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Research: Tips to keep in mind while traveling with credit cards - Credit-Land.com

Every single person travels abroad. Some may travel for leisure while others may be frequently out for business reasons. When you take n international trip you need to plan things out so that your expenses are not over the top. Knowing your options and also keeping abreast of the exchange rates is important. While travelers checks were a popular option people may prefer to just carry their cards and avoid bulky transactions. When you use your credit card for large purchases such as hotel bills, tickets and food it will seem much easier. There will be an interbank exchange rate on the purchases you make based on the type of card you hold. Capital one is one of the few cards that do not charge any fees for these currency changes.

A disadvantage of carrying a credit card for all your expenses is the fact that there are many hotels which do not take credit cards. Based on where you are at and what facilities you are opting for you may have to pay a lot more. You can use the credit card for cash withdrawals but these would be subject to additional fees and charges which can mount up very quickly and be too expensive. It would be wiser to carry multiple payment options when traveling such as traveler's checks, some cash and your debit card.

When you travel to new locations it would also be advisable to call your credit card provider and ask them what charges will apply. There may often be fees on your purchases both in dollars and in the local currency. Each trip could mean changes so you need to call each time you are travelling. It is also wise to inform the card issuer before you travel to international destinations so that any sudden charges on your account will not trigger any alarms. Make sure you have an additional credit card handy should one get blocked in between.

When traveling with credit cards you should also be clear on what charges or holds are put on the credit card. This way you will know if the line of credit is used up. When you have completed all transactions and paid all your bills you should ensure that the hold placed on the credit card is removed. When traveling with the credit card and paying also make sure that all payments are done in front of you. That way no amounts will be swiped for without your notice.

Disclaimer: This editorial content is not provided or commissioned by the banks or credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of the banks or credit card issuer(s), and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the banks or credit card issuer(s). Reasonable efforts are made to present accurate info, however all info is presented without warranty. Consult with the issuing bank of the card or account for terms & conditions.
All rates and fees, and other terms and conditions of the products mentioned in this article/post are accurate as of the last update date but are subject to change. See the current products' Terms & Conditions on the issuing banks' websites.