Overseas Travel With My Credit Card
You have your passport ready, tickets are in your bag, everything you need is packed, and you leave for a unique destination overseas tomorrow. Still, you may be pondering how many places you will be able to use your credit card. Do some countries treat credit differently than another would? Are there credit card names that are more accepted than others? If you leave tomorrow, you need to learn some of the ropes, fast.
Credit cards are used virtually worldwide now. Visa and MasterCard are the most widespread, so it would be wise to have at least one of those in your wallet. Credit card use will often depend upon where you are going. Most people tend to think of Europe, but what about Russia? India? Japan? Australia? Africa?
Overall, you should be able to use your credit card in many populated places. A lot of businesses have made sure they are able to accept credit cards in order not to miss out on any extra business. But again, make sure to have widely known credit cards and be sure to keep a picture ID on your person. Large businesses, like expensive hotels are likely to take anything, but smaller places may still limit which cards they take. Some travelers have stories about Discover cards and their lack of use overseas. Others explain how many places request to see a picture ID in order to compare both signatures and pictures if all possible.
Keep in mind that many credit cards will charge you a small fee for using the card overseas. Each card will be different; some charge a flat fee and others will charge a certain percentage. It is a good idea to check with your credit card company before going anywhere. Be sure to have all the information of your credit card company as well, such as your card number and a phone number in order to call in case your card should go missing or be stolen. You want to quickly shut out anyone who might try to access your credit.
Just because you carry a credit card does not mean you should completely forget about carrying cash and traveler’s checks. Big cities such as Paris or Berlin are certain to have many, many places that use credit cards. Smaller towns or little getaway areas may not have a way for you to use your card and therefore not accept them. This is exactly the place you can use either your traveler’s checks or cash. They can also come in handy should your credit card be the only thing lost or stolen. Many times traveler’s checks can be replaced soon after any incident, so even if your cash and credit card are gone, you aren’t penniless.
Credit cards are useful because they give you access to money almost no matter where you are. Still, they are not 100% foolproof, and can also lead to overspending while you wander the amazing shops of Switzerland or indulge at Spanish restaurants or get too overzealous with the room service in Okinawa. Use your card wisely and have plenty of back up plans in case something unexpected comes along. After all, you do not want your trip ruined just because of one little credit card slipup, or come down from your high too quickly when you return home and take a look at your next credit card bill.