[stanmancan]

The Debit/Visa cards work for lots of things, but last I tried most places wouldn't accept them to have on file for damage deposits and such (hotels/cars). I have to admit, I haven't tried for about 5 years. A debit/visa is no different than a prepaid visa. On an actual credit card, they can push the charge through even if you don't have the money available (pushing you over your limit if needed). Visa/Debit and Prepaid Visa's can't go over the available balance.

I'm not sure about the sentiment on HN, but I'm speaking from personal experience. Any time I've tried to use a Debit/Visa when checking into a hotel they've required me to pay a deposit that was returned on checkout.

[lawnchair_larry]

You’re not from the US. Debit means a whole different thing in the US. Unlike other countries, visa debit is functionally equivalent to a credit card, and the retailer doesn’t know the difference between visa debit run as credit vs visa credit.

[tptacek]

Once I again, I have a credit card I use almost exclusively for renting cars, and I believe I invariably check into hotels using debit cards. I can't remember ever having a problem.