Credit cards are a must especially when you travel overseas. Cash is handy to keep around, but those little plastic things can be a huge convenience for travellers.
Though it is not necessary to inform the credit card company, do please notify them when you’re travelling abroad. Sudden charges outside of the country that you live in might result in your credit card being blocked. Fraudulent charges and identity theft are rampant so to avoid being unable to use your credit card, it’s a good idea to let the credit card company know when you are going to travel.
Travelling with more than one card is a good step to take. You don’t have to overdo it and fill your whole wallet with credit cards, but more than one type of card could be a life saver if one were to be declined or lost.
Another reason to carry more than one type of card is that not all places take both Visa and MasterCard. The slogan “Don’t leave home without it” from American Express might be memorable, but there are quite a number of places that won’t accept it. It’s a good card to keep around but having a variety of type of cards will ensure you’re covered anywhere. In fact, if you’re on vacation with someone else they could also carry other types of credit cards so you’ll have a wider option.
If your travel plans involve renting a car, the deposit that is charged to the card will reduce your overall credit limit. That’s why extra credit cards come in handy. The extra insurance that you should charge to your card to waive collision damage will put your mind at ease in your travels.
A few other information that you should inquire from your bank or credit card issuer are the fees that they charge for international transactions. The standard for Visa and MasterCard has been 1 percent for a while, and some banks have begun adding another percent or two in addition to that. So try to choose a card like Capital One Card which charges no fees, or inquire more about this from your bank or card company so you won’t be too surprised when you get your bill.
If possible, don’t allow foreign vendors to charge you in dollars. You’ll wind up paying more with the exchange rate, worse than you would get with your credit card or ATM.
Credit cards are a must when travelling, but there are still little bed and breakfast establishments that just accept cash, not to mention some restaurants. Less developed countries may offer less convenience when it comes to using your card, and there might be an extra 3-5 percent fee added to your bill since that is what they are charged for their merchant account by the banks. Having adequate cash in hand can also be important in these situations.
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