Question; pre paid cards or cash..

[Berry91]

So Thomson in the UK offer travel cards that can have so much money put on them and used abroad.... it states that it can be used anywhere that accepts master card...

Now last time i went to WDW my dad was the one who dealt with payments (good old bank of dad! lol)

I'm aiming to take about $1300 with me, and would prefer the majority of it on card because it's safer and thomson will replace within 48 hrs if gets lost etc. So there is peace of mind....

Anyone ever used one(or something similar) and had problems? and i'm presuming most places in Disney will take mastercard... but i could be wrong?

I could also do the option of taking my debit card, but Thomson fix the exchange rate when you purchase/load the card so I'll know exactly how much is on it, rather then guessing and hoping i've not gone over with my debit card, which is what's swaying me more to the prepaid card.

 

[Ariel1986]

I'n from the UK too and have used several pre-paid cards, both MasterCard and visa and they are accepted pretty everywhere as stated. I didn't have a problem in Disney, I did have a couple of problems in a supermarket once but it was only one supermarket and I simply went and got the cash out from the card instead.

I had a problem however with the actual card/company- it wasn't Thomas Cook though it was the Post Office. My card was coming up as declined so I wasn't able to purchase yet the money was still coming off. Took some emails/day or two to sort. Because of this when I've had cards I don't like to put all my money on it at once (they all allow you to top up multiple times and whenever, although obviously the exchange rate may change).

Oh and it's unlikely you can use them for car rental/deposit for the rental. I was lucky to get my car as the said they couldn't use it- and I didn't have anything else! It was only since I'd already paid for the car in advance and got the guy to ring his manager that they used an "override" in the system.

Hope that helped!

 

[Berry91]

That's useful! thanks It's only going to be used in Disney/UNI still going to take some cash for the smaller things, i just didn't want to carry a lot around with me if i could help it.

 

[luv]

Most places take MasterCard.

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

we take cash and travellers chq. never had a problem with either

 

[englanddg]

Most places take MasterCard.

Yes. In fact, outside of certain vending machines, I can't think of a place in or around Uni/Disney that doesn't.

One thing though that was noted earlier in the thread...prepaid and debit cards may not be used at most US car agencies to rent a car. And, you'll have even more trouble with a cash rental. A credit card will most likely be required.