Credit card? Debit Card ? Cash or what

[nancyr84]

Leaving next Friday for our LONG awaited trip to St John and Virgin Gorda. Trying to decide on how to bring funds to pay for rental car, food etc. Hate bringing tons cash but also do not like putting on the credit card. I am a debit card junkie, are they widely used on the island?
Nancy T

[Pia]

No - I have heard of them being turned down at many establishments - but have only heard as I don't have a debit card personally

Pia

[bevm]

I would think if the Visa logo is on your card (as it is on mine) that it would be accepted anywhere Visa is... I haven't tried it.

[jhillss]

We were there two summers ago and we used our debit card almost everywhere.

[lazylane]

We used our debit card almost everywhere, except cash only at Donkey Diner and I think some jeep rentals do not accept debit cards so we used Amex there.

[Gromit]

Here's the thing -- you really need a major credit card when renting a car for a lot of reasons and many car rental co's won't rent to you without one.

In some cases - as with STJ car rental-- you don't have to purchase the extra insurance if you use amex or certain cards. Otherwise you're gonna pay extra for it. If you rent with a debit they will put a hold on a chunk of your available cash which could be a problem when it comes to cash flow.

A debit card with a visa logo would be accepted almost anywhere just like a Visa. Another reason I like to use a CC is if there's a problem you can dispute it.

We always save for vacay in cash and use Amex and pay it off it cash at the end. That way we get points and there's the extra protection.

Of course cash is always accepted everywhere but is totally not a good idea in case something happens.

I DO NOT recommend travelers checks. MOre trouble than they are worth.

My advice: take Visa and or AMex and use them then pay them off wih your cash reserves when you get home-- just my .02.