Credit Cards! - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

thresheld · 04-10-2006, 02:25 PM

So, for my trip, I'm planning on blowing all of my money while I'm there, but bringing a credit card so I can purchase my trip back. I don't have a credit card! Does anyone have any positive experiences with certain cards?
I have pretty good credit, I think...
Visa/Mastercard preferred.

**TheJake** · 04-10-2006, 02:45 PM

DONT DO IT! DONT EVER TRAVEL ON CREDIT CARDS!

thresheld · 04-10-2006, 02:47 PM

AHHH!!! why not?

**TheJake** · 04-10-2006, 03:06 PM

worst idea ever. you end up paying for it triple.

just suck it up and save till you have enough.

thresheld · 04-10-2006, 03:13 PM

Wouldn't it be safe to take one, anyway? For use only in emergencies?
I was planning on only using it for my trip back.

xanthuos · 04-10-2006, 03:17 PM

Those who tell you not to travel using credit cards are usually those that have not done so responsibly themselves. It's possible to do anything responsibly and intelligently with credit cards. To be honest, however, even the way you phrased your question doesn't sound very responsbile - ie, "blowing all of my money while I'm there" - so for your sake, it's probably not best to travel on credit. However, if you're the type who knows how to intelligently use credit to your advantage, it's a possibility.

Do you not have a set return in mind? Is that why you'd need the credit card to book it? Not having a return ticket can sometimes cause complications with immigration, so it's not recommended. If you know about when you want to return, book before you leave. At worse, then you only have to charge $100 to that card to change your ticket (or around that much).

thresheld · 04-10-2006, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xanthuos@Apr 10 2006, 05:17 PM
Those who tell you not to travel using credit cards are usually those that have not done so responsibly themselves.* It's possible to do anything responsibly and intelligently with credit cards.* To be honest, however, even the way you phrased your question doesn't sound very responsbile - ie, "blowing all of my money while I'm there" - so for your sake, it's probably not best to travel on credit.* However, if you're the type who knows how to intelligently use credit to your advantage, it's a possibility.

Do you not have a set return in mind?* Is that why you'd need the credit card to book it?* Not having a return ticket can sometimes cause complications with immigration, so it's not recommended.* If you know about when you want to return, book before you leave.* At worse, then you only have to charge $100 to that card to change your ticket (or around that much).

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That is exactly why I'd use the credit card. Because I have no return flight booked.. I don't want to save up enough to travel and then find that I'm running out of funds and can't afford a flight home. And I have a job waiting for me here at home when I get back, so I can pay off the bill quickly without much interest building up.
I've already booked my ticket to Europe and it's a one-way. Should I book a return flight now to avoid the complications with immigration?
Again, if I get one, I'm not going to use the card for anything but an emergency and the trip home.

**micdans** · 04-10-2006, 03:26 PM

If you know that you will be running out of money, then taking a loan out would be much smarter i believe. The interest rates paid on credit cards are terrible, and even worse if you have never had one. One nice thing is if you buy stuff for your way back, you have about a month to pay it before it starts accruing interest. So maybe you can get a paycheck or so before you have to pay for what you bought.
I hope to be fine financially for my trip as well, never know tho.

MD

**TheJake** · 04-10-2006, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Those who tell you not to travel using credit cards are usually those that have not done so responsibly themselves.

Go to hell X!

No but seriously. If you are anything like me then credit cards will become the bane of your existence. I went with one on my trip and the "emergency situations" became extremely frequent. Not good. I learned my lesson though and from now on I would rather be stranded in a foreign country then have a credit card.

**bluepea** · 04-10-2006, 03:49 PM

It's very easy to get in over your head with credit and it's not always due to irresponsibility. I would definitely say it's a good idea to have a low limit credit card on you for emergencies. What you consider is an emergency then would be up to you, since you'll be the one paying it back. It also wouldn't be a terrible idea to use it for your return trip, but if you book last minute in summer, you could be looking at paying a hefty amount, so make sure getting a flexible return ticket wouldn't be a better option.

Capital One has some good rates/cards for first time borrowers. Visa is my preference.

xanthuos · 04-10-2006, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamiepeaski@Apr 10 2006, 06:49 PM
It's very easy to get in over your head with credit and it's not always due to irresponsibility.

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Out of curiosity, and not meant to start an argument...but how do you get in over your head with credit card debt through means OTHER than irresponsibility?

xanthuos · 04-10-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thresheld@Apr 10 2006, 06:25 PM
That is exactly why I'd use the credit card. Because I have no return flight booked.. I don't want to save up enough to travel and then find that I'm running out of funds and can't afford a flight home. And I have a job waiting for me here at home when I get back, so I can pay off the bill quickly without much interest building up.
I've already booked my ticket to Europe and it's a one-way. Should I book a return flight now to avoid the complications with immigration?
Again, if I get one, I'm not going to use the card for anything but an emergency and the trip home.

