Contacting Your
Bank Before You Travel

The World Awaits and You Get to Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy the Ride

The last thing you'll want to worry about is whether or not running your card for that wonderful bottle of adored wine is going to send up alarm flags at your bank. Making sure you get in touch with your financial institution to let them know you'll be traveling can put your mind at ease. Follow these simple steps to enjoy your vacation care-free. 

Notify Your Bank

Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so they do not flag charges you make in another country as fraudulent. Some companies allow you to enter travel dates online, or call your bank directly.

Ask Questions About Your Cards

While you have your bank on the phone it’s a good idea to ask them the following questions about your debit and credit cards:

• Will my card work in the countries I’m visiting?
• What number should I call if I lose my card while traveling?
• How much can I withdraw per day?
• Do you have partner banks that I can use overseas to avoid ATM fees?
• Do you charge foreign transactions or currency exchange fees?

Check Your Cards Before You Leave

Only take the cards you plan on using with you on vacation, and make sure you have a backup card. Keep a copy of the customer service phone numbers for your bank or credit card company in your suitcase, in case you lose your wallet. Before you depart, check the expiration dates on your cards, and make sure you have their PIN numbers memorized.

Sign Up for Online Banking

Online banking is the easiest way to monitor and manage your funds while traveling. For the quickest access to your account, download your bank's app before you leave. Apps are optimized for use on your phone or tablet, and thus ideal for traveling. Only check your accounts when you have access to secure Wi-Fi, at the hotel or on the motorcoach, to avoid steep data charges.

Pay Your Bills Before You Depart

There’s nothing worse than waking up in a cold sweat wondering if you remembered to pay your electric bill. When possible, prepay or schedule any payments so that you don’t have to worry about getting hit with late fees when you return home.