Search:

Would you like to contribute to this site? Checks Menu Submit an Article Submit a Tip Place your Ad Add URL Checks Questions? Contact Us  Check Printing   Order Checks   Checks By Mail   Custom Checks   Business Checks   Personal Checks   Bank Checks   Travelers Checks   Money Orders   Cashiers Checks   Laser Checks   Check Software   MICR Printing   MICR Toner   Check Cashing   Checking Account   Check Verification   Check Information   Quicken   Quickbooks   Checkbooks   Checkbook Software   Checkbook Covers   Wallets and Billfolds   Specialty Wallets   Coach Wallets   Debit Cards   Types Of Debit Cards   Business Debit Card   Teen Debit Cards   Bank Debit Cards   Prepaid Debit Card   Debit Card Protection   Debit Card Info   Debit Card Basics   Bank Check Cards   Rebate Checks

Return To Checks Article Archive   Search the Article Archives Travel Credit Cards By Steve Gillman Why bring travel credit cards instead of travelers checks? Convenience, safety and savings. The first time I had to exchange $200 of travelers checks overseas, the bank charged me $8. Later, during the same trip, I used my debit card at an ATM to get $200 from my checking account. The charge was one dollar, and that was the last time I used travelers checks. Travel Credit Cards And Debit Cards It is best to carry a credit card AND a debit card, and keep them well-hidden in two separate places. Bring cards that have either zero liability, or a fifty dollar liability limit for any unauthorized charges. Ask your bank or credit card company about this. Make sure you bring a Visa card, as this seems to be the most widely accepted right now. Sometimes an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) wont take a card for some reason. Normally, you can use the other card, which will usually work fine. Thats the advantage of having two cards. By the way, criminals watch those ATMs, so be especially careful not to flash your money around when you leave an ATM. For most travel, credit cards may be less trouble than debit cards. They can be replaced quickly if stolen. On your stolen debit card, your liability might be zero, but you probably wont have access to your account until the matter is sorted out. On the other hand, on longer trips its a hassle to pay the credit card bill on time, which isnt a problem with debit cards. Thats another reason to carry both. On longer trips you can wait until youre a few weeks from home to use the credit card, and youll get there before the bill does. Another advantage travel credit and debit cards have over travelers checks, is that when you need the local currency, youll almost always get a better exchange rate with your cards. Plus, the cash you get from the local ATM will truly be accepted everywhere, something no travelers checks can promise. Be sure to call your credit card company or bank before you travel overseas. They may decline your card when you try to use it otherwise. Just let them know where youll be and for aproximately how long. E-mail yourself the phone numbers to call in case of loss or theft, so you can get them from anywhere in the world. To sum up : Use cards with low liability, high enough limits for your trip, and hide them well on your body. These are the requirements for good travel credit cards. About the Author: Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. For travel stories, tips and a free e-book, visit: http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com keywords: Checks | Check | Banking

Get your Checks questions answered... Subscribe to our Checks Newsletter FREE! Your First Name: Your Email Address: Enter above security code

Home  |   Checks Blog  |   Ask the Checks Expert  |   Checks Archive  |   Checks RSS Feeds  |   Advertise  |   Sitemap