sal_angel2

Just a quick question... should I pay with debit card or credit card for each hotel, hostel while i travel.?

sumrcr

Credit Card. No one can use it to clear out your back account if the card is stolen. Also, your loss will be limited, provided you report the lost or stolen card promptly. While traveling use the debit card only at secure ATMs.

sal_angel2

Brilliant, thanks for your advise

november_moon

Yep - credit cards - or cash. I never use my debit card while travelling for anything other than getting cash from a bank ATM. I use my debit card at home, which of course carries the same fraud risk - just that if I am at home, an issue with my debit card won't be nearly as big of a hassle as it would be at home.

suze

Credit card.

The *only* place I use my debit card when traveling is at a BANK ATM machine to withdraw local currency.

anyegr

If it is a smaller place you may not be able to pay with a card at all. Ask the hotel/hostel if they prefer cards or cash. Some places add an extra charge to cover the credit card company's charges. And some places may want it in cash to avoid paying taxes on it (yes, that's illegal, but it still happens).

thursdaysd

If you use a credit card, watch out for the DCC scam (dynamic currency conversion). This is where they offer (or go ahead without asking) to charge you in your home currency. Do not accept, and insist on having the transaction voided and rerun if necessary, otherwise you will be stuck with a bad exchange rate. (I travel with Capital One cards, so I pay no currency conversion fee. Check with your card issuer, Credit Unions usually charge 1%).

november_moon

Good tip about the DCC scam. It can be worse than getting stuck with a bad exchange rate - depending on the policies of your credit card company, they may still charge you a foreign transaction fee for using the card in another country - even if the charge is in USD.

travlsolo2

Credit card if they accept it, or cash. Sometimes a small hotel which accepts credit cards will give you a discount if you pay cash. Don't be afraid to ask.

sal_angel2

thank you for the advice.
what does anyone think about thomas cook euro cards!?

thursdaysd

I don't think about them, or anything like them. They are likely a rip-off. I travel with Capital One and Credit Union debit and credit cards. But you should ask about fees and the exchange rate.

dhdhotels

anyegr ,, thanks for your good advice...

hollywoodsc

You could get a pre-paid Visa card and only load the amount you'll need/want for your trip.

I'd definitely check if your hotel/hostel will even take a credit card. Some will take it for the reservation but require payment in cash.
Some cities have a hotel tax that must paid by cash when you check out.