Credit cards necessary for airlines?
 

Hi guys, this is a really simple question, one that I'm sure I could get answered from an airline site, but I prefer meeting new people and talking to them rather than just lookin' up facts. So... To purchase a ticket from British Airways, can I use the debit card I have, or is a credit card necessary?
I'm thinking --wanting, hoping-- to fly from the States into London, and then ride North in to Scotland, to explore the Highlands.

But i was just wondering about the credit card thing, whether it was necessary, or if my debit card would suffice. Thanks so much (and feel free to say hi!)

~j

Hi gypsy!!
When you say debit card, do you mean something like a Visa check card, or do you mean more like a MAC/Cirrus card that requires a pin no matter how you use it? If it's a Visa check card, you can absolutely use it to purchase plane tickets...it works the same as a regular credit card. If you mean a MAC card, then I'm not sure, but I really doubt you could use it, since it requires a pin.
Have fun in the UK!!

My son used his debit card before he got his first credit card, but it was before 9/11 so can't know for sure.

Maybe if you call the airline's 800 number they would know?

My guess is that for the purchase of a set-price item, the debit card is fine.

Where you may be required to present a credit card is for car rental or hotel room, because they want to be sure they can collect if you run up a huge bill (ie, wreck the car or order wildly extravagant room service) after emptying the account at the nearest ATM. They may let you settle the final bill with the debit card, but only after getting credit card aproval at the beginning.

The debit card should be sufficient, but it's always good to have some form of backup.

Find out when your bank conducts its overnight processing, and know the time difference. A transaction will not go through when your bank is "off line".

I've used my debit card (with a visa or mc logo) for airline tickets and hotel reservations. Airlines don't mind because you're buying the ticket right then - whether with a credit card or not. There's no issue about getting the money.

Hotels don't seem to mind the debit card either. I've never had one refuse my card at the time of reservations or at check out.

Car Rentals are picky. When you reserve the car, I don't think it matters that much, but when you pick it up, they run your card through the system. This puts a hold on a specific amount of the credit line (usually for a good amount more than the actual rental fee). They can't put that hold on a debit card, so they won't accept it. However, many will allow you to pay for the car at the time of return with the debit card.

The one thing with using the debit card for the airline tickets is that most credit cards provide some flight insurance with the purchase, but the debit card usually doesn't.

I've had no problem using a debit check card for renting a car. Of course, they reserve a high amount.

Why risk what might or might not work--what could have or should have been.

Get a Visa card (my favorite) with a good credit limit because some times business put a "hold" on funds. For instance, when purchasing gasoline, some gas stations put a "hold" on funds exceeding an actual purchase--such as $100 for a $55 purchase. If you don't have a "good credit limit" you might, unwittingly, exceed your credit.

Wow, thank you everyone for the suggestions. I'm still ironing out details, but it seems like the debit card is okay.

This forum's really great; so many people speak up to help out when others have problems. I'm definitely going to have to post on here more often, and soon.

Thanks again. :)

~j