I can sort of understand if a trip is for an emergency--someone who doesn't normally travel but needs to visit a family member with an illness, etc. But IMHO, you're right for leisure (or business, for that matter) travelers. If it's by choice, then it would be wise to get one simply for two instances: rental cars and hotels, and if it's because one is unable to obtain a credit card, then holtju2 is probably right, and some other issues need to be addressed before one chooses to travel.