Credit cards have kind of become a travel essential nowadays. They can offer valuable rewards, minimize your risk of losing cash (or having it stolen), get you a fair exchange rate if traveling abroad, and even offer great travel protection. Global credit card acceptance has increased greatly over the years, and I can take many international trips without even getting local currency.
That raises an interesting question — when you travel, should you let your credit card company know of your upcoming travel plans? It’s a question that a reader just asked me, so let me share my take and experiences.
In this post:
I don’t inform my credit card companies of upcoming travel
Let me start by sharing my approach — I’ve never proactively informed a credit card issuer of my upcoming travel plans. Perhaps surprisingly, that doesn’t seem to cause issues. Credit card companies use sophisticated technology to determine what kind of purchases seem out of the ordinary.
Maybe I’m just lucky, but my card issuers don’t seem suspicious when I make a purchase in Singapore one day, in Vietnam the next day, in Germany the next day, and in the United States the day after that. But if there’s a purchase at a Nordstrom Rack somewhere in California? Yep, that immediately triggers fraud alerts.
Of course by not informing my bank of travel plans, there’s the risk that a purchase will get declined while traveling, and that I’ll have to call the bank to confirm that I made that purchase. However, that could just as easily happen at home, and I don’t consider that to be a huge deal.
So personally I don’t find it necessary to try to set travel notifications on credit cards. If I do get a purchase declined, it can be fixed with a quick phone call. Meanwhile it saves me the hassle of calling all my card issuers every time that I travel (and I have a lot of credit cards!).
I’d say that back in the day, it was much more common for people to notify credit card companies of travel in advance. However, nowadays it seems to be less common, probably also because we have more “instant” systems for alerts (thanks to people having smartphones), more people have data when they travel internationally, etc. Nonetheless, there’s no denying that many people still do let card issuers know in advance of travel.
What credit card issuers say about travel notifications
Do credit card companies actually want you to call them and inform them of your upcoming travel plans? Let’s take a look at what a few issuers say about the topic. Specifically, let’s look at American Express, Capital One, Chase, and Citi, since they issue some of the most popular travel credit cards.
Amex doesn’t recommend travel notifications
American Express states that you don’t have to report any upcoming travel plans:
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.
Capital One doesn’t recommend travel notifications
Capital One also states that you don’t have to report any upcoming travel plans:
You do not need to notify us of your travel, we’ve already got your credit card covered. With the added security of your Capital One chip card, travel notifications are not needed. That’s right! You don’t have to tell us when or where you’re traveling, inside or outside the United States. While you’re traveling, your credit card is covered for unauthorized purchases when your card is lost or stolen.
Chase doesn’t recommend travel notifications
Chase also states that you’re not required to report any upcoming travel plans, and it’s actually no longer even possible to do so:
Chase no longer accepts travel notices. With advancements in fraud detection technology, there’s no need to call before traveling. If necessary, Chase may reach out to you directly to confirm a purchase. You can also customize account alerts to get notified and informed of account activity at chase.com or in the Chase Mobile app.
Confirming that your credit card contact information is up to date prior to your travels can help ensure your credit card issuer can reach you. In general, no additional action is needed before your trip.
Citi does recommend travel notifications
Citi states that it’s a good idea to notify your bank of international travel, but that it’s not required:
It’s usually a good idea to notify your bank about any international travel plans. This way, the bank won’t be surprised to see any unusual charges on your account. You can now set up your personalized International card usage limits, for both debit/credit card, on Citibank Online or through Citi Mobile application.
Citi also has a handy travel notification webpage, where you can easily share your travel plans without having to pick up the phone.
Bottom line
As a frequent traveler, I can’t say that the thought of informing a credit card issuer of my travel plans crosses my mind often, but it seems that others consistently do this. American Express, Capital One, and Chase, don’t recommend this, while Citi recommends it for international travel.
Personally I’ll take my chances. In the event that a card issuer detects suspicious activity while I’m abroad, I’ll just pick up the phone and solve it on the spot. However, it rarely (never?) happens.
I’m curious what approach OMAAT readers take — do you inform your credit card company prior to travel, and if so, under what circumstances?
I have to disagree with this based on several experiences. I am an AA EXP, and if I am flying on AA and used my Citi AA card to book, they are aware of my travel and it is not necessary . But If I use my AA card in a foreign country where I flew on a different airline, and paid with a different card, I always get rejected. It is quite embarrassing when...
