Out of money

[sammee]

7 hours ago, Jerseygirl1416 said:

To force them to go to guest services I’d imagine.

No need forcing me, they had 800 bucks of mine. And for those that say they DON'T, they DID! Whether it was on accident or on purpose, we will never know.

[AmBear]

14 hours ago, VentureMan_2000 said:

I get 5% cash back when I use my credit card to book the cruise... and it also includes travel insurance.  That's $200 cash on a $4000 cruise. 

Same here, paid off a B2B cruise coming up with a Discover card offering 5% back with Paypal, saved $225.! 

[AmBear]

14 hours ago, VentureMan_2000 said:

I get 5% cash back when I use my credit card to book the cruise... and it also includes travel insurance.  That's $200 cash on a $4000 cruise. 

Same here, paid off a B2B cruise coming up with a Discover card offering 5% back with Paypal, saved $225.! 

[crochetcruise]

On 5/6/2018 at 10:17 AM, coevan said:

Sorry, but what are you 16 years old? Control your spending? Even if I get bashed for this, you save $1000, put it in a bank. Use a credit card and get the mileage or cash back. When you get home pay the credit card with the money you put in the bank. You also just banked 2000 points and have zero balance on your CC. As I said in an earlier post, how do you "cash" people make hotel reservations or rent cars?

 

I am Legally Blind, so will never be able to rent or drive a car. I book hotel accommodation either directly and pay on arrival, or through a brochure from the Travel Agent, she does the booking for me, and I pay in cash.

 

I've just paid flights and insurance for a cruise with another company in February 2020, paying cash at the travel agency with no problems. I have been checking the Carnival website, for my November 2020 cruise, to price gifts, and edible treats, so I have an approximate amount to save in cash so I can purchase on board as I want them. The same for the casino, a pre-determined amount saved to be used. Some people's income may be too low for them to be granted a credit card.

 

Your comment has reminded me to go onto Carnivals website and make a written list of what I want, the amount/s and the costings, so I can start seriously "squirrelling" my money. Even $10-$20 a fortnight will accumulate into a useful amount. I shall allow for extra "impulse" spending, most likely on cookies-a weakness of mine!

 

[Jerseygirl1416]

13 hours ago, sammee said:

No need forcing me, they had 800 bucks of mine. And for those that say they DON'T, they DID! Whether it was on accident or on purpose, we will never know.

I didn’t mean you necessarily. I meant anyone they find with a deficit on their account. Locking a guest out of their cabin would surely get them to go to guest services, even the people purposely avoiding the situation.

[Gma&Gpa]

We know what we comfortably can afford to spend, and take it either in cash or carnival gift cards.  Then, there is no temptation to overspend.  It would be very easy to get carried away with either drinks, gambling or buying "things" to take home.  This is our 15th cruise, and this works best for us.  I understand many do not agree, but it's what we are comfortable doing.

[mom2oneXY]

On 5/4/2018 at 4:40 AM, SkyPiglet said:

 

When we had our issue with our CC shutting down mid-cruise on Liberty, we were nickel and diming to make sure we could at least get off the ship with no problems, but thought it would be easier to call the credit card company's 1-800 number to see if we could sort the issue out. We were afraid to do it from the room phone because we were literally down to the dollars, and s long call could put us over the our spare cash. We asked if they would allow us to call for assistance, and the response was "We don't offer any courtesy phone service," so it may vary based on who you talk to in guest services. The only option we were given was to sign a promissory note, or pay it off.

 

For the record, once we did get to the airport, I was able to call the credit card company and get the card temporarily reactivated with a five minute call from a payphone (Yes, they do still exist!).

 

A few cruises ago, we used our CC in St. Marteen and the CC froze our account.  We used it three times on the same day at the same resort for small things (drinks, banana boat ride, umbrella rental).  At home we would have received a text asking us if it was us.  Well we were on airplane more so no notification.  It wasn't until we tried to pay for lunch that we realized we'd been cut off.  Lucky for us, we carry more than one CC and cash so we could get back to the ship.  We immediately went to Guest Services because the cut off card was the one on file for the ship.  They let us call the 1-800 number no questions asked.  We got it all sorted out no problems!  We had called the CC company ahead of time to let them know we were traveling outside the country, but it was the multiple small purchased (less than $20) in a 2 hour time frame that locked the account!  Live and learn - we use cash in ports now to avoid this.

