Summer vacation rentals and debit cards don't mix

Summer vacation season is almost upon us. But before you throw your bathing suits in a duffel bag and drop the dog off at a kennel, take time to read this advice about using your debit card while enjoying your well-deserved getaway. Make the wrong move when it comes time to pull out the plastic, and you could wind up ruining your vacation faster than a week of rain showers.

While it's commonplace to use debit cards for many purchases -- especially while traveling, when carrying a lot of cash might be unwise - there are a few types of transactions for which you should elect to use a credit card instead. Booking any kind of a reservation for your summer vacation, such as for a hotel room or rental car, should not be done with a debit card. Why? Read this average American's cautionary tale and you'll find out.

A few years ago, New Jersey resident Gary Frisch decided to enjoy what he thought would be a cheap getaway. A resort in nearby Atlantic City had sent him dan offer for a free room for a night, so he thought, "Why not?" He was required to provide a credit card for incidentals as well as the tax on the hotel room. Since he didn't plan to raid the minibar and knew that the room tax was less than $10, Frisch had no qualms about giving the booking agent his debit card number. To his surprise, the resort slapped a $200 hold on his card.