Bank Card/Debit Card?

[phabric]

I have a TD debit card. Will I be able to use it at the ATM machines while I am at Disney?

 

[hockey mom]

Yes you can use them to withdraw cash at the ATM, you just can't use them to make purchases like you do here.

 

[MikeyNS]

I laugh when I think of this story..

A friend of mine tried to use her debit card at a store somewhere around Disney and she asked the gentleman at the counter if they accept debit and showed him her bank card. The response was "M'am, I have no idea what that card is or what it does."

One of those had to have been there moments, but I chuckle everytime I picture the look on the guys face when he saw that she wanted to try to pay with the card.

 

[DisneyLisa]

Me neighbour was able to use her debit card at a Walmart in Orlando when we were there last October but that's the only place I know it can be used other than an ATM machine.

 

[Susan--Ontario]

Yes, your TD card will work there but it will cost you. The ATM's ad Disney charge $2.50 (I think) on top of what you take out and then my bank here at home charges me an additional $3.00 CDN. That works out to about $6.25 in fees. The only advice I have is take traveller's cheques or make sure you take out enough when you do it to last your whole vacation.

In the States their debit card is also their credit card. I'm not sure how they tell the difference but that's what I've been told.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

They don't have true debit cards here.

They have "fake" visa and mastercards. I say that because they aren't at all regular charge cards - they are debit cards, but look just like a visa/mastercard. I think it's because visa/mcard pays promotional money to the banks to have their logo, etc.
They are terrible, because the fraud or ability to drain your bank account if your wallet is stolen is much greater!

Anyway, the difference is that when you use your fake visa, they swipe the card like a credit card and you sign a little slip of paper. The funds come directly from your bank account. Most do not have key pads where you punch in your PIN.

However, some now do have the punch pads for PIN - big grocery stores and walmart, target, etc. But the problem seems to be that it doesn't allow that step where in Canada it asks to withdrawl from cheque/saving or other. This is where the Canadian debit card may not work. Plus if you hand them your card without a visa/mcard logo on it - they haven't a clue what it is. Your debit card may work at those larger stores, but I wouldn't rely on it. We still have our account at a Canadian bank, and my debit card wouldn't work at Walmart.

If you use an ATM, just make sure you withdrawl your maximum amount at the machine as they will charge you a fee anywhere from $2 - $4 US per transaction. Try to not use the machines for small withdrawls.

 

[pampam]

I know a lot of people like to use their debit card for travel, but I just don't get it. The charges are attrocious. And if the card is lost, I would think you are out of luck. I prefer travelers cheques. Many places have them for no extra charge. I know at the Royal Bank, I get my Amex cheques with no service fees. They are very widely accepted. I've never had a problem with acceptance. The only problem I had, was really no problem at all. I had been in DW about an hour into the vacation and lost them. I felt sick when I realized what had happened. But it was just like the commercial. Reported them, and had replacements in my hand by 9:30 a.m. the next morning.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I agree about the travellers cheques for longer vacations. If I am just zipping across the border I usually use an ATM machine. What I can't imagine is not having the ease of debit card where I live!!! I can't believe that such a huge country as the USA hasn't hopped on the debit card band wagon. I never carry cash. In fact, when I realize a place doesn't take debit I am a bit put out (although for little places I can understand as it costs $ to offer this service). But anyway, back to my point, I would HATE to not have the ease of debit card. Maybe it has something to do with the US banking system, in that they really don't have many, if any, "national" banks -they are pretty much state to state? Either way, I am a proud Canadian and I LOVE my debit card!!

 

[Sandyincanada]

I stopped using travellers cheques years ago. I love debit cards. I've only been charged 2.50 to use the machines in both the States and Mexico although this could differ from bank to bank. No worries on where to cash them, no ID to carry around and better exchange rates. When I used cheques, I had the tendency to over buy (just in case) and had to exchange them back when we got home, lost abit of money there too.

