I think your suggestion about putting one’s credit cards in sealed business envelopes, before placing them in a room safe, in particular, makes perfect sense. It’s a good, inexpensive detection method to determine if the safe was opened and the contents examined. Lest I would be accused of paranoia when it comes to travel theft, I didn’t mention that I do something similar with the hotel’s or ship’s own envelopes, and mark them for identification.

I would offer that unless I’m going to the pool, fitness center, or another location in which I engage in an activity during which I would find it difficult to secure my wallet and/or IDs, I keep my wallet with credit cards, and passport with me.

Thanks for your comment Jeff.

If you are staying at a resort (like Disney) with charging privileges, use them and lock up your CC in the safe. If you lose your key its easily canceled and replaced, and you can get a quick report of charges at any time.

Ned mentioned having a separate debit card for travel. I have a separate credit card for incidentals, I lock my main one up in the safe once I have used it for the room and other large expenses, and only take it out if I know I will have a large expense. This way, if the card I carry around is compromised, A> I have a backup, and B> my home use card is safe and I don’t have to go through the mess of replacing it.

Finally, I’ve been hearing anecdotal evidence of hotel employees making entry to safes, removing CCs, copying info and putting them back. I don’t know how prevalent this may be, but just in case, I carry a few business envelopes and seal my cards and documents inside. They are not visible, and I know if someone disturbed them.