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Alright, let me ask these questions:
On whate date are you traveling on your one-way, and to where?
Also, on what date do you intend to return home?

thresheld · 04-10-2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xanthuos@Apr 10 2006, 06:20 PM
Alright, let me ask these questions:
On whate date are you traveling on your one-way, and to where?
Also, on what date do you intend to return home?

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I'm leaving here (Austin) to JFK on May 23rd, and flying out to London on May 25th.
The return is tentative, but it's looking to be early to mid july. I want to leave it tentative because who knows, maybe I'll want to stay there, maybe I'll find means to do so!

xanthuos · 04-10-2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thresheld@Apr 10 2006, 07:27 PM
I'm leaving here (Austin) to JFK on May 23rd, and flying out to London on May 25th.
The return is tentative, but it's looking to be early to mid july. I want to leave it tentative because who knows, maybe I'll want to stay there, maybe I'll find means to do so!

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Whatever you do, don't tell the immigration folks that!

It's easy to not be found once you get inside the United States and overstay your visa. It's not easy to do that in Europe unless you are staying in only one country - that, combined with their relative police states, and you might be discovered more quickly.

Mid-July, a one-way from London to JFK is running around $550. Take that under consideration because it may go up from there, or you might be able to catch a last-minute deal...that is, if they let you into the country.

thresheld · 04-10-2006, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xanthuos@Apr 10 2006, 07:06 PM
Mid-July, a one-way from London to JFK is running around $550.* Take that under consideration because it may go up from there, or you might be able to catch a last-minute deal...that is, if they let you into the country.*

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Well, see I bought a ticket as a courier... I can buy one back, too. though chances are, I'll have more stuff to bring back, heh.

**bellelass** · 04-10-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

I learned my lesson though and from now on I would rather be stranded in a foreign country then have a credit card.

HEAR HEAR. I'd rather be stranded in a foreign country than living here anyway.. heh...

So you got your ticket dan? How much?

Also, my friend Will from California moved to London circa August 2004 and still hasnt left. Never got a work visa or anything of the sort. He's even been arrested on minor charges several times and they've just not put two and two together. He's an extreme case, but I can think of 6 or 7 like him off the top of my head. They arent likely to find you unless you make a pest of yourself, and you're not likely to. You're pretty chilled out.

thresheld · 04-10-2006, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bellelass@Apr 10 2006, 08:17 PM
HEAR HEAR.* I'd rather be stranded in a foreign country than living here anyway.. heh...

So you got your ticket dan?* How much?

Also, my friend Will from California moved to London circa August 2004 and still hasnt left.* Never got a work visa or anything of the sort.* He's even been arrested on minor charges several times and they've just not put two and two together.* He's an extreme case, but I can think of 6 or 7 like him off the top of my head.* They arent likely to find you unless you make a pest of yourself, and you're not likely to.* You're pretty chilled out.*

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My ticket was.. let's see. My ticket to new york was 140 or so, and my ticket from there to london was $277 with all the taxes and crap the gov't throws on it.

So you think I should avoid the CC too? The debt thing shouldn't really be an issue, I can't really forsee a situation other than my tickets home where I would need to use it.

**bluepea** · 04-10-2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Out of curiosity, and not meant to start an argument...but how do you get in over your head with credit card debt through means OTHER than irresponsibility?

Emergencies for one... anyhow, this isn't what this thread is about, so lets keep it on topic.

xanthuos · 04-10-2006, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamiepeaski@Apr 10 2006, 09:26 PM
Emergencies for one... anyhow, this isn't what this thread is about, so lets keep it on topic.

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The irresponsibility lies in using the credit card without the means to pay it back. Regardless of whether it's an emergency or not, it is still irresponsible to spend money you don't have. But I agree...back to the topic at hand...

xanthuos · 04-10-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bellelass@Apr 10 2006, 09:17 PM
HEAR HEAR.* I'd rather be stranded in a foreign country than living here anyway.. heh...

So you got your ticket dan?* How much?

Also, my friend Will from California moved to London circa August 2004 and still hasnt left.* Never got a work visa or anything of the sort.* He's even been arrested on minor charges several times and they've just not put two and two together.* He's an extreme case, but I can think of 6 or 7 like him off the top of my head.* They arent likely to find you unless you make a pest of yourself, and you're not likely to.* You're pretty chilled out.*

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Has Will traveled outside of the UK and gone through Passport Control of another country?