Currency exchange offices can be found all over the city, including hotels. The Russian law prohibits paying in foreign currencies and carrying some cash in rubles or a credit card is always advisable. Since the competition is high, most exchange offices offer very reasonable rates. The tourism related services and retail shops also accept major credit cards: American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club. Traveller’s cheques are not common and need to be cashed through a bank (many international banks have retail brunches all over Moscow in these days).