I don't use credit cards; I only use debit cards (which can be used as a credit card). I really don't enjoy having them take an extra $200 hold above what I'm paying (which I don't mind paying before-hand) which I don't have access to. I've only gotten from Budget and Hertz before.

same for Hotels I believe.

What I'm saying is that they withhold the cost of the rental car plus an additional amount above the cost of the rental car. I have no problem paying the rental car be. What I hate is having to pay that additional amount which I should not have to pay

You need a credit card.

They only do that on debit cards. Why don't you use credit cards?

Let me rephrase, why wouldn't you want at least 1% cash back and free money for 30 days?


[This message has been edited by Aggietaco (edited 6/26/2012 4:36p).]

Even if you don't give a rat's backside about points, miles, or cash back, I can't imagine not having a no-fee credit card for rental cars or hotels.

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You need a credit card.

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X100000000

I know of no rental car places that will not place an advance on a debit card, and I've rented from all of them. It's a benefit just to rent from them with a debit card, as most won't allow it.

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What I hate is having to pay that additional amount which I should not have to pay

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Get a credit card.





[This message has been edited by KY AG (edited 6/26/2012 5:50p).]

WWDRD?

I don't use CCs either...EXCEPT for travel and online purchases. I have 2 CCs and take 2 debit cards for travel. The card companies will shut down your card for a potential fraud without notice, and that may take at least a few hours to straighten out.

I agree with about 98% of what Dave Ramsey says, except for the CC and that car payments for a short term are OK.

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The card companies will shut down your card for a potential fraud without notice,

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My card company has always called me if they suspected fraud.

They do it for debit cards because if the amount you end up owing is more than they original hit your card for, it may be hard to get the additional funds.

I don't use a CC any longer because it is not the American way.. And we can see where America is going with respect to finances...

I guess I'll just drive one of our cars.

ZooGuy I am with you philosophically, but I have only 1 card and it is solely for business travel. I morally object to a lot of things nowadays but I have to o along if I don't want to make my life miserable with the way the rest of the world works.

Well, philosophically, I guess I'll just make my life miserable. Not having a credit card really isn't that miserable though.. just a little annoying sometimes.

I've never really had an issue with hotels with respect to debit cards.

Can you explain why its not the American way in your opinion? Wasn't the credit card invented in America?

What I mean to say is that:

1) The credit card IS the American way (16 Trillion in debt)

THEREFORE,

2) I don't use a credit card any longer, because NOT using a credit card is NOT the American way.

Ohh gotcha.

I can't disagree that spending money you don't have seems to be ther american way nowadays, I don't see how losing out on the advantages of a CC make it worth it. But people have done crazier things when "taking a stand" before so whatever.

I only pay in pennies

It's MY way

Yeah, I wouldn't say I'm crazy... but, that being said.. once we pay off both of our cars, we're only paying cash for future purchases with the exception of a house. I don't need a CC if I have a large enough savings account.

I didn't have a credit card until this year (I'm 28 years old). I've always paid cash for everything but my house which I borrowed 80% of and paid off about 18 months.

I fought the credit system and the system won. You wouldn't believe what a PITA it becomes to have no credit history.

I tried to switch power companies for a better rate, but the new company wanted a deposit because I had no credit history. I've never paid a bill late in my life, but they didn't care.

I learned I'm not getting the best insurance rates because I have no credit history.

What bothered me the most was the 2-3 times a year my debit card would get declined for no clear reason. I'd have to call the bank and learn some rule I'd never heard before about why my card was automatically declined for a purchase.

The main thing that made me get a credit card was the rewards. My wife and I spend ~$10k/month on our debit cards. We have friends that make less than 1/2 of what I do that fly 1st class, or stay in nicer rooms, for less than we sit in coach for or pay for our normal room. After looking at what we were spending, and what we could get back from a rewards card, we were "missing out" on several thousand dollars a year in rewards.

Of course, I couldn't qualify for one of the great rewards cards right away because I had no credit history. I got a Capital One $500 limit card (which my wife laughs at because it's a Platinum card) in January. I checked my credit score last month and it's up to 714. Not a great score, but maybe I'll qualify for a good rewards card in another 6 months.

Well, I have plenty of credit history. I've bought a sold a house, bought another house, bought 6 vehicles, and paid off $10,000 of CC debt.

I got into past problems because of CC debt, and for me, I'd rather not use one.

ZooGuy, that's understandable. Based on my experience, I would suggest you keep at least one credit line open (whether it be a credit card, mortgage, or financed vehicle) so that you maintain a credit score and don't fall into "no credit history". It's my understanding that you'll lose your credit history after 7 years of no credit activity. I may be wrong, but you might want to check before you find out you can't get a better insurance rate because you don't borrow money.

Well, I'll always own a home.. so there is that.