No credit card, help?

My credit card company has let me down badly. My card expires 2 months into a 6 month stint in India, I fly out this coming Wednesday morning.

I gave them plenty of notice that I required a new card but they have messed up. It now seems likely that I won't have a new card before I fly.

This just leaves me with a debit/ cash card card and cash.

This leaves me feeling nervous. What if a machine chews up my card? Will my choice of hotels be limited if i don't have a credit card? Should I try to get some travellers cheques tomorrow, as a back-up?

Any advice most appreciated!!

Travellers' Cheques as a backup could well be a good idea.

I've never had a plastic disaster, but sod's law says that if I ever had only one card...

As for hotels and stuff, they probably prefer cash anyway. Merchants the word over have to pay fees to credit card companies.

and you have to pay fees to use your credit card in india (or any foreign country for that matter)!

I dont think I have ever used my credit card here, I usually leave it at home. Travellers cheques will probably only be accepted in the big hotels or at currency exchange places. So get yourself a few of them and a pile of cash (not too conspicuous a pile though), and you'll be right.

I only used my credit card three times in 90 days in India -- but used my ATM card regularly for cash! So yes, some cash and some TCs for backup and you should be fine.

Debit card will be accepted by all hotels so no worry on that front.
Your bank may levy some charges for using your ATM card to draw local currency. My bank levies a fixed charge irrespective of the amount I draw so I don't draw small amount frequently. My credit card provider(Citibank) doesn't charge me anything for using my card abroad.

Thanks for the replies, I feel much better about things now!

Just another question: if you lose everything, so card, passport and t.c.'s, would an Indian bank accept a transfer from a foreign bank on my instructions? I know I can't open an Indian account and this is different, but would be good to know.

Maybe I'm being a little paranoid, but there you go!

I am not sure about the banks..but you sure can use Western Union or similar services..

hi Ricco,
it is difficult that an indian bank could accept money transfer without a current account and most of all if yiu are without passaport: in that case I think the only way is western union (i do not intend to suggest you).
Another option could be a pre paid card which you could easily purchase in you r country in few days. You credit the card before leaving and if you need more money you can ask someone at home to credit again or you can do it by yourself via internet.

dear Sir,

Is there any cloakroom facility available at domestic airport Mumbai - what is charges for that.

Your kind response will be highly appreciated

i love my debt card. no fees save for exchange x-rates, never have to have someone pay the bill which they will forget becasue you know how fast life moves back home...

learn to love it. i travel with two for last ten yrs and a bit of cash.

cant comment on machine eating card but youd be wise to use machine attached to bank and open so if that occurs you can grab someone.

dont get all involved in transfers this MUST be a nightmare in india.

you might also try western union if they have or last ditch effort - find someone from uk. have family send a check/money/cash to their account. when it clears they can give you cash.

i think the best is to take a large lump some from atm
found it hard to get used to cash coming first then card and nearly left my card 3 times only for the next guy to draw my attention