Tourists ready to make a trip overseas often are savvy in the ways of how to find cheap fares, be they cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, or cheap vacation packages.
When it comes to paying for things while overseas, people usually use cash, traveler’s checks and/or credit cards. The downside of paying for everything with cash is that you have to be careful what each merchant is using for a conversion rate. Of even greater concern, is having cash stolen on a trip. The problem with traveler’s checks is that they are often not accepted abroad, except in China where they remain popular.
The upside of using a credit card overseas is that you won’t have to deal with converting currency, or try to convert only the amount of foreign money needed, and you will routinely receive one of the lowest conversion rates available. Also, credit cards are generally less likely to be stolen and if that happens, you are not responsible for unauthorized purchases.
The following are tips that help make overseas spending less costly:
· Before departing, sign up for a no foreign transaction fee credit card. Most credit cards currently charge foreign transaction fees that range from 2 to 3 percent. Capital One is one of the top issuers of credit cards that offers select cards that do not charge this fee.
· Though this is not mandatory, it is smart to look for a credit card company that offers cards using chip-and-pin technology, which is universally accepted in Europe and is only now being offered by a few institutions in the U.S. Most American credit cards use magnetic strips vs. the more secure chip technology in place in Europe.
· Alert your credit card company of your overseas travel plans and request a toll-free number you can call for assistance while abroad. Tourists are often stunned to learn that their credit cards do not work overseas, only to later learn that their credit card companies suspended their accounts due to suspicious activity (i.e., purchases attempted from a country you have never used your credit card in before).
· Once abroad, refuse to sign any credit card receipt not expressed in the local currency. Often merchants quoting in US dollars are using non-competitive exchange rates.
· Foreign merchants, particularly in Europe, will not accept U.S. credit cards unless the user is carrying proper identification (ideally a US passport).
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