Direct Debit

[jennine]

Hi All

Here's a foriegner question for you all!

We are Canadians soon to be vacationing in California. My question is, how prevelant is direct debit at point of sale locations down there? Are they in any store or restaurant you go to?

We are just trying to figure out the best way to go between Credit Cards, Cash or Bank Cards when we come to spend all of our money on the much awaited vacation!!!!

Thanks!

 

[BC Disney Lover]

I'm pretty sure they don't have Interac like we do. We usually take a certain amount out of bank machines every couple of days or use credit cards. You also could change some money before you leave and just take some into the parks each day.

We were in the Seattle Zoo yesterday and I asked if they had Interac and the lady looked at me like I was crazy

Where in Canada are you from?

Angie

 

[jennine]

We live in a small town just outside of Regina, SK.

Thanks for the info.

We went to Missouri about 3 years ago and I noticed the lack of interac machines there too and was just wondering if had changed at all or was different in California!

 

[blackjackdelta]

There are debit card processors at all eating places except for some of the carts. Is Interac a cash machine/ATM?

Jack

 

[reynmagsmom]

if that is like our POS(point of sale) most have them as Blackjackdelta said at most locations other than portable carts!!!

 

[LindaM]

In the US their debit cards have the visa/mastercard logo on it, I found that a lot of business did not have a key pad, but instead had the pad that you sign, which of course would not work for us. I had a couple of places who would not take my debit card at all as it did not have the visa logo on it. I found using a major credit card or taking cash out of the ATM the best way to go, I still use Travellers cheques and I don't have issues with that either.

 

[nottellin']

It's not the same as here in Canada. The debit cards in the States don't use pin numbers like we do, so our cards don't work there.
I think your best bet is Credit cards and cash.
HTH

 

[disEAR]

Canadian Debit Cards will only work in ATM's to withdraw cash in the USA. Best is to rely on Credt and Cash. Don't rely on your Debit/Bank cards while traveling abroad.

 

[blackjackdelta]

It's not the same as here in Canada. The debit cards in the States don't use pin numbers like we do, so our cards don't work there.
I think your best bet is Credit cards and cash.
HTH

Actually Debit card has an assigned pin and must be entered at a number of places.

Jack

 

[reynmagsmom]

there are a few select places that have you sign instead of enter a pin but most still have pin code pads.... I guess I would say just go the ATM route to save you any hassle!!

 

[NostalgicDad]

We just completed our trip to DL sans credit cards. We carried cash for just about everything but for a couple of dinners, we used our check card (ATM card with Mastercard logo that draws funds from a checking account). As blackjackdelta mentioned, basically all establishments except for the carts will swipe your card.

With a check card, there is the option of using it as a debit card which requires a PIN or simply using it the same as a credit card which requires a signature. (Some businesses don't require the signature if below a certain amount.) Personally, I never use it as a debit card at an establishment because I don't want to give out my PIN to multiple places, secure or not. The only time I ever enter a PIN is when using it in an ATM for cash withdrawal.

Hope this helps.

 

[pixiewings71]

Our debit cards do have pins assigned to them, we are unable to take cash from any bank or use our debit cards for payment without a pin number. But, many places don't take debit cards unless they have a Visa or MasterCard logo on them. Actually, it's mostly restaurants that don't, most other stores do. Target does, Wal-Mart does, convienence stores do, but most restaurants do not because they have no way to bring you a key pad to enter your pin.

 

[glendalais]

Unfortunately, Disney-Owned and Operated locations at the Disneyland Resort (as well as the Walt Disney World Resort) are unable to accept Interac/Debit Cards processed as straight Debit. We are only able to accept them if they have the logo of a Major Credit Card provider and are processed through the Credit Card networks.

Outside Disney Property, many merchants offer the ability to pay with Debit. However, Canadians may only use their Interac cards on terminals affiliated with the NYCE network.

 

[rune_74]

Our debit cards do have pins assigned to them, we are unable to take cash from any bank or use our debit cards for payment without a pin number. But, many places don't take debit cards unless they have a Visa or MasterCard logo on them. Actually, it's mostly restaurants that don't, most other stores do. Target does, Wal-Mart does, convienence stores do, but most restaurants do not because they have no way to bring you a key pad to enter your pin.

Actually there is a way to pay at the table and I'm surprised you guys aren't able to do this. We even have the ability to use them when ordering pizza etc. Wireless machines are pretty cool. The major issue here is that the states do not use interact which is rather sad, I cannot imagine life without really. I never carry cash with me. I'm not sure how it works down there, but every bank here provides you with a bank card that can be used just about anywhere....even some stands on the street have it now(pay with interac).

It is a pretty secure system as well, as long as you protect your pin. Very easy to track if fraud does occur.

You guys need to get on your banks down there to catch up

 

[jennine]

Thanks for all the help everyone!

I think we'll be going with CC and cash for the most part and then hit the ATM when needed.

But to help clarify, in Canada your bank card is direct access to your chequing or savings that has a pin number associated with it that you can use everywhere!! I'm talking any store, restaurant, pizza delivery etc.

