Visa Debit Card - not Electron or Delta

[VSL]

Me and my boyfriend are off to Florida this coming December for my 21st birthday . The cost of the holiday is all coming out of my account, but as I no longer have a job (I quit so I could concentrate on my final year of Uni) I can't get a credit card, so my boyfriend will have to get one (to use with the door key thingy in Disney).

However, we were looking at his Visa Debit card. It's not Electron, but it doesn't have the Delta logo on it either, and we were wondering if it could be used as a credit card in the US
We've used it successfully to order stuff online from the US in the past.

If possible, of course, I'll get myself another job before we go so I can get a credit card - he's not exactly thrilled about the idea of getting a credit card, but I don't mind (it's not as if I intend to continue using it when I get back here!) - I'm already 'in charge' of all the other financial stuff though.

 

[wendye]

As I understand it the Visa Debit card is exactly the same as the visa delta - if I am remembering correctly they dropped the delta from it a few years ago. To my understanding the cirrus is the thing you need to look for but I am sure someone will put me right if I'm wrong on this. From what I have read on this and another board I think you should be fine.

Hope this helps.

Wendy

 

[VSL]

Well, he hasn't got the cirrus thing on his card, but on my debit card (which is not Visa) there is the Maestro logo - does that mean that I could use my card like a credit card (on my room key) in Florida/Disney?

(maybe we'll get a 'proper' credit card just to be on the safe side!)

 

[wendye]

Hmm.. sorry I've run out of ideas now. I've not had one of these for a few years now. Mine came with a Lloyds TSB account which I no longer have so I can't really help any further on that one. As for your's the maestro card is what used to be called switch which I understand to be fine. I would hang on for a few more replies just to confirm (I've only been once you see and I used travellers cheques and cash and a credit card then so I couldn't really say personally) Sorry hope this helps a bit at least.

 

[VSL]

Yes - every bit of info I can get is gonna help me!

 

[rosiejo]

The Visa Debit card is just that - a debit card - so you can't pass it off as a credit card. I think the whole point of leaving a credit card as "security" is that if you run up a huge bill they can charge it to your card, not really very good with a debit card if you happen to have spent all of your money on souvenirs and your account is empty!

Why not just get a credit card for your trip and cut it up when you get home? I always take one as emergency back up - you never know what might happen when you're on the other side of the world and you might need access to money.

 

[angel659]

Hi

The only prob with a visa debit card is you can not secure a car for rental puposes so if you wanted a card for that or for room they will not accept it. For shop and ticket purchases it should be fine.

 

[VSL]

It looks like a credit card then!

Better safe than sorry, anyway
Thanks!

 

[Candy]

You dont have to have a credit card to charge goods to your room key if you stay 0n sight.all you have to do is when you check in give the cm travellers chegues or dollars and they will transfer the amount on to your room key.you can always top it up as you go along. this is what i plan to do.

 

[VSL]

You know, I like that idea Candy. It would mean that we wouldn't have to worry about any credit card charges too (like currency conversion).
And we could use either card at a cashpoint I presume... but are there any cashpoints on-site (I went so long ago I can't remember!) - we'll be taking some cash and travellers checks but I don't want to be carrying tons of the stuff!