[macgeek]

We should collaborate on a list of ways of 'max' out the credit card to our benefits, I am working on a idea to charge $10,000 on my credit card for a major purchase, but 'carbo loading' my card with the 10K before the charge, and taking the points. - I am still working out the charges involved.

Jonathan

[clutchcargo777]

If by "carbo loading" you mean getting the CC company used to seeing large charges
as your normal spending pattern, then yes, that's a good idea. I'm assuming this
is to get as many points/rewards as you can before finally making a big purchase that
you will revolve, thereby limiting it's usefulness for ongoing points while you pay off
that balance.

So we don't thread jack this topic, DM me if you want to continue this conversation.

[jfkIII]

Geez...what's wrong with you people? Are you trying to steer people away??? You take away the people that have gone into hock to make the trip to LV...and you're reducing the tourist inflow to about 25% what it is today!

Remove those ATM and credit card advance machines from the casino...and just watch the casino's profits plummet!

[Bigpappacam]

Originally Posted by youngblud

All over the world I can't remember a hotel that didn't ask for a credit card, but they rarely swipe it beforehand.

Hotels generally accept a cash deposit. Party hotels usually run your card in Asia... I was warned last week not to try this on a debit card.

I work in a hotel (not in LV) so I can provide some insight on this topic, which a lot of you have done.

The deposit is taken because in these resorts it's easy to charge dinner, spa services, movies, breakfast, gift store items, etc... to your room and rack up hundreds of dollars. The hotel simply authorizes or takes a "hold" on the credit line so you can cover your charges. Upon departure you can choose to keep the charges on your card or pay with another method of payment. If you do this, the authorization drops off upon departure.

This is common business practice for gas. Normally your card is authorized for $75-100 when you pay at the pump. Ever wonder why your "approved" before you even begin to pump?

Back to hotels- if you pay with a debit card (or any card tied to a checking account) the funds are physically taken out of your account. This is because I debit card doesn't have a credit line. At the end of your stay if you haven't used all of the deposit, the hotel releases the funds but the banks hold it for another 5-7 days (so they earn interest before giving it back to your account). Some people say "well my debit card can be run as a credit", and it doesn't matter because it's tied to a checking account not matter how you process it. Debit cards should not be used in these situations.

Hopefully this clears some things up, it's one of the biggest disputed policy's at hotel's and many people think it's because of damage to the room, rather than the tab you can run up at all the property's outlets.

This is just my two cents on this subject so I hope no one attacks me

[clutchcargo777]

Originally Posted by Bigpappacam

I work in a hotel (not in LV) so I can provide some insight on this topic, which a lot of you have done.

The deposit is taken because in these resorts it's easy to charge dinner, spa services, movies, breakfast, gift store items, etc... to your room and rack up hundreds of dollars. The hotel simply authorizes or takes a "hold" on the credit line so you can cover your charges. Upon departure you can choose to keep the charges on your card or pay with another method of payment. If you do this, the authorization drops off upon departure.

This is common business practice for gas. Normally your card is authorized for $75-100 when you pay at the pump. Ever wonder why your "approved" before you even begin to pump?

Back to hotels- if you pay with a debit card (or any card tied to a checking account) the funds are physically taken out of your account. This is because I debit card doesn't have a credit line. At the end of your stay if you haven't used all of the deposit, the hotel releases the funds but the banks hold it for another 5-7 days (so they earn interest before giving it back to your account). Some people say "well my debit card can be run as a credit", and it doesn't matter because it's tied to a checking account not matter how you process it. Debit cards should not be used in these situations.

Hopefully this clears some things up, it's one of the biggest disputed policy's at hotel's and many people think it's because of damage to the room, rather than the tab you can run up at all the property's outlets.

This is just my two cents on this subject so I hope no one attacks me

Excellent post. I especially like your mentioning how debit cards are handled. This also applies to car rental places. The ones that will even allow you to use a debit card will hold $200-$500 as a deposit.

Debit cards are bad for another reason. If you use your PIN it is up to the issuing bank as to how it handles fraud and chargebacks. Some will credit your account back in a few days, others will take weeks. If you HAVE to use a debit card (for any reason) make sure you run it as credit. This at least forces it through the VISA/Mastercard payment network and invokes some of their fraud protection.

Bottom line. If you can, use a credit card. If there is a chargeback or fraud issue I would rather have the money tied up while it's sorted out be the banks and not mine.

[MAtheBanker]

Aww, extra love to all of you who know the right way to use a debit card (swiping as a credit vs. swiping as a debit). My heart has been warmed (Can you tell I'm the Chargeback manager at my bank? )

OP, you'll need $$$ available somewhere to use that hotel. No way to really get around that. Better not go on vacation if you can't afford it in the first place!

[Bigpappacam]

Originally Posted by MAtheBanker

OP, you'll need $$$ available somewhere to use that hotel. No way to really get around that. Better not go on vacation if you can't afford it in the first place!

That's what I sometimes don't understand, the people who come to the hotel from out of town and don't have the money on their debit card to cover 1 night of incidentals. In my opinion you shouldn't be going on vacation if you don't have enough funds left for an emergency.

Also I hope no one thinks I'm trashing debit cards, I know a lot of people use them because they got into credit card debit years ago. That's fine and I'm glad those people learned from their mistakes. There are just times where a credit card is a better tool (hotels, rental cars) than a debit.

[MAtheBanker]

Originally Posted by Bigpappacam

That's what I sometimes don't understand, the people who come to the hotel from out of town and don't have the money on their debit card to cover 1 night of incidentals. In my opinion you shouldn't be going on vacation if you don't have enough funds left for an emergency.

Also I hope no one thinks I'm trashing debit cards, I know a lot of people use them because they got into credit card debit years ago. That's fine and I'm glad those people learned from their mistakes. There are just times where a credit card is a better tool (hotels, rental cars) than a debit.

I never use credit, and I travel quite a bit. I always have enough money in my checking account, though. It also helps that I work where I bank, so if anything happens, I can get it fixed in seconds.

Debit is much safer for a lot of people, including me.

[Caltovegas]

I know this is a Vegas board but as anyone ever used a debit card on a cruise?

[MAtheBanker]

Originally Posted by Caltovegas

I know this is a Vegas board but as anyone ever used a debit card on a cruise?

Yes. I went on a cruise about two years ago and used my debit card to link to my on-board card.