DEBIT vs CREDIT cards

If your debit card has a major CC logo on it, it will work just like a Credit Card virtually everywhere. I used my debit card in Europe last summer and since it also had a MC logo, it worked everywhere.

European CC/debit cards cards are embedded with smart chips. So there are some merchants that don't have the hardware to read US magnetic strip cards(this is especially true in Holland, but can occur in other countries). But as a general rule merchants that deal mostly with tourists will have the hardware to read magnetic strip cards, merchants that deal mostly with locals may or may not. To avoid the confusion I rely on cash from ATM machines.

I am not sure we are answering the question. If using a debit card as a debit card for purchases, you do not have the fraud protection that a credit card provides. If you use a debit card for a rentals it is possible that the rentals will reserve a huge chunk of money which may the limit the amount of cash available to you. Why the reluctance to use a credit card?

I believe that you should be fine with your debit card with a major CC logo. Just be aware that it may have the same limit as your daily withdrawl limit. For example, you may have a credit card with a $15,000 credit limit. However, on you debit card, on any day at home, you may have an ATM withdrawl of $300. I'm betting that the use of the MC feature of your debit card won't get you much more, if any, than your daily cash withdrawl limit. Best check with your bank.

As for auto rentals, check with the specific rental agency. Some of the agencies in the US (and in Europe) will not take a debit card for rentals... It just depends on their terms.

Frank makes a good point, when you use a debit card for hotels or rental cars, a hold of several hundred dollars is placed on the funds in your checking account until you return the car/check-out. Sometimes it take a few days for that hold to be released, unless you have a lot of money in your account you could run into some cash flow problems. When you use a regular credit card the hold is placed on your credit limit.

Frank - I'm not reluctant to use a credit card - I don't have any! One thing that we did a few years ago was agree to go credit card free - and it is amazing how much money we're saving now without them. I'd been thinking of applying for a card for this trip, and can see where it will be a bonus.

I do have 2 different debit cards/accounts, and could certainly use one of those just for car rentals/hotels with a significant backup parked in the account, and the other card/account for daily expenditures/ATM access.

The points made by the others responding to this thread are all excellent, and will certainly be taken into consideration. Thanks!