Tips for using a credit card in foreign countries

Cozy shopping with credit card. Image: creditnowusa.com

Protect your credit card.

If you are going to traveling overseas, it's good to carry a credit card. Many benefits can be obtained from the plastic card. You do not need to bother carrying cash, so it will be more secure and practical. 

Moreover, also many great deals from credit card issuers, such as discounts on electronic products, fashion products, perfumes, cosmetics, food, hotel, even travel insurance.

Here are tips that can help you when using a credit card abroad, inter alia:

Before you go abroad:

1. Contact your credit card issuing bank.

Before leaving, you should contact the card issuer first. Tell them to plan your departure abroad. You can reach him through the bank's call center. Ask if the card issuer has an international phone number to call in case if you lose your card.

This is also to avoid your card being blocked by the bank because of the suspicious transactions outside of your usual transactions.

2. Ensure Credit Card Usage Fee

The cost of using credit cards abroad depends on the policy of each card issuer. Different banks certainly different amount of fees charged. In general, some of the fees charged when using the card abroad is:

Foreign exchange costs, the fees charged due to foreign exchange. Cash withdrawal fee, charged when you withdraw cash using credit cards abroad. The amount also varies from 2% to 4% of the amount of money withdrawn or calculated average per transaction. ATM usage fees will be charged if you withdraw cash from an ATM.

3. Check the Expiration Limit and Credit Cards

Check the limit and expiry date of your card. Not to be used when the limit was already exceeded or expiration apparently is no longer active.

When you are abroad:

1. Customize your ATM network.

If you are planning to withdraw cash from ATMs abroad, please match first Visa or Master Card logo on the cards to those in the ATM.

2. Always Bring Your Passport

Make sure you always carry your passport so much easier when shopping, because there are some stores require you to show ID. But as long as you bring your passport, then this is not an issue.

 

Pay attention to your credit card transactions. Image: chinadaily.com.cn

3. Always Be Careful

Do not be careless when you use a credit card. You should direct to the cashier when you pay for clothing, digital cameras or goods you buy. 

Do not let your card transactions happen without you could see it, because someone could easily steal information or data from the card. You should pay attention carefully to any transaction process, but you should also look relaxed, so the cashier comfortable when serving you.

Should bring your credit card when actually be used. If not, then you should put it in a safe place. The best advice: if you buy the cheap stuff, use cash, so that you do not use credit cards too often. Note the suggestion of a brochure or information to not use credit cards in a particular shopping center as you possible theft of data on your credit card.