Traveler's checks vs Visa check card

[Daisy]

DH & I were trying to decide on purchasing Traveler's checks or using our Visa check card. Can you use check card everywhere in parks?

Thanks

 

[WDSearcher]

Pretty much, yes. If it has a VISA symbol on it -- you can use it everywhere. There might be a few popcorn stands or soda vendors who aren't set up for credit / debit cards, but you're likely to carry a little bit of cash on you for stuff like that anyway, right? I prefer the check card.

 

[Skylarr29]

American express now has a travelors check gift card. Same thing as travel checks just on a card that is kinda like a prepaid credit card. If you lose it , it will be replaced the same as the checks.

 

[TLC371]

For last year's trip, most of the time what we used was our Visa Check Card. We had some cash with us for stands and such that didn't take any type of credit cards, but for the most part, we were able to use it everywhere we went to. It made life so much easier.

 

[suevee]

I prefer Travel Checks as it makes it easier for me to budget our daily expenses. I put so much in an envelope for each day. Any left over goes into the next day's envelope. I find when I use a card I am careless about how much I spend. Also I don't keep track of what and where I am spending money on as well as I do with checks in hand (or in envelope.)

 

[cosmicdaisy]

Last time we went we used travelers cheques and we used a similar method as pp. We had just got married and took all our cards/envelopes to the b&b that night and opened them all! We had so much cash so we just turned it into the travelers cheques. We put so much into so many envelopes, one for each day and then pooled our leftover money for special souvies before we left.

Anyways....now I use our check card for everything and I already have a system in place of how I keep track of our purchases. I always keep all my receipts and I have an excel spreadsheet that works like a check register. I'm actually a bit anal about it

What I like about using my check card is having the Visa guarantee attached to all my purchases because I never ever ever use my check card as a debit card (expect in the rare occasion when we go to the movies and they only take it as debit) I don't know about anyone else, but my credit union charges me a fee every time I use the debit feature just like I used someone elses ATM and get charged the surcharge. But I am also aware not everyone's financial institution works this way. But the Visa guarantee only comes when you use it as a credit card.

I like the idea of the Amex traveler's cheque card but can it only be accepted where Amex is taken, because that's not everywhere, you know. I don't know...maybe Disney takes everything including Japanese Credit Bureau (I recall that was a card we accepted at the Gap)

There are pros can cons both ways. I would hate to lose my check card...that would suck big time. And it can't be replaced as readily as Traveler's Cheques can.

 

[CleveRocks]

DH & I were trying to decide on purchasing Traveler's checks or using our Visa check card. Can you use check card everywhere in parks?

Thanks

You didn't say where you are staying. If you are staying at a WDW resort, your problem is solved. At check-in, they will ask if you want charging privileges tied into your room key/park ticket card. I did this -- they "held" $500 on my debit card (they were willing to do up to $1000), and then I put it in the room safe and didn't need it until maybe the last day and a half of my trip. I used my room key to charge everything. What was nice was that it showed up as ONE debit to my account, not 50 small ones (easier for my own bookkeeping). I did, however, get an itemized print-out (without asking for it) the morning I checked out, slipped under the door. You can request a print out at the front desk any time you want.

So since I wasn't carrying my debit card or traveler's checks or any significant amount of cash on me, I literally had nothing to lose. If I lost my room key, I would report it immediately and get a new one, no harm/no foul. And just like the TV coimmercials say, you wouldn't be liable for any fraudulent charges since the room key is backed by the VISA debit card, and the VISA debit card has that guarantee.

-- Eric

 

[belleandthebeast]

Visa has a cash card similiar to American Express and it won't be tied to your checking accout. Has all the advantages of a credit card including replacement for lost or stolen cards. Check your local AAA.

 

[disneyag]

I second CleveRocks opinion. If you are staying onsite, charge everything to your room key. Much simpler process if you happen to lose it.

 

[Daisy]

We are staying at the Yacht Club so charging thru room is a great idea. Thanks CleveRocks.

 

[rcraw45425]

Ditto, room key tied to my Visa Check card. I agree about having the itemized printout to gasp over on the ride home!