Everything you need to know about using your credit card overseas. How much will it cost? Is it secure? Will it be accepted? What's the best card for the job?
Understand your fees
Most banks will charge you a fee for using your credit card overseas. Cash advances are likely to incur the standard cash advance fee as well as a fee for currency exchange which may be as much as 2.5% of the transaction (on a £500 withdrawal, that's £12.50 or over $25 AUD!).
Make payments
Ensure you make payments on your card while you're away. You can set up automatic direct debits or arrange for someone to make payments on your behalf.
Tell your bank
Notify your bank before travelling. Many banks implement security systems which consider overseas transactions suspicious. This can result in your credit card being declined. While this is usually easy to correct, you can save the hassle by notifying your bank before you travel.
Also check with your bank about any restrictions and fees which may apply to international transactions.
Know how to contact your bank
Write down the telephone number for your bank for reporting lost or stolen cards. This is usually a free call and should be available 24 hours a day.
Capitalise on features
Check if your credit card has any travel features. Many cards include travel insurance, which means you won't need to purchase it separately. Some include travel inconvenience cover which will protect you for lost luggage and cancelled or delayed flights. Some cards also offer worldwide emergency card replacement and global customer service.
Get a backup
If your credit card entitles you to free supplementary cards, consider obtaining one and keeping it in your hotel as a backup in case yours is lost.
Acceptance
Ensure that your card will work in the country you're travelling to. Visa and MasterCard are safe options, but you can experience problems in non-Western countries like Cuba and some Asian nations. If you already have a Visa, consider getting a cheap, no-frills MasterCard and vice-versa as a backup.
Visa and MasterCard go under different names in some countries. MasterCard is also known as Cirrus and Maestro. Visa is also known as Plus. In all cases, the logos are similar.
Get a PIN
If your credit card doesn't have a PIN, arrange one before you go. In Europe, PIN numbers are expected for credit card transactions and many merchants do not offer the signature option. The PIN will also allow you to use your card for cash advances and provide an additional level of security should it be lost or stolen.
Check your card dates
Check the expiration date on your credit card(s) to ensure they don't expire while you're overseas. If they do, ask your bank to re-issue the card.
Have sufficient credit
Make sure your credit limit is sufficient to cover your budget. It's much easier to apply for a credit limit increase prior to your departure than it is while you're travelling as the bank may require documentary proof of income, assets etc.
Get the right card
Below is a list of cards we recommend for travellers:
