Debit card tied to inboard account!?!

[medtrans10]

I used cash last time, my mom a credit card, and my aunt a debit card. Neither of us had any issues. I do have a secondary account debit card tied to my account this time, but I plan to take some cash also.

[Realitoes]

Thanks for sharing it just proved my point!!

 

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

 

Interesting, you respond to it, then in the same post, you want others to drop it. Just stop responding, and it will eventually die. :)

[annawanX2]

Hello, my name is Anna and I am a credit card abuser!!:D

 

Therefore I only use Debit Cards. Never had a problem with using it. I have also used it in port with no problems. But, when I cruise in October, I think this time I will let my bank know I'm cruising so there won't be any problems with holds - just in case!:) Can't hurt.

[nikiandscotti]

Interesting, you respond to it, then in the same post, you want others to drop it. Just stop responding, and it will eventually die. :)

 

I know I'm done!! Lol.

[nikiandscotti]

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Even the non-refundable Cruise Cash that you buy online can be "withdrawn" by transfering it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

 

Great advice!! Thx!

[Realitoes]

I know I'm done!! Lol.

 

Not me, one more. Here is an recent news story on debit card fraud.

[cruising mickey]

I always use a debit card or cash. Never had a problem.

 

The problem arises when the holds are placed by Carnival and your bank doesn't release the holds quickly. These can lead to no available funds in your account.

 

Make sure you have plenty of $$$ in your account in case your bank doesn't release holds quickly.

 

Hello,

 

Whenever I travel, which isn't as often as I'd like, I always use my debit card as a cc. I also make sure to bring enough cash in the form of travelers checks - is there a problem cashing them onboard? Also, am going to try bringing a few credit card (preloaded) gift cards just in case.

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

Your partially correct. Carnival will run an authorization hold to ensure there are sufficient funds to cover an upcoming transaction. Based on the merchant agreement (visa/mastercard...), the bank will guarantee those funds for a specific amount of time, to permit the transaction to complete. Normally, banks will hold that amount in your account, based on those time requirements This period will be spell out in your debit agreement with your bank. If the bank releases the funds earlier than specified in the merchant agreements, they are still liable to pay if the transaction goes through, even if you don't have the balance in your account. This is why they usually want a fax from the merchant before releasing the hold.

 

As others have said, using a debit card is okay, if you have sufficient balance to cover all holds and other transactions that may go through. Normally folks with low balances have the most issues.

 

The other issue with debit cards, is fraud. If somebody else gets a hold of your account information and uses it without your authorization (actually really easy to do), it will take "real" money out of your account. You don't receive the same protections (under federal law) that a credit card has, and cleaning up the mess can be a very time consuming and stressful event - especially while you are away from home on vacation!

 

That's not actually true since most debit cards have the credit card logo (MasterCard or Visa) so you are afforded the same protection as well as your bank taking over the prosecution of any individual using your information as fraud.

 

We had fraud on our account a few years ago- card never left my possession but someone got our numbers and no it did not occur while on a cruise-this was just everyday living. The bank noticed the issue before we did and contacted us regarding it. I filled out a report with them and the money was put back into our account-cleaned up within a few days (I believe in less than 7 days). That is why we tell them where we are going, your banks fraud unit will notice if something is amiss.

 

Happy Sailing!!!

[tkportersat]

Wow, I was trying to help. Didn't you ask a question about your debit card? You are rude, good luck to you.

 

Thanks for sharing it just proved my point!!

 

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

[nikiandscotti]

Wow, I was trying to help. Didn't you ask a question about your debit card? You are rude, good luck to you.

 

I know I wasn't talking about you!!

[sc_cruizer]

I always use a debit card or cash. Never had a problem.

 

The problem arises when the holds are placed by Carnival and your bank doesn't release the holds quickly. These can lead to no available funds in your account.

 

Make sure you have plenty of $$$ in your account in case your bank doesn't release holds quickly.

 

 

I happen to work for a credit union and it is not the credit union or bank that places holds on accts, it is the cruise line itself. I always use a cash acct when I cruise for that very reason.

[Realitoes]

That's not actually true since most debit cards have the credit card logo (MasterCard or Visa) so you are afforded the same protection as well as your bank taking over the prosecution of any individual using your information as fraud.

 

Do a bit of research, Federal law does not provide the "same" protection. Many banks will provide the protection though, but again, it is a matter of real money vs credit. It is more painful to clean up fraud on your checking account than it is with a credit account. See the news report I posted a few post up for an example.

