use their credit cards in ATMs to get cash and then pay cash for all of their purchases - a good habit to get into while in Indonesia.

In addition, it is common practice to add 3% to the cost of your purchase for the privilege of using plastic. You do not have to accept this, but arguing with the shop keeper is not going to help. If you want to get this 3% back make sure the retailer or restaurant writes this surcharge down as an extra charge for using the card and then claim it from your month end billing.