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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.
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.
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 the United States 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.
Yes, you’ll have access to cash during your trip so you won’t have
to take as much cash with you and 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.
What should I know about using travelers checks?
If the particular brand of travelers checks are accepted in the
country you’ll be visiting.
How widely they are accepted within the countries you’ll be visiting.
Any fees for purchasing and using the travelers checks.
The travelers check company’s loss, replacement and refund policies.
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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