Credit cards -good or bad?

[LeaseOnLife]

Yup, time to put this thread on "ignore"....

[cheoah]

A positive, proactive approach, LEase on Life. Happy Easter, and enjoy the other threads-

[capn_billl]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Only two cards that matter visa and MasterCard.

Dave

I used Diner's club and American Express for years when traveling, (most countries have a business or bank somewhere that take one or the other, and both require payoff every month, (but Diners has a longer grace period)...........

But they aren't accepted everywhere. Master card and Visa are more widely used, (in most of the world right now).

I now use a payoff every month card as primary, with a Visa as backup, (in some parts of the world MC may be a better backup).

[RabidRabbit]

So maybe I should get a CC. I dont stay at many marinas unless im at home port where I still pay cash. This winter I have anchored every nigth since nov. 1st. The car rental and return ticket issues make sense. I've never liked the thought of getting a ticket and then having to recoup my funds later. I like my cash in hand.

[RabidRabbit]

Cheoah I thought your analogy was spot on. Same types of personal self control and personal responsability for actions. Here in the key west anchorage dereilict boats (homes) break free from moorings ( 3 junk anchors) and its a accident or act of god.
NO WAY. Accidents are always caused by negligence. Your $1000 boat (only worth the lead) hitting mine is your fault. Not any sort of accident. This might be a new thread.

[DeborahLee]

Check with card company to see what they charge for foreign purchases and exchange rates before applying. They vary quite a bit. Remember if you get a debit card and someone gets it, it is your account that suffers. A mac card is safer if that is possible any more.Another good thing is to get a cheap computer that you only use for your banking, never never anything like surfing or e-mail where you could get a trojan or key logger.

[barnakiel]

Never needed one never had one. I would say slow down the binge, convert to a debit card, go cruising happily ever after.

Cards are a blessing for a cruiser.

b.

[foolishsailor]

One other good thing about credit cards is that you are not screwed if someone gets your card and pin.

With a debit card your money is gone, with a credit card if you prove you were robbed, or that there was a form of identity theft you are not out the money. They cancel the card. The best part is that during the interim while you are submitting the paperwork, like a police report, all charges are suspended.

We treat our credit cards like debit cards, and use them especially where benefits like travel insurance or product insurance that the cards offer will be beneficial.

They are paid off every month.

[markpierce]

A couple years ago in Tirano, Italy (on a railroad journey prior to a cruise), the hotel accepted the VISA card but it didn't process in the card reader (it did every time before and after at other locations). Fortunately, the debit card did. Yes, it is wise to have two cards.

[denverd0n]

Pay the full balance every month--except for when you make a deliberate, conscious decision to carry some particular, unusual expense for a couple of months--and credit cards are wonderfully convenient things that can actually help you to manage your money better. Get carried away with charging stuff you can't really afford and they can suck you into financial problems that you may never fully recover from.

Here's a clue: If you find yourself thinking, "I can afford to buy this, because it is not going to add all that much to my minimum monthly payment," then you are in BIG trouble!

[delmarrey]

There are prepaid CC's now. So one can limit their account w/o too much worry of it getting stolen.

Prepaid Credit Card Offers - Compare and Apply Online - CreditCardGuide.com

[capn_billl]

The prepaids are great, sometimes you have to unlock them to use online. A big advantage is to use them up and toss, no worries.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Good - when you are in charge of the CC.
Bad - when the CC is in charge of you.

+1
They are a handy tool, just pay it every month. There are places that only take them. What if you want to rent a car somewhere? What if the storage/ boat yeard requires one? Use it wisely!

Here's an interesting thing, on my trip to Florida a couple years ago (2010) Bank of America did not recognize that I had a bank account with them! My Debit card worked outside the bank, my credit card worked fine most everywhere, but inside the bank they could find no record of an account! Gives you a lot of confidence in them doesnt it? Evidently at that time it was Bank of "your homestate" America .

[jeremiason]

There will come a time you may need them... Either ordering a parts over the phone or for some thing like marina fees (You get the best exchange rate from the banks normally).

We have found two cards that do not charge international transaction fees:

Capitol One & Navy Federl Credit Union

We use these card sparingly and pay them off right away, thereby avoiding hte interest payments.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

There are prepaid CC's now. So one can limit their account w/o too much worry of it getting stolen.

Prepaid Credit Card Offers - Compare and Apply Online - CreditCardGuide.com

But I wonder if it is the same problem that Foolishsailor spoke of..."With a debit card your money is gone, with a credit card if you prove you were robbed, or that there was a form of identity theft you are not out the money. They cancel the card".If you pay up front and it is stolen, would you loose the money?