do you use a debit card when you travel?

[heatherleigh]

I do, but now I'm having second thoughts. I suppose I can take my credit card and charge it up w/ the plan of paying it back upon our return... I probably will do this, actually.

I don't think I'd get a pre-paid card for more than a couple hundred $, just in case I happened to lose it. That would really ruin a trip.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I do, but now I'm having second thoughts. I suppose I can take my credit card and charge it up w/ the plan of paying it back upon our return... I probably will do this, actually.

We do exactly that. We pay the CC bill as soon as we get home from the trip

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I use my debit card at the same places on the road, as I do at home (retail stores, etc.). However, there are a few places where I never use a debit card:

• "Pay at the Pump" Gas Stations - this is twofold -- the first is that would-be thieves can attach "skimmers" to the card reader and the second is that very high pre-authorizations are held against your account (typically $75-100) for several days. If you must use the card, pre-pay the attendant inside, first.
  
• Table Service Restaurants (particularly, non-chain operations) - there have been reports of wait staff using these same skimmers, plus I had an episode at a small restaurant where a waitress gave herself a $25 tip at my expense via my debit card!

Geez. I am far too trusting. I always use mine locally in those places.

 

[DVCSean]

If someone fraudulently uses your debit card, YOUR money comes directly out of your checking account. You will get it back AFTER you report the fraudulent use and it is verified (24-48 hours depending on the bank). If you are ok with being out that money up front, then debit cards are for you. You lose the money first, the bank gives it back later.

If someone fraudulently uses your credit card, you are never out the money in the first place, the credit card company (bank) is. You are never required to pay that money as long as you report the fraudulent use and it is verified just as above. This way never costs you a cent.

Everyone's preference is different, but I would much rather have the criminal spending my credit card bank's money than my personal checking account money, even if I am going to get it back "soon"..

Not to mention some of the really good rebate programs out there right now... that's for another thread.

Sean

 

[2binak]

We don't even have debit cards so we only use a credit card. If someone gets your debit card #, your money is gone and you have to deal with the bank and hope they work with you to get your money back and you have to hope they do it in time to pay your bills. If someone gets your cc number, your personal money is protected and the cc company deals with the problem.

Here's a great article from the NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/your-money/credit-and-debit-cards/primercards.html

Here is a part of that article:

If you use them responsibly though, credit cards can offer other advantages. They help build your credit, as long as you pay your bills on time. Some also offer rewards that you can use to get gifts, cash back or discounts for products, services and special events. They also provide more protection if someone steals your card or bank information. If you notice a fraudulent charge on your credit card account, you can call the card issuer, make a dispute claim, and the charge should be removed from your balance. But if thieves steal your debit card information and use it, it may take weeks for the bank to investigate your claim and replace the lost funds. In the meantime, you may have to deal with a dwindling bank balance or bounced checks.

Federal law also protects you if you need to dispute charges on a credit card, but not if you use a debit card or other forms of payment.If you paid cash or used a debit card, the retailer already has your money. So you have a lot less leverage, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get that money back. But if you pay for something with your credit card and aren’t happy with the purchase, your card issuer can legally withhold payment from the retailer until they resolve the dispute, and you won’t be charged.

 

[Obadiah Stane]

I use a Visa TravelMoney card.

 

[jgates]

Basically I never travel without multiple cards. I also try to keep one card separate at all times in case my purse is lost or stolen.

I do not ever use my debit card at a hotel, as the pre-auth amount can be excessive. Even if you are cutting things close on a credit card it can send you into trouble. A high priced hotel in Chicago pre-authed around $2500 on my aunts c.c. when they were at a conference. WAY over any reasonable amount. She was using one with a lower limit so it used up her available credit. Also I have frequently seen where the person checking you out in the morning doesn't really know how to process it properly & just ends up re-running the card. The pre-auth sits there for 5 days & you don't have use of that money. So pick a c.c. for the hotels.

Normally with a debit card, as mentioned a few posts ago, your bank should give you 'immediate but provisional credit' so that you have use of the funds while the dispute is handled. And normally a valid dispute is no problem. There are always a few where people have accidentally signed up for things online that they don't realize - and they trully did sign up & authorize. Or the ones whose spouse disputes the 'porn' charges & insists their h/w would never have done that - but they did. But a true valid unauthorized item will remain refunded to you.

Another option if your bank offers it is to get two cards on your account. If one is lost or stolen, the card is then frozen, but you still have access to the account with the other card you had tucked off to the side. Of course this only works if the bank can offer different card numbers on the same account. But doesn't leave you in the lurch! If travelling with your spouse theirs should have a different number & offer the same advantage.