Frequent Travelers I Need Your Help.

[APSANDERS]

The wife and I are going on a cruise to Key West - Freeport for our 20th Anniversary in October. How is the best way to pay when doing this type of trip? I have already paid for the cruise, but wasn't sure about the other stuff. When I say pay, I mean for meals, souvenirs, excursions, etc. that aren't part of the cruise ship. I don't want to take a lot of cash and certainly don't want to use my primary back cards. Thought about getting a new credit card, using that for everything on the trip and paying off when we get home. We're not much for traveling so that's why I'm asking.
Also, any tips on tipping would be helpful as well.
TIA

 

[ANEW]

I use Credit Cards for everything. Never use a debit card unless using it to get cash from the bank ATM. CC puts big brother in between you and a fraudulent charge if you detect it and notify them in a timely manner. I'd use a Cc and keep the debit card for emergency backup. Personally I have two CC so if we have to freeze one I still have another one as a backup. Bank card is emergency use only. Needless to say I don't keep all of the cards and ID i the same wallet and walking around with me. I like to keep some form of ID and a way to access $$ stashed away so that if I get my wallet stolen I can prove that I'm me and I'm not totally dead in the water waiting on new cards

 

[dpic73]

The wife and I are going on a cruise to Key West - Freeport for our 20th Anniversary in October. How is the best way to pay when doing this type of trip? I have already paid for the cruise, but wasn't sure about the other stuff. When I say pay, I mean for meals, souvenirs, excursions, etc. that aren't part of the cruise ship. I don't want to take a lot of cash and certainly don't want to use my primary back cards. Thought about getting a new credit card, using that for everything on the trip and paying off when we get home. We're not much for traveling so that's why I'm asking.
Also, any tips on tipping would be helpful as well.
TIA

I concur with @ANEW on only using a credit card for your own protection. I won't go into details but my cc was stolen in Cancun and they racked up thousands of dollars worth of charges before I caught it and my bank immediately cancelled the charges and mailed me a new card.

Also, if you haven't been doing it, you should be using a cc with cash back or points. I use the Amazon Visa CC and get 5% back on all Amazon purchases, 2% back on restaurants, gas stations and pharmacies and 1% back on everything else. I pay it off monthly and there is no annual fee. I paid for the majority of a week-long European trip by doing that.

Not sure about the Bahamas but in Europe they discourage tipping. I'm sure you can look it up to see what's customary.

 

[PAWrocka]

You’ve already got your answer . Use a CC, and @dpic73 has made an excellent suggestion regarding using a card with good cash back or travel rewards.

Avoid using your debit card, even when home. Just be sure to remember to pay off your credit card on time.

 

[scotchtiger]

Seriously, you mention cash and bank cards (presumably debit) and not credit cards?

I travel a ton. I'm in Portugal as I type. I'll be in Dominican later this month. Travel all over the US for work.

I spend everything during travel on a Platinum Amex or Delta Reserve Amex if it's for me/work. I spend everything during travel on a Chase Sapphire if it's for the family.

I'll go weeks/months without touching cash or a debit card.

And as a result of most of that, my family flies free to spring break, bought my wife a flight to Laguna to see a friend this week on miles, etc.

Using cash/debit with what's available in rewards/convenience/protection makes zero sense today. 100% of your spending should be on credit cards set to monthly auto pay the full balance. We save thousands and thousands per year doing this.

 

[BionicTiger]

Seriously, you mention cash and bank cards (presumably debit) and not credit cards?

I travel a ton. I'm in Portugal as I type. I'll be in Dominican later this month. Travel all over the US for work.

I spend everything during travel on a Platinum Amex or Delta Reserve Amex if it's for me/work. I spend everything during travel on a Chase Sapphire if it's for the family.

I'll go weeks/months without touching cash or a debit card.

And as a result of most of that, my family flies free to spring break, bought my wife a flight to Laguna to see a friend this week on miles, etc.

Using cash/debit with what's available in rewards/convenience/protection makes zero sense today. 100% of your spending should be on credit cards set to monthly auto pay the full balance. We save thousands and thousands per year doing this.

Pretty much this. I haven’t paid to fly in years. Everything is on credit cards. AMEX is business. JPM is personal. I carry a single debit card linked to an account with some money in it that is completely separate from all other banking for emergencies. Never carry any other debit cards or cash. Everything is paid for with CCs. I even purchase cars with CCs now. Pay it off every month.