What to do with credit cards when traveling?

Before you leave, make sure to inform your card issuer so that your card spending at your destination is approved and not flagged as suspicious. Make sure to take more than one card with you, and go with a card that offers travel rewards and travel benefits.



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Credit cards remain the best all-purpose payment method, accepted in far more places abroad than debit cards. It's also a good idea to take more than one card with you when you go away to avoid finding yourself without any resources if your card is lost, stolen or blocked.

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Key Takeaways. Credit cards simplify spending while traveling, as cash can be clunky, conversion rates tricky, and cash is prone to loss or theft. If a credit card is stolen, it can be suspended and replaced in short order. Make sure you understand your card's international fees and restrictions.

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If you are heading abroad for your trip, you will want to avoid foreign transaction fees. Although both credit and debit cards are subject to this 2-4% upcharge, getting a credit card without a foreign transaction fee is a bit easier than finding a debit card with no foreign fees.

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It all depends on where you're going and what you plan to do during your trip. As you can see from our travel costs table above, some European cities are cheaper or more expensive than others. As a general rule, though, it's a good idea to budget at least $100 a day for your vacation.

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Although using a credit card to pay for travel is more convenient and safer than using other methods, you still have various options available to you that you can use to book your travel. PayPal, cash, gift cards and debit cards all make it possible to pay for travel without a credit card.

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While credit cards are accepted in most situations, currency can be more convenient for public transportation and small vendors. It's also wise to carry an emergency fund with enough cash for a few days, just in case your card gets lost or stolen.

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8 Common Credit Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
  • Ignoring Your Credit. ...
  • Not Paying Bills on Time. ...
  • Only Making Minimum Payments. ...
  • Applying for Multiple Credit Cards at Once. ...
  • Taking on Unnecessary Credit. ...
  • Closing Credit Card Accounts. ...
  • Opting for Longer Auto Loan Terms. ...
  • Becoming Complacent.


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  • Getting into credit card debt. If you have the wrong attitude about credit cards, it could be easy to borrow more than you can afford to pay back. ...
  • Missing your credit card payments. ...
  • Carrying a balance and incurring heavy interest charges. ...
  • Applying for too many new credit cards at once. ...
  • Using too much of your credit limit.


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