Debit Card Questions

[Tine731]

Do you use your debit card to book your airline reservations and/or car rental. I am not comfortable doing this but do not have any valid reasons why not. What should I know if using my debit card?

 

[mrsmom]

I felt very uncomfortable using my debit card but didn't want to use any credit cards because i just paid them off. so i went to AAA and got a prepaid Visa card and used that , It worked out great.
Kim

 

[Tine731]

anyone?

 

[Tine731]

I felt very uncomfortable using my debit card but didn't want to use any credit cards because i just paid them off. so i went to AAA and got a prepaid Visa card and used that , It worked out great.
Kim

Thanks, I never even thought about getting a pre-paid visa.

 

[JodyTG]

I pretty much use my debit card for everything. I have a great bank. Plus, I like not paying interest on credit cards.

 

[taimgxe]

I have no problem using my debit card for airline and car rental reservations. I use it every time I want to pay for my travel immediately. The only thing to remember is that the airlines, car rental, hotels, etc... will place a hold above what you are reserving until the actual charge goes thru. So as long as you have enough money to cover an incidental charges during the time being, then there is no problem. I would not suggest getting the prepaid VISA as there are charges to use it.

 

[mrsmom]

In paid 4.95+ what i wanted on it, for the prepaid card from AAA and to use it for my airlines. I was nevber charges anything for that.Thats all i wanted it for. I know if it wanted it for atms they would charge but not to book airfare.
Kim

 

[CarolA]

I would be careful using your Debit card...

A couple of concerns. If you are flying a "charter" airline and it quits flying with a CC you can dispute the charge. While you can do that with a debit card you do not get your money back during the dispute so if you need it to buy another plane ticket you are stuck.

Hotels rountinely put "extra" hold on accounts. At a hotel I stayed in recently they indicated that if you used a debit card at check in the entire stay plus $100 would be placed in a hold status and that it could take up to a month to release the "extra" funds. Rental car companies do the same thing

And in spite of the "you can use a debit" to rent a car, I have been at airports at least twice where folks in line in front of me were denied rentals with debit cards....

 

[ducklite]

Not all Visa debit cards carry the same insurance on car rentals,. lost luggage, etc. that regular Visa cards do.

Anne

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I would be careful using your Debit card...

Hotels rountinely put "extra" hold on accounts. At a hotel I stayed in recently they indicated that if you used a debit card at check in the entire stay plus $100 would be placed in a hold status and that it could take up to a month to release the "extra" funds. Rental car companies do the same thing

.

If you have a good relationship with your bank/banker, you can have that hold released. I've done it several times. I just call the bank, ask them if anything is on hold, tell them I've paid it already and owe nothing, sometimes they'll call to verify, sometimes they won't.

I prefer to travel by debit card.