Using visa debit card for transactions in WDW

[missnic07]

Yet another Q from me..sorry lol.

So when I'm there would I be able to use my visa debit card to pay for souvenirs/meals etc or would I be charged extra for making the transaction?

 

[Chilly]

Yes you can use it and no charge, often its a better exchange rate as well.

 

[Kath2003]

Your bank may charge you, depending on the terms and conditions of the card. Most charge around 2.5-3% per transaction, though I thought I heard that Santander also charge you around £1.50 per transaction on top of their % fee too, unless you have a specific account. Halifax charge stupid amounts (I think it's £1.50 per transaction plus 2.5%). You can get cards that don't charge you anything, though.

Personally we shove everything on a commission/fee-free credit card and pay it all off when we get home. We got a good rate recently using this method.

 

[missnic07]

Yes you can use it and no charge, often its a better exchange rate as well.

That's brilliant. It'll save me having to change money just to take over there.
Can u pretty much use Visa cards anywhere in wdw? Thanks

 

[queendisney]

Your bank may charge you, depending on the terms and conditions of the card. Most charge around 2.5-3% per transaction, though I thought I heard that Santander also charge you around £1.50 per transaction on top of their % fee too, unless you have a specific account. You can get cards that don't charge you anything, though.

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always check your T&C's. You are charged at the prevailling rate so you can never tell just how much it's really going to cost you.

 

[Chilly]

That's brilliant. It'll save me having to change money just to take over there.
Can u pretty much use Visa cards anywhere in wdw? Thanks

I'm doubting myself now that Kath has said there is a charge but I don't remember seeing one on my statement.

Yes most places take it, just small stalls you'd need cash.

I still like to take some cash/travellers cheque though as a way to keep track of how much i'm spending.

 

[missnic07]

Your bank may charge you, depending on the terms and conditions of the card. Most charge around 2.5-3% per transaction, though I thought I heard that Santander also charge you around £1.50 per transaction on top of their % fee too, unless you have a specific account. Halifax charge stupid amounts (I think it's £1.50 per transaction plus 2.5%). You can get cards that don't charge you anything, though.

Personally we shove everything on a commission/fee-free credit card and pay it all off when we get home. We got a good rate recently using this method.

I've only just seen you're reply.
Ah bummer, I'll have to look into it. Thanks for letting me know

 

[missnic07]

this

always check your T&C's. You are charged at the prevailling rate so you can never tell just how much it's really going to cost you.

Thankyou!

 

[wilma-bride]

As others have said, it really depends on who you bank with. Halifax, as Kath said, charge stupid amounts and their exchange rate is pretty poor too. If you really didn't want to carry cash you would be better off either getting a credit card which doesn't charge a feww for foreign transactions, such as Post Office or Halifax Clarity. Or get a pre-paid currecny card, such as Fairfx, cash passport etc.

 

[missnic07]

I'm doubting myself now that Kath has said there is a charge but I don't remember seeing one on my statement.

Yes most places take it, just small stalls you'd need cash.

I still like to take some cash/travellers cheque though as a way to keep track of how much i'm spending.

Yeah I'll have to look into it with my bank. Thanks

 

[wilma-bride]

I'm doubting myself now that Kath has said there is a charge but I don't remember seeing one on my statement.

The charge is usually built into the transaction, Claire, so you wouldn't necessarily notice it.

 

[Kath2003]

I'm doubting myself now that Kath has said there is a charge but I don't remember seeing one on my statement.

Yes most places take it, just small stalls you'd need cash.

I still like to take some cash/travellers cheque though as a way to keep track of how much i'm spending.

If you're just charged a % fee and not a set amount per transaction, all you'll see is a really, really poor exchange rate as part of that is the "fee".

There are plenty of options for fee-free spending abroad. Many CCs charge nothing.

 

[strawberry blonde]

Just looked at my bank statement and was charged £1.79 when I did the $14 ESTA plus the payment. That was using a visa debit card from Natwest.

 

[Kath2003]

Just looked at my bank statement and was charged £1.79 when I did the $14 ESTA plus the payment. That was using a visa debit card from Natwest.

OUCH

 

[missnic07]

Just looked at my bank statement and was charged £1.79 when I did the $14 ESTA plus the payment. That was using a visa debit card from Natwest.

Oh wow :s. I think my card will be staying at home.

 

[wilma-bride]

Just looked at my bank statement and was charged £1.79 when I did the $14 ESTA plus the payment. That was using a visa debit card from Natwest.

As a comparison, using my Post Office Mastercard, the total payment for my ESTA ($14), when converted was £9.06

 

[OhanaSam]

I always get charged whenever I buy anything in another currency so I imagine it would be exactly the same if it was being used in a different country aswell. We just put our money onto a cash passport card so that we couldn't spend more than we have and no extra charges

 

[MrRomance]

Yet another Q from me..sorry lol.

So when I'm there would I be able to use my visa debit card to pay for souvenirs/meals etc or would I be charged extra for making the transaction?

You can use it, but charges vary from bank to bank. Some banks do not charge foreign transaction fees, others do. Check with your bank for details on that. Some charge per transaction, some charge a percentage too. If it's a one of fee per transaction, you are better to charge it to your KTTW card and pay it off on your departure day with your card in one transaction.

What I would say is that debit cards offer little protection. You are far safer to use a credit card and use the funds in your account to pay it straight off. There have been a few cases of people who had their cards cloned and incorrect charges etc. With a credit card, it's easier and quicker to resolve than it is with a debit card.

 

[strawberry blonde]

OUCH

The annoying bit was I did each person seperately so paid £1.79 each. I did one on credit card to see what the difference would be and it only cost 25p

Must admit we take cash and travellers cheques with us and use the credit card if I think we'll run out. Hard to know how much to take as we like the shopping in Orlando

 

[khibs]

If your staying on disney you can pay for things on your room the pay one bill at the end which would only be one transaction on your card. Or you could use a cash passport which is a MasterCard that you load with dollars before you go then use that as a debit card with no charge.