Comments on: Here’s why you always use a credit card when booking travel

By: Why You Should Travel Book with a Credit Card | Top Trips

Why You Should Travel Book with a Credit Card | Top Trips — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:42:50 +0000

[...] tempted to pay for a trip by check — or God forbid, cash — think about Catherine MacLean. Read More… Do you like this? Not Yet Rated Related Tags: air travel, travel [...]

By: Lianne

Lianne — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:12:37 +0000

Carver Farrow is correct. As a former bank employee I can state that Visa and Mastercard extend nearly the same protections to debit cards *run as credit* that they do to actual credit cards. I say nearly because debit cards run as credit still aren’t subject to the same laws that govern credit cards so it can’t be a blanket statement.

If you run a debit card as a debit (use your pin) then you are SOL. There are some instances of out and out fraud that the banks will protect you from, its less likely to do so if you willingly handed over your money.

By: Jay

Jay — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:46:52 +0000

“Debit/check cards do not have the same protections as credit cards. ”

Can you be more specific? I understand that if you do debit, you are basically making an ATM transaction. But what if you run it as credit through Visa or MC?

By: Carver Farrow

Carver Farrow — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:01:01 +0000

Debit cards with VIsa/MC enjoys nearly all of the same protections as real credit card and are basically equally safe. However, debit cards tie up cash which may be an issue especially since some travel providers place extra holds on cards. Debit cards also have spending limits which may also be a concern for travelers.

By: Wrona

Wrona — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:57:33 +0000

Debit/check cards do not have the same protections as credit cards. In general, you would be in the same position as someone who paid with a check if you paid with a debit/check card but it depends on your bank.

By: Larry

Larry — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:12:52 +0000

Just for completeness, my experience is that the credit card companies always give a swift refund after a challenge is posted. But that does not mean the claim is over. What happens after that is that they research it, which can taker months. They can, and sometimes do, reinstate the charge if they don’t ultimately accept the claim.

By: Passing Through

Passing Through — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:41:30 +0000

Are debit/check cards considered “pay by check”? They’ve got the Visa/MC symbol right on them… so I’m confused. Thanks!

By: sven

sven — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:40:13 +0000

Are there really people out there gullible enough to pay cash to a travel agent?

How was your other article controversial? I thought it was fine.

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:50:42 +0000

Banks will be lowering the credit limit of many card holders — I imagine this will directly affect travelers, both leisure and business.