Abroad without credit card

eastern

I no longer use credit cards and will be travelling abroad next year (either to the USA or the Far East) - I will be pre-booking my flights and hotel before I go (with my debit card) and will be taking two debit cards with me, plus travellers cheques.
I've never gone abroad without a credit card before - will it pose any difficulties?

dzug1

eastern wrote: »

I no longer use credit cards and will be travelling abroad next year (either to the USA or the Far East) - I will be pre-booking my flights and hotel before I go (with my debit card) and will be taking two debit cards with me, plus travellers cheques.
I've never gone abroad without a credit card before - will it pose any difficulties?

I don't think it will cause any insuperable difficulties. with the possible exception of car rental

Dog_Days

Some Countries you will need to purchase a Visa on arrival and they only take payment by credit cards, this is the case for Qatar in the Middle East for British Citizens. Best to contact the embassy of whatever country you will visit.
Don't forget the insurance you get booking your tickets using the credit card.

Doshwaster

Even if you pre-book accommodation, some hotels will want a credit card number in case of any damage or you empty the mini-bar.

I would also feel a lot safer with a credit card hidden in a sock just in the case of emergencies.

interstellaflyer

Doshwaster wrote: »

Even if you pre-book accommodation, some hotels will want a credit card number in case of any damage or you empty the mini-bar.

I would also feel a lot safer with a credit card hidden in a sock just in the case of emergencies.

Actually I thought that too, but it may not the case, we were looking at going to Florida through a tour operator (Thompson) and I was worried about not having a Credit Card and not wanting one, a Thompson rep told me that in most cases a debit card will be ok in most hotels although for car hire and villas you do need a Credit Card, however this was when booking a package holiday, the rules may be different if you are booking independently. We normally go on package holidays so have never had a problem with not having a Credit Card, however, we did go for a long weekend in Barcelona which we booked independently, the hotel recptionist did swipe my debit card and I had to pay for the use of the mini bar from my debit card no problems.

Personally I can't see the reason behind insisting on a Credit Card, if you haven't got enough credit on the card you couldn't pay for the damages anyway, plus you have on you your Passport and other travel documentation surely this is enough and probably a better indicator that you are who you are than a credit card.

ferf1223

interstellaflyer wrote: »

Actually I thought that too, but it may not the case, we were looking at going to Florida through a tour operator (Thompson) and I was worried about not having a Credit Card and not wanting one, a Thompson rep told me that in most cases a debit card will be ok in most hotels...

The problem with using a debit card in this way is the hotel will put a hold of $XX against it (usually an amount per night to cover incidentals), which will be released after you check out...sometimes a week after you check out...so in the meantime you could not withdraw those funds.

It's not a problem if you have enough funds/overdraft in the account to cover the hold + anything you would want to withdraw or spend while on holiday of course. But it does lock the funds to the value of the hold up.

In some cases you can get around the hold by declining any room charge priviledges (like using the phone, ordering movies, using the mini-bar, ordering room service, etc.) and put a one-off cash deposit against the room...just depends on the hotel.

And on the point about not having enough credit on a credit card - I'm pretty sure that when they take the swipe they pre-authorise the amount of the hold...so if you don't have enough credit to cover it, they would (I think) ask for another card...it's not about proving identity I don't think - it's about protection for the hotel against guests not paying for stuff they have used.

interstellaflyer

ferf1223 wrote: »

- it's about protection for the hotel against guests not paying for stuff they have used.

However this could just as easily be paid for by Debit Card, as I did in Barcelona

And

'so if you don't have enough credit to cover it, they would (I think) ask for another card...'

So for sake of argument you only have one credit card?

Credit cards seem to be a bit of an obsession in the USA.

Doshwaster

Also remember that if you use a credit card you get better consumer protection than if you use a debit card as the credit card company is legally liable.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/section75-protect-your-purchases

I know some people don't like credit cards but as long as they are used wisely then can be invaluable money saving tools.