Using credit cards out of the country

[xlc_88]

I'm travelling out to Europe in a few months and I was wondering if I should let my credit card companies that I will be using their cards out of the country?

I'm totally clueless about this. Do you let your credit card company know that you are leaving the country?

[Pete_Coach]

Absolutely, let your credit card company know when you will be going and when you will be returning. Also let your bank know. This could prevent an embarrassing situation when you go to use it and they deny the card.
I know some will argue this but, if you have a PIN on the cards, make sure it is 4 digits only. Any more and you will have trouble getting money at the ATM's.

[Jucius Maximus]

I'm travelling out to Europe in a few months and I was wondering if I should let my credit card companies that I will be using their cards out of the country?
Do this 100% for sure.
And be careful of PC MasterCard, my experience is that they are terrible in this respect. Sometimes they will still cut you off even after informing them of your trip.

[rob444]

Yes tell them where you are going.

If all of a sudden lots of foreign transactions start popping up on your account, the credit card