Debit card tied to inboard account!?!

[Realitoes]

Actually, debit cards have the exact same protection as credit cards under Federal law.

 

Um, No! :)

[RuthlessBoss]

I once did 2 cruises close together, the first was a 5 nighter, the 2nd was a 7 nighter. That's when I discovered the debit card "holds". The holds would interfere with cruise #2. That's when I discovered the ease of using cash. On cruise 2, I started with cash till it was used up. I intended to add the debit card if my spending went over what I had in my cash account, but didn't need to. I kept in mind what my auto tips would be and allowed that amount to be "spent" in my mind.

Using cash upon boarding has been my motto since then, and will add the debit card as a last resort. Every bank works differently on how long it takes to remove a hold on your account. My first hold took almost 10 days to come off.

[nikiandscotti]

Actually, debit cards do fall under the same law as credit cards!! The dispute process is different and the turn around process on debit cards is much faster! No matter if its debit or credit it's the logo on the card. Visa is visa etc. anyway, I'm well aware if the laws/guidelines and exactly how the hold process works. I was simply looking for people who have experienced this with carnival or other cruise lines! It doesn't matter how much money I have in my account, my vacation is not over upon arrival from the Bahamas. We have several more days and I do not want any of my funds held for any amount of time. I could spend 2000 on the ship, therefore 4000 would be held. No thanks!!! Anyhoo, I really appreciate everyone else who has taken the time to explain to me your experiences etc!!!! 39 days!!!!!!

[nikiandscotti]

Ruth!! Thank you so much, that's exactly my situation, not two cruises but vacation after vacation!!!

 

I've already switched everything on the carnival website to cash!!

[Cruzfrek]

I opened a second account at my bank and use that account for vacation and internet purchases. This way the hold on my account does not impact other spending...and if someone gets a hold of the number it does not hinder my regular bank account. You may also want to let the bank (or credit union) know that you will be on a cruise and or out of the country so they do not flag your account and not allow you to make any purchases. Or go with cash as others have stated :)

[elvirasnts]

Thank you!! Do you know what the deposit is? Also, if I load the on board cash account do I still have to put down a deposit?

 

I always do cash. Once I get on board I add money to my account NO DEPOSIT AT ALL. When you get low just add more money. Last cruise they had a kiosk stand you can do it through.

[Realitoes]

Actually, debit cards do fall under the same law as credit cards!!

 

Actually, this is true for the protections provided by the CARD act, but their are a mired of laws that cover one or the other. The Fair Credit Billing Act provides protections to credit cards, but not debit. One is the right to dispute charges for defective or non-delivery of purchased goods.

[nikiandscotti]

Ummm you can dispute items on BOTH for those purposes as well! I'm not gonna argue but regardless you ARE covered its just credit cards have a much longer dispute process!

[nikiandscotti]

Maybe you should read your BANK disclosures when it comes to debit cards! All consumers need to know they are covered!

[nikiandscotti]

I always do cash. Once I get on board I add money to my account NO DEPOSIT AT ALL. When you get low just add more money. Last cruise they had a kiosk stand you can do it through.

 

Thank you!! I've already updated my info!! Cash it is! Ill use my debit card for the remainder of our trip!!

[Athankfulheart]

Anyone out there used a debit card for your on board account? If yes, what was your experience?

 

Thanks!!!

 

We have a second debit visa account for vacations. Haven't had any problems.

Edited August 13, 2013 by Athankfulheart

[tkportersat]

I'm in banking and I have said this many times...don't use debit card for large purchases. The holds can stay out there for days and your funds could be tied up when you need them.

 

It is also harder to dispute if you have a problem.

 

If you don't have credit cards than bring cash and take it straight to the pursers desk to put towards your account. Otherwise, use your credit card and go straight home and pay it off.

Edited August 13, 2013 by tkportersat

[Realitoes]

Ummm you can dispute items on BOTH for those purposes as well! I'm not gonna argue but regardless you ARE covered its just credit cards have a much longer dispute process!

 

In the case of non-delivery of merchandise, federal law only covers credit cards. Any coverage for debit cards would be up to your card issuer.

 

The time of dispute really only matters to debit cards, since it involves "real" monies. With credit cards, you don't have to pay until the dispute is resolved. With a debit, your out the money until the bank gives it back (could be up to 10 - 20 days). For some, that can be a big deal.

[DebJ14]

Ummm you can dispute items on BOTH for those purposes as well! I'm not gonna argue but regardless you ARE covered its just credit cards have a much longer dispute process!

