Credit cards provide travelers with numerous advantages, including no liability for stolen or lost purchases and protection against restaurant tabs and hidden hotel fees. Some even provide car rental insurance coverage.
Many travelers prefer traveling without credit cards; though this can be accomplished, hotels may make things difficult.
1. Cash
Cash can be easy to carry around and used at many places that don’t accept cards, but carrying large sums in cities could expose you to pickpockets and money changers who could target it, while losing value every time you change currency or withdraw from an ATM outside your bank’s network.
Credit cards provide travelers with various advantages when traveling, such as zero liability for lost or stolen purchases and the ability to challenge restaurant tabs and hidden hotel fees. Furthermore, they make renting cars simpler while some provide collision damage waiver coverage.
Before traveling abroad, contact your card issuer to see if they charge international transaction fees and inform them that you’ll be travelling overseas. Select a card without these fees and preload it with currency needed at your destination(s). Ideally, choose one that requires a PIN as well.
2. Debit
Credit cards can be an ideal travel solution, but not everyone gets along well with card providers. Due to history of bad debt or difficulty qualifying for one (either due to history of past indebtedness or simply wanting to avoid fees), some travelers opt out.
There is good news for those traveling who prefer not to carry cash: There are various debit options available, from traditional bank account-linked debit cards to prepaid travel cards which allow users to preload an amount prior to traveling and then use as needed.
Note: If your card will expire during or shortly after your trip, it is advisable to notify its provider so they can begin renewing it and provide you with a new one in plenty of time – this may prevent your account becoming frozen during travel.
3. Prepaid cards
Credit cards provide several advantages that other payment methods do not, such as zero fraud liability protection and easy online dispute filing. Furthermore, no-annual-fee travel credit cards often come equipped with extra bonuses like no foreign transaction fees for spending on them.
As not everyone has access to credit cards, GOBankingRates offers three methods to travel without one depending on your budget and preferences:
Prepaid cards work similarly to debit cards in that you load money before traveling and use it wherever your card network accepts it. They’re great for people with an addiction to overspending as they provide a tangible limit they have to adhere to; parents can use prepaid cards with their children as budgeting tools as some offer family accounts; additionally, some even come equipped with additional features, like currency exchange capabilities and free wifi in hotels!
4. Checking account
At first, it can be tempting to bring several cards – especially ones with rewards – on any trip, but it’s essential to remember they are only as secure as the money in your wallet. I suggest keeping an emergency debit and credit card from different banks in a hotel safe along with keeping an accessible record of their account numbers, expiration dates and phone numbers somewhere accessible.
Prepaid travel cards may provide an ideal solution if the cost of hotel stays concerns you; however, many people rely on credit cards when booking airfare, hotels and rental cars; additionally they’re useful for managing expenses, avoiding fees and saving on exchange rates. While dealing with foreign currencies or third-party payment services can be frustrating at times, with enough advanced planning, you can still enjoy your journey without resorting to credit card use.
