Credit cards provide many advantages when booking travel, such as purchase protection and the ability to dispute charges. But credit cards aren’t the only way to book travel; PayPal, cash and gift cards may be more suitable ways.
Multiple cards issued by different issuers may come in handy should you encounter limited acceptance overseas.
Cash
Cash travel options can be useful when splitting meals or tips among multiple travelers, while the tap-and-pay feature of your phone makes using cash easier still by enabling secure mobile payment cases that store card payment details.
Some places only accept cash payments, including taxi cabs and street vendors, so it’s wise to carry some with you just in case this situation arises.
Prior to your travels, having access to online banking can also help transfer funds between accounts, set travel alerts and track transactions more effectively. One reader who didn’t have this option found herself without any way of getting money while abroad.
Make sure that your credit cards have chips and are set up with 4-digit PINs; many international ATMs only accept these types of PINs, preventing you from being able to use your card at all.
PayPal
PayPal is one of the many methods of paying for travel, offering secure transactions online as well as dispute resolution for booking issues. Furthermore, its convenience eliminates having to enter credit card information directly reducing identity theft risk.
PayPal also makes life more convenient by being connected with digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, increasing convenience even further and becoming increasingly accepted by airlines worldwide.
PayPal now provides booking flights on numerous airlines, which is especially helpful if you need last minute deals or wish to avoid additional booking fees that some airlines charge – something especially valuable for business travelers looking to reduce expenses.
Gift Cards
Gift cards offer travelers an ideal solution, as they can be used to pay for airfare, hotel rooms and rental car rentals as well as their related costs – with extra protections like no fraud liability and freeze or cancellation features already built-in.
If you know anyone with digital nomadism, consider giving them an Apple gift card or Brooklinen gift card (for blankets, towels, robes, slippers and decor). Or perhaps give them Sephora and Airbnb gift cards so they can book their travel destinations more easily!
When purchasing or shipping physical gift cards, fees associated with purchasing and shipping can eat into their intrinsic value and potentially diminish its overall impact.
Debit Card
Credit cards provide greater security than cash and allow travelers to save time by booking hotels, shuttles, tours or activities in advance online. Furthermore, these credit cards come equipped with benefits such as loyalty programs, car rental insurance coverage and flexible payment terms as well as providing access to expense systems easily.
Debit cards offer travelers who prefer cash an alternative that allows them to make purchases without incurring transaction fees. When traveling overseas with this form of debit card payment, make sure it is chip-enabled and requires a PIN from their bank for use abroad.
Credit cards may not be suitable for everyone, such as those struggling with paying their bills on time or those who lack sufficient credit history to be approved for one. Thankfully, other payment options such as PayPal and debit cards exist that may help fund travel expenses.
