<p>DW is headed halfway across the world shortly. Previously we used a combo of travelers checks, cash, and sparingly, credit cards which were not widely accepted. Now it appears travelers checks have gone the way of aerograms, and we have to rely so much more on credit cards. The main problem is that in many third world countries, using credit cards invariably causes them to get put on hold even after informing the card company of the itinerary in advance, and it isn’t easy to get them released in a hurry, and many vendors tack on surcharges. What is your strategy during your travels?</p>
<p>Check whether ATM cards can be used in ATMs at the destination.</p>
<p>We traveled to a third world country last winter. We informed our credit card companies the dates of our travel and had NO difficulty at all using our credit cards. Another thing we did…we took a rather sizable amount of cash which we were then able to exchange into local currency in the countries where we traveled. </p>
<p>We had more trouble using our credit card when traveling to another state!</p>
<p>We’ve traveled in Europe and Asia and had no trouble using our credit cards. The debit cards were more of a problem in China in that some ATM’s didn’t work but we would just find another one that did. My daughter has traveled even more extensively and I haven’t heard of any problems from her with credit or debit cards. Capital One does not charge for overseas use.</p>
<p>My DD was overseas for 2+ years in a third world country and had no trouble using a credit card and her ATM card to get cash. She traveled for a month before coming home and also had no trouble. My middle DD is currently living in a different third world country and has had no problems. Her siblings went to visit with same result. No holds or surcharges were incurred.</p>
<p>We got a Capital One credit card because they do not charge fees when used abroad (but we did have to notify them of the travel dates to avoid problems).</p>
<p>Another bit of advice that worked well for our kids when traveling overseas - they went to a bank and got the currency they’d need overseas so they didn’t have to change money the moment they arrived. This saved them some time that was better spent sightseeing right away.</p>
<p>Based on several trips abroad, the issues of credit cards being blocked for security reasons are VERY real. Despite providing full travel information, using one card in two countries on the same day invariably caused the need to call Amex, BofA, Chase, etc. for unblocking the card. </p>
<p>The key is to prepare the traveler with a number of low-fees credit card and restricted debit card. Check with your bank or credit union for fees and restrictions. Also check on the maximum liability in case of fraudulent use, as the debit cards might come with a higher potential risk. </p>
<p>I can tell you that my credit cards were almost never checked for ID in Europe and that few terminals needed a code. For example, paying for parking took all but 5 seconds for my card to be returned with a debit of 20 to 30 dollars. A stolen card must be a great tool in the hands of a thief.</p>
<p>Lastly, inquire about the type of cards available in terms of chips and stripes.</p>
<p>We currently live (and previously lived for 7 years) overseas, in 3rd world countries. And we have also traveled extensively. We always contact our CC companies prior to travel, and I think we’ve had a problem one or two times. But then just used a different card and all was fine. Same with ATMs. Occasionally we run across one that won’t work, but then just look for another.</p>
<p>When traveling, I always take a small stash of cash with me to exchange when I land in-country, just in case of an emergency. But I think I have always ended up using it as fun spending money! ;)</p>
<p>Dad<em>of</em>3 - do you mind telling us where she’s going? Someone might be able to give more specific info/advice.</p>
<p>^ India, and not just the major cities.
We go there about once every two years, and we’ve have our cards locked every time. So it used to be a combo of a few hundred dollars in cash, ten-fifteen thousand in Rupees that we bring and take back, and cashiers checks that were mailed earlier and deposited in a relative’s account; but the mainstay used to be travelers checks, and this is the first trip that she’ll be carrying none of it. Haven’t ever done debit cards, though - somehow always prejudiced against it, even for my kids, because of a perceived or real risk of someone directly transferring money out of the account without the benefit of seeing the charge in a statement first.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your advice - she should be OK given that we still have multiple sources.</p>
<p>Sounds like you’ve got your bases pretty well covered!</p>
<p>When Happykid & her pals were travelling this past summer, she had a handful of credit cards, and the pals had only debit cards. Those accounts never had more than $300 in them with the travelers’ parents monitoring the accounts daily and adding money as needed. On the whole that system worked well for those families.</p>
<p>I’ve not been to India, but I find in most SE Asia and smaller African countries, US dollars are widely accepted. ($5 & $10 are best - nothing over a $20) Another place to exchange cash is the front desk of large hotels - not necessarily the best rate, but there are no hidden fees or ATM charnges, so for a small amount (<$50), it’s often the best net rate.</p>
<p>We were in Italy and France last month. Capital One credit cards don’t have foreign exchange transaction fees which can be about 3% for other cards.</p>
<p>I am overseas right now (Japan) - I put everything on Amex as there is no conversion fee, and I do carry a decent amount of cash, but I get my cash in the foreign currency ahead of time.</p>
<p>A FYI note regarding cash in Europe. With the advent of the Euro, there has been a lower eed for exchange houses. You will still find them at the international airports or in the downtown areas, but with extremely poor rates. Western Union is pure thievery. Do not expect that banks will exchange more than a few dollars as they now restrict the operations to their clients. That is why the ATM is often a better avenue but the caveat of checking the fees before the departure.</p>
<p>Check to make sure that the PIN associated with the ATM card will work overseas – my understanding is that the PIN should be 4 digits in length.</p>
<p>Take along some traveler’s checks, just in case. Merchants may not like it, but it should be ok at banks, and other currency exchange places. If your plastic doesn’t work, you don’t have much options.</p>
<p>ATM card: Make sure you have a 4 digit pin, and load the money into the checking account - some overseas ATMs can only hit the checking account. Just in case, make sure you have the checking account number so you can deposit cash into it. ATM withdrawals of $200-$400 USD equivalent is usually the cheapest way to get foreign currency. For convenience though, I use a credit card whenever I can for purchases.</p>
<p>I think we also set up a pin for our credit card so we could borrow from that in case the debit card didn’t work for whatever reason and I think we actually did do that at some point. Of course, you will also want to make copies of all cards and passport just in case they are lost or stolen.</p>