USA Trip: Pre-loaded credit card vs credit card? Which is better?

Obanboy

[FONT=&quot]Hi -

I am travelling to the USA for two weeks in August.

My understanding of the difference between the two cards are:

* Pre-Loaded Credit Card - from what I understand I upload my funds to the card (So acts like a debit card??)

* Credit Card - Allows you to spend on credit and pay off at the end of each month.

Which of the above am I better to use while in the USA?

Any advice would be much appreciated Thanks [/FONT]

eDicky

Assuming that you are referring to the sort of credit cards and prepaid cards that are suitable for travel, as recommended in the MSE guide, the choice would be according to your own circumstances. Probably you should have at least one of each, as traveling with only one source of funds is unwise.

melanzana

If you are talking about Visa or Mastercard etc. Credit cards, I understand that if you preload, and there is any fraudulent activity on the card then you are not covered up to the amount you pre loaded.

For that reason, I never pre load anything.

Just use debit and credit cards like I would at home.

In my bank, if you tell them you are going abroad, they will text you the minute your card has been used. Fantastic service as I can identify dodgy transactions on the spot.

Hope you enjoy your holiday!

jackieblack

melanzana wrote: »

If you are talking about Visa or Mastercard etc. Credit cards, I understand that if you preload, and there is any fraudulent activity on the card then you are not covered up to the amount you pre loaded.

For that reason, I never pre load anything.

Pre-loading is also against the t&c of some, if not all, credit cards and can result in the account being frozen.

melanzana

jackieblack wrote: »

Pre-loading is also against the t&c of some, if not all, credit cards and can result in the account being frozen.

Another reason not to do it so!

eDicky

I think (assumed) that Obanboy is referring to a prepaid card, not 'preloading' a credit card.