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[disney]

we use all 3 - cc- tc -cash
we have always used all 3 because carrying a 1000.00 plus in cash to me is crazy .
we cash the travelers chacks as needed . i use my disney cc when i'm going to save money. and you alaways need cash for odd and end things.
good luck

[Goofy's Gal]

Originally Posted by WeRDisneyFanatics

We use a mix of cash and room charge (we leave a regular credit card at check-in, not our debit card). We bring a set amount of cash to the parks each day and leave the rest in the room safe. We use cash for small items like souveniers or snacks. For bigger items --like TS meals--we use the room charge.

We do the same thing. This year we will also be using our Disney Rewards card.

Personally I don't like using travelers checks...never have, never will.

[RobDVC]

We rarely use Traveler's Checks.

[Tisha_PA]

AAA has 2 person traveler's checks so that either one of you can cash them. We use them every once in awhile. I usually go get them and have DH sign them when he gets home from work. Either of us can cash them without the other being present.

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by MMMD

I never use traveler's checks for the reason Delilah mentioned, it's just too inconvenient. Remember that you can carry cash and deposit it on account at your hotel and then use KTTW card for purchases.

To "lessen" the inconvenience of travelers checks, one could also cash all the TCs at check-in and have them applied as a "cash" balance on the room. Then guests on that reservation could use the KTTW cards to charge against that balance.
Eileen

[revral]

Originally Posted by WillCAD

Using a check card too much is not a great idea for another reason - each transaction incurs a small fee (in my case, 20 cents). These fees can add up over the course of a week-long vacation.

This is another area where it depends upon your bank/credit union and sometimes which account you have. I use my Mastercard check card all the time and the only times I ever pay a fee to use it are if I use an atm that is not owned by my bank or if the businees I'm using it at charges a fee which rarely happens and when it does it seems to be at a gas station convenience store.

[kelkan]

Originally Posted by revral

This is another area where it depends upon your bank/credit union and sometimes which account you have. I use my Mastercard check card all the time and the only times I ever pay a fee to use it are if I use an atm that is not owned by my bank or if the businees I'm using it at charges a fee which rarely happens and when it does it seems to be at a gas station convenience store.

Also when I used TC in the past, sometimes they made me sign it several times in front of them when I tried to cash them if your signature is slightly different --which I tend to do -- so haven't used TC since,, rather just have cash or CC or my Debit card w/Mastercard.

[awitelin]

Originally Posted by Pax

That all depends on your financial institution. Ours is great; one year, someone filched my partner's debit card [...]
And then, thirty seconds later, my partner's account was refunded the entire amount of the disputed charge, *poof* just like that.

Ain't they just GREAT?

My debit card number was stolen after I used it for an online purchase. The thief was working in a CC processing company that some websites use and stole hundreds of numbers that way. My bank was awesome about it, they filed the fraud charges for me, refunded the money ASAP, and sent me a new card in 2 days.

All depends on your bank I think. Mine does not charge any fees for transactions and refunds ATM fees for withdrawing money, so it's perfect and I'll never use another one.

I'll probably never use my debit card for online purchases again because of the hassle (PayPal is much better) but I'd never hesitate using it on a vacation. I'd much prefer the money come out as I spend it, it forces me to be responsible and aware of my purchases.

[Pax]

Originally Posted by WillCAD

Using a check card too much is not a great idea for another reason - each transaction incurs a small fee (in my case, 20 cents). These fees can add up over the course of a week-long vacation.

That also depends on your financial institution. I get unlimited free transactions with mine.

No matter how you carry your money to WDW, if you are staying at a WDW resort, you can simply put yout money down as a deposit to enable room charging on your KTTW card, and not worry about the logistics of carrying money, cards, or travellers checks around with you.

You can do that with a debit card, too. At least, one with a CC logo imprint on it.

[HeatherD]

You can do that with a debit card, too. At least, one with a CC logo imprint on it.

We generally don't use debit for that, so that nothing accidentally happens to our cash flow. This is what we do:
Open our KTTW card with a CC, use it for most purchases. We then use cash for everything else (food, small items). DH leaves some in the room safe, puts enough in his wallet for normal purchases and then carries the bulk of it in his front pocket. A front pocket is very difficult to "pick". Having money in his wallet means a thief would only see the cash in there - he refills in an out-of-the-way spot.

We don't use TC. Too much hassle getting them, signing them, having to get them in both names or what have you. And if you're going to get them, only to cash them and deposit them at the hotel when you get there, why? Seems like an extra step in vacation prep that could be skipped.

On vacation (and online) we do not use our debit card. The only time we use it would be at an ATM, but that's never happened since we usually pad our expectation of cash expenses so that we won't run out.

[twogirlsmom]

We were there 8 days & took $1,000 cash. We used it for everything but an OOP meal at Biergarten (put on a cc). On the way down, DH carried 1/2, I carried 1/2. We put my purse in the room safe & I carried the key in my PP Pouch at all times. We only carried enough cash with us each day for what we thought we'd need. I think I used by debit card once or twice, but wasn't very comfortable with that at all. We always had our cc and debit card as backups, but we loved the freedom of using cash.

I'm usually very panicky about losing things, having something stolen, etc. I never once had issues b/c as long as I had my PP Pouch around my neck- everything was good. I my PP Pouch.

[lukeandbrookesmom]

We have only used our debit card for all our trips, from booking them, to purchases while there. Our bank has unlimited transactions, no fees We have a separate vacation checking account and whatever is in there is what we can spend on the trip. The kids save their Disney Dollars throughout the year and use those.

[Diz]

I take american express and use it for everything. I do back-up by bringing my Disney Rewards Visa (need it for pins anyways ) and cash. I don't even bring my debit card with me. DH always has his american epxress and one back-up credit card too in his wallet. We put the amex card down for charging privileges and off we go. It has worked out perfectly for years!

In 2005, my fannypack was stolen - had wedding/engagement rings, some cash, amex card, credit card and photo ID. Amex sent a new card within 2 days via express mail. We were able to use DH's cards until it was all worked out.

[lisamarie]

I travel with just me and DD, now 12. I take TC since I carry all the money. I put the receipts for the TC in her carry on. They are VERY easy to cash at the front desk. I also put my Visa/debit card for the room charge. It was so nice; I have just 2 entries in the check book for the whole trip. It is mildly scary to see all the chaarges all listed out. Halfway through the trip, I had to "pay" the balance, since Values only let you charge $500. It was a perfect way to help keep track of my spending.