Traveler's Check Visa Card?

[cherub44]

My bank no longer sells paper traveler's checks. They have a debit card type thing that you pay $12.95 for and can put however much money you want on it. It has a VISA symbol on it and they say it works like a prepaid credit card.

 

Has anyone ever used one of these before? What about for your seapass account? My husband and I would prefer not to use a credit card, but we also aren't excited about bringing the cash to open our Seapass account. We were originally going to use a credit card to open the account and then just pay it with our debit card. Now I'm wondering if this traveler's check debit card won't fit the bill. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks in advance!

[johnql]

I don't know about Visa's pre-paid travel card, but I can tell you that American Express's corresponding card CANNOT be used to secure your shipboard account. If I had to guess, the same is true for Visa's card. The reason is that the pre-paid card has a certain amount of money loaded onto it. When you hand it over in payment for goods, they debit the card for the amount. No problem there. However, for cruising, the ship needs to know for certain that your card will have enough on it in order to cover all your expenses at the end of the cruise. There's no way of knowing that with a pre-paid card because you can keep spending its funds at every port stop.

[smeyer418]

actually you can use it. They will take the money out of it as cash and put it into your account. If you don't use that much they will return it to you at the end of the trip. Just like cash. But you won't be able to use it elsewhere(except if more money is left) as they will take the money off the card just like cashing a travelers check. you don't have to have a credit card to open an account and cruise.

[4merlurker]

I've received those cards as gifts and have had nothing but TROUBLE with them! Sales associates groan when I hand them over. It is next to impossible for them to verify the balance so the card is declined more than not. ie; You want to buy a $40 item but your card only has $35 balance....so what right?you'll just give $5 cash? NOPE the register will reject the card. Pain in the #**($& :mad:

 

I guess they are all right if you use the full amount the first time.......If you are worried about carrying alot of cash go with travlers checks. You can just cash them in at the pursers desk. No problem. :)

[familycruzer]

I work in retail and agree that these cards are a royal pain is the A**. They are very hard to get to work through the register. If you dont want to pay in cash, how about using your check debit card for your bank? I have used them in the past and have had no problem. You cant spend what you dont have.

[Alexis]

I read on here months ago that when AAA started to use that type of card there was nothing but problems and many places would not take them.

[stillfrantic]

The fine print specifically says they can not be used onboard ships for paying the bill(or at least did this when I checked a couple of months ago). That said, I've also read trip reports where they were accepted.

[johnql]

I couldn't find the small print online about the Visa card, but here's what American Express says about their card. While I can't be sure, I would think that Visa's rules are probably similar.

 

Since Travelers Cheque Cards are prepaid cards, they are not intended for use in certain industries. You are NOT permitted to use the Travelers Cheque Card:

• To reserve a rental car, or when picking up a rental car. However, at the end of a car rental, you can use your Card to pay for the rental.
  
• To reserve a hotel/motel room, or when checking into a hotel/motel or other lodging establishment. However, at the end of your stay, you can use your Card to pay for your stay.
  
• To pay for gasoline/petrol "at the pump" through automated terminals. However, you can use your Card to pay for gasoline by presenting the Card in the station or to a service station attendant.
  
• To pay for "person-to-person" internet payment products such as "Paypal" or "YahooDirect."
  
• To pay for telecom charges (including cellular, airplane telephones, payphones, home phone service, etc.)
  
• To pay for recurring billing charges, such as health club memberships or subscriptions.
  
• To make installment payments in the future for goods/services received in the present.
  
• To pay for bail bondsmen.
  
• To pay for detective agencies.
  
• To pay for home repair services such as plumber, electrician, or painter/decorator.
  
• To pay for internet electronic services including electronic mail, internet service provider, internet telecom, etc.
  
• To pay for personal services such as escort agencies, introduction services, or massage parlors.
  
• To pay for wholesale goods.
  
• To pay for on-board cruise charges.
  
• To pay for gambling.
  

[cherub44]

Thanks for all of the responses. After reading these posts we are definately NOT going to get the VISA travel card. We'll just stick with our original plan of opening it with our credit card and paying it off with our debit card.