[Joebucks]

Next to my passport, my next most important thing to bring with me when I travel is my Chase Sapphire Reserve. Lots of perks including travel insurance, great cash back, $0 fraud liability, etc. They have also never once declined one of my purchases anywhere. Their technology is generally good enough to know already if you are traveling. If something is suspicious, I receive a text message (T-Mobile works in any country) confirming the purchase, and it's business as usual.

 

I'll bring a small amount of cash for taxis and other cash only purchases. Absolutely everything else goes on the card.

[AmBear]

1 hour ago, mom2oneXY said:

 

A few cruises ago, we used our CC in St. Marteen and the CC froze our account.  We used it three times on the same day at the same resort for small things (drinks, banana boat ride, umbrella rental).  At home we would have received a text asking us if it was us.  Well we were on airplane more so no notification.  It wasn't until we tried to pay for lunch that we realized we'd been cut off.  Lucky for us, we carry more than one CC and cash so we could get back to the ship.  We immediately went to Guest Services because the cut off card was the one on file for the ship.  They let us call the 1-800 number no questions asked.  We got it all sorted out no problems!  We had called the CC company ahead of time to let them know we were traveling outside the country, but it was the multiple small purchased (less than $20) in a 2 hour time frame that locked the account!  Live and learn - we use cash in ports now to avoid this.

or use a different CC in port!

And if you use a CC anywhere out of your ordinary area, like a trip out of state, notify your CC security dept. of your travels before you go!

Set up your mobile phone with security alerts also, which you can verify immediately a charge!

 

[AmBear]

9 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

Next to my passport, my next most important thing to bring with me when I travel is my Chase Sapphire Reserve. Lots of perks including travel insurance, great cash back, $0 fraud liability, etc. They have also never once declined one of my purchases anywhere. Their technology is generally good enough to know already if you are traveling. If something is suspicious, I receive a text message (T-Mobile works in any country) confirming the purchase, and it's business as usual.

 

I'll bring a small amount of cash for taxis and other cash only purchases. Absolutely everything else goes on the card.

Most of the major CC now accept travel plans ahead of your trip, just call their security dept. and tell them where you'll be, and when!

[coevan]

3 hours ago, AmBear said:

And if you use a CC anywhere out of your ordinary area, like a trip out of state, notify your CC security dept. of your travels before you go!

 

 

Capital One says this is no longer necessary with chip cards. Only debit cards holders need to notify their bank

[VentureMan_2000]

18 minutes ago, coevan said:

 

 

Capital One says this is no longer necessary with chip cards. Only debit cards holders need to notify their bank

Yeah... I wouldn't trust the person who told you that.  I would if Capital One has this documented on their site.

Banks have a sophisticated algorithm that looks for fraud, and will shut down your card the moment they suspect something.  I've experienced it a few times in my travels.  I would not want to be contacting my Bank during a cruise.

Banks have a "Set Travel Notice" on their website for credit cards... and for a good reason.  They know your buying patterns and locations.  Deviate, and they may shut your card down.

[coevan]

let's see in the last few years we have traveled to Europe, Caribbean, S.America, C. America and Mexico, never called Capital One and never had my credit suspended. Capital One's fraud department is outstanding and I do trust the person in security that told me, it's no longer necessary.  

[coevan]

from the Capital One Website " You don't need to notify us about your travel plans anymore thanks to the added security of your Capital One chip card. You can use your card abroad the same as you use it at home. Please check that your email and phone number are up to date in case we need to reach you. Safe travels!

[Knighton]

Beware of the holds they put on your credit card!  Make sure you have LOTS of available credit.  At the end of the cruise, I got called out of line too because my cc had been declined.  What I was told is that whatever your current total charge is becomes a hold every night and isn't automatically cancelled once the next hold gets put on.  I called my cc company and they confirmed this.  There were new holds for every day for whatever the whole total was at the time, and the holds take a few days to a couple of weeks to clear.  Therefore, all the holds added together put me over my credit limit even though the credit I had available at the start of the cruise would have easily covered what I had to charge at the end.  It was a 5 night cruise and the end amount was about $800, so the previous 4 nights of holds did me in.

