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Hi is it better to have card or cash when going in to ports? We are going to Alaska so stopping at juneau, skagway and ketchikan. I'm in the uk so we tend to use card in most places but not sure what is best for Alaska cash or card.
Thanks in advance
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/how-to-spot-a-credit-card-skimmer/
Sorry to learn that you joined the ranks of literally millions of people who have been "skimmed", to the tune of billions each year. The c/c issuers come up with all kinds of way to prevent it or detect it, many of which don't do much. The issuers eat the fraudulent charges, charge them back to the merchant where possible, and pass along the cost to you, the consumer, in the form of outrageous interest rates if you carry a balance from month to month.
The idea that they're "going after the skimmers" sounds nice, but in the real world it just doesn't happen. But their reps can't say that can they? Way beyond their paygrade anyway. What you really need protection from is outright identity fraud. Not that some character ripped "you" off for $300. Identity fraud can be a bear to unravel, and alot more complicated than having a skimmed charge removed and getting a new card..
Using a credit card (not a debit card) is STILL the safest and most convenient way to pay for things. Carrying around wads of $$, or having to convert your native currency to whatever is used wherever you're going isn't my idea of a fun experience, or a cheap one....we deduct big chunks off all the cruises we take by applying those cashback credits by using one card for everything, for stuff we would've bought anyway.
We had the identity fraud protection, that's how the credit card company found out we were skimmed.
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/how-to-spot-a-credit-card-skimmer/
Sorry to learn that you joined the ranks of literally millions of people who have been "skimmed", to the tune of billions each year. The c/c issuers come up with all kinds of way to prevent it or detect it, many of which don't do much. The issuers eat the fraudulent charges, charge them back to the merchant where possible, and pass along the cost to you, the consumer, in the form of outrageous interest rates if you carry a balance from month to month.
The idea that they're "going after the skimmers" sounds nice, but in the real world it just doesn't happen. But their reps can't say that can they? Way beyond their paygrade anyway. What you really need protection from is outright identity fraud. Not that some character ripped "you" off for $300. Identity fraud can be a bear to unravel, and alot more complicated than having a skimmed charge removed and getting a new card..
Using a credit card (not a debit card) is STILL the safest and most convenient way to pay for things. Carrying around wads of $$, or having to convert your native currency to whatever is used wherever you're going isn't my idea of a fun experience, or a cheap one....we deduct big chunks off all the cruises we take by applying those cashback credits by using one card for everything, for stuff we would've bought anyway.
We do both in my family, however, last time we used a credit card for travel, we got skimmed. We went to The Hard Rock Cafe in NYC, followed by a trip to the Theater to see "Aladdin". We know it was at The Hard Rock Cafe through process of elimination: we didn't go anywhere else after the show and while we were at the show, we used cash for souvenirs.
When we got home, the credit card company asked if we had just bought $300 worth of shoes. We didn't, and asked them to shut the card down and reissue it with a new number. They then went after the skimmers and reimbursed us the money.
We also alerted the bank, who also went after the skimmers.
Noticed she says she's in UK...might be definitely easier to use her card...and cheaper...that conversion rate + bank fees can add up.
Either will be fine.
Those places are as "touristy" as anyplace anywhere you're likely to be. Without cruise ships, they probably took massive hits to their local economies. Just about the only thing I use greenbacks for is special tips, either on board or occasionally in restaurants. EVERYTHING else gets charged. Amazing how that 2% cashback adds up, if you have one of those.
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