TripHip - Travel Tips and Advice for Traveling on a Budget

If you plan to use your credit or debit cards during a trip abroad, it's a good idea to let your bank and/or credit card companies know that you will be traveling.

If they don't know that you are traveling, they may lock your account, thinking that your purchases and withdrawals are suspicious because they are out of the ordinary compared with your usual use. This can not only be embarrassing, it can also leave you out in the cold when you most need the cash!

If you're going to a foreign country, don't worry about getting traveler's checks. They're practically a thing of the past, and they're a lot of hassle on both ends. These days, you can easily and safely use your debit card at any ATM machine in the world.

Just be sure to let your bank know that you are traveling, otherwise they may lock your account due to "suspicious activity"!