Using a credit card can be the safest and most effective way of carrying money when traveling overseas. Taking your credit card with you will ensure that you have easy and immediate access to your money. Additionally, it is easier to make purchases and pay for services abroad than using cash. However, you must make sure your current card is proper for such use.
Step 1
Choose a credit card with either a Visa or MasterCard logo. These cards are universally accepted at most stores, restaurants, hotels and hospitals all over the world.
Step 2
Pick a card that has the lowest transaction fees when making purchases or withdrawing money outside the United States. This will help prevent the accumulation of high transaction fees if you plan on doing a lot of shopping abroad. Call your card issuer and ask what the fees are for using your card overseas.
Step 3
Check the credit limits and expiration dates of your credit card. This will prevent you from going over your limit or using an expired card. If you feel you need more credit to cover for expenses abroad, then call the card issuer and ask if you can add another credit card or debit card for back-up funding; this way your transactions won't get rejected.
Step 4
Write down the contact number of the card issuer. You need to have a number to call in case your credit card gets stolen or lost. You can also memorize the number or save it in your cell phone for easy access.
Step 5
Call your card issuer one week before your trip and tell them you will be using your card outside the United States. Credit card companies sometimes suspend any card transactions if they notice the card has been used in a country the cardholder does not live.
References
- "Fraud Prevention Techniques for Credit Card Fraud;" David A. Montague; 2006
- "Survivor's Guide to Business Travel;" Roger Collis; 2002
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