If you are planning a trip out of the country, you are inevitably going to have to rely on your credit card at some point. That is because using  your card is generally much safer and easier than walking around with cash. However, before you start swiping your card in a faraway land, there are a number of things you should know first.

Some of these tips are probably obvious already. Yet, a few others may not be and it is best you were aware of them now instead of later on — when you have no choice in the matter.

Monitoring Your Purchases

Most foreign merchants and retailers are honest, hard-working business owners. They wouldn’t think of defrauding their patrons. However, you may come across a bad actor. This guy tries to take advantage of you. You are a seemingly naive and confused tourist who might appear to be an easy mark. Does not let that be you.

You use your card often as you tour through a foreign country. Thus, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your transactions. This may sound paranoid. Yet, it is smart sense. That’s because you can dispute any unusual charges on the card made in the United States. However, the policies and consumer rights to dispute a strange charge made abroad are different.

You must protect yourself. Always keep your receipts from each purchase and transaction made while you are traveling. That way you have solid proof of that it. That can be a big help in disputing any weird charges made on the card. Remember, those charges may not immediately show up on your statement. Therefore, keep those receipts until you can account for every dollar spent overseas.

Be careful about getting charged twice for the same transaction. This is usually an honest mistake committed by a hotel or rental car company. That is because you often need a credit card to secure a reservation for each of those things.

Let’s say you check out or return the car. You may opt to pay in cash instead of adding those charges to the card they have on file. However, then your statement arrives and they ended up charging your card. If this happens to you, be sure you have a receipt for that cash transaction. It will prove that you indeed pay for the room or the rental. It shows that they charged the card erroneously. There is a way to avoid this from happening. That is because it may be easier to put the charge on the card you gave them previously. Then, you are securing your reservation with a card. Be sure to pick one that you know you can use to pay with later on.

Restaurants are another area you should monitor closely as well. It’s like paying cash for your travel reservations. Let us say you use your card to pay for a meal and leave a tip in cash. Be sure to denote as such when you sign the charge slip.

Don’t leave it blank. Doing so could lead to your server filling that space to get a little extra cash out of you, after you exit. Thus, hold on to your receipt. If the charge for that restaurant is higher than expected, you have proof to attempt a dispute.

Before You Go

You are making all kinds of plans and reservations. You are anticipating your departure on that dream vacation. However, make sure your trip goes smoothly. There are a few things you will want to do. These things will prepare you where your credit cards are concerned.

DEBIT CARD TRAVEL NOTICE
If you are traveling outside of the bordering states of Alabama, including TN, GA, FL & MS, please notify our TVACCU Debit Card Department at 256-386-3000 or toll free 888-274-2128 to avoid any transaction declines.

Be sure your credit cards will not be hitting the expiration date while you are away. The new card is going to arrive at your home or office address on file with your issuer. It’s not going to show up at your travel destination. If that happens, you are out of luck.

You should also check your current credit limit and be sure you have enough credit to spend for the entire trip. If need be, make a payment on the card to bring your balance down to zero, or as close as possible. That way you can be assured your card will not be declined when you need it the most.

Unfortunately, your card or cards may be lost or stolen. Thus, it is a good idea to have the account numbers stored someplace safe. It should be somewhere that you (and only you) can access.

Perhaps you decide to carry more than one card. In that case, you may want to put the majority of your purchases on just one. Then, keep the other one around as a backup. This way you can keep a better track of your expenses. Plus, therefore, you will not go over budget in your spending habits.

If something happens to the main card, you will not be left destitute on your vacation. You still have the other card to fall back on. Be sure NOT to keep them in the same place either. If your purse or wallet gets stolen, then it is all gone. Keeping the backup somewhere else will help protect it and you.

To get a TVA Credit Card apply online today!