Be Careful! I *think* my CC was compromised at Disney!

[Princess_Melanie]

Interestingly enough I just spoke to my CC company here in the UK. I had some other business to talk to them about but I also asked when I could inform them I was going on vacation. He did that for me there and then - took the dates and if I was expecting to use the card frequently or infrequently. I told him my card was the "emergency" card and my partners card would be used to settle the hotel bill at the end of the stay. (he joked and asked me did I define "emergency" as new shoes or medical costs lol!) We have pre-paid Visa Cards for everything else and a small amount of cash. I said my card would be in the hotel room safe for the duration of our stay. All this was noted so hopefully if there is any issue with my card while we're away, things will be sorted out fairly simply.

 

[mom3sonstt]

No, you do not need a CC on file for a DVC stay on points. The only down side is no charging privileges and no quick checkout.

We don't put a CC down - all we have is a debit card and we don't want to use it because they put a hold on the amount you charge plus an additional 10 - 15%, so you don't have access to that until the actual final charge goes through several days later. We just put down cash (or traveler's checks) when we check in. We monitor our charging by getting copies of our room charges every couple days and add more money as needed. On our final full day we try to use up most of our remaining balance, then any other purchases we make we pay with cash. On check-out day we get whatever remaining balance is left. So no, we can't use the quick check-out, but we are never in a hurry to leave

 

[Mtnman44]

Just wanted to add: Credit Cards are about the safest way for consumers to spend money, either at home, the store, online, while traveling, etc. Cash carries even more risk, mostly because once it is gone, it's gone. Checks are likewise very prone to fraud and are much more harmful to consumers, mostly because your money is gone and you have to work to get it back. Credit Card fraud is a problem and it must be fought. However, for consumers it is nearly risk free. Plus, I don't get free airline tickets by using cash....

There really is no reason to be nervous. CC theft can happen anywhere, even those self-serve gas pumps. And under banking rules, we are only liable for $50 at the most. Rules may be different for those al in one ATM/Debit/CC cards, but for a standard credit card, your liability is very limited.

To answer your question, yes, you can use a Disney gift card...but truthfuly, unless you pay cash for the gift card, you are just as likely to have your CC number compromised at a Disney store when you purchase the gift card, the gas station when you fill your tank, the restaurant where you have dinner gas station, or the ATM. Anyone can easily place a second card reader over the slot and collect your info, and most of us would never notice.

 

[mom3sonstt]

Anyone who is really concerned about using a cc on a trip, might want to consider one of the prepaid Visa or MC travelcards. Looks just like a cc, works just like a cc, but it's not linked to anything.

Our bank quit selling travelers checks and started selling travel cards instead. We got one in the same amount that we usually got in travelers checks. On the way home we were unable to use it even though there should have been plenty left on it. We had used it for our room charge at Disney, if I remember correctly it was the card that on any purchase from a hotel or restaurant would hold an additional 20% to allow for additional room charges or a tip then when the final bill comes through they free up the extra that they held. We were unaware of that practice since we were told it would be just like using a travelers check (by the bank people) Since we charged everything to the room - meals, souvenirs - that was a pretty big chunk to have an extra 20% held. Fortunately we were able to get ahold of the card company (in England if I remember right - I know it was foreign and their hours were inconvenient to contact), Disney faxed them our final total and they were able to release part of the hold so we could afford to pay for our hotel rooms on the way home. Now we use either cash or regular travelers checks