Best way to carry money when RVing or traveling?

[Doug_FL]

I used to use TC (Travelers Checks). However, they are hard to get cashed and/or buy things with. GC (Gift Cards) are just like cash, if
you lose it, it can be used without your permission. GC also do not allow you to get cash, or depo leftover money in your bank account.

A solution would be a password protected GC, with a money back option at ATMs. Anyone ever heard of such an animal, or have any
other suggestions. On what would replace TCs?

 

[keocera]

Debit Card ! 

 

[Ned]

A debit card is the last thing you want.  It's a ticket into your bank account.  We use credit cards for nearly all of our purchases.  We do keep some cash on hand (<$200 usually) for small purchases.

 

[MoeBelly]

There are pre-paid debit cards that can be used to access cash at ATMs and are not associated with your bank account.  One is the Bluebird card offered at Wal-mart.  It is a pre-paid American Express card that can be used anywhere American Express is accepted and you can use it at ATMs to withdraw cash.  You can also add funds at the ATM as well.  Another card is Green Dot.  Just google either for more info.

Be sure to look at the fee schedule for any of these cards as this is how they make their money.

 

[gc1966]

A debit card is the last thing you want.  It's a ticket into your bank account.  We use credit cards for nearly all of our purchases.  We do keep some cash on hand (<$200 usually) for small purchases.

Absolutely, if you want your account cleaned out use a debit card... Otherwise get a credit card and just pay it off in full every month...

You are responsible for anything you do not buy with a credit card as long as you keep an eye on your accounts

 

[Carl L]

The best cards are a combination:  Credit cards for spending at points of sale:  a checking/debit card for getting cash from bank or credit union tellers or ATMs and for managing your bank account.  Do not use them in private ATMs.

Never use a debit card at a retail store, gas station, restaurant,  or for any other type of sale.  Ned is quite correct, a debit card is a pipeline into your bank account and you have no protection in the case of fraud.  Credit cards have a limit on fraudulent transaction liability  -- around $50 the last time I looked.


The Target fiasco should be a lesson for all of us.

 

[M1894]

Cash is stored in the safe, only carry $50.00 or less with me at any time. I keep enough cash and my credit/debit cards and check books in the safe with a total cash to cover one fill up at the pump, and enough for a dinner out while on the road. Credit cards are paid up at end of month. Campground fees are paid by check or Credit Card only when I can watch attendant enter the card. When out of home area, all credit card purchases over $100.00 are verified with card company by phone initiated by me.



Lee

 

[gc1966]

I keep a couple thousand and a Glock 21 with me....  Sometimes I put it in a stack on the dash hoping someone will get tempted

 

[Pepper3]

Have a safe installed. Carry what ever $ amount your comfortable with and a credit card that you or the DW don't carry on your person. This card will sustain you if your wallet is lost or stolen.  Keep acct.#'s and phone #'s of credit cards you do carry in the safe in case of theft you have all the info. to report to the companies. This is not all inclusive for what should be stored in the safe, it just helps address the monetary issues.

 

[Wigpro]

I would argue the fact that a debit card is a bad way to go and that you are more liable for charges than with a credit card. I have a few debit cards and use them for everything...on several accounts.

I watch my accounts online daily and this past year had 4 different disputed charges - a call to the bank and filed a grievance and the money was credited back to my account almost immediately. Several days later I received an email confirming that the charge had been declined and they sent me a new set of cards...this is the reason I carry two different banks debit cards - while waiting for the new cards to arrive, I transferred 90% of my balance to the other bank - online (instantly) and then had access to my money...

The key is to watch your accounts daily and report any bogus transactions right away....

My bank says he MOST that I can be accountable for is $50.00 but they have never enforced that as all four bogus charges I had this past year were under that amount...

Maybe you need to have a good relationship with your bank, but mine works for me, both of them.

BTW - I carry very little cash with me....

Jim

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

There just aren't many reasons to carry much cash anymore. Whether you choose credit or debit card(s), that's all you need except for pocket money.

 

[Gizmo]

We carry a primary credit card for our trip expenses, back-up credit card in case of a glitch or unexpected issue with the first cc and a debit card for ATM cash if needed.  As Gary mentioned, not much need for cash anymore.

 

[bucks2]

We've found that our Credit Union belongs to a group called Co-op Shared Branch. I have an android phone app that shows me all the credit unions near me that are part of the group. I can go to any of them and bank just as I do at my home branch. Well, I don't know the tellers as well, but with a drivers license and my account number I can take cash out just as I could at home. Where we sit right now there are 20 CU's or free to me ATM's that belong to the group and will give me cash on request.