 

I believe it is just the reverse. According to my banker if there is a dispute on the credit card they remove the charge first, maybe issue a new account number and new cards if fraud is involved and then investigate. Your credit limit is not impacted by the dispute.

 

If someone gets hold of your debit card and goes to town the money does not get put back into the account until AFTER the investigation is complete.

 

Our banker advised us to never use the debit card for anything other than taking money out of the ATM at the bank unless it is an emergency. For example there is a Chase ATM in our local Target store. Our Chase bank manager said not to use it as skimmers had been found on the machine several times. The bank checks their onsite ATM machines several times a day for skimming devices. We do take the debit card with us in case there is an emergency and we need more cash out of the country and we set a travel notification on the card.

 

We have multiple accounts that came with debit cards. On the advice of our banker we cut up all but one of them and if someone gets into that account they won't get much and it won't matter to us if it takes a while to get cleared up.

Edited August 13, 2013 by DebJ14

[nikiandscotti]

Wow!! I'm not sure where you bank and why any banker would advise you not to use a debit card! I've worked in fraud dept of banks and I've never known a bank or credit union to do that! Normally the dispute process is the financial institution refunds the money during the dispute process! ATM withdrawal fraud is different because without skimmers no one should have your PIN unless you've shared it! Normally it's based on case! You shouldn't be afraid to use your debit card!! Skimmers aren't easy!!!

[GTO-Girl]

GTO- so you keep your debit card registered but since you pay your balance with cash there's no hold issued?

 

 

I use a Visa "credit" card because I do not want to use my debit card for anything like this. I'm just not sure how they do the hold on a debit card (sorry).

 

I just find it easier to set up the account and then pay it off so no charges are made. I'm sure they put some kind of hold on my credit card too, but it doesn't affect my checking account.

[tkportersat]

You're bank may have given provisional credit but it is not required during the investigation. You can do what you want but I would never, repeat never use my debit card for a major purchase.

 

Why do you think there are daily limits on debit card withdrawals and point of sale purchases? To protect against fraud.

 

Wow!! I'm not sure where you bank and why any banker would advise you not to use a debit card! I've worked in fraud dept of banks and I've never known a bank or credit union to do that! Normally the dispute process is the financial institution refunds the money during the dispute process! ATM withdrawal fraud is different because without skimmers no one should have your PIN unless you've shared it! Normally it's based on case! You shouldn't be afraid to use your debit card!! Skimmers aren't easy!!!

Edited August 13, 2013 by tkportersat

[roaminggoat]

Does anyone know if they will take one of those prepaid cards with a visa logo so that one would not have to carry a large amount of cash?

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Forums mobile app

[tkportersat]

EFT is not a perfect system; therefore customers should still be diligent in reviewing their EFT statements for possible errors as they would with any other type of transaction. Should a customer notice that there has been an error in an electronic fund transfer relating to their account certain steps must be taken:

Under the Act, the customer must:

• Write or call the financial institution immediately if possible
  
• Must be no later than 60 days from the date of erroneous statement
  
• Give their name and account number
  
• Explain why they believe there is an error, the type, dollar amount and date
  
• May be required to send details of the error in writing within 10 business days[2]
  

Under the Act, the financial institution must:

• Promptly investigate the error and resolve it within 45 days
  
• Errors involving new accounts (opened last 30 days), POS transactions, and foreign transactions may take up to 90 days
  
• If it takes more than 10 business days to complete the investigation:
  
  • Must recredit the amount in question
    

  [*]For new accounts may take up to 20 business days to recredit the account

  [*]Must notify customer of the results of investigation:

  • If there was error – correct it or make recredit final
    
  • If no error – explanation in writing, notify customer of deducted recredit
    

  [*]Customer has the right to ask for copies of any documents relied on in the investigation[2]

[waldocruiser1]

Yes hotels do it. The holds are for min amounts and are released the next day! I don't have a credit card!! Soooo, if I keep my debit card tied but pay with cash will that fix the problem?

 

Use cash, and then you can get more cash from the atm (yes there is a fee) but it will work, we do this and it works fine,

 

You can also add cash to your s/s account NOW before your cruise so when you get to the ship the money is already on your account, you can add this money with your debit card and it is just like any other online purchase, takes a few days to go through. this is what we do, so we do not have to travel all day the day before with lots of money, for me and DW we will have 500 or 600 on our account before we ever leave home, plus we have already paid for excursions in advance from home if buying from Carnival and it is cancelled you will still get your money back.

