Going to the world with no CC.

[ShortyNBug]

I was just wondering how many people are like us and have no credit cards. We also don't have checking anymore so our debit card is useless. We do have a couple of savings accounts but haven't gotten debit cards for those yet.

I just want to make sure that we will be ok and aren't being totally out of our minds for going without plastic. (If this is the case I have plenty of time toget a debit card for one of the savings accounts.)

If you do, how do you do it?

We have paid for our package with money orders so that's not an issue. I'm just wondering how I'm going to book flights and then I don't know if there is something I'm not thinking of that I may need a card for. I did see some flights take Paypal so that would work for us. (Since it comes out of our savings and all.)

Thanks for your help!

 

[hffmnheidi]

. I'm just wondering how I'm going to book flights and then I don't know if there is something I'm not thinking of that I may need a card for. I did see some flights take Paypal so that would work for us. (Since it comes out of our savings and all.)

Thanks for your help!

You're gonna have to have a debit or credit card if you're planning on booking a flight online. It's the only form of payment they take over the internet. When we've flown Airtran, we've been able to swipe a credit/debit card at the self check in instead of standing in a line to check in. I'm not sure if any other airline does this, but it can't hurt to take a debit card for an emergency or as a second form of ID.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Most hotels will require id to check in ....state or govt issued , have a passport?.
I do not know How to even live without a credit card, I live off mine (but have no debt )

Not sure, but believe even airlines on line booking will require CC and @ disney dining on site for some rest. also requires cc hold.

Perhaps others who have done what you want to do can help out. Have a good Trip!

 

[Tramp68]

Personally, I would get one of those reloadable Visa cards that you can get at WalMart for a small fee. There are way too many things that require credit cards.

 

[ShortyNBug]

We used a Visa gift card for the initial deposit on our package and I think they are a pain. They require a 20% cushion so I couldn't use all $500 on the card like I wanted. They said I'll be able to use the rest after it's been paid in full but I wanted to use it as part of the payment.

I'll probably look into the debit card with my savings so I at least have something.

 

[ShortyNBug]

Most hotels will require id to check in ....state or govt issued , have a passport?.
I do not know How to even live without a credit card, I live off mine (but have no debt )

Not sure, but believe even airlines on line booking will require CC and @ disney dining on site for some rest. also requires cc hold.

Perhaps others who have done what you want to do can help out. Have a good Trip!

Is a driver's liscence not id enough?

 

[happily single]

I've traveled to the World without any type of plastic. Disney Hotels are wonderful about not using a credit card. When you check in they simply ask if you would like to register a card. A smile and "no thank you" has always been enough for me.

Airfare will be tricky. If you don't have a debit card I know that Southwest sells gift cards, but they come in $50 increments. So you would end up with unused funds on the gift card.

 

[pigletof4]

I don't know if you are renting a car, but sometimes they require a cc on the reservation.

I just rented a car when mine broke last week. I paid cash for the car, but when I booked it online, they asked for a cc. Keep in mind also, if you do rent a car and use a debit card or pay cash, they may require a deposit which is refundable. I rented from Enterprise and paid a $200 deposit on top of my rental payment.

 

[PixieTopaz]

I've traveled to the World without any type of plastic. Disney Hotels are wonderful about not using a credit card. When you check in they simply ask if you would like to register a card. A smile and "no thank you" has always been enough for me.

.

ALL hotels require a credit card/debit card "on file"

I dont understand how the OP can not have a checking account with debit card? Do you cash your paychecks and carry a lot of cash around?

 

[LoraJ]

Can you get a debit card for a savings account? What's wrong with a checking account?

 

[Chelley00]

ALL hotels require a credit card/debit card "on file"?

Not if you put cash on your account at check in.

 

[ShortyNBug]

ALL hotels require a credit card/debit card "on file"

I dont understand how the OP can not have a checking account with debit card? Do you cash your paychecks and carry a lot of cash around?

Most of my bills come from savings so I put what I need to in there and then I cash the rest. If I have something not set up to come from savings, I do it the old fashion way and get a money order.

Credit cards got me in trouble when I was in college and my husband and I ran into some overdraft fees a few times when I was a SAHM and decided the checking account should be closed also. We have much more money now actually when we don't have anything but cash.

 

[ShortyNBug]

Can you get a debit card for a savings account? What's wrong with a checking account?

Yes.

 

[kim929]

at the bank I work for, you can only get an atm card for a savings account. Not all places accept atm cards for payments. Some car rental company's wont allow a debit card to rent a car and the ones that do put a very large hold on the card which is then released in a few days.
I don't know if the preloaded visa will work because I believe you have to have your name on the card for check in at the hotel. But hey I could be wrong wouldn't be the first time. When are you going to Disney? Is it possible to open the checking account so you can purchase your flights and cancel the account when you return home?

 

[LoraJ]

Is there a limit to how many withdrawals you can make from a savings account? Why go through the hassle of getting money orders? If you are keeping good tabs on your savings and not draining it, can't you use the same mentality with a checking account?

 

[LoraJ]

at the bank I work for, you can only get an atm card for a savings account. Not all places accept atm cards for payments. Some car rental company's wont allow a debit card to rent a car and the ones that do put a very large hold on the card which is then released in a few days.
I don't know if the preloaded visa will work because I believe you have to have your name on the card for check in at the hotel. But hey I could be wrong wouldn't be the first time. When are you going to Disney? Is it possible to open the checking account so you can purchase your flights and cancel the account when you return home?

Do you mean checking or savings for the atm card?

 

[dd50]

at the bank I work for, you can only get an atm card for a savings account. Not all places accept atm cards for payments. Some car rental company's wont allow a debit card to rent a car and the ones that do put a very large hold on the card which is then released in a few days.
I don't know if the preloaded visa will work because I believe you have to have your name on the card for check in at the hotel. But hey I could be wrong wouldn't be the first time. When are you going to Disney? Is it possible to open the checking account so you can purchase your flights and cancel the account when you return home?

For my account with savings only I just have the regular debit card (no Visa logo).

 

[klynn]

You're gonna have to have a debit or credit card if you're planning on booking a flight online. It's the only form of payment they take over the internet.

Actually that is not true. I booked flights on Airtran and Delta using the Bill Me Later option. I have also used my Paypal account to pay for flights.

 

[disneylove69]

ALL hotels require a credit card/debit card "on file"

I dont understand how the OP can not have a checking account with debit card? Do you cash your paychecks and carry a lot of cash around?

Not all hotels require credit cards. I have credit cards but rarely but them up. The hotels take them as a convienance to the customer for room charge, etc. Some hotels will not turn on the phone if you don't leave a card but I have a cell so not worried.

I know a lot of people who no longer have banking accounts or debit cards. Many people are using prepaid Visa accounts or other sources.

 

[cglaura]

If you are staying onsite you can get a disney gift card and pay on the phone b/f you get there. Or you can use it as a deposit then pay the balance when you check in (for room only) or I think it is 45 day before for packages.

You can also get traveler's checks. You can either cash at the desk every few days, or cash at checkin and put the cash on your kttwc.

Agreed, the plane is the one area I'm not sure of. Maybe if they don't take paypal you could get a prepaid visa just for that, then use the balance for misc stuff on the trip. You could always give the cash to someone and they could use their cc for the flight. The payment doesn't have to match the traveler, my mom has gifted us flights. You do need your photo id though. And the kiosks just take the cc for convenience, you can key in your confirmation number. People replace cards all the time so they set it up for alternate data entry.

Do you have access to money while there in case of a trip emergency? ER bills, medicine, weather delays, etc?