Community Forums

larryjeans · 02-28-2015, 09:03 PM

Wondering what most folks use while traveling, credit cards or cash. We are planning a 4-5 week trip and thought about bringing a good amount of cash with us for campground fees and entertainment, using credit card for gas. Are we being naive? Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
larryjeans

USMC1968 · 02-28-2015, 09:08 PM

Credit card... don't like to flash cash...

srh · 02-28-2015, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryjeans

Wondering what most folks use while traveling, credit cards or cash. We are planning a 4-5 week trip and thought about bringing a good amount of cash with us for campground fees and entertainment, using credit card for gas. Are we being naive? Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
larryjeans

Use credit card because:
1. You can get reward points, for example I have one that I get 1.5% cash on any purchase. That adds up!
2. There are some special credit cards, like the cash reward from PenFed that you can get 5% cash on gas purchase. The only catch is you have to pay at the pump.
3. Lastly, it is much safer to have a credit card than cash. If you lose a credit card it is easily replaceable without too much trouble. If you lose your cash, not much chance of getting any of it back.
So, I use my credit card all the time even for small purchases.
I hope this helps.

vsheetz · 02-28-2015, 09:23 PM

Credit card for most everything except small purchases. And usually carry a couple three hundred in cash.

Cash back cards for fuel purchases - PenFed cc (5%) and BofA cc (3%). Southwest Credit Card to get airline points for all other purchases.

Dutch Star Don · 02-28-2015, 09:34 PM

It depends where you're going. On a trip of two to three weeks, we'll bring about $300 in cash for an emergency, but primarily use credit cards for the reasons posted above. If you have an issue with a product or even a campground, you have some recourse.

When we go to Quartzsite, just for 5 days, I bring a large amount of cash, because a lot of the flea market vendors only take cash and you can sometimes get a better deal.

Mike and Cha · 02-28-2015, 09:39 PM

I carry both. I don't like to depend on credit, and some small businesses appreciate cash as it doesn't bite into their profits like using a credit card does. Also I don't like to use credit cards at some gas stations that look a little shady. I know everything is protected and you can get a new one if it gets compromised, but
I travel to get away from the daily issues that come up and don't want to spend my time in a bank getting things fixed.

Just because you carry cash doesn't mean you have to "flash it'. I usually carry a couple hundred on me and leave the rest hidden in the MH. The only reason I would lose it is if my MH were to be stolen and at that point the cash would be the least of my worries. There's no right or wrong way to do it just personal preference. Now my wife on the other hand will live off the credit/debit cards and rarely carries over $10 in her wallet.

spinn · 02-28-2015, 09:40 PM

Credit cards all the way! We usually only carry small amounts of cash and use ATMs when were need more

PushedAround · 02-28-2015, 09:41 PM

I always use a Capital One credit card for the reward points. I pay it off monthly as much as possible. It's gotten me 2 free trips to Cancun.

twogypsies · 02-28-2015, 09:58 PM

We've always used credit cards primarily and get a good chunk cash back savings. We pay it off in full every month so it doesn't cost us anything and is so much more convenient than cash. We rarely use cash for anything.

SarahW · 02-28-2015, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryjeans

Wondering what most folks use while traveling, credit cards or cash. We are planning a 4-5 week trip and thought about bringing a good amount of cash with us for campground fees and entertainment, using credit card for gas. Are we being naive? Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
larryjeans

You are not being naive. Do whatever makes you comfortable; there is no "better way". Like Mike said above, we carry both; it makes sense for us.

Arch Hoagland · 02-28-2015, 11:31 PM

We carry about $400 cash on a trip across the country. Mostly for places that don't accept credit cards.

We use a credit card for everything as we can track the cost of a trip that way.

Be aware that you must notify your credit card company that you are travelling out of state. If you don't they will deny payment after their system determines something funny about your location.

Chiefly1 · 03-01-2015, 01:36 AM

We use credit cards that give something back like a Cabela's Visa card or Discover card for diesel and pay it off every month. I generally carry $300 cash and the check book for state/federal parks. That seems to be the only checks we ever write these days. Places like Quartzsite like cash and you really can get better deals using it like others have mentioned. Your choice but it is really easy to track if you use one or two cards for purchases. I also use the Flying J/Pilot card when their convenient. It really comes down to personal preference but if you take lots of cash get a safe for your RV. Safe travels!

Bill & Christine
40 ft Revolution LE Diesel Pusher & Honda Fit Sport
Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum

Okiedoke · 03-01-2015, 02:39 AM

Credit, cash and checks here too. Credit card for safety, cashback discount, and ease of accountability. Checks for some campgrounds. Cash for small purchases, occasional gasoline purchases, restaurants, and emergencies.

YC1 · 03-01-2015, 03:30 AM

Two credit cards so when one puts a hold on yours you have a backup, or one gets hacked. Has happened several times. I call the CC company before traveling and let them know I will be making large diesel purchases. Works most of the time but not always.