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”. So, if they suddenly start seeing charges pop up on your card in a different state or country, they may decline the charge, assuming it’s fraudulent. In order to keep your credit card from being declined while you’re traveling abroad, you should submit a travel notice to your issuer.
Issuers like Capital One and Barclaycard have stopped recommending travel notices, thanks to the increased security of EMV chip cards. They still offer the ability to set a travel notification, but state that it’s not necessary. American Express has actually stopped letting cardholders set travel notices altogether, saying their confidence in their fraud protection makes it unnecessary.
Submitting a travel notice to your credit card company can be done quickly and simply. Most credit card issuers let you submit a travel notice online or through their app. If you’re not sure how to submit a travel notice, you can always call the number on the back of your card and submit a travel notice over the phone. When you submit a travel notice, you should tell your issuer where exactly you’ll be traveling and the dates of your trips. If you’re going to multiple destinations, be sure to make that clear.
This answer was first published on 07/13/19 and it was last updated on 07/21/23. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
FAQs
You're not required to notify your credit card company when you're going away on vacation, but it is highly recommended. By letting your credit card company know where you're going and for how long, your company will know that any card transactions from that location were likely authorized by you.
How do I let my credit card company know I am traveling? ›
How to Set a Travel Notice Online or in Your Card Issuer's App
- Log in to the credit card issuer's website.
- Select your credit card account.
- Choose "Manage Cards," "Account Services," "Tools" or similar option.
- Choose "Travel Notifications," "My Travel" or similar option.
- Choose "Add Trip" or similar option.
Your credit card company or bank may not need to be notified before you take a trip. That's because of improvements in fraud detection technology and security. If you choose to set a travel alert, you can usually do it over the phone, online or in your bank's or credit card issuer's mobile app.
Do I have to tell Capital One I'm traveling? ›
You do not need to notify us of your travel. With the added security of your Capital One chip card, travel notifications are not needed inside or outside the United States.
Are Chase travel alerts no longer required? ›
Customers could (and still can at some banks) send this notification by phone, through email or on the bank's mobile app. But now, many banks, including Chase, no longer require travel notices from customers.
Should I alert my credit card company when traveling? ›
You're not required to notify your credit card company when you're going away on vacation, but it is highly recommended. By letting your credit card company know where you're going and for how long, your company will know that any card transactions from that location were likely authorized by you.
How do I use my credit card when traveling internationally? ›
It's worth exerting a bit of effort to abide by these tips before your trip to avoid a potential hassle during your vacation.
- Choose a card designed for travel. ...
- Tell the card issuer your travel plans. ...
- Research applicable fees. ...
- Avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC) ...
- Bring a backup card. ...
- Set up a PIN (if applicable)
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”.
Do I have to let my bank know I'm traveling? ›
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.
How do I notify my MasterCard of travel? ›
You can set up a Mastercard travel notification through your credit card issuer's website, mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of your card. Mastercard travel notifications help prevent cards from getting declined when cardholders make purchases in places they don't normally visit.
To notify Credit One of travel plans, call the number on the back of your credit card and inform the customer service representative of your destinations and travel dates.
Do I need to tell Amex I'm traveling? ›
We use industry-leading fraud detection capabilities that help us recognize when our Card Members are traveling, so you don't need to notify us before you travel. We recommend: Keeping your contact information updated in case we need to contact you while you're away.
Which credit cards don't charge foreign transaction fees? ›
Best Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fee of June 2024
- Discover it® Cash Back: Best feature: Cash back on everyday purchases.
- Discover it® Miles: Best feature: Travel rewards.
- United Gateway℠ Card: Best feature: United Airlines rewards.
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.
Should I tell my bank I'm going abroad? ›
If you intend to use your personal debit or credit card abroad it is best that you let us know. Telling us in advance that you're travelling will notify our transaction monitoring systems you will be using your debit or credit card abroad. This will help us to reduce the likelihood of your transactions being blocked.
Do I need to tell Discover I'm traveling? ›
WalletHub, Financial Company
It's not something you have to do by any means, but Discover recommends it when traveling out of state or country to help make your trip as smooth as possible.
How do I set up a travel alert on my Mastercard? ›
You can set up a Mastercard travel notification through your credit card issuer's website, mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of your card. Mastercard travel notifications help prevent cards from getting declined when cardholders make purchases in places they don't normally visit.
Should I make a copy of my credit card when traveling? ›
Make copies of your credit card information, including numbers to call in case of loss or theft (most banks allow customers to call collect from abroad). Save a digital copy where you can access it, and tuck a copy in your luggage.
