Notify Bank Before Traveling Regions (2024)

When travelling, it is important to notify your bank and credit card company of your plans to avoid any issues with your accounts being flagged for fraud. While it is not a requirement to inform your bank of your travel plans, it is highly recommended to do so. By letting your bank know where you are going and for how long, you can avoid the inconvenience of having your card declined due to suspicious activity. This is especially important if you are travelling internationally, as credit card companies are more likely to flag transactions from countries where fraudulent charges occur more frequently.

Notify your bank and credit card company of your travel plans

When you're preparing for a trip, it's important to remember to notify your bank and credit card company of your travel plans. This simple step can save you a lot of hassle and stress while you're away. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this:

Notify Your Credit Card Company

Your credit card company should be on the list of people you notify about your travel plans, along with friends, family, and employers. Let them know where you are going and for how long. This will help prevent your card from being frozen due to suspicious activity when you are abroad. Many credit card companies have a travel notification system, so check with your issuer to see if they offer this. You can usually set this up online, through a mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of your card.

It is especially important to notify your credit card company if you are travelling internationally. If you are travelling within your own country, it is less likely that your charges will be declined, so a travel notification may not be necessary. However, if you are travelling to another state or region, setting a travel notification is a good idea to avoid any potential issues.

If you have multiple credit cards, set travel notifications for each card you plan to use, including any emergency backup cards.

Notify Your Bank

It is also a good idea to notify your bank, especially if you are travelling internationally. Banks can freeze your account if they detect frequent suspicious withdrawals in a foreign country. By notifying your bank, you can reduce the likelihood of this happening.

If you bank with a large institution, they may have ATM partnerships overseas, which can help you avoid banking fees when withdrawing cash abroad. Ask your bank representative if they have any such partnerships in your destination country.

You can notify your bank of your travel plans by contacting their customer service department, either by phone, online, or in person at a branch. Provide them with your travel dates and destinations, and ask if there are any other precautions you should take to protect your account while travelling.

By taking these simple steps, you can help ensure that your credit cards and bank accounts remain accessible and secure while you're on your trip.

Provide your bank with your travel dates and destinations

When planning a trip, it's important to notify your bank and credit card company of your travel dates and destinations. This will help ensure that your charges aren't declined when you arrive at your destination and can also help protect you against potential fraudulent activity.

Most banks and credit card companies allow you to add travel notifications to your account. This can usually be done online through your bank's website or mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of your card. It is recommended to provide as many details as possible, including your travel dates, destinations, and any multiple trips or overlapping dates.

For international travel, it is especially important to notify your bank and credit card company. This is because credit card companies monitor accounts for unusual or suspicious activity, and charges from a foreign country may be flagged as suspicious if they are not expecting them. By providing a travel notification, you can help ensure that your charges are not declined.

In addition to notifying your bank, it is also a good idea to carry a mix of cash, credit, and debit cards when travelling. This will help ensure that you have access to funds if any of your cards are declined or frozen due to suspicious activity.

By taking these simple steps, you can help safeguard your credit and bank cards while travelling and avoid the stress of dealing with financial issues during your trip.

Before you travel, it's important to update your contact information with your bank. This ensures that they can reach you quickly if they detect any unusual or suspicious activity on your account. Here are the steps you can take to update your contact information:

• Log in to your online banking account: Using your computer or mobile device, access your bank's website or mobile app and log in to your account. Make sure you have a secure internet connection to protect your sensitive information.
• Navigate to your profile settings: Once you're logged in, look for the "Profile" or "Account Settings" section. This is where you'll be able to update your personal information, including your contact details.
• Review and update your contact information: Check the information currently listed for you. Make sure your email address, phone number, and mailing address are all correct and up to date. If any of this information has changed or needs to be updated, follow the instructions provided by your bank to make the necessary changes.
• Add any additional contact methods: Consider providing multiple ways for your bank to reach you. For example, you may want to add an alternative phone number or email address. This can be helpful if you're travelling and may not have access to your primary contact methods.
• Set up notifications: Many banks allow you to set up notifications or alerts that can be sent to your email address or phone number. These notifications can inform you about account activity, potential security issues, or other important information. By setting these up, you can stay informed about your account activity while travelling.
• Confirm the changes: After you've made the necessary updates, review your changes to ensure that the correct information has been saved. You may also receive a confirmation email or message from your bank, outlining the changes made and providing any additional instructions or information.

By taking these steps, you can ensure that your bank has the most current contact information for you. This will help them reach you quickly if they detect any suspicious activity on your account while you're travelling. It's also a good idea to review and update your contact information periodically, even when you're not travelling, to maintain accurate records with your bank.

Ask about ATM partnerships to avoid fees

When travelling, it's important to know how to avoid unnecessary ATM fees. One way to do this is to ask about ATM partnerships. Many banks have partnerships with international banks, allowing their customers to withdraw cash from partner ATMs without incurring any fees. This is a great way to avoid ATM fees, especially if you're travelling to a country where your bank has a strong presence.

Before your trip, be sure to contact your bank and ask about any partnerships they may have in the country (or countries) you'll be visiting. They may have a partnership with a large international bank or be part of a fee-free ATM network. For example, the Global ATM Alliance is a network of large banks that have come together to waive fees for customers using partner ATMs.

• Bank of America has partnerships in several countries, including England, France, Spain, Canada, Australia, and many more.
• Barclays (England, Wales, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, and certain countries in Africa) is part of the Global ATM Alliance.
• HSBC has ATMs all over the world and is also part of the Global ATM Alliance.
• Capital One doesn't charge any withdrawal fees, but you will have to pay any fees charged by the local bank.
• EasyFX offers a travel money debit card that can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted, which includes over 2 million ATMs worldwide.

By taking advantage of these partnerships and using partner ATMs, you can avoid paying unnecessary fees and save money during your travels.

Set up a travel notification online, on an app, or over the phone

To set up a travel notification online, log into your account on your bank's website and search for "travel notice" options. If you're having trouble finding this, contact your bank's customer service team for help. You can usually add notifications up to 90 days before your travel date, and you can edit or delete them as many times as you like.

If you're using an app, open the main menu and select "Manage cards". Then, choose the card you'll be travelling with and select "Travel notification". You can then add, edit, or delete your trip details.

If you want to set up a travel notification over the phone, call the number on the back of your card to speak to a customer service representative. They will either direct you to speak to a representative or work with an automated system.

Frequently asked questions