I have to disagree with this based on several experiences. I am an AA EXP, and if I am flying on AA and used my Citi AA card to book, they are aware of my travel and it is not necessary . But If I use my AA card in a foreign country where I flew on a different airline, and paid with a different card, I always get rejected. It is quite embarrassing when you check into a 5 star hotel and your credit card is declined. Then you have to call them, go thru a 3rd degree and half the time, it happens again when you buy something other than a sandwich. I have not had an issue with my Amex Platinum, or my Chase United card, but I also have not used my Chase United card overseas except when flying on United, so they probably knew I my travel plans. Since my primary residence is not a major airport, it is possible that I fly AA to NYC and then various airlines overseas. I say NOTIFY them-Period
Citi often asks you to validate a foreign transaction but won’t if you have notified tham in advance as a part of fraud protection. So if you can’t get their 2F authentication it’s a good idea to notify
I had trouble with Capital One Travel Visa canceling my card after an $8.50 purchase in Vietnam. I was in China for years using my card there. I took a trip to Vietnam and used it there and was cancelled. I had to get a new card. This happened twice! I called them before traveling to let them know of my plans. I was told it wasn’t necessary. But their computer flagged me. Did it...
I had trouble with Capital One Travel Visa canceling my card after an $8.50 purchase in Vietnam. I was in China for years using my card there. I took a trip to Vietnam and used it there and was cancelled. I had to get a new card. This happened twice! I called them before traveling to let them know of my plans. I was told it wasn’t necessary. But their computer flagged me. Did it again while I was trying to purchase tickets to a castle in Scotland online. Now I use another card while traveling.
Yeah, Citi likes you to notify of your upcoming trip to, say, Paris.
It makes it so much easier for any local who steals your card to rack up a handful of big purchases without Citi even blinking.
Hoe do I know that? I happened to me. Citi were industry-leading uncooperative, and made me realise how pathetically incompetent their call centers are.
The problem I've encountered when trying to use my cards internationally has been the credit card issuer declining my transaction. I've mainly experienced this with Citi, so much so that I no longer bother taking my Citi cards when I travel abroad.
Discover also loves to decline my transactions on domestic trips as soon as I leave my home state. It's almost impossible for me to buy gas on an interstate road trip with Discover.
...The problem I've encountered when trying to use my cards internationally has been the credit card issuer declining my transaction. I've mainly experienced this with Citi, so much so that I no longer bother taking my Citi cards when I travel abroad.
Discover also loves to decline my transactions on domestic trips as soon as I leave my home state. It's almost impossible for me to buy gas on an interstate road trip with Discover.
Fraud hasn't been a problem (knocking wood).
Only for my Schwab ATM card, and there’s an easy web interface to do it without having to call anyone.
I just made a Schwab checking account this week specifically for my international travels, so your comment was very useful for me! Thank you!
I called Etrade Bank to notify them I'd be traveling to Portugal earlier this year with their ATM card. It didn't work at any ATM in Portugal. Did the same for Mexico, didn't work there either. Tried when I came back through San Diego (not where I live) -- it worked fine.
I've used this card in many other countries when I didn't notify them. So, I'm going to try NOT notifying them next month...
I called Etrade Bank to notify them I'd be traveling to Portugal earlier this year with their ATM card. It didn't work at any ATM in Portugal. Did the same for Mexico, didn't work there either. Tried when I came back through San Diego (not where I live) -- it worked fine.
I've used this card in many other countries when I didn't notify them. So, I'm going to try NOT notifying them next month when I leave the country.
I have my local bank card as a back-up, but it has a 3% fee + $3 per transaction. Luckily, I rarely need more than $50 in local currency on trips these days.
Anyone have any luck using the BofA Atmos Summit outside of the US? Do you need to tell BofA where you're going in advance? Thanks.
I've had a card declined on international travel. Once I opened the app, everything worked after that.
Barclay recommends travel notifications (at least for their US-issued cards).
Ben, how about a similar article about debit/ATM cards? I always notify their issuers but the results have been very mixed.
Once my Wells Fargo card was denied by an ATM in Italy; so, I called them. They confirmed that I had notified them in advance about where, and when, I would be. So, I asked, why was my card denied? Their response was...
Barclay recommends travel notifications (at least for their US-issued cards).
Ben, how about a similar article about debit/ATM cards? I always notify their issuers but the results have been very mixed.
Once my Wells Fargo card was denied by an ATM in Italy; so, I called them. They confirmed that I had notified them in advance about where, and when, I would be. So, I asked, why was my card denied? Their response was that the card was denied because it was used in the Italian city and on the date where I told them I would be. WTF???? We went around and around for several minutes before I gave up. Fortunately, I had a card from another bank that worked just fine.
Be careful of using a ATM/debit card. Friend of mine is a landlord and his tenants relied on their debit card during a trip to Greece. When my friend deposited their rent check, it bounced!!
