I have a Check Card with a Visa logo. When I purchase things locally, they just put the magnetic strip through and it debits it from my checking account, as opposed to a credit card. However, I've never used it out of state. Do rental car agencies and hotels accept them? WHAT EXPERIENCE HAVE folks here had? The hotels, rental agencies, etc; don't seem to be familiar with them and the bank officer is in the "they SHOULD" do it mode. Thank you.

Debit/ATM cards that have the VISA or Mastercard logo on them work for purchases (and in ATM's) anywhere that those credit cards are accepted (world wide, to the best of my knowledge). By the way, if you specify "credit card" rather than "debit card" when prompted by a machine (e.g. at a gas station "pay at the pump" machine) or by a clerk, it will be processed as a credit card transaction but will still come out of your checking account. This avoids the 30 or 40 cent EFT charge that is deducted from your checking account for every debit card transaction (this tip was given to me by someone in the banking business and it really works!).
If a hotel uses the card to charge a "deposit" on the room, they will simply bill your checking account when you arrive and then credit it back when you depart (only a few hotels charge this type of deposit). The issue with rental car companies is likely to be different. They have a concern about being able to bill against a credit card in the event that a car is damaged or not returned. I think they might require a credit card # (with credit available on the account) as a "deposit". If you wish to have the rental charges billed to the debit card I'm sure this can be done (just as you could pay those charges with cash if you so chose).
Perhaps someone with more knowledge of the rental car business can confirm these details.
I have personally used my VISA "check card" all over the US for hotels, meals and purchases and never had a problem doing so.

A warning based on personal experience: most debit cards have a limit on the amount that may be charged for a single transaction (usually $600 - 800) and often a limit on the amount that may be charged in a single 24 hour period (probably $1200-1500) - even though you really have the money in your account! Check with your bank for details and avoid the embarassment I had when the card was "declined" even though I had plenty of cash in the bank. These figures include any cash withdrawn from an ATM, which is itself limited to $200 per day.

owen, thank you very much for your feedback. I'll check into the daily limit...it'll be difficult to use it to rent a car then, seeing as they may not accept it..will ask them over at hertz and budget. thank you once more.

Be careful when using your checkcard at hotels. When you register with a credit card (or check card), a hotel authorizes (holds) the card for a set amount to ensure that they will receive payment for the room. This hold usually includes the room rate, tax and an incidental allowance ($25-$100) for EACH night!

If you carry a small balance in your checking account and use the card when registering at a hotel, you may find yourself unpleasantly surprised when the card is subsequently declined or rejected at dinner or at an ATM.

While a hold can be placed on a card immediately, it takes several hours to several days for the hold to be released.

I don't want to discourage you from using the card (they are convenient); however, I have dealt with guests (as a front desk agent) who have experienced this problem when using their VISA Check Cards.

I use a cash/check card in my own area, but not on vacation. They are accepted, but you don't have the same protection if your purchases are stolen or need to be returned. Since I rarely carry a checkbook on vacation, I don't want to have to be keeping track of how much I've debited.

I use a cash/check card in my own area, but not on vacation. They are accepted, but you don't have the same protection if your purchases are stolen or need to be returned. Since I rarely carry a checkbook on vacation, I don't want to have to be keeping track of how much I've debited.