Continued from Money Advice while Abroad - Part 2 - by Beth Klemick
In addition or in lieu of, cash and/or travelers checks, I may also travel with a credit/debit card. A credit card can be your back up "just in case" emergency form of currency. Debit cards that are on the Cirrus or Plus system (MasterCard/Visa) are widely accepted at many foreign bank machines (ATM's). Please check first prior to departing to see if there are banking machines in your destination compatible with your card.
Worldwide ATM locators may be found at the AmeriSpan Get Ready page.
If you plan to travel with a credit/debit card, especially for long periods of time and/or while in multiple travel destinations it is a good idea to contact your bank/credit card company to inform them of your travels. Keeping them informed, depending on your bank, may avoid the possibility of a hold or freeze on your account. Some banks will place a hold or freeze on your account based on their suspicion that fraudulent activity is occurring on your card/account since you will not be in destinations that are seen on a frequent basis. Also if using a debit card it is very important to remember the numerical pin number, most ATM machines abroad do not have letters. I am guilty of this, I must admit the first time I traveled to Europe I was naive and lets just say thank goodness I was traveling with a friend. Live and learn.
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