Cash squeeze for London's Games visitors

LONDON -- Tourists be warned: The Olympics crush has begun in London -- and so has the scramble for cold, hard cash in the pricey capital of England.

Lines are getting longer at ATMs, visitors are in sticker shock over British prices and some befuddled tourists are wondering what currency to use. Stores in the Olympic Park only accept certain credit cards and a British financial authority is even recommending that tourists make sure to bring British pounds with them.

"I've had people asking me whether they should pay in British pounds or euros," said Alex Singer, a 27-year-old London cab driver. "I've also had Americans thinking that they can pay me in dollars."

Britain, which uses pounds -- not euros or dollars -- had a test run last month when some cash machines in London ran dry over a four-day holiday.

During Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June to honor Queen Elizabeth II's 60-year reign, dozens of ATMs ran out of cash as hundreds of thousands descended on the city. An estimated 1 million extra visitors are expected during the Olympics, which run July 27 through Aug. 12.

The U.K.'s Payments Council has advised tourists to withdraw cash before they get to London and to have backup plans in case their credit cards are rejected or local cash machines run dry.

"We've been working to make sure that there is enough cash to meet demand," said Michelle Whiteman, spokeswoman for the Payments Council. "But at any point in time, a cash machine may run out of cash. It's just that it will be more noticeable during an event like this."