It used to be paying with travelers checks was de rigueur when traveling overseas, but these days they’re overshadowed by credit cards and ATM machines.  However, there are some things you should be prepared for before you pull out the plastic when you’re abroad.

What do I need to do to prepare?
If you’re not a regular foreign traveler, you should notify your bank or credit card company that you’re heading overseas. Otherwise they might suddenly start seeing charges from London and Lisbon popping up, and shut down access to your account, fearing it’s a matter of fraud.

Are there any costs if I use my credit card or debit abroad?
Many banks charge fees for the purchases you make or the money you withdraw from your account when you are abroad. When you call your financial institutions to notify them that you’ll be traveling abroad, ask about the foreign transaction fees they charge. It’s not uncommon to be charged up to 3 percent of the purchase price. But certain cards carry no foreign transaction fees, so you might want to scout around, and if your credit is good you might want to apply for one before you depart.

What about using cash?
While you can often obtain the currency of the countries you’ll be traveling to from your local bank, it’s not a necessity to get it in advance. When you arrive at your destination airport, it’s easy enough to change U.S. dollars for the local currency, but you need to aware of exchange rates and make sure you’re getting a reasonable amount. Or stop at the airport’s ATM machine and withdraw cash from your bank account. If you withdraw from an ATM machine, make sure you find out the fee because they can be high and above the amount listed on the machine since it is an international withdrawal. In most places you’ll want to have local currency on hand for small purchases, or to use at places where credit cards aren’t accepted.

About the Writer
Susan Ladika has been a writer and editor for 25 years. Her freelance work has covered everything from business to travel to science to international issues, and have appeared in such publications as Science, Town & Country, HR Magazine, Developer, The Wall Street Journal-Europe, The San Francisco Chronicle, and many others. She has also done extensive editing as a newspaper and wire service editor holding positions such as the Tampa Tribune Bureau Chief.

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