When going on vacation....CC vs.cash

[Disneyland1084]

Do you use your credit card or cash/atm debit card for everything? When I go to DL it's all cash for me. I bring my credit card for emergencies but have never had to use it on any trip. I just don't like credit cards. It's annoying enough paying bills every month.

 

[NewJersey]

I use credit or atm card as much as possible. I hardly ever carry around cash. I like using credit cards for the different miles or reward point programs but my credit union has no points like citibank does for using the atm card so I'm considering switching to citibank as they are starting to open up branches around me.

Also, with commuting into NYC for work, I don't trust carrying around cash for fears of pickpockets on the subway and path train.

And on vacation, I use CC/atm as well.

 

[TheGoofster]

ATM card. Kind of like the best of both worlds. You get the convienece of not having to lug around large quantities of cash, but you don't get into trouble by charging things you don't have the money for.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Debit card except for huge purchases in which we want the added protection of a credit card (airline ticket, sometimes hotel, etc).

We carry very little cash, esp while traveling. Our debit card makes it easier for us to track our purchases.

 

[Chilehead Too]

I use Amex for just about everything. For places not accepting it I use my debit.

 

[The Mayor]

I use my Miles One CC for everything...vacations, kids college tuition, grocery's, ect...then pay it off each month...I have so many miles now...they are so much easier to use than airline miles (except Southwest).

 

[Alice28]

Both. We usually use the credit card for the balance of our hotel room, park tickets (or attraction tickets if, gasp, we're not at Disney), gas if it's a road trip, an expensive meal or souvenir shopping spree.

Cash for most counter service type meals, treats, tips, incidentals.

My goal for our upcoming trip is to only charge on an actual credit card the park tickets. I should have enough cash in hand or in the checking account to pay everything else. And we get the park tickets discounted at Shades of Green, so yay for that!

 

[Beth76]

I don't like to carry cash around with me. Since almost every place takes CCs now, we do that mostly. If we need cash, we'll get some at an ATM.

 

[golfgal]

I take a small amount of cash, $100 or so, then use our debit card for everything else. It makes my banking SO much easier. When we were at Disney, we charged everything to our room. That made life SIMPLE! If we are at a resort and golfing, using the spa, restaurant, etc. we will charge to the room as well and use our credit card when we check out.

 

[Micca]

For us it's a mix. People make a good point about the security of plastic and the various perks, but DW just hates to see those huge cc bills.

 

[CEDmom]

I use credit cards pretty much exclusively. DH and I have ones we earn points on (we went to WDW earlier for a week at the Swan totally on points). With an exception every now and then they get paid off every month. I'd be worried having that much cash on me.

 

[C.Ann]

Cash, traveler's checks and two debit cards..

 

[crazelion]

Cash, Credit Cards, Traveler's Checks,debit cards

I am considering getting the American Express Traveler's Ceck card

 

[Allison]

I use my credit card for almost everything including vacation spending. I like being able to track all my purchases online on a daily basis and make a payment every 3 days.

 

[ducklite]

Credit card for as much as we can, and we start with $2-300 for tips and small incidentals.

I've read too many stories on the DIS about people with ruined trips after wads of cash or Disney Dollars were lost or stolen. They can't be replaced. A credit card can.

I had a problem with my card at the BC once (it was expired and I hadn't gotten a replacement, and didn't realize it was expired until we got there), and they took the credit card issuers authorization over the phone to guarantee my room charges until my new card arrived the next day. Had I lost my cash, I would have been out of luck.

Anne