Travelling in south America without a credit card

keevita

Should have seen it coming really, but got refused a card, which just leaves me with my Laser/Maestro/Link card from AIB which i've been told works in most places.

However i would have liked the credit card for emergencies etc, i am relying on just one card now. Anyone any tips? I suppose there is the option of travellers cheques but they just seem more hassle than they are worth.

any Advice appreciated - i'm leavuing on wednesday!

podgeen

Hi Keevita,

You could look at Pre-Paid cards such as 3V or Ruby Card. They is are more expensive than traditional debit and credit cards but they might be a nice alternative to travelers cheques. You could transfer funds from your online banking to your card when you need it. I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for as I'm not sure how useful it would be for emergencies but similarly I don't see how travelers cheques would help in this situation either.

Take a look at my Blog post on Ruby card which was launched recently in Ireland. I discuss the prices associated with it and also provide links to some of their competitors in Ireland.

I hope this helps.

Thanks,
Dave

Neamhshuntasach

Travelers cheques are not worth the hassle in a lot of Latin America. My friend had them after he lost his credit card and i ended up covering him more often than not until we stayed put and got his ma to send the new one out. A lot of places won't accept them.

The Maestro/Cirrus card should work in most places. I never had to use it as it's cheaper to use the credit card once it's your money that's on it and not just the card limit issued from the bank. A few people i met along the way only had problems in smaller towns and when they didn have them in bigger cities they just went to another ATM.

Another option other than the one podgeen listed is to get someone in your family to apply for a card and get your name added to it. Even if you are away just hang around somewhere for a few days and have the card sent to you. Then call for the pin. You can then just transfer money to it from your account if you ever need to use it in an emergency.

Jimmy81

Was it your local bank that turned you down?
If so maybe try mbna, they are a bit 'looser' with their policies.

filthymcnasty

hi
do try to get a credit card if it all possible , it is definitely safer to have a laser and a credit card. u may have to get internal flights etc somewhere along the line and having a c/card u can take advantage of any online deals that may be had. travelled in sth america for a few months earlier this year, some observations regarding atms:
1) biggest hassle was in brazil, some atms would accept credit cards/cirrus. laser, others would not- just meant a lot of time was spent walking around trying various atms to find ones that worked.
my mate like yourself only had a laser so often i would have to sort him with cash until he found an atm that worked
2) in argentina a few times the atms would not accept any cards at all: was told to wait until 12 midnight and then try:did this and got the money.(sometimes they are just doing maintenance/sometimes they banks block foreign cards for a short period)
3) no other major hassle in any other sth american countries
4) also this may sound obvious: inform your bank of your travel intentions or they will block your card, u don't need that hassle
5)Have a blast!

keevita

thanks for all the advice! i went to ulster bank today on the hopes i could open a current ac with them and get another atm card with cirrus.etc on it, turns out i can get a visa debit card, they introduced it about 2 weeks ago, which is very handy for me! will have to have it sent out to me, as i'l prob be in argentina before its ready, but it seems to be a solution.

Thanks again, off to pack!

K

RATM

Id get hold of that CC as soon as possible for Argentina as flying some routes is only 20-30% dearer than taking the bus (El Calafate to Ushuaia for example). It could come in handy for booking flights online.