You've packed your bags, and you're all set for your vacation. But, have you packed the right plastic? Best friends Lauren Schultz and Sarah Anderson have traveled to Hong Kong, Thailand, and the rainforests of Brazil. "In Brazil we went piranha fishing in the Amazon River...that was pretty crazy," Laura exclaims. Sarah Anderson adds, "caught a piranha, ended up eating it that night, had piranha soup." But incredible trips can get expensive...fast. You can save money by using the right credit card. Financial guru Scott Bilker works for Debtsmart.com, and says it's best to leave your debit card at home. "If you lose your debit card you risk losing more money. Your credit cards give you more protection under the law." He says to also ask about benefits. Some cards issue automatic insurance…for example, when you book a rental car. Others will pay your medical bills if you're hurt on a flight. Some even offer baggage insurance, so if you lose your bags, you might get some money. And then there are discounts. Most creditors have retail partners. In some cases you can use their card at a certain restaurant, and get 20% off the bill. Or, stay at a certain hotel, and get a $200 voucher for the spa. Bilker says the best way to find deals is to be proactive. "Just give them a shout and say, 'Listen, I'm going on vacation...what do you have for me that's special? I've got other credit cards I could use.'" Bilker decided to call his creditors and put his methods to the test. He says to the creditor, "I'm hoping you can offer me some kind of really good rate...at least for a few months during the summer vacation season." Bilker got one company to lower his interest rate from 20% to around 2%. He's also getting 5% cash back if he uses his card at any gas station. "Five percent back on gas is definitely helpful, especially with gas being as expensive as it is," he says. Sarah and Lauren are planning their next trip, and looking forward to the savings. "The fact that these discounts do exist…makes you want to use your credit cards more," Sarah explains. The key is to be persistent. Bilker says if you stay on top of the companies, you should get a good deal. Financial experts also say the key is to have several cards...so you have some leverage when you call the companies and ask for deals.