Best Way to Have Availability to Cash?

[Grampyshottub]

We have a trip to Hawaii on NCL next year planned. Less and less banks these days are selling Travelers Checks, and less and less merchants except them. We don't like to carry a lot of cash with us, but sometimes some small transactions like small purchases of quick convenience items and tips are easier done with cash. Are pre-paid Visa, American Express or Mastercards worth it to get cash? We really don't want to travel with Our bank issued debit cards. Any suggestions would be welcome.

[esm54687]

if you have a AAA card then you can load it with $$$ and use it.... have had success in the past where American Express is accepted.

[fredflint]

If you don't have any actual credit cards you might want to open a second account and have a debit card for that. You should use your same bank so you can transfer funds from the checking account to the debit card for your savings account.

[sanger727]

Why don't you want to travel with your debit card? We don't use them for purchases, only at ATM for cash, but any other method would be way more hassle. We just use credit cards for purchases.

 

 

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[aeroo777]

I love my Schwab Bank Investor Checking account: no fees, no min. balance and worldwide ATM fees are rebated at the end of the month. Pretty amazing.

[casofilia]

Don't use a Debit Card as your on-board folio payment method; it will carry Holds.

[SheehanDJ]

Don't use a Debit Card as your on-board folio payment method; it will carry Holds.

 

*Sigh* Holds on Debit cards are dependent upon your banks policy, NOT a blanket thing.

 

I have no debt, no mortgage (own home), no car payments (own cars), no credit cards (smart). I just have a debit card. My banks policy is all holds MUST close by end of business. Meaning the vendor who put the hold on my card either has completed the transaction or the hold is removed. If your bank is holding your money for a long period of time I recommend a new bank.

 

To carry a MasterCard or Visa logo on their debit cards all banks MUST comply with certain rules and MAY comply with others. My debit card works exactly like a credit card, with the exact same benefits and protections. Shop around, find a bank that offers a great debit card, and cut up your credit cards.

[Son of a son of a ...]

Unless you are traveling with two separate ATM cards, always carry cash ... always. We had a chip card that would not work ... yes, told the bank where we were traveling ... unless you have a world wide bank where you might be able access funds OTC, you are screwed. Hide a couple of high denomination notes in your luggage ... otherwise, you will need to go to the casino to "borrow." Also, set up cash advance on your credit card as a back up.

 

Cash is king ... don't leave home without it :)

[judipa]

We have a trip to Hawaii on NCL next year planned. Less and less banks these days are selling Travelers Checks, and less and less merchants except them. We don't like to carry a lot of cash with us, but sometimes some small transactions like small purchases of quick convenience items and tips are easier done with cash. Are pre-paid Visa, American Express or Mastercards worth it to get cash? We really don't want to travel with Our bank issued debit cards. Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

DO NOT get a AAA prepaid debit card. They charged each time you pull cash. I learned that the hard way on my first trip to Europe.

[NMLady]

We have a trip to Hawaii on NCL next year planned. Less and less banks these days are selling Travelers Checks, and less and less merchants except them. We don't like to carry a lot of cash with us, but sometimes some small transactions like small purchases of quick convenience items and tips are easier done with cash. Are pre-paid Visa, American Express or Mastercards worth it to get cash? We really don't want to travel with Our bank issued debit cards. Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

If you can buy travelers checks you can cash them aboard NCL at guest services and get cash that way.

[garycarla]

DO NOT get a AAA prepaid debit card. They charged each time you pull cash. I learned that the hard way on my first trip to Europe.

 

The only time we ever use our debit card is at an ATM. Credit cards are way better.

 

Ad a prepaid debit card is just looking for trouble.

[uneamie]

I assume there is an ATM on board the ship? At least I hope so!

[Budget Queen]

There is a lot of "advice" that may or may not "fit" they style of the travelers. I think it quite naive to claim, not having any credit cards "smart'". Only reason I can think of for that claim is a person, that can't manage having one, with spending as example. Just, have an emergency and you'll find out quick that credit card is a life saver.

