 What
credit cards do I need to take with me?
- Take your major credit cards, such as, Visa, Master
Card and American Express.
- Make sure they are really credit cards and not
just debit cards with a credit card company¡¯s logo
on them. Many locations require a credit card and
will not accept a debit card, so they may have limited
use on your travel.
- Leave all your local store credit cards in a secure
location at home; there will be no need to carry them
with you.
Why
should I contact my credit card companies before I leave?
- You want to notify them of your trip. They may
delay you if they are unaware you are traveling. The
unfamiliar spending patterns might cause them to suspect
that the card is being used fraudulently and delay
your approvals.
- They will be able to explain many of the services
that they can provide while you are on your trip.
How
can my credit card company help prepare me for my trip?
- You can arrange to pay bills that will come due
while you are gone.
- They will be aware that you will be making charges
from another country.
- They will be able to give you an idea of how acceptable
their credit card is in that particular country.
- They can verify acceptance at certain foreign locations.
- They¡¯ll be able to see if your PIN number will
work in the countries you are visiting. They can also
issue you another PIN number if your current PIN is
unacceptable to the foreign bank¡¯s system.
- They can explain cash advance, ATM, foreign purchase
and foreign exchange rate policies and fees.
- They can explain any services they offer, such
as, extra insurance for your rental car, luggage or
purchases. Make sure the coverage offered extends
outside your country and will be valid in all the
countries where you¡¯ll be traveling. Also, be sure
to note any other exceptions.
- They may need to give you another phone number
to call in case you need to reach them. The 800 number
listed on the back of your card may not work from
foreign locations.
- You can find out if they charge a currency conversion
fee, so you can find the most economical card on which
to place your foreign purchases.
Should
I use my credit card when I travel?
- Yes, using your credit card can be more valuable
than using cash, so use it when you can.
- You¡¯ll probably be able to get a better exchange
rate than changing money to spend yourself.
- You¡¯ll be in a stronger position; the credit card
company can often charge back disputed charges.
- Many times your credit card will offer an extra
guarantee or warranty when you purchase items with
your card, but you¡¯ll want to read the fine print
for exceptions.
- You won¡¯t have to risk your safety by carrying
and displaying large amounts of cash.
- If you lose your card, most credit cards have a
low maximum liability limit if you quickly report
the card as lost.
Should
I use my ATM card while traveling?
- Yes, with the ability to draw out small amounts
of cash as needed, you can avoid the risk of traveling
with large amounts of cash. Using your ATM card can
also be a good way to get cash in foreign countries.
- The ATM will issue money in local currency.
- You should exchange at the bank¡¯s wholesale exchange
rate. You may still want to shop around to different
banks since some will charge a high usage fee for
their ATMs. Although, even high ATM fees may be less
than others will charge for currency exchanges.
- Don't wait until you're out of money to go to an
ATM, the machines can run out of money or break down.
How
can I make sure I¡¯ll be able to use my ATM card while
traveling?
- Call your bank to make sure your PIN number will
work in foreign countries.
- Find out your daily limits and plan ahead. You
may need to take out money little by little or ask
to have your daily limit increased.
- Use your ATM card before you go, to make sure it
is still good.
- If you go through many airport security checks,
remember that the security scans can demagnetize your
cards. You might want to ask for a visual inspection.
- Don¡¯t wait until you¡¯re out of money to go to an
ATM, the machines can run out of money or break down.
Where
can I get quick access to cash while I¡¯m traveling?
- Visa¡¯s ATM locator web page. This site provides
a searchable database that locates ATM¡¯s belonging
to the Visa, Visa Electron and Plus ATM network worldwide.
http://www.visa.com/pd/atm/main.html
- MasterCard¡¯s ATM locator web page. This site provides
a searchable database that locates. http://www.mastercard.com/atm/
- ATM¡¯s belonging to the MasterCard and Cirrus ATM
network worldwide.
What
should I know about using travelers¡¯checks?
- If the particular brand of travelers¡¯ checks is
accepted in the country and area you¡¯ll be visiting.
- How widely they are accepted within the countries
and areas you¡¯ll be visiting.
- Any fees for purchasing and using the travelers¡¯
checks.
- The travelers check company¡¯s loss, replacement
and refund policies.
How
can I protect my travelers¡¯checks while traveling?
- Take the same precautions you would to protect
your cash. Be sure to learn and follow the procedures
required if you lose your travelers checks. You¡¯ll
also need to make copies of your travelers¡¯ checks
before you go and keep separate from them the following
information.
- The serial numbers of the travelers¡¯ checks.
- The denomination of the travelers¡¯ checks.
- The date and location of their purchase.
- The phone number to call to report them missing.
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