Travel
Like The
"Rich and Famous. . ."
Discover How A Pauper
Travels Like A King!
Playing Your Cards Right -- Tips
for Traveling with Credit Cards
by: Gail Corwin
Using credit cards while traveling is a good idea
for a number of reasons:
You have a record of your expenditures for
record-keeping and tax purposes (especially important if you travel for
business)
You may get a better exchange rate when
obtaining foreign currency when using your credit card.
Credit card companies can refund disputed
charges and may offer extra guarantees, special deals or warranties.
Your liability in the case of a stolen credit
card is limited to $50
But, traveling these days is often a juggling act
of luggage,
boarding passes, identification cards, passports and a gauntlet of
security measures. These identification acrobatics can leave you
distracted and even a little bit addled, perhaps putting you more at
risk of being targeted by an enterprising pickpocket or purse snatcher.
And, even though your liability is limited, costs
can quickly
add up if multiple cards are involved. Factor in the hassle and
increased risk of identity theft, and it is apparent a few preemptive
measures can save you from a boatload of heartache.
Consider the following tips as guidelines to
traveling safely and affordably with your credit cards….
Plan Ahead:
Anytime you travel you should make photo copies of
all of your
credit cards airline tickets and documents, both front and back. You
should leave these photocopies with a friend or family member.
Be aware that if you make copies of your cards and
documents to
take with you, you may be giving thieves another opportunity to rip off
your personal information. Consider blacking out details such as
expiration dates, verification codes and social security numbers.
If you decide not to carry photocopies of your
credit cards, be
sure to have the card cancellation numbers from the backs of the cards
written down and stashed in your luggage.
Leave a Paper Trail:
Save receipts and keep track of the places you
used your card.
Make sure receipts are stored in a safe place so they can be checked
against your credit card statement to ensure unauthorized charges have
not been made and/or gone unnoticed.
His & Hers:
When traveling with other family members, even
spouses, bring
different credit cards that are on separate accounts. When a card is
lost or stolen and must be cancelled, all cards on the account are
cancelled as well. Having at least two cards from separate accounts
will prevent the situation from leaving you stranded.
Lighten Up:
Carry only the personal information absolutely
necessary for
vacation, such as a passport or driver's license. The less personal
information you have, the better off you will be if your purse or
wallet is stolen.
When traveling by air, always keep copies of
important documents in a separate part of your luggage, such as a
carry-on bag.
Keep cards on your person. Most travel stores
carry small bags
that you can keep cards, cash, and other items you will need to access
while out and about. Consider a money belt or security wallet.
Look out for fees:
When traveling abroad and using a credit card,
watch out for the
conversion fee that many banks levy to convert charges in foreign
currencies to dollars, generally 1% of the purchase amount. Some banks
charge a fee and some don’t so, if you have several cards, it's worth
checking with the issuers to see which one has the best deal. Even with
the conversion charge, many times ATM machines will have the best
possible exchange rates and the lowest fees.
With proper planning, credit cards are a
convenient, secure and
cost-effective means of payment when traveling. Just keep these tips in
mind, and the next time you’re balancing on one foot at the security
gate, you’ll be glad you did.
About The Author
Gail Corwin is a successful author and publisher
of http://www.luggage-n-travel-accessories.com.
Your online resource for luggage and travel accessories, travel related
information, timely articles and tips.
Todays Travel Tip
Lots of the new ships are now charging for extra activities like
miniature golf and in line skating, among others things. Be sure
and find out what activities are not included before making a
commitment. These fun & games can really add up. Our Pauper
enjoys playing as well as the next guy; he just likes doing so with
money in his pocket! Check back tomorrow for
another tip.
P.S.
If you have ever wanted to travel like the "rich and famous," here is
your opportunity. The Pauper's Secret Confessions alone, are
worth 10 times the cost of this book. Never take another trip
without being prepared!