 

We had fraud on our account a few years ago- card never left my possession but someone got our numbers and no it did not occur while on a cruise-this was just everyday living. The bank noticed the issue before we did and contacted us regarding it. I filled out a report with them and the money was put back into our account-cleaned up within a few days (I believe in less than 7 days). That is why we tell them where we are going, your banks fraud unit will notice if something is amiss.

 

Happy Sailing!!!

 

If you have other means to live on for a few days, then you'll probably be okay, but their are folks who live pay check to pay check, and having their money tied up for the few days can really be painful to them

 

I'll give you a personal example. Two years ago, my daughter had her debit account information stolen (we think it was a waiter at a local restaurant she went to) and they charge various things via the internet that virtually drained her account. She did not find out until a day or two later when she went to get gas and her debit card was denied (she didn't have any other means to pay). She contacted the bank and began the process of disputing the charges. They required she file a police report and go to the bank to open a new account before they would provide temporary funding, pending their investigation (time she had to take off work). During this time her rent check went through and bounced, resulting in a NSF by her bank and her apartment complex. It took them 48 hours after the new account was opened for them to re-fund her account, since she lives payday to payday, she had no money for food or gas (we had to give her some to tide her over). They eventual cleared everything, except they would not reimburse her for the NSF charged by her apartment complex, nor a late payment charged by her cell phone (auto debit).

 

With a credit card, you just fill out a dispute on line or over the phone, and go from there - your money is still available in your account.

 

Now imagine this all happens while your in the middle of a cruise and the debit card is your main source of funding?

[Bernie388]

Hey everyone, after reading all the comments, I have another question. We always use our credit card, but my brother is going on this cruise with us and he doesn't have one. If he uses cash, does he pay at check in when he gets sail and sign card or once on ship at guest services? Thanks!

[erby2283]

I, too, have always used a debit card without a problem. I do usually pay with cash and put down a cash deposit when I check-in and then if I need more, will go down during the cruise and add more to my account. But I have never had a problem using a debit card.

[tkportersat]

Yes, that sounds about right. I have had people across from me in tears and I hate that I can't do more. These are the type of experiences I have witnessed over the years and the reason why I won't use my debit card for large items. People think just because it says Visa or MasterCard that it offers the same protection, and it does not.

 

Do a bit of research, Federal law does not provide the "same" protection. Many banks will provide the protection though, but again, it is a matter of real money vs credit. It is more painful to clean up fraud on your checking account than it is with a credit account. See the news report I posted a few post up for an example.

 

 

 

If you have other means to live on for a few days, then you'll probably be okay, but their are folks who live pay check to pay check, and having their money tied up for the few days can really be painful to them

 

I'll give you a personal example. Two years ago, my daughter had her debit account information stolen (we think it was a waiter at a local restaurant she went to) and they charge various things via the internet that virtually drained her account. She did not find out until a day or two later when she went to get gas and her debit card was denied (she didn't have any other means to pay). She contacted the bank and began the process of disputing the charges. They required she file a police report and go to the bank to open a new account before they would provide temporary funding, pending their investigation (time she had to take off work). During this time her rent check went through and bounced, resulting in a NSF by her bank and her apartment complex. It took them 48 hours after the new account was opened for them to re-fund her account, since she lives payday to payday, she had no money for food or gas (we had to give her some to tide her over). They eventual cleared everything, except they would not reimburse her for the NSF charged by her apartment complex, nor a late payment charged by her cell phone (auto debit).

 

With a credit card, you just fill out a dispute on line or over the phone, and go from there - your money is still available in your account.

 

Now imagine this all happens while your in the middle of a cruise and the debit card is your main source of funding?

[tkportersat]

Guest Services... and then someone also mentioned you can go online and put money on your account pre-cruise as well. I have never done that so I don't know all the details.

 

Hey everyone, after reading all the comments, I have another question. We always use our credit card, but my brother is going on this cruise with us and he doesn't have one. If he uses cash, does he pay at check in when he gets sail and sign card or once on ship at guest services? Thanks!

[Cruisin'Allie]

Just a little FYI... We had a large group on the Legend last August and three people in our party had issues with unauthorized charges. Two people didn't find out until they got home. (One was a Carnival credit card and the other (her mom) was her debit card. The third person's credit card company issued a fraud alert in the third day of the cruise and then after using a second card to secure the account, that one also had unauthorized activity (at Walmart in Tampa WHILE the guy was on the cruise.) It was too much of a coincidence to me. Everything has been resolved now, but Carnival was NO help in resolving the issue.

