Credit or Debit card ?

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danjofo
danjofo

On a round the world trip for at least a year.

Do i 'NEED' a credit card and if so what for?

or

Can i make the trip without major issue with just a Debit card?

I plan to have 3 separate accounts setup at my bank with internet banking.
i will have 3 debit cards one for each account and i will use internet banking to move the money between the accounts where needed. one card will be used for hostel bookings and ATM only and the other for airfair bookings.
The 3rd will not be used unless the other 2 are lost for some reason.

I will aso have a prepaid credit card by either CaxtonFX or FairFX which i can load online.

The reason for the prepaid is that they are mastercard where as my debit cards are VISA, this gives me ATM coverage incase i cannot find a link ATM.

--

Without a credit card how does this affect me with regard to flights being cancelled. Can and would carriers book me on the next available flight or give me a refund if i book via Debit card and not credit card?

I realise that small carriers which go bust before my flight will mean i loose the money if i book via Debit card.

Thanks for your help. :)

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Tamaraloong
Tamaraloong

I would definitely recommend going with at least one credit cards, some places might not be as advanced as debit visas yet

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danjofo
danjofo

Pretty much every country now uses 'Chip and Pin' for all card transactions.
The U.S i think is the only country that still uses the old and far less secure magnetic strip cards.

If anyone is going to have issues travelling with debit/credit its An american with a magnetic strip card which you will find are accepted far less globally if at all.

A VISA debit works like any modern credit card issued globally outside of the U.S and will have chip and pin.

Reading on VISA and MASTERCARDS website they have an ATM finder for every country on earth and they are pretty much everywhere.

Less so in poorer countries but always at least in the capitcal city.

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gerardkenny
gerardkenny

No Credit Card is required, Debit Cards suffice now days.

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lucapal
lucapal

I bring a credit card (for emergencies) but almost never use it.

Two debit cards and some US dollars cash does me everywhere these days....

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365rtw
365rtw

The only trouble with a debit card (from the UK anyway) is the bank charges.

We used this site to help with ideas:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

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xscorcho
xscorcho

i don't think it's necessary. can't remember a time i've needed one when traveling.

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oceanwaves
oceanwaves

If your credit card is issued by a bank in the USA, national consumer banking laws give you some legal protection from fradulent charges and other fraud against your account that you do not get with a debit card.

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destination_world
destination_world

hiii

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mstep
mstep

Whether debit or credit, it's never a good idea to travel with only one card. I've several times been in a country where I couldn't find a bank that would work with my debit card, or sometimes, my preferred credit card. And since I make a point of always having at least 3 cards, I had something to fall back on. The cash advance option on a credit card might one day be the only thing that allows you to keep going.

And then there's the possibility of having your wallet or bag stolen, and losing your card that way. Or the possibility that you'll get distracted at an ATM and accidentally forget to extract your card. I've done that.

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