travel without credit cards

[davidmarsden]

i have a chance to visit the U.S.A. but looking on american hotel sites they say a credit card is required when booking. does anyone know if they will accept a visa debit card or a prepaid credit card.

[Maydup]

A visa debit card will be fine - visa is recognised all over the world.

[dzug2]

The disadvantage of a debit card is they may block off more funds than the bill and be slow to release it afterwards - meaning you can't access some of your money.

Same applies with a credit card - but unless you are approaching your limit it's not as big an issue

[Maydup]

I should have said too, its worth telling your bank about the trip to USA ptherwise the transation and any you make while you're out there could come up as unusual payments and be blocked.

It happened to a friend of mine who spent two days of the trip without the card and on the phone to the bank trying to convince them long distance that it was genuine.