Credit cards are good for resturants, front street buying, especially jewelry, but grocery stores do not take them, and I am sure there are lots of places that refuse them... And you can not go into a casino with one... Just have to be extra careful with cash.

Re not using CCs in grocery stores, we almost always use ours in the LGM (could now be Carrefour?) at Porto Cupecoy and the original LGM on the roundabout heading into P'berg and have never had a problem doing so. I would assume the smaller Mom-and-Pop-type groceries haven't taken CCs in the past and probably still don't accept them.

And with regard to CCs for jewelry, you can often negotiate a better deal using cash. And there are some restaurants that definitely don't choose to accept CCs for whatever the reason . I remember how shocked I was the first time we went to Scilly Caye to learn they didn't take them there, and as of the last time we were at FBBC, they weren't taking CCs either. In both those places it might be because of the logistics of telephone verifications. Or not? Thus the suggestion often made to carry enough cash for your daily activities JIC. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Most of the grocery stores DO take credit cards, including Discover. Even most of the small groceries have a credit card terminal. We used cards at Grande Marche and Market Garden without any problem. Not sure where you are getting your information regarding this.

Hi Pat

We use a combination of credit cards + debit (ATM) card + cash.

1) Credit cards, at least two , bank is notified when they are to be used out of the country or in another State. One card (the same card) is used for hotel + airfare + car rental to avoid issues with blocking.


Blocking

2) ATM or debit card is used only for cash when needed. Funds are made available in our checking account to be drawn down as needed.

3) Cash, as needed.

Pat, I don't use a debit card anywhere, nor do I recommend them. The reason is that a crook can empty your bank account if they're able to clone your debit card. The bank is not obligated by regulation to replace your stolen funds unless and until you are able to prove that they were taken via fraudulent activity. With a credit card, you can dispute a transaction, and are not obligated to pay it unless it's proven NOT to be fraudulent.

Thank you, BC and GaKaye.

I never use my Debit Card and honestly, I don't even bring it to SXM. I do bring two checks with me - one for visiting my favorite island jeweler if I decide not to deplete our cash stash, and the other for the unlikely need of additional cash while there! I would never do so unless absolutely necessary, but if needed I do have the ability to cash a personal check while there.

And Georgia - that's the reason I was trying to come up with. The banks have to honor CC disputes but not debit card losses and they have had problems in the past with cards being cloned on the island, both credit and debit. Hopefully, that's a thing of the past but JIC, it pays to be forewarned.

Here is are our general rules of thumb we use when visiting. We always limited amount. May be a couple hundred dollars. Nothing more. If we need more cash we will head to a major bank (Scotia, RBC) and use the branches ATM (less likely to have a skimmer).

Last visit I brought a pack of $100 in singles. For tippage. Brilliant move...very handy. We do not carry wallets or purses. We both have water proof hard case wallets. That hold room key, ID cash and a credit card. That's all you need.

Nothing expensive or of meaning is brought down in the way of Jewelry. I have a basic watch, wedding ring. That's it.



SBR is very safe, however we lock up everything of value. Anything that can be easily lifted. Cameras, wallet cash, passports, credit cards not in use and even laptops. (We usually stay two weeks and do have to engage in work from time to time. Losing work laptop = bad). We lock up everything especially when we know we will be gone for the majority of the day.

We also call the banks and let them know which cards may be in use. Especially my Chase card. It has a hair trigger for fraud. Its cool but also can be a PIA. (Imagine buying about $1,500 of IKEA cabinets and 10 people behind you when it decides it does not like Swedish Furniture purchases..it takes about 30 seconds to clear with the app, but the cashier and people behind me don't buy that....I digress).

Just be prudent, wise and use some common sense. All will be safe and good.

Pat, it never occurred to me to bring a check. Where are you able to cash one if needed? I'd feel much more comfortable with that than I would using an ATM in the event our cash ran out.

Sending you a PM. I don't think cashing checks is the norm though I don't know this as fact. We're just lucky, I guess and it pays to have good friends in high places. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Unless you have an "arrangement" such as the one Pat has with a merchant, trying to cash a check drawn on a foreign bank (foreign to SXM)is going to run into problems.

Using a debit card at a bank or casino ATM should be safe.

I have used debit cards worldwide without any problems. Fortunately Canadian banks honour debit and credit cards in the same manner and will replace your funds into your bank account on the same day once you have reported the funds being
Fraudulent.Apparently the banks in the USA are very different.

I was always under the impression my bank would protect me. As a matter of fact they do now that I think of it. A few of my friends have been victims of "skimming" and had their funds wiped out. The bank put their funds back in. With that said, I do think the CC is still a better bet. I don't think Capitol One charges a transaction fee which is good. I don't want to have to bring a lot of cash with me but am very nervous to use an ATM.

They most definitely are. What Georgia and Bobcat said is spot-on with reference to debit cards according to our banker here at home. And worse yet if you have both your checking and savings accounts tied to the same card as most people tend to do. It's potentially a whole lot of exposure. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

It's funny, I have a friend who is a branch manager of a bank here locally. She has been in banking for probably 30 years. She ALWAYS uses her debit card for everything. I agree that it is very dangerous to use a debit card. I don't even own one..

Debit vs.Credit Protections
=================
Using a debit card from an ATM funds are drawn from a checking account.

==================
Withdrawals (specifically transfers ), if allowed, from a savings account are limited to 6 per calendar month by law.
===================
Savings

I never use my back card as a debit card. That means I don't withdraw money at a store with it. I only use it as a Credit card in stores, no pin.
I do use it at ATM, such as Scotiabank and never had a problem. Did use a pin for that but was very vigilant. Just as I am in US. My Platinum AMEX has been jacked many times and according to NYPD, they are probably internal thefts. One time I was in SXM with my AMEX and it was being used at restaurant in Michigan. Swiped and thief added tip!
You can only try to be careful. Last time was in Oct. I was in NYC and card was used by Uber in CA.
That being said, it shouldn't freak anyone out about traveling. General comment, not directed at anyone.

As was mentioned a few times WAAAAY back before the cc/debit/cash/check thing, yes, the safe is secure