We keep a thousand or so on hand just in case we find something we want that needs cash. It can be replenished at will.

There may or may not be 1 or more weapons nearby. My hope is that you'll never know one way or the other.

Ken

 

[RoyM]

We ran into problems a few years ago traveling in the U.S. We had maxed the c/c on a vehicle repair and without a computer were unable to make a payment. We were stuck with making $300.00 daily cash withdrawals on the debit card, merchants were unwilling to accept a card from a Canadian bank even though it is Sirus backed. Also, some U.S banks could not process it as they were not linked to the international database which struck us as strange. ATM's at the casinos bailed us out more than once. Now we don't leave home without the laptop, lesson learned.

 

[Dan23]

As I recall, we used one credit card (with another as the back-up card) along with a bank card for cash via ATMs all across the US, Canada and Alaska. No significant problems. Set up an on-line account for the CC so you can see your purchases and balance and learn the address of where to send the check.

Hope that helps.

 

[Northern Rambler]

"Visa Zero Liability2 - If your Debit or Credit card is ever lost or stolen, your account will be reimbursed for 100% of the unauthorized transactions ."

In my opinion can't ask for better protection of your money when traveling . Onboard safes can be stolen , wallets and purses can be stolen , but if you carry a couple of cards of different branches with you and have a backup card hidden on your unit that only you can find with a small amount of cash . I believe that is the safest way to travel . If all is lost because of accident etc . Know your bank phone number and they will help you get at your money .

Bill

 

[Ned]

I believe every credit card now has a $0 liability for fraud.

 

[Lou Schneider]

I keep enough cash well hidden in my RV to buy a tank or two of fuel.  It's my get out of town ticket in case I ever get caught in a local emergency that takes down the ATM/credit card data network.  My RV has the ability to keep me safe and comfortable for a while, the cash gives me a way to leave for greener fields if the situation warrants.

Other than that, I carry a few bucks in my wallet, but I use credit cards as much as possible.  Paying them in full every month eliminates interest charges.  Not only that, but I get a 1% to 3% rebate on each statement.  Plus it gives me an instant line of credit I can access to cover a breakdown or other emergency without having to deplete my cash accounts.

If you use credit cards, get two.  One from one institution, the other from another.  If you travel with a partner, let them use and carry the card from one account while you use the card from the other.  This way, if one card gets compromised and has to be cancelled (lost, stolen, fraudulent activity, etc.) you can continue using the card from the other account until the new card reaches you.

I travel alone, so I have one card with me and the other secreted in my RV.  I keep a couple of automatic payments active on the hidden card to insure the account stays active.  Or I could pull the hidden card out and use it every once in a while.

 

[docj]

I would argue the fact that a debit card is a bad way to go and that you are more liable for charges than with a credit card. I have a few debit cards and use them for everything...on several accounts.

My bank says he MOST that I can be accountable for is $50.00 but they have never enforced that as all four bogus charges I had this past year were under that amount...

X2 Fear of debit cards seems to abound on these forums, largely as the result of misinformation about your protections and liabilities.  IMHO quite a few posts mix personal opinion with fact and present scenarios that are not consistent with the laws that govern debit card use.

Here is an official statement of your liability from a debit card relative to its loss (theft) or fraudulent use not associated with card loss.  http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0213-lost-or-stolen-credit-atm-and-debit-cards

Notice that if you report a loss or theft within 2 days you are exposed to a maximum of a $50 charge.  In addition, if someone makes unauthorized transactions with your debit card number, but your card is not lost, you are not liable for those transactions if you report them within 60 days of your statement being sent to you. 

 

[Gizmo]

X2 Fear of debit cards seems to abound on these forums, largely as the result of misinformation about your protections and liabilities.  IMHO quite a few posts mix personal opinion with fact and present scenarios that are not consistent with the laws that govern debit card use.

Here is an official statement of your liability from a debit card relative to its loss (theft) or fraudulent use not associated with card loss.  http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0213-lost-or-stolen-credit-atm-and-debit-cards

Notice that if you report a loss or theft within 2 days you are exposed to a maximum of a $50 charge.  In addition, if someone makes unauthorized transactions with your debit card number, but your card is not lost, you are not liable for those transactions if you report them within 60 days of your statement being sent to you.

It is true debit cards have protections in place.  The problem is, because it is a direct link to your bank account the potential is there to have your account drained, leaving you without your money until the bank resolves the breach.  Although debit cards have protections in place, credit cards are still the safer choice.