[Elaine5715]

20 minutes ago, Knighton said:

Beware of the holds they put on your credit card!  Make sure you have LOTS of available credit.  At the end of the cruise, I got called out of line too because my cc had been declined.  What I was told is that whatever your current total charge is becomes a hold every night and isn't automatically cancelled once the next hold gets put on.  I called my cc company and they confirmed this.  There were new holds for every day for whatever the whole total was at the time, and the holds take a few days to a couple of weeks to clear.  Therefore, all the holds added together put me over my credit limit even though the credit I had available at the start of the cruise would have easily covered what I had to charge at the end.  It was a 5 night cruise and the end amount was about $800, so the previous 4 nights of holds did me in.

It is your card company that determines the length of holds.  People also forget adding money at the slots also creates holds

[TonyinMD]

I don't like having potential high balances on my CC so I almost always use cash.

 

If you get to the point where you don't have cash available to cover purchases,  they typically will allow you to go maybe $5-10 over your balance, but will decline further purchases and direct you to guest services.  Never had an instance where I simply didn't have any cash at the end of the cruise but like others have said,  a promissory note sounds like what would happen.  You likely won't be that deep in the red though as cut you off right around your 0 balance.

 

 

[coevan]

57 minutes ago, Knighton said:

Beware of the holds they put on your credit card!  Make sure you have LOTS of available credit.  At the end of the cruise, I got called out of line too because my cc had been declined.  What I was told is that whatever your current total charge is becomes a hold every night and isn't automatically cancelled once the next hold gets put on.  I called my cc company and they confirmed this.  There were new holds for every day for whatever the whole total was at the time, and the holds take a few days to a couple of weeks to clear.  Therefore, all the holds added together put me over my credit limit even though the credit I had available at the start of the cruise would have easily covered what I had to charge at the end.  It was a 5 night cruise and the end amount was about $800, so the previous 4 nights of holds did me in.

 

 

This sounds more like a debit card, never had this problem with a CC.

[Knighton]

7 minutes ago, coevan said:

 

 

This sounds more like a debit card, never had this problem with a CC.

nope, it was my credit card (american express).  And in answer to a previous poster, I did not use my s &s card at the casino.  Each night a different hold for the complete total (not just that day's charges) was tacked onto my card.  Whoever is responsible for taking the holds off doesn't matter.  The point is, they don't come off right away and are totaled up and counted against your available credit, so 4 days worth of holds of hundreds of dollars killed my available credit.  I was using one of my cards that doesn't have a huge credit line, thinking it would be ok since I kinda guessed what I'd have as a final bill, which I actually was in the ballpark of.  Now that I know they do this, I'll make sure I use my card that has a higher limit.

[coevan]

2 hours ago, TonyinMD said:

I don't like having potential high balances on my CC

 

 

Don't you know what you are charging? Only you create high balances. 

[VentureMan_2000]

Lots of different money strategies...   interesting topic.  😎

[TonyinMD]

1 hour ago, coevan said:

 

 

Don't you know what you are charging? Only you create high balances. 

 

Of course I do.  I bring in cash all of the money I plan on spending and load as I see fit.  I walk off the ship with no holds or balance on a CC.

Edited August 4, 2019 by TonyinMD

[coevan]

why not deposit your cash in your checking account, charge everything, get the rewards and pay off the card when you get home with the same money you were going to spend on the ship anyway.  

[AmBear]

7 hours ago, coevan said:

 

 

Capital One says this is no longer necessary with chip cards. Only debit cards holders need to notify their bank

I heard that too, but I don't trust them!

I always notify online, and make a phone call to security!

They always say thanks, and haven't shut me down once since doing it this way!

[VentureMan_2000]

8 hours ago, coevan said:

from the Capital One Website " You don't need to notify us about your travel plans anymore thanks to the added security of your Capital One chip card. You can use your card abroad the same as you use it at home. Please check that your email and phone number are up to date in case we need to reach you. Safe travels!

OK... proof indeed from their web site.

However... the chip has zero to do with spending patterns.  The chip is so that a fake card reader cannot secure a connection and confirm the card.

We are talking spending patterns here.  Banks and Credit Card issuers have extremely sophisticated software to detect fraud:  Purchase too small... purchase too large... purchase from a location you have never purchased from before.  You can do what is suggested here on this thread and let your bank company know when you travel (unexpectedly) to some place new... or take a chance that they will block your credit card to save their own a$$.  After all, most credit cards take 100% responsibility for liability to fraud.  They are going to cut you off at the first moment they detect fraud.