 

I also question the claim that the Debit and Credit Card benefits are the "same". In many situations they won't be, depends on many factors.

 

The more you travel the more fine tuned you are with your spending management and what is of the most benefit. As example, I always have 2 ATM cards, and at least 3 credit cards along with cash. I travel alone, if you travel with someone, you likely can double up your options.

 

Thinking you'll get by with the minimum may not work out. I've had ATM's and Credit Card purchases block cards. I'd suggest always having at least a back up. You are SOL with no money. :)

[garycarla]

....The more you travel the more fine tuned you are with your spending management and what is of the most benefit. As example, I always have 2 ATM cards, and at least 3 credit cards along with cash. I travel alone, if you travel with someone, you likely can double up your options.

 

Thinking you'll get by with the minimum may not work out. I've had ATM's and Credit Card purchases block cards. I'd suggest always having at least a back up. You are SOL with no money. :)

 

 

Some good travel advice there.

[mugtech]

There is a lot of "advice" that may or may not "fit" they style of the travelers. I think it quite naive to claim, not having any credit cards "smart'". Only reason I can think of for that claim is a person, that can't manage having one, with spending as example. Just, have an emergency and you'll find out quick that credit card is a life saver.

 

I also question the claim that the Debit and Credit Card benefits are the "same". In many situations they won't be, depends on many factors.

 

The more you travel the more fine tuned you are with your spending management and what is of the most benefit. As example, I always have 2 ATM cards, and at least 3 credit cards along with cash. I travel alone, if you travel with someone, you likely can double up your options.

 

Thinking you'll get by with the minimum may not work out. I've had ATM's and Credit Card purchases block cards. I'd suggest always having at least a back up. You are SOL with no money. :)

Good stuff. In addition I get 3% cash back with my NCL card and make the payments online for no extra charge. Have made over $500 back by using said card, never paid any service charges. Have a Royal Caribbean card, will be getting $400 back after making final payment on my next cruise.

[emcelh]

I assume there is an ATM on board the ship? At least I hope so!

There were ATMs on every NCL ship I've been on but the fees to withdraw cash are high, about $6 plus what your bank may charge.

[tempus137]

There were ATMs on every NCL ship I've been on but the fees to withdraw cash are high, about $6 plus what your bank may charge.

 

Remember, the cruise on the POA is extremely port-intensive. At some point on each island, you will probably be close to a bank or a bank ATM. These will have lower fees.

[garycarla]

..We don't like to carry a lot of cash with us, but sometimes some small transactions like small purchases of quick convenience items and tips are easier done with cash. Are pre-paid Visa, American Express or Mastercards worth it to get cash? We really don't want to travel with Our bank issued debit cards. Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

How to pay for these things at home? Why not do the same as you always do?

[Bellyflopchamp]

*Sigh* Holds on Debit cards are dependent upon your banks policy, NOT a blanket thing.

 

I have no debt, no mortgage (own home), no car payments (own cars), no credit cards (smart). I just have a debit card. My banks policy is all holds MUST close by end of business. Meaning the vendor who put the hold on my card either has completed the transaction or the hold is removed. If your bank is holding your money for a long period of time I recommend a new bank.

 

To carry a MasterCard or Visa logo on their debit cards all banks MUST comply with certain rules and MAY comply with others. My debit card works exactly like a credit card, with the exact same benefits and protections. Shop around, find a bank that offers a great debit card, and cut up your credit cards.

 

Is there a fellow Dave Ramsey follower here? Sounds like it. I like how another poster stated that this way is wrong and not good financial advice. They must have missed the fact that you own your cars outright, own your home outright and have no debt at all. But yeah, getting that 3% cash back on a credit card is good financial advice. I'm gonna go with the person that has no debt, but that is just me.

 

I have never traveled on a credit card or used a credit card while traveling (aside from when on business trips as my company requires me to use their card). To the OP if I were you I would bring the cash that you are willing to spend. You should be fine. You could always leave some in your room safe or hidden in your luggage when you are out at port. You should also be OK with using your debit card for anything as well.