That's why the majority of people up here don't usually have a lot of cash on them 'cause they just use their bank card wherever they go......as mentioned in the above post it is sooooo easy and I can't imagine living without it!

 

[mamaofthree]

Actually there is a way to pay at the table and I'm surprised you guys aren't able to do this. We even have the ability to use them when ordering pizza etc. Wireless machines are pretty cool. The major issue here is that the states do not use interact which is rather sad, I cannot imagine life without really. I never carry cash with me. I'm not sure how it works down there, but every bank here provides you with a bank card that can be used just about anywhere....even some stands on the street have it now(pay with interac).

It is a pretty secure system as well, as long as you protect your pin. Very easy to track if fraud does occur.

You guys need to get on your banks down there to catch up

We have all those same options, it just works differently I guess, and sounds like it isn't compatible with your debit cards since it is a diff system. Our debit cards have a cc logo on them, but they are NOT credit cards. They are linked to our checking accounts. Not sure why, but most stores give you the option of "credit" or "debit". With credit you just sign, and it usually takes a day for the funds to be withdrawn. With debit, it is done at POS.

When this first came out 12?- (trying to remember, I worked at a grocery store when it was implemented) years ago it was confusing. Not all banks offered the card "upgrade" or they made it optional. Some people thought it WAS a cc, etc. I believe all banks only use these new debit cards now, and all places take them as payment. Target, McDonalds, gas stations, movie theatre, anywhere with a register or machine. I never have cash and never have a problem spending money.

 

[NostalgicDad]

I'm not sure how it works down there, but every bank here provides you with a bank card that can be used just about anywhere....even some stands on the street have it now(pay with interac).
It is a pretty secure system as well, as long as you protect your pin. Very easy to track if fraud does occur.
You guys need to get on your banks down there to catch up

Our banks down here do issue bank cards that draw directly from checking and can be used anywhere. The "check card" typically has either a Mastercard or Visa logo. It can be used either as debit card with a PIN or simply as a major credit card. I use it for everything.......dining, fuel, hotels, rental cars, etc. I never use it as a debit card as I choose not to enter my PIN everywhere. It works just fine when used like a credit card. The best feature is........you don't go into debt and you don't have to pay interest like a normal major credit card.

 

[pixiewings71]

Actually there is a way to pay at the table and I'm surprised you guys aren't able to do this. We even have the ability to use them when ordering pizza etc. Wireless machines are pretty cool. The major issue here is that the states do not use interact which is rather sad, I cannot imagine life without really. I never carry cash with me. I'm not sure how it works down there, but every bank here provides you with a bank card that can be used just about anywhere....even some stands on the street have it now(pay with interac).

It is a pretty secure system as well, as long as you protect your pin. Very easy to track if fraud does occur.

You guys need to get on your banks down there to catch up

We can use our debit cards as debit cards at any counter service type of restaurant, we had pizza for lunch today and used our debit card. The only time we have to use it as a credit card is if we are at a place with a server, we don't have wireless keypads to use them. This is why most of us have the Visa/MasterCard logos on our debit cards.

Thanks for all the help everyone!

I think we'll be going with CC and cash for the most part and then hit the ATM when needed.

But to help clarify, in Canada your bank card is direct access to your chequing or savings that has a pin number associated with it that you can use everywhere!! I'm talking any store, restaurant, pizza delivery etc.

That's why the majority of people up here don't usually have a lot of cash on them 'cause they just use their bank card wherever they go......as mentioned in the above post it is sooooo easy and I can't imagine living without it!

I use my bank card everywhere too, well almost everywhere. I just have to use it as a Visa card if there isn't a PIN pad. I rarely carry cash either.

 

[rune_74]

We can use our debit cards as debit cards at any counter service type of restaurant, we had pizza for lunch today and used our debit card. The only time we have to use it as a credit card is if we are at a place with a server, we don't have wireless keypads to use them. This is why most of us have the Visa/MasterCard logos on our debit cards.



I use my bank card everywhere too, well almost everywhere. I just have to use it as a Visa card if there isn't a PIN pad. I rarely carry cash either.

I'm abit confused by what you are saying here, basically you can use your debit cards any where we can but you require a visa/mastercard logo to do so? Granted we can't use ours like that in the states, but anywhere in canada we can.

 

[pixiewings71]

I'm abit confused by what you are saying here, basically you can use your debit cards any where we can but you require a visa/mastercard logo to do so? Granted we can't use ours like that in the states, but anywhere in canada we can.

No, the Visa/MasterCard isn't required at every location, only those that do not accept debit cards as payment. For instance, my debit card has a Visa logo on it, if we go get gas I can use it as a debit card to pay at the gas pump, if I go to a sandwich shop I can use it as a debit card, when going to a sit down restaurant like Rain Forest Cafe I have to use it as a Visa as there is no way for me to enter my PIN at a sit down restaurant with servers. Our bank cards can be used as debit cards (using a PIN) or as Visa/MasterCards but either way the money is removed from your account immediately. I hope that helps clarify.