With so many elements to plan when putting together an international itinerary it’s easy to overlook things like finance which is reasonably easy to manage in today’s digital world, but have you considered what type of payment method you are going to be using when you’re traveling abroad?
If you’re on the fence about what option may work best for you, consider using debit cards for international travel.
Here’s why you should consider using your debit card when you travel abroad;
NUMBER ONE: Debit cards allow you to get cash if you need it
Think about it…you are traveling on an amazing international trip. Everything is going great, not a worry in the world. Well, almost. You suddenly realize that you need some cash for an upcoming activity, but don’t happen to have any cash on you.
What are you going to do?
If you have your debit card, you don’t have a worry. You can find an ATM and pull out cash immediately. If you had only had a credit card, it wouldn’t have been that easy and maybe not even an option at all.
NUMBER TWO: Talk to your bank before you go and see if they will waive or reduce fees while you are traveling
Address your concerns with your bank before you go about how you are worried about how the fees with affect the balance and money in your account and see if they have the ability to waive some or all of the fees for you while you on traveling.
Maybe they don’t have the option to wave the fees right then and there but can offer to reimburse on your next bank statement when it processes through. Any help that they could give would be amazing, and all you can do is ask to see if it is an option.
NUMBER THREE: Using your debit card allows you to keep track of your budget as you are spending it
Let’s face it…when you use a credit card, it’s more of a swipe and forget it type manner. You know you’ll get the bill in about a month, but you’ve got time until then to just not have to think about it.
With a debit card, you can swipe, and pay and your balance immediately reflects the purchases that you made. Using debit is a simple way to know your bank balance at the end of each and every day.
NUMBER FOUR: Debit cards don’t typically charge interest fees
If you have to use a credit card on your travels versus a debit card, then you also stand the chance of paying more in interest on that purchase or charge.
If you keep swiping with your credit card, that total adds up and if you can’t pay that total bill in full then you will find that you will also be paying extra in interest fees as well due to your swiping your credit card everywhere you went along your journey.
Don’t fall victim to the swiping ease of a credit card!
NUMBER FIVE: Debit cards tend to have lower transaction rates than other payment options
I don’t know about you but I think that if you are going to get charged a fee for buying something, then you might as well go with the method that has the lowest fee.
When traveling abroad, make certain that you are prepared with having the best payment method for you and your journey. Plan ahead by connecting with your bank and let them know that you will be traveling internationally so they don’t put any type of hold or freeze on your account when that first international charge comes through.
Can you imagine being in a foreign country and not having access to any of your money, and being in a different timezone to be able to call and try to get it all straightened out with your bank? I don’t know about you, but the last thing that I want to do on my vacation is spend my time on the phone dealing with payment issues. Planning ahead can eliminate that scenario 100%.