[PelicanBill]

Prepaid cards: lots of fees, penalties. They work but you lose money.

 

Your credit/debit cards: Call your bank and tell them the dates of travel to try and prevent fraud triggers from going off. You may still run into people who charge extra or don't take cards.

 

ATM: High fees but a good way to get fresh cash during the trip.

 

What we do: We get a big bundle of cash. We set a budget for the ship extras, tips ($100 in one dollar bills for a 7 day cruise for drinks, $10x2 for luggage, an extra $20 for the steward) and a budget for each port. Cash balances on plans, tips, food. Shopping will have a total budget for the trip in cash plus wherever cards work out. Each budget goes in an envelope and is protected like crazy until we get on the ship, and they go in the safe. We get out the cash needed each day.

[garycarla]

Is there a fellow Dave Ramsey follower here? ...

I have never traveled on a credit card or used a credit card while traveling....

 

I know Dave is totally into no debt. Good stuff.

 

But - we always travel with multiple credit cards. The are very cheap insurance if you have to get a hotel, rental car, pay for medical expenses, etc. Not only do they not cost us anything to have, but we earn tons of miles with them. We travel around the world, often in biz/1st due to miles.

 

We never pay interest (making Mr Ramsey proud). Cards are actually set to auto pay the entire balance each month in case we forget (or are traveling).

 

We do not use debit cards.

 

For those that can manage credit cards, I just do not get why they are against them.

[Budget Queen]

I know Dave is totally into no debt. Good stuff.

 

But - we always travel with multiple credit cards. The are very cheap insurance if you have to get a hotel, rental car, pay for medical expenses, etc. Not only do they not cost us anything to have, but we earn tons of miles with them. We travel around the world, often in biz/1st due to miles.

 

We never pay interest (making Mr Ramsey proud). Cards are actually set to auto pay the entire balance each month in case we forget (or are traveling).

 

We do not use debit cards.

 

For those that can manage credit cards, I just do not get why they are against them.

 

the "no debt" and using credit cards don't necessarily go together. Sometimes when strong supports of cash only are given there have been other problems resulting in this. Many times with spending and debt, which the person hopes to continue to avoid.

 

There are others who use credit cards all the time, and have "no debt" because they pay the balances in full every month, like myself. I'm not "waiting" for funds to come in either- to pay it, which is the next argument :) claiming it is debt.

 

The benefits from my credit card usage, pays off over and over, to my benefit. I'm not fumbling around with cash in evvelopes or even have to think about what I may or may not spend. A nice tour, I find that I hadn't planned for $200 ? I GO, making my travels simple, have the ease of plans and freedom to also, allow me to solve any crisis. -- won't be the case with cash users.

[Mizzori]

Prepaid cards: lots of fees, penalties. They work but you lose money.

 

 

 

Your credit/debit cards: Call your bank and tell them the dates of travel to try and prevent fraud triggers from going off. You may still run into people who charge extra or don't take cards.

 

 

 

ATM: High fees but a good way to get fresh cash during the trip.

 

 

 

What we do: We get a big bundle of cash. We set a budget for the ship extras, tips ($100 in one dollar bills for a 7 day cruise for drinks, $10x2 for luggage, an extra $20 for the steward) and a budget for each port. Cash balances on plans, tips, food. Shopping will have a total budget for the trip in cash plus wherever cards work out. Each budget goes in an envelope and is protected like crazy until we get on the ship, and they go in the safe. We get out the cash needed each day.

 

 

 

This is exactly what I do. My husband says why so many envelopes I say everything has a purpose.

 

 

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[oldmom]

We take cash- split between us- put in safe. Also - most cruise lines let you write a check for cash at guest services- if we run out.

 

 

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[garycarla]

Okay... just curious... why do so many people hate Credit Cards?

 

 

 

(other than those unable to control their spending)