I can't see losing the card but the inlaws waited to long to take their card out of the slot in Mexico and the machine "ate it", lol. It took a few hours but they did get it back. I assume a call to the bank if you somehow lost it would result in the same. DH and I both carry a card so no worries there for us anyways.

Its all in what your used to, I guess. I rarely ever write a normal cheque either, only when theres no other choice.

 

[FatCow]

what about using credit card? It's easier.

Or what I tend to do is put $xxx to my room account and charge directly using the room's key/card.

 

[totalia]

Originally posted by Yzma and Kronk
They don't have true debit cards here.

They have "fake" visa and mastercards. I say that because they aren't at all regular charge cards - they are debit cards, but look just like a visa/mastercard. I think it's because visa/mcard pays promotional money to the banks to have their logo, etc.
They are terrible, because the fraud or ability to drain your bank account if your wallet is stolen is much greater!

Anyway, the difference is that when you use your fake visa, they swipe the card like a credit card and you sign a little slip of paper. The funds come directly from your bank account. Most do not have key pads where you punch in your PIN.

However, some now do have the punch pads for PIN - big grocery stores and walmart, target, etc. But the problem seems to be that it doesn't allow that step where in Canada it asks to withdrawl from cheque/saving or other. This is where the Canadian debit card may not work. Plus if you hand them your card without a visa/mcard logo on it - they haven't a clue what it is. Your debit card may work at those larger stores, but I wouldn't rely on it. We still have our account at a Canadian bank, and my debit card wouldn't work at Walmart.

If you use an ATM, just make sure you withdrawl your maximum amount at the machine as they will charge you a fee anywhere from $2 - $4 US per transaction. Try to not use the machines for small withdrawls.

They aren't fake. They are called Check Cards and are good as debit AND a credit card. I can't begin to tell you how easy and wonderful these are.

I really wish we had them here. I see stuff that I would like to buy all the time and can't (and they would make my life alot easier. Like buying the stationary for my wedding) because I don't have a credit card and can't get one because my credit is so bad (long story but its not my fault. I'm stuck paying for debts that my ex racked up under my name).

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Originally posted by totalia
They aren't fake. They are called Check Cards and are good as debit AND a credit card. I can't begin to tell you how easy and wonderful these are.

I really wish we had them here. I see stuff that I would like to buy all the time and can't (and they would make my life alot easier. Like buying the stationary for my wedding) because I don't have a credit card and can't get one because my credit is so bad (long story but its not my fault. I'm stuck paying for debts that my ex racked up under my name).

Sorry totalia - I just don't want to mislead anyone but you aren't correct.

There is a difference. Our "debit" cards have the visa logo on them and they are NOT a credit card. The funds come directly out of your bank account, and no credit is allowed. This is why most financial people call them "Fake" visa/mastercards. They have the logo - but are definately NOT a credit card.

You are correct - they are called "check cards" because they are supposed to take the place of writing a check (or in Canada cheque) You could say that the Canadian debit card is also a "Check" card as it works much the same way - use it - funds come directly out of your bank account.

If you want a credit card (aka - Disney Visa - sorry Scratch) you need to apply for credit, the same way you do in Canada.

Again, I don't like the US version of the check card, because in most instances your PIN is not involved in the transaction. So if you card is lost or stolen it is far easier for a thief to empty your bank account quickly.

 

[Debbie]

Again, I don't like the US version of the check card, because in most instances your PIN is not involved in the transaction. So if you card is lost or stolen it is far easier for a thief to empty your bank account quickly.

Thanks! I always knew that there was a problem with the debit cards in the States (read about it on these boards) and NOW I understand. I personally love my debit card, but I would not be so affectionate if I didn't have the security of my PIN.

 

[pampam]

Have you ever considered opening up a US$ account in your bank? I have one at the royal bank and also in my credit union. That way, if I come home with unused travelers cheques, or buy US$ when the price is low, I can deposit it in my account and gain interest while I'm waiting to go to WDW. There is no loss because I don't convert Can.$ to US$ back to Can.$. Just a thought.