Credit card help/advice

[AnitaCB]

I don't have a credit card and will be going to Florida for the first time in October. Do I really need a cc or not? I am quite confused about this - some say I definitely need one and others say not. We are hiring a car via our package with Virgin and Dollar and I don't know if they makes a difference. We have an Amex travellers cheque card for our spending.

Any help or advice from all you veteran visitors out there would be very gratefully received! It's a bit nerve racking all these things to think about and I would hate to get there and find out I needed a cc after all!

Thank you for your help - I am very grateful .

Anita

PS any other first timer tips would also be helpful!!

 

[carolfoy]

Whether you need a cc at the car rental desk is up to the car rental company, check with Virgin first if its a dollar/alamo rental etc, A cc is strongly advised - suppose you become ill and have to visit the hospital? you may need to pay upfront for any treatments and this can be thousands of dollars, you would then reclaim from your travel insurance company, also a cc will offer you insurance against items you but, ie that fabulous $100 snow globe that gets smashed accidently! as well as a better rate for buying bigger items

 

[Shooby doo]

Anita as far as spending money is concerned you could go your whole holiday not needing a cc BUT when you hire your car they will want a credit card swipe as security otherwise you will need to leave a cash deposit which I believe is about $200/week.We also have had to leave a swipe with our hotel but not sure if this is a must.
First timer tips: Comfortable shoes-there is a lot of walking. Get yourself some cheap water bottles-there are fountains dotted all over the parks. If you go for photos CMs will also take a photo with your camera if you ask.Don't plan on doing too much-it is easy to burnout trying to do everything. Coupons! Every hotel etc. will have a leaflet display & there are always loads of booklets saving you money off restaurants. Tips-the average now is between 15-20% of your total bill,cheeck that you haven't already been charged a service charge as they won't always tell you.......
If you have any more Q's just ask as there is loads of advice on the boards
HTH SD

 

[Miffy2003]

Anita, I would always recommend taking one with you "just in case". There are unexpected (though unlikely) scenarios that might crop up and having one would give you peace of mind

 

[Tinker74]

I haven't got a CC and now I might have to be the driver of our hire car(TCD..Dollar)..As dh might not have his licence back from DVLA in time.

will I be able to use dh CC as the swipe?

 

[Miffy2003]

will I be able to use dh CC as the swipe?

Absolutely!

 

[AndRu]

will I be able to use dh CC as the swipe?

Yes - they'll just want it as security.

Anita, I would always recommend taking one with you "just in case". There are unexpected (though unlikely) scenarios that might crop up and having one would give you peace of mind

Totally agree. A CC can be your safety net.

 

[wayneg]

Personally I would consider 2 credit cards for US.
1, Nationwide CC it gives full interbank exchange rate (now 1.876) without any fees or charges, If you spent £2,000 while in US you would be able to spend $3752
an amex card only gets 1.801440 today so £2k would only give you $3,602.88
$150 less to spend. And if the rate goes up, which it is now, you get the daily rate not load it all before you leave. Chance of going down but would have to go down a lot to be worse off.
2, Virgin CC, gets you free Virgin airmiles spend against another flight to Florida, I have recently booked some for next Easter and 2000 miles brought the price down from around £550 to £291.

And yes I would take at least one card, for reasons others have said.
If you have not registered with virgin Frequent flying club do it now or upto 6 months after you return, if you are flying economy it gets you about 9,000 miles on your account (credited after your return flight).

Ok have to go 9hrs 14 mins to Taxi picking us up to go to Florida.

 

[AnitaCB]

Thanks for your help - I've decided to get one, just in case!!

Anita
xx

 

[Lizzybear]

Another vote to take one, preferably 2 in case one gets lost or damaged. You may not need to use it but better to have it just in case than to possibly have to use a chunk of your spending money.