Traveling Without a Credit Card

[michashell]

Hi All!

We are a family that does not use credit cards. If we don't have it in our checking account, we don't buy it. However, this will be the first time traveling since we've begun practicing this. Any tips? Any things that I should keep in mind? I've heard stories about families who prepaid for their trips and then were mistakenly charged again during their vacation - creating a nightmare for their checking account. I was thinking of using the bank account that I use strickly for online purchases when we check in and need to associate our reservation with a credit card.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Darcy03231]

Why not get a credit card to use solely when vacationing?

 

[andieb0602]

We're staying onsite and bought a package for our trip so it had to be paid 45 days in advance but we used Disney gift cards to pay for the trip. We bought them at Target and got an extra 5% off because we used our Target debit card. We've also purchased extra gift cards to use for our spending money in the parks.

We keep an emergency fund in savings just in case but that's really something we have all the time. We'll also take some extra cash with us "just in case".

 

[michashell]

We're staying onsite and bought a package for our trip so it had to be paid 45 days in advance but we used Disney gift cards to pay for the trip. We bought them at Target and got an extra 5% off because we used our Target debit card. We've also purchased extra gift cards to use for our spending money in the parks.

We keep an emergency fund in savings just in case but that's really something we have all the time. We'll also take some extra cash with us "just in case".

Thanks so much for your reply.

So it sounds like you don't HAVE to tie a card to your room? I never really thought about it, because I've just automatically done that in the past. Our primary grocery store sells Disney Gift cards which earn .10 off per gallon of gas for every $50 purchased.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Thanks so much for your reply.

So it sounds like you don't HAVE to tie a card to your room? I never really thought about it, because I've just automatically done that in the past. Our primary grocery store sells Disney Gift cards which earn .10 off per gallon of gas for every $50 purchased.

No, you don't have to tie a card to your room. You only have to if you want to be able to charge things to your room.

 

[Girls1]

I don't know when you are traveling, but if you are not bringing a credit card, be sure to have lots of cash on hand. My family got stuck at Disney for 4 extra days last year. Though it was hurricane season, we didn't expect anything to go wrong. We bought insurance, but they only reimburse you after the fact.

 

[annabanna]

We don't have credit cards either. We have two seperate accounts at two seperate banks and we just always make sure that we have access to both those accounts. Plus, we have an account that is strictly for online purchases. We basically use the two accounts at one bank (the online one and the regular one) for all of our purchases, making sure to put the hotel on the online account. Then we still have access to the second account at the different bank if something were to happen. And, if worse came to worse we can move money from our savings account into checking.

We just always make sure we have enough in reserve that we would be able to pay upfront for extra nights, gas, food, ect.

 

[smokeyblue]

I don't know why not using credit cards is such a point of pride.They have many benefits including purchase protection, car rental insurance, rewards programs for miles, cash, goods and services. Also, it helps to build your credit. If you can manage your money well and pay them off each month its a no-brainer.

 

[clutter]

If you can manage your money well and pay them off each month its a no-brainer.

I think that's the issue. People either have experience not being able to manage their credit cards and don't want the temptation, or they are afraid that they will over spend with a credit card.

I agree that it makes travelling tougher, but I get why some people don't use credit.

I agree that if you can handle them, they are wonderful tools. In fact, I was quite angry when my bank wanted to charge a monthly fee to have a non-Visa ATM card. So I got the Visa one, but do not have it linked to my savings. Sure, I know you will be reimbursed for fraudulent use, but I've had that happen a number of times in the past few years, and it's just easier to deal with a credit card company. They are all over loss protection.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We are a debt free family. We never carry a balance but will often use a credit card to book a trip and then simply transfer the money to pay the balance. That being said, I would never travel without a credit card. Just too many what if's. Debit cards can have daily limits that in an emergency may not be enough. Cars can have major problems, you could miss your flight, you could end up in a hospital that will not take your insurance,,,list is endless. My parents had one credit card and they only used it when they traveled. It stayed put up the rest of the time. Yes, they can be VERY dangerous, but they can also give a lot of peace to have just in case.

 

[disney1990]

I have a credit card and NEVER carry a balance. It is so worth it to have. I charge everything that I would normally pay cash for, gas, groceries, homeowners insurance. We were at Disney less than a year ago, and have 500 Reward Dollars available to use for our upcoming trip. I never charge anything that I was planning to purchase and would purchase with cash anyway. I simply write and subtract the cost from my the balance in my checkbook with each purchase.

I can't imagine not having a credit card - just in case of an emergency.

 

[budbeerlady]

We have not used a credit card at Disney, everyone makes different choices. Our room/tickets/dining plan are paid before we arrive. We use cash for our tips and souvenirs from the envelope system. It works for us. You do not need to put a card on file nor do you need to tie a card to your room key. Its offered but not required.
Have a great trip!!!!!!!!

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree that there is a difference between using a credit card and carrying a credit card. There is no way I would travel without having one JIC.

 

[SaraJayne]

I don't know why not using credit cards is such a point of pride.They have many benefits including purchase protection, car rental insurance, rewards programs for miles, cash, goods and services. Also, it helps to build your credit. If you can manage your money well and pay them off each month its a no-brainer.

Most people that don't use credit cards can't manage money well, which is why they don't have one. Or their credit is so bad they can't get a credit card.

It isn't just a "we don't want to use credit cards"...there are typically a myriad of reasons why they can't use credit cards.

 

[girli565]

I agree that there is a difference between using a credit card and carrying a credit card. There is no way I would travel without having one JIC.

I agree, we have credit cards but try never to carry a balance. And we ALWAYS use our American Express for traveling because they are so helpful if something happens. I try to book our cruises and Disney on Amex all the time. We only use the Disney visa when we book packages so we can get the 0% apr.

 

[jakenjess]

We are a debt free family. We never carry a balance but will often use a credit card to book a trip and then simply transfer the money to pay the balance. That being said, I would never travel without a credit card. Just too many what if's. Debit cards can have daily limits that in an emergency may not be enough. Cars can have major problems, you could miss your flight, you could end up in a hospital that will not take your insurance,,,list is endless. My parents had one credit card and they only used it when they traveled. It stayed put up the rest of the time. Yes, they can be VERY dangerous, but they can also give a lot of peace to have just in case.

This! I would never travel without a credit card. Just too many variables that you can't predict. Doesn't mean you have to use it, or if you have the vacation money put aside anyway, just use the card and pay it off immediately upon your return home.

 

[wshupnastar]

We are going on our 7th trip...and we never use a credit card. You will be fine. Just have your Visa/MC debit card available in case of emergency. And be sure to find out your daily limit. Some are as little as $200...some are much higher. (Ours is a Chase card and we can use $5000 in a day, should it be in the account)

There are a lot of reasons people choose not to use credit cards. Some people make the choice, others have no choice. It doesn't really matter the reason, do what you feel is best for your family.

And, above all, have a great trip!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Go to the bank & get a pre-paid CC???

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

Isn't this what debit cards are for? Although for myself personally I prefer the security of a credit card.

 

[redrosesix]

Carrying cash on a trip?

I don't care how many envelopes you use, when cash is gone it's just gone. That would ruin my whole year.