.

I can't afford a large hold on my checking account (my bank drags them out) so I use cash only.

 

 

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[nikiandscotti]

Just a little FYI... We had a large group on the Legend last August and three people in our party had issues with unauthorized charges. Two people didn't find out until they got home. (One was a Carnival credit card and the other (her mom) was her debit card. The third person's credit card company issued a fraud alert in the third day of the cruise and then after using a second card to secure the account' date=' that one also had unauthorized activity (at Walmart in Tampa WHILE the guy was on the cruise.) It was too much of a coincidence to me. Everything has been resolved now, but Carnival was NO help in resolving the issue.

.

I can't afford a large hold on my checking account (my bank drags them out) so I use cash only.

 

 

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Thank you! I can't afford them either! I'm def using cash! I'm gonna load my on board account with some money then take cash!

[Gemynii]

On our prior cruise, we were able to call before we sailed to add OBC to our account, but I have seen other threads here were it was said that they no longer allow that and that you must buy Cruise Cash to add funds beforehand. Maybe someone can clear it up who has sailed recently. I was just planning on pre-paying gratuities ahead of time and buying $100 Cruise Cash. If we spend more, I'll add it while onboard.

 

 

 

* I mentioned in one of my previous posts on this thread that we don't have a bank account or credit card. The reason for this is because our debit card number was used online for a large amount (money was in account to cover check for mtg pymt, etc) and even though it was disputed, it was not resolved because "it could not be proven that we did not make the purchase ourselves" and we were left with no way to pay that month's mtg on time and tons of nsf fees from other checks that were not able to be paid. Bank still says we owe them over $2500. *

[irishnyc]

Just a little FYI... We had a large group on the Legend last August and three people in our party had issues with unauthorized charges. Two people didn't find out until they got home. (One was a Carnival credit card and the other (her mom) was her debit card. The third person's credit card company issued a fraud alert in the third day of the cruise and then after using a second card to secure the account' date=' that one also had unauthorized activity (at Walmart in Tampa WHILE the guy was on the cruise.) It was too much of a coincidence to me. Everything has been resolved now, but Carnival was NO help in resolving the issue.

.

I can't afford a large hold on my checking account (my bank drags them out) so I use cash only.

 

 

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We had a fraud alert triggered on our debit card while on board, and Carnival could not have been more helpful. They called the bank for me and let me speak to them, and all was well. The desk did tell me after that the bank we use (TD Bank) almost always issues a fraud alert when the transaction is done on board. (We switched from an Amex to a Visa debit card after boarding.)

[Cruisin'Allie]

I don't know about the guy with the two cards, but the lady and her mom who found out after the fact "implied" that someone at Carnival was to blame (because that Carnival credit card was ONLY used for cruise fare and onboard account... Who else could it have been?!?) so that's why they were not too helpful. The funny thing was, the "purchaser" bought airline tickets with the stolen card #... Wonder if they made their flight??

 

 

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[Noelchristian92610]

Gee, after reading all this, the cash option sounds the easiest, with no hassle.

 

 

 

 

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[tampabrat22]

We do our online checkin and list our Visa card to setup out account.

 

On the last full day onboard (less crowded) we go down sometime during that day and pay off our account with cash. We don't have to worry about setting up a cash account, going down during the week to add more cash and because we paid off our account nothing gets billed to the credit card except maybe a couple of drinks on the last evening.

 

Easy...peesy!!!

 

This is what I have always done as well, and have never had any issues. I put my debit card on the account but on the last night I go down and pay off my balance. Never had any holds this way.

[okiehawk]

Is there a minimum $ amount that is REQUIRED by Carnival if using cash?

 

Is there a minimum $ amount that is REQUIRED by Carnival if using a credit card? ie: If requirement is $200 and 2 people are traveling together is a total of $400 put on hold for the card you give them?

[KenMo]

I happen to work for a credit union and it is not the credit union or bank that places holds on accts, it is the cruise line itself. I always use a cash acct when I cruise for that very reason.

 

Ummmm...I just went back and reread my post and yep, I did say "holds are placed by Carnival".

 

Nowhere did I say the credit union or bank places the holds.