It’s always exciting to travel and explore new places. But before you can jet off, there’s the tedious task of completing documents and other formal preparation. Taking measures like contacting your bank to tell them you’ll be traveling is a necessary inconvenience. Here’s why it’s worth taking the time to do this admin before hitting the road.
Do I need to tell my bank I’m traveling?
Yes, one of the most important things you need to do before traveling is inform your bank. You want to make sure you’ll be able to access your funds and use your debit or credit card while you’re on vacation. Telling your bank you are traveling can help prevent your card from being declined or blocked while you’re traveling.
Always tell your bank when you’re going abroad.
When your bank sees that you’re using your card in a different country, it may interpret this as unusual or suspicious activity. If you haven’t notified them that you’re traveling, they may assume that your card has been stolen and block it for your protection. This can be a major inconvenience, especially if you’re in a foreign country and don’t have access to your funds.
What to communicate with your bank before going abroad.
Contact your bank before you leave, call your bank to let them know that you’ll be traveling. They’ll usually ask for your destination, the dates of your trip, and the type of card you’ll be using.
Be sure to provide them with the dates of your trip and the countries you’ll be visiting. It’s also a good idea to verify the phone number you have on file in case you need to be reached while you're traveling.
Keep your bank’s contact information handy
In case of an emergency, it’s important to have your bank’s contact information with you. Keep a record of their phone number and website, in case you need to contact them while you’re traveling.
When it comes to traveling, there are some banking rules that customers of US banks should be aware of.
For example, many banks will require customers to inform them of their travel plans in advance, as this helps the bank to flag potential fraudulent activity on the account.
Additionally, banks may place limits on the amount of money that can be withdrawn or spent while the customer is traveling, in order to protect against unauthorized transactions.
It is also a good idea for customers to carry multiple forms of payment while traveling, in case their primary card is lost or stolen. By following these rules, customers can ensure that their accounts remain secure and that they have access to the funds they need while traveling.
Be aware of any limits on the amount of money that can be withdrawn or spent while you are traveling. By taking the time to contact your bank before you travel, you can ensure that your accounts remain secure and that you have access to the funds you need while you are away. Happy travels!
FAQs
Notify Your Bank
Should you call your bank before traveling? ›
You want to make sure you'll be able to access your funds and use your debit or credit card while you're on vacation. Telling your bank you are traveling can help prevent your card from being declined or blocked while you're traveling.
Do I need to notify my bank when traveling? ›
Not all credit card companies recommend that you set a travel notice before you go away, including those with EMV chips that may provide added security when you travel. If your credit card doesn't have an EMV chip, you should contact your bank before you leave to make sure your trip goes smoothly.
Do I need to inform my bank I'm going abroad? ›
It's not essential, but it helps our fraud detection systems to know in advance that you're travelling abroad. Find out how to get it at How do I get the mobile banking app?
How do you tell your bank you're traveling citizens? ›
Online: Send your travel notification from your Citizens Bank online account. Over the Phone: Call the Citizens Bank credit card customer service at (800) 684-2222 and inform the customer service representative about your travel plans. In Person: You can also give your travel notification at a Citizens Bank branch.
Should I tell my bank I'm going on vacation? ›
Notify Your Bank
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so they do not flag charges you make in another country as fraudulent. Some companies allow you to enter travel dates online, or call your bank directly.
Do I need to notify Chase bank of international travel? ›
There's no need to tell us you'll be travelling, but we do recommend allowing location sharing in the app. You'll also need to check that payments abroad are switched on in the app.
How do I notify my bank of travel online? ›
If you already use online banking, there's likely an online travel notice where you can enter your destination and the length of your trip. If you've got multiple countries on your itinerary, you can specify that as well. If you don't have online banking, call your bank to set up a travel alert on your account.
How do I notify the US bank about travel? ›
Letting us know you're traveling internationally will helps us protect you against potentially fraudulent activity. Choose an account from your dashboard then select the Account services tab. Select Travel notifications from under Alerts & notifications.
Can I use my US Bank debit card internationally? ›
Yes, cards issued by U.S. Bank can be used in most foreign countries. If you're planning to travel and want to use your card, let us know. This will help reduce declined transactions on your trip. Knowing your trip details also helps us protect you from fraud.
How to notify us you're going overseas
- Search Notify of overseas travel in the Smart Search bar.
- Add travel dates, country and contact details.
- Select your contact number and email while you're away (optional)
- Tap Send notification.
Yes, it is a good idea to tell your bank that you're moving. If you don't, you could find that access to services like online banking is restricted once you've moved abroad. The bank could also freeze or close your account. You don't want to risk cutting off access to your money.
Should I bring my debit card overseas? ›
Whether you should use a debit card for travel depends on your own circ*mstances. For instance, you should avoid using a debit card in another country if you'll be hit with high foreign transaction fees and ATM fees.
Do I need to alert my bank when traveling? ›
Notify Your Bank
Larger banks generally grant customers the ability to avoid bank fees when withdrawing cash and reduce the likelihood of your bank flagging your account for spending overseas. As with your credit card, if you're with a big bank, stay on the safe side and notify them of your trip.
How to let bank of america know i m traveling internationally? ›
You cannot set a travel notification with Bank of America. Bank of America doesn't give the option to set a travel notice because they trust their fraud detection capabilities to recognize suspicious activity and protect your account while you are travelling.
Should I bring cash or card on vacation? ›
Consider your spending habits, the destination and how long you're traveling. You might prefer to primarily use credit cards but bring cash as a backup in case your cards are lost or compromised, a merchant doesn't accept cards or you want to tip in cash.
Do I need to let US bank know I'm traveling? ›
If you're traveling anywhere within the United States, there's no need to let us know. We'll continue to monitor your account for fraudulent activity. If you're traveling internationally and expect to make charges, let us know ahead of time through digital banking.
Do I need to call Bank of America before international travel? ›
Bank of America doesn't give the option to set a travel notice because they trust their fraud detection capabilities to recognize suspicious activity and protect your account while you are travelling.
Do I need to notify my cell phone company when traveling internationally? ›
If you are willing to pay the charges, verify with your carrier that international roaming is activated before you travel. For most U.S. customers, domestic service plans do not cover usage abroad.
Do I need to notify my visa when traveling? ›
You don't need to let your credit card company know you're traveling, but it's always a good idea. To protect you from fraud, credit card issuers look for charges that seem to be out of the ordinary, or “suspicious activity”.
