Jay Honeck wrote:

If one must use debit, another option would be to use Online debit
(PIN-Based). When a PIN is used only the exact amount is withdrawn, and
it
is done almost instantly. There are no preauthorizations, no holds, no
settlements several days down the road. You get what you get in real
time.

Quite true.

Hotels. The BEST way to do things is to make your hotel reservation
(either on-line or on the phone) using your *credit* card. Then pay for
the room/suite with your *debit* card, using the PIN.

By doing so, you still get to pay with "cash" (no debt), and your available
balance on your debit card hasn't been tied up with a $140 (or whatever)
pre-authorization.

Plus it makes the friendly local inn-keeper happier and more able to keep
prices down because the transaction fees for online debit is almost nothing
compared to offline debit/credit cards, especially if the transaction is
sizable.