 

If you do not use all the money you put down, you get it back out of the cash machine on the ship at any time, The new system works like an atm with no fees for letting them hold your money for you.

 

NOTE THIS IS NOT THE GIFT CASH IN THE BONVOYAGE AREA, just go on line and add funds, or call the guest relations and they will let you add money I think it has to be in $50 or more at a time.

[nikiandscotti]

Use cash, and then you can get more cash from the atm (yes there is a fee) but it will work, we do this and it works fine,

 

You can also add cash to your s/s account NOW before your cruise so when you get to the ship the money is already on your account, you can add this money with your debit card and it is just like any other online purchase, takes a few days to go through. this is what we do, so we do not have to travel all day the day before with lots of money, for me and DW we will have 500 or 600 on our account before we ever leave home, plus we have already paid for excursions in advance from home if buying from Carnival and it is cancelled you will still get your money back.

 

If you do not use all the money you put down, you get it back out of the cash machine on the ship at any time, The new system works like an atm with no fees for letting them hold your money for you.

 

NOTE THIS IS NOT THE GIFT CASH IN THE BONVOYAGE AREA, just go on line and add funds, or call the guest relations and they will let you add money I think it has to be in $50 or more at a time.

 

Online it says the money is non-refundable when its on your card!! Are you saying we can withdrawal it?

[nikiandscotti]

EFT is not a perfect system; therefore customers should still be diligent in reviewing their EFT statements for possible errors as they would with any other type of transaction. Should a customer notice that there has been an error in an electronic fund transfer relating to their account certain steps must be taken:

Under the Act, the customer must:

• Write or call the financial institution immediately if possible
  
• Must be no later than 60 days from the date of erroneous statement
  
• Give their name and account number
  
• Explain why they believe there is an error, the type, dollar amount and date
  
• May be required to send details of the error in writing within 10 business days[2]
  

Under the Act, the financial institution must:

• Promptly investigate the error and resolve it within 45 days
  
• Errors involving new accounts (opened last 30 days), POS transactions, and foreign transactions may take up to 90 days
  
• If it takes more than 10 business days to complete the investigation:
  
  • Must recredit the amount in question
    

  [*]For new accounts may take up to 20 business days to recredit the account

  [*]Must notify customer of the results of investigation:

  • If there was error – correct it or make recredit final
    
  • If no error – explanation in writing, notify customer of deducted recredit
    

  [*]Customer has the right to ask for copies of any documents relied on in the investigation[2]

 

Thanks for sharing it just proved my point!!

 

Let this crap drop! I was looking for HELP not debate on financial institutions!! Lol.

[Gemynii]

Online it says the money is non-refundable when its on your card!! Are you saying we can withdrawal it?

 

Any cash you add at check in or while on the ship is refundable.

 

Even the non-refundable Cruise Cash that you buy online can be "withdrawn" by transfering it

to a slot machine in the casino, playing once, cashing out to bank, then picking up the cash

at the window. *There are threads on here that go into more detail on how to do this*

 

I hope you have a wonderful cruise!

[Rizzorp]

I use a debit card all the time and never had a problem. They normally hold between $50 - $100 at first and when you use that much they place a hold for more funds. Just make sure you have plenty in your account if you plan to spend a lot. Or take cash and put the cash down in addition to the debit card...,that way they will not hold anything until the cash is used up.

 

 

Sent using Cruise Critic App

[Kato27]

Use cash, and then you can get more cash from the atm (yes there is a fee) but it will work, we do this and it works fine,

 

You can also add cash to your s/s account NOW before your cruise so when you get to the ship the money is already on your account, you can add this money with your debit card and it is just like any other online purchase, takes a few days to go through. this is what we do, so we do not have to travel all day the day before with lots of money, for me and DW we will have 500 or 600 on our account before we ever leave home, plus we have already paid for excursions in advance from home if buying from Carnival and it is cancelled you will still get your money back.

 

If you do not use all the money you put down, you get it back out of the cash machine on the ship at any time, The new system works like an atm with no fees for letting them hold your money for you.

 

NOTE THIS IS NOT THE GIFT CASH IN THE BONVOYAGE AREA, just go on line and add funds, or call the guest relations and they will let you add money I think it has to be in $50 or more at a time.

 

I had no idea you could add cash that way to your account before cruising. I thought you had to go via Bon Voyage.....

Thanks for the Tip