Mastercard vs Visa

[Kelly]

I was planning on taking only one credit card, my atm card and then some travellers checks - just in case. I would rather take my Mastercard, but according to the commercials, Visa is accepted everywhere Will I be ok with just a MC? I do have a Visa, but I was hoping to cut down on the number of cards I took with me.

[WillTravel]

I'd say it's good to have both. Sometimes credit card companies mysteriously disallow your card, because you are traveling, or it fails for some other reason, and it's a pain to get it reinstated. This can happen even when you have advised them of your travels. Just because you have it doesn't mean you have to use it. I'd say another credit card is much more likely to be of use than travellers checks.

[Jules80]

i agree. i kept one in my money belt at all times and the other was more accessible to me. it was just in case...

Jules

[me]

yes, i also carried one of each. i also had 2 atm cards, from different accounts. all kept separately; rather, in two sets.

[MuvverRussia]

I just use Mastercard and haven't had any problems. It's accepted virtually everywhere, certainly in Western Europe. Also, a lot of European cards now use chips, as opposed to magnetic strips so they are even more robust/secure.

Travellers' Cheques are pretty much a waste of time nowadays. You're better off keeping the money in your ATM account.

[Kelly]

I was just planning on bringing say $100 in travelers checks just in case my atm card fizzled out. So you think that isn’t necessary (assuming I have 2 credit cards and an atm card – that can double as a debit card though I typically don’t use it as such)?

[me]

Murphy's law left an impression on me. so, i always take a backup.

a second ATM card, a 2nd credit card.

in the event both ATM cards go bad, or are lost/stolen, i also have pin codes on the credit cards, to get cash advances <but, i also know how to make an online payment for the credit card, to avoid the usurious interest rate from credit card cash advances>.