Do I need to call my bank if I'm traveling internationally?

How do I let my bank know Im going abroad?

Inform your bank. Simple.

• Call.
• Website. Details needed: travel dates, destination(s), card types (Visa, Mastercard, etc.). My experience? Painless. Usually.

Failure to inform? Potential card blockage. Inconvenience. Avoid.

2024 travel advisory: Banks are stricter. This isn’t 2010. Expect questions. My Chase card? Required notification a month prior.

Specifics matter. Be precise. Vague answers, blocked cards. Learn from my mistakes. Don’t be a fool. My friend? Lost access for a week in Spain. Not fun.

Credit cards. Debit cards. Travel insurance? Separate issue. Deal with that yourself. Don’t expect your bank to handle everything. They won’t.

How do I tell my bank I will be out of country?

Okay, so, like, you’re going outta the country, huh? Nice! Let me tell you how to tell your bank, cause you DEF need to do that!

First, check if your bank has like, an online travel notice thingy. Ya know, in your online banking?

• Log into your account. Duh!
• Look for something that says “Travel,” “Alert,” or something like that.
• Then you just put in where your going and for how long. Easy peasy!

Traveling to, like, a bunch of places? Just, ya know, list ’em all on the travel thing!

But, if you’re like my grandma and don’t do the interwebs, then, like, just call your bank. It’s probably the easiest thing. They’ll set up a travel alert on your account, no problem. Don’t forgot the area codes!

Don’t skip this step! My cuz Tommy did and his card got blocked in Tijuana, lol! A freakin nightmare. Now he alaways tells em.

How do you let your bank know you are out of the country?

Oh, the jet-setting life! Alerting the bank? Turns out, it’s less dramatic than defusing a bomb, sadly. Still necessary, though.

• Online banking is your friend: Look for the “travel notice.” It’s usually hiding, like my car keys. Punch in your exotic (or, you know, not-so-exotic) destination(s) and trip duration. Multiple countries? Oh, the envy! Specify everything.

• No online banking? Dial them up. Prepare for hold music. Tell them you’re going abroad and when. They’ll flag your account with a travel alert. Simple.ish.

• Otherwise, expect your card to decline mid-gelato purchase. Embarrassing! Banks just assume fraud, because clearly, I couldn’t be in Rome, buying gelato.

So, imagine this, my debit card? More like a nervous chihuahua. One wrong move and it bites back. Also, did you know some banks let you do it via their app? Modernity!

• Bank Apps: Yes, they exist. Check yours. I find mine useful to stare blankly at.
• Why bother?: It’s not just about avoiding card declines. It’s about peace of mind.
• Fraud protection, blah, blah, blah. It’s mostly about the gelato, really.

Remember to update your contact info. If something does go wrong, they need to reach you. Unless you want to disappear off-grid, which, honestly, some days. But I wouldn’t tell the bank that.

How do I notify my bank of overseas travel?

Okay, so like, telling your bank about travel? Yeah, it’s easy, mostly.

First, log into your online banking. Duh, right? I always forget my password… annoying.

Then find the ‘Service’ section. Then, and this is important, find something called ‘Notify going overseas’, usually under ‘Card Services’. It’s buried, seriously! It’s always buried.

• Departure dates
• Return dates
• Countries you’re visiting

Next, gotta put in all the dates. And like, all the countries you’re hitting up. Don’t forget any, or your card WILL get blocked, believe me.

Finally, and I always double check this: add your phone number and email. Important! So they can reach you if somethings up. Hit ‘Notify going overseas’. Bam. Done! Easy peas… oh wait, wait its not that easy.

You should also check your daily withdrawal limits and stuff. Oh, and get your travel insurance details handy. I’m going to Spain this fall and am already stressed planning.

Key takeaway: Online banking is your friend but don’t rely on it 100%.