What did most people use for hostel stays, groceries, and other expenses along the trail. I'm guessing most hostels only take cash? How much cash should you carry with you? I don't want to carry too much of it if I don't have to. I feel a little uneasy with using the debit card a lot of places since it is directly linked to your checking account. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
_Lil'Mak_Cash/Debit-Credit Cards
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#1
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#2
I carried $50 or less cash and a debit/credit card with me. When I needed more cash, I'd go to the post office and mail a card or box and get cash on my card. Worked great! Never a problem with using the debit.
_Red Hat_
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#3
I carried less than $50 as well. I also carried my debit card and a credit card as well. One thing that you also might want to think about is carrying two or three checks with you. Some places are weird with what they will except as payment. I used them all by the end. I would carry two or three checks again. It gave me another way to pay if they did not expect what other payment options I had. I left a check book in my bounce box and when I had no much checks I would take it out of there. If you are worried about money I would hid it in my pack. Put it near the top and keep it out of sight. It worked for me.
_YoungNdum_
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#5
I found it hard to cash T cheques in several of the small trailtowns, particularly for >$100US. just about everywhere accepted Visa, only about 50% of establishments accepted American Express
_medicineman_
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#6
i don't think you'll find much of a problem using credit/debit cards anywhere. what motel anywhere wouldn't take credit? the only time cash was really needed was to pay for hostel stays or to have a few bucks to change into quarters at the laundry.
_0101_
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#7
I thru-hiked in 02' and used my debit card for almost everything. (I carried a credit card as well) I had saved enough money that I didn't want to use my credit card unless I absolutely had to.
Interesting note: I now work for a financial institution that actually sets businesses up with credit card processing and helps reduce the cost of doing so. One of the ongoing goals I have is to offer this service to hostels/business along the AT corridor, as well as an affinity program for the ATC. It is a win-win situation because for hikers it allows them the ease of paying businesses with a secure form of payment (lets not forget lighter too; I hated carrying cash!) For businesses/hostels it offers another way to attract potential customers, and increases their cash flow. In the past the fees associated with offering this as a form of payment were sometimes substantial for businesses. But because competition among companies like mine have help drive the costs down. (It doesn’t hurt that I am in charge of the division that services this sector too). The Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega, as well as the Doyle in Duncannon are a couple of my AT clients, and I’m happy to be able to help them.
If anyone has specific questions regarding security of using cards, or cardholder rights, or any oter trail related issue feel free to email me. I would be more than happy to offer my help!
_M.G._
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#8
One thing to check at least a month before your trip is the expiration dates on your cards. If your card is set to expire after you are on your hike you could get to a terminal and find you can't use your card. Your new card and pin are sitting at home in the mail. This happened to me once, so I always check now. Also, if you are going to be using your credit card I'd advise calling your credit card company and alerting them that you will be traveling and using your card in locations you don't normally use. If a cc company believes there is suspicious activity on a card they can put a freeze on it and you will need to call the cc company to clear your account. For our own protection with all the fraud going on now.
_Biscotti_
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#9
And one time my acccount got bought by another bank and they changed the number and mailed a new card. By pure luck I got the card out to the trail. Lesson learned--carry a second card or a little extra cash ($100) to get you through a screw-up like that, totally out of your control.
_garlic_
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#10
when i hiked in 2003, i pre-paid my credit card and used it for everything i could, but i also had about $50-100 cash on me in case of emergencies. you should probably check with your credit card company if prepaying is ok. sometimes they don't like to have a "negative" balance and send you a check.
i’d personally be nervous bouncing my checkbook though, as i didn’t have much luck sometimes with the PO.
_zero_