[Orange1998]

I tried using the debit card at hotel and the clerk advised against it. Said they will put a large holdback on the card and it will last for week. The credit card holdback is never noticed.

[silverleaf]

That’s the drawback with debit cards- the vendor will put a big hold on your account for more than the bill, and for up to several weeks

I’ve heard many stories of bounced checks from folks who used debit cards for car rentals and didnt realizee the hold period was so long

[Ole Okie]

I tried using the debit card at hotel and the clerk advised against it. Said they will put a large holdback on the card and it will last for week.

Clark Howard advises against using debit cards, in part for the reason you've cited.

Clark calls debit cards "fake credit cards".

I'll see how this plays out. I order stuff online, and the credit card is mighty useful in this context.

But I don't plan to pay a bunch of interest. I'll go back to writing checks or paying cash, if it comes to that.