To ask if holiday accommodation abroad accept debit card generally?

[AreWeNearlyThereYet84]

I have a holiday apartment booked in Spain and have chosen to pay on arrival. It says it accepts Mastercard/Visa, etc, but now I am now panicking that they'll only accept credit cards, which I don't have. It's Spain I'm travelling to. Please reassure me that they'll accept debit cards and I'm just being silly!

You pay on arrival?

usually to secure such an arrangement you have to have provided card details at time of booking?

Of course Spain can accept debit card payments

but that is not to say this particular home owner does.

@Happyandyouknowit82 Thanks! Yes, I secured the booking using my debit card, but it's payment on arrival.

Is the debit card a visa or mc?

If you secured with a Debit card
then they will take a debit card payment

Either way - will be in t and cs

You will pay a fee charged by your bank btw. Might want to check that

Yes they’ll accept debit cards. If you can though, get a Halifax clarity credit card - it doesn’t charge you for using it abroad. Or a Monzo debit card.

otherwise you’ll get charged.

Hi @LIZS It's a Mastercard.

@Happyandyouknowit82 I can't find anything in their T&C's. I have images of getting there and being turned away because I don't have a credit card! Anxiety overload as I'm travelling alone too!

I think you'll be fine. Where did you book? Can you send a message to double check just so you feel confident. They will want your money so I doubt they would have a silly thing in place credit cards only.

Email them and ask them?

Hello Mushroo,
Thanks for your reply. I have a terrible credit rating so don't think i'll qualify for a credit card.

will you be using you card on holiday or getting cash out?

you will be charged every time you make a transaction

go on your bank’s website and you will see the transaction fee

I paid using a debit card on arrival, no issues and no charges. This was through booking.com which I use for all my holiday accommodation

@Happyandyouknowit82 My bank doesn't charge for transactions, luckily.

I emailed the first hotel that I am staying in and I don't think they understood the question as they replied that credit card is fine.

What bank?! Would love not to have to use my credit card

@StrangeCondition That's reassuring to know, thank you!

They should accept a mc, even if a debit card.

I'll be taking euros for spending money.

@LIZS Thanks! I'll have to pop to the ATM machine and pay them in cash if not.

@Happyandyouknowit82 Virgin Money.

Get a Revolut account. It's accepted all over Spain.

But don't leave money in there long term, just put it in there to spend. Revolut isn't a bank so they don't have the same protections as a bank if they go bust.

Yes just change money when you need it.

I've never had a credit card and have always paid for rentals and hotels with my debit card wherever I've stayed.

I stay in several hotels each week. Always pay with debit card. I think only once over the last 5 years have I been asked for a credit card.