Using Debit Cards

[teacherforhi]

We just got back yesterday and had a great time, but our vacation almost didn't happen!

My mother had made the hotel reservations using her debit card. We just each (my sisters and I) gave her our share of the cost and planned to let her pay when we checked in. However, what we NEVER even thought of was that my mother's bank puts a limit on how much she could spend in one day using her debit card! I've heard of limits on how much you can get out of an ATM machine, but never for making purchases.

Fortunately, we each had enough money to cover the costs and our mother gave us the money back. It was a stressful start to our Disney vacation though.

So if you're planning to use a debit card, check with your bank first!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

It actually sounds like a freeze on the funds necessary to pay for the hotel was placed on the account. This can actually happen more often than we are aware. I have heard of it happening at gas stations where one uses their debit card to pre-authorize payment. The local Shell station freezes $75 in the bank account -- and that freeze can still be there long after leaving the gas station.

 

[jcandtjsmommy]

This happened to us on our last trip in 2001. We were checking in to our hotel and purchasing our park tickets at the same time and our debit card was declined. I ended up writing a check for the room and tickets and then immediately called my bank. I found out that there was a limit on the # of transactions per day and the amount you could charge in one day. I was relieved to find that our bank account had plenty of money in it, but it was definately an inconvience. They have since changed the policy on our debit card...there are still limits, but they have a much higher spending limit.

Pam

 

[kcarp]

My debit card has a $1200.00 dollar over draft protection. I wonder if that's the limit I can charge up to on a transaction? Anyway, I didn't know this stuff about debit cards.

Thanks

 

[Annette_VA]

Yep, most banks have a max for how much you can spend w/ your debit card each day.

You might see if the front desk will charge a little bit each day. I just bought a new laptop from Dell & they're breaking up my charge into thirds, charging it 3 days in a row.

You can also call your bank & see if they'll up the limit for you. Mine was $1000 a while back & I got them to increase it to $2000.

 

[dsnycrzy]

Last year I put in my $5,000 tax check and ordered my WDW tix from paramount ($2,000) and then went to order my US tix ($1,000) and it declined. I called the bank and was told there was a limit of $2,500 per day on debit cards. I just had to wait 24 hours and it was fine.

 

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by RoyalCanadian
It actually sounds like a freeze on the funds necessary to pay for the hotel was placed on the account. This can actually happen more often than we are aware. I have heard of it happening at gas stations where one uses their debit card to pre-authorize payment. The local Shell station freezes $75 in the bank account -- and that freeze can still be there long after leaving the gas station.

Disney doesn't put a hold on funds. They charge in full for the room when you check in if your room is not paid for. They only charge the exact amount. If you want room charging priviledges, they authorize your card for $1.00 to see if it's good, but they do not put a hold on any of the money on the card. Once your spending limit has been reached ($500 for Values, $1000 for moderates, $1500 for Deluxes), then they charge your card. I use my debit card for every trip and have never had a problem.

 

[Iheoma]

Hi,

My understanding is that the amount of money you are allowed to "charge" or use per day is depending on the bank, the history of your account with the bank and of course the availability of your funds. At my bank there are people with limits as low as $1,000 per day to much more. I've been banking at my same bank for over ten years and have never had an overdraft and my "limit" is $3,000 per day. I would have assumed that I would be able take out whatever money was in the account but that is still the limit. HTH

Iheoma

 

[McCall]

Originally posted by RoyalCanadian
It actually sounds like a freeze on the funds necessary to pay for the hotel was placed on the account. This can actually happen more often than we are aware. I have heard of it happening at gas stations where one uses their debit card to pre-authorize payment. The local Shell station freezes $75 in the bank account -- and that freeze can still be there long after leaving the gas station.

No it is not a freeze it is exactly what she said it was. Debit cards come with daily withdrawal limits for ATM's AND daily limits on charges. they are usually per card as in my limit is $2500 per day and my husbands card [same account] is another @2500 per day a lot of people don't realize these limits because they never happen to hit them but all banks have them.

 

[momof2OH]

This same thing happend to me on our trip in Dec. I wasn't aware that my (then) bank had a limit. Not that big of a deal, just a little inconvient. I did call today to by current bank to check with them on the daily limit. My banks policy is: as long as you have the money in your account, you can use up to $10,000. So I'm good to go, since I won't be going that high.

 

[mickeem]

Yes, Make sure you call your bank first.
I called and found out if it's a debit card that has a visa or MC associated with it, and you can use it as a charge also- then usually the charge limit is greater.
In other words, I have the ability to charge $2500 using my debit card as a charge card, but I can only use it as a debit, or ATM for $1000 a day.
Very confusing if you dont ask your bank!

 

[seashoreCM]

Do you run into this limitation when you use the debit card on a no-PIN basis, that is just your signature on a credit card like slip?

(Works only for debit cards with Master Card or Visa labels)

If you use a debit card as if it were a credit card, without using the PIN, the transaction is processed differently. It uses the nationwide credit card network, not the nationwide ATM network. (The money still comes out of your bank account almost instantly.)

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Kermit]

I know that my card has a transaction limit, regardless of if it's a debit transaction or a credit transaction. I tried to pay off my WDW trip once before we got there and was declined. With my bank, the limit for charges is relatively small. I also had the card declined once when buying a suit for my DH. There's a limit for a one-time charge plus a 24-hour limit.

Most banks will let you increase the limit if you call them and have it changed. Personally, since we do carry credit cards, I don't mind the limit (other than when I forget about it and have my card declined). I like knowing that if someone steals my card, they still can't wipe out my checking account.