| Using credit cards while traveling is a good idea | | | | Save receipts and keep track of the places you |
| for a number of reasons: | | | | used your card. Make sure receipts are stored in |
| - You have a record of your expenditures for | | | | a safe place so they can be checked against your |
| record-keeping and tax purposes (especially | | | | credit card statement to ensure unauthorized |
| important if you travel for business) | | | | charges have not been made and/or gone |
| - You may get a better exchange rate when | | | | unnoticed. |
| obtaining foreign currency when using your credit | | | | His & Hers: |
| card. | | | | When traveling with other family members, even |
| - Credit card companies can refund disputed | | | | spouses, bring different credit cards that are on |
| charges and may offer extra guarantees, special | | | | separate accounts. When a card is lost or stolen |
| deals or warranties. | | | | and must be cancelled, all cards on the account |
| - Your liability in the case of a stolen credit card is | | | | are cancelled as well. Having at least two cards |
| limited to $50 | | | | from separate accounts will prevent the situation |
| But, traveling these days is often a juggling act of | | | | from leaving you stranded. |
| luggage, boarding passes, identification cards, | | | | Lighten Up: |
| passports and a gauntlet of security measures. | | | | Carry only the personal information absolutely |
| These identification acrobatics can leave you | | | | necessary for vacation, such as a passport or |
| distracted and even a little bit addled, perhaps | | | | driver's license. The less personal information you |
| putting you more at risk of being targeted by an | | | | have, the better off you will be if your purse or |
| enterprising pickpocket or purse snatcher. | | | | wallet is stolen. |
| And, even though your liability is limited, costs can | | | | When traveling by air, always keep copies of |
| quickly add up if multiple cards are involved. Factor | | | | important documents in a separate part of your |
| in the hassle and increased risk of identity theft, | | | | luggage, such as a carry-on bag. |
| and it is apparent a few preemptive measures | | | | Keep cards on your person. Most travel stores |
| can save you from a boatload of heartache. | | | | carry small bags that you can keep cards, cash, |
| Consider the following tips as guidelines to | | | | and other items you will need to access while out |
| traveling safely and affordably with your credit | | | | and about. Consider a money belt or security |
| cards.... | | | | wallet. |
| Plan Ahead: | | | | Look out for fees: |
| Anytime you travel you should make photo | | | | When traveling abroad and using a credit card, |
| copies of all of your credit cards airline tickets and | | | | watch out for the conversion fee that many |
| documents, both front and back. You should leave | | | | banks levy to convert charges in foreign |
| these photocopies with a friend or family | | | | currencies to dollars, generally 1% of the purchase |
| member. | | | | amount. Some banks charge a fee and some |
| Be aware that if you make copies of your cards | | | | don't so, if you have several cards, it's worth |
| and documents to take with you, you may be | | | | checking with the issuers to see which one has |
| giving thieves another opportunity to rip off your | | | | the best deal. Even with the conversion charge, |
| personal information. Consider blacking out details | | | | many times ATM machines will have the best |
| such as expiration dates, verification codes and | | | | possible exchange rates and the lowest fees. |
| social security numbers. | | | | With proper planning, credit cards are a |
| If you decide not to carry photocopies of your | | | | convenient, secure and cost-effective means of |
| credit cards, be sure to have the card cancellation | | | | payment when traveling. Just keep these tips in |
| numbers from the backs of the cards written | | | | mind, and the next time you're balancing on one |
| down and stashed in your luggage. | | | | foot at the security gate, you'll be glad you did. |
| Leave a Paper Trail: | | | | |