Vacations and holidays are all about relaxing, so it’s unlikely credit card balances and bills are on your radar.
But if you’re traveling, “checking balances more often is probably good advice,” according to Nessa Feddis, senior vice president for consumer protection and payment for the American Bankers Association. Staying cognizant of your card activity can help you avoid overspending, added fees and any security risks that could arise abroad.
“And because of mobile banking apps, it’s easier to check,” she says.
1. Let Card Issuers Know You’re Traveling
Notify your card issuer before a trip to avoid your first purchase away getting wrongfully flagged for fraud.“If you’re going to be outside your normal stomping ground, make sure you let your card issuer know,” says Susan Tiffany, who previously spent 17 years as director of consumer periodicals for the Credit Union National Association. “Even if you’re just going to a different state, it never hurts.” And that goes for credit and debit cards, she adds.
If you normally buy shoes on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and you’re suddenly buying croissants on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, there’s a chance your card could be declined or suspended.
2. Check Your Travel Perks
You might normally use your credit cards primarily for their cash back or points rewards. But many cards also have extra benefits that can make your travel planning easier.- Car rental insurance
- Concierge services
- Free breakfasts or late checkouts at hotels
- Free or discounted medical travel insurance
- Emergency evacuation insurance
3. Watch Your Spending
If you’re not paying close attention, it can be easy to let your purchases get away from you while on vacation. But any balances you rack up will still need to be paid when your monthly statement is due.4. Limit ATM Fees
It’s smart to travel with cash, whether in case of emergencies or simply for merchants who only accept local currency.5. Stay Alert
Part of the fun of any vacation is shaking up your normal routine.If you’re visiting places you haven’t gone before, keep an eye peeled for skimming devices before you hit ATMs, says Velasquez.
Scope out your surroundings with an eye toward your personal and financial safety, just as you would at any other time. A money belt or travel purse to keep your belongings close can make life easier while you’re out, too, Velasquez says.
6. Do Your Research
Cards from some issuers are more widely accepted than others around the world, and you don’t want to arrive in another country with no way to pay.It can help to ask your card’s customer service about its acceptance rates where you’re going, but also consider other sources. Before you leave, talk with your travel agent (if you have one) and your hotel, innkeeper or concierge, too. Look for online posts from other travelers or locals sharing their experiences with using the same type of card.
7. Practice Safe Security
For credit data harvesters, public Wi-Fi is an all-you-can-eat buffet. Ditto for those public-use computers in internet cafes and hotel business centers. Avoid them for anything other than reading the morning paper or checking the weather.Need to check balances? Use your own cellphone network to try your bank or issuer’s app or mobile site, says Feddis. Or go old school and dial the institution’s toll-free number.
