Credit Cards

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 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. 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.