The tenants did not realize their bank account was wiped out from mysterious Greek charges till my friend informed them upon their return to the US. Took the tenants some weeks before the bank reversed the charges.
Agreed.
I never use my ATM/debit cards as a debit card. They are strictly used at ATMs. I am also careful about which ATMs I use.
I have no friends so when I travel I take but do not turn my phone on as our cell provider charges a small daily fortune for roaming and I am too lazy to get an e sim for trips abroad as they generally are not lengthy. My wife, on the other hand, has people who like her so we use her phone for texts and photos. The phones are not linked. We generally use...
I have no friends so when I travel I take but do not turn my phone on as our cell provider charges a small daily fortune for roaming and I am too lazy to get an e sim for trips abroad as they generally are not lengthy. My wife, on the other hand, has people who like her so we use her phone for texts and photos. The phones are not linked. We generally use my credit card to pay for meals and stuff. I am not sure if the credit card companies can geolocate a phone that is not turned on. Credit card fraud detection algorithms are likely a better guarded secret than your personal banking information.
Debit cards are a whole other thing to worry about. I tried to pick up some tipping cash before boarding a cruise yesterday. I was only 30 minutes from my place of residence, and Schwab shut down my card for suspected fraud
I used to do this with Citi regularly and they used to even provide a 4 digit code you had to use to authenticate in case of suspicious transactions when traveling - which was inevitably every second trip even if I had notified them.
Then about 18 months ago, the travel notification page just started saying "There is no longer any need to notify us" and since then every transaction when traveling has gone through without a problem.
I generally do it for Citi cc and for my Schwab and Fidelity ATM cards. I don't for AMEX and Chase cards.
What they will never admit doing.
They are secretly tracking you through their app.
I used to call the number on the back. Then I did it online. That option has since disappeared altogether. It's unnecessary.
Sometimes notification is not enough. When booking online (card not present transaction) directly with a foreign hotel, airline or purchasing an e-visa, in my experience AMEX seems to shine where my credit cards (from major banks) fail.
Either AMEX is willing to take more risk or they really do have a more advanced Fraud Detection system.
Funny, I had the opposite experience. I ended up cancelling my Delta Amex after repeated fraud declines while traveling internationally, despite calling them. It was really frustrating.
Mixed bag!
Had let CITI know of my trip to Germany in 2016. Yet, CITI card would not work for DeutscheBahn.
During 2019 two week trip in Central Europe, gave AMEX heads up and card worked fine in Poland for 7 days. Then we crossed into Czech Rep and AMEX would not work at hotel, rental car, nor restaurants. Return home was via LOT from Prague airport to Warsaw to catch B787 to...
Mixed bag!
Had let CITI know of my trip to Germany in 2016. Yet, CITI card would not work for DeutscheBahn.
During 2019 two week trip in Central Europe, gave AMEX heads up and card worked fine in Poland for 7 days. Then we crossed into Czech Rep and AMEX would not work at hotel, rental car, nor restaurants. Return home was via LOT from Prague airport to Warsaw to catch B787 to JFK. AMEX card worked fine at Warsaw airport prior to departure for US.
Moral of the story, bring a second card at all times!!
I notify the credit card when I am going to take long road trips that require multiple fuel stops in a one or two day period. I've had trouble in the past with my credit card getting turned off after the third fuel up.
I’ve got a Dutch Amex card and a Dutch Visa card through my bank at the time. I’ve travelled abroad, both in Europe and to the U.S. and Australia. I’ve never informed Amex, I did inform my bank as such that I can take cash from an ATM in either the U.S. or Australia, by changing something in the settings in my banking app. Never had any issue at all with both visa and Amex
In Europe I was facing issue, that I haven’t notified my credit card company and my card was blocked during my overseas travel. So in some reagions, notification is hoghly recommended. Europe is different from USA in many ways :)
Depends where you're traveling and your access to make a call once abroad if you have an issue. Proactive vs reactive. I'd hate to have this happen at a restaurant or while paying for an activity.
Generally no longer necessary. I no longer do it for my personal credit card.
Chase however recommends that I do so for my corporate credit card, to reduce the probability of having issues.
This is not required by any my UK card issuers.
I don’t know if you info is obsolete but when I try to set travel notifications via the Chase app they tell me it is not required anymore.
The bank knows your location already via the phone app. Bank of America has a disclaimer about it.
Geolocation information (for example, for real time ATM or financial center location, upon request, or for fraud prevention)
Back in the day when travel alerts were "recommended," I found that they weren't super effective - my card would still get blocked even when I made transactions in the place I said I was traveling to. It's been awhile since I've had that occur, though, so whether they're tracking me through my phone or whatever other sneaky means they have, everything seems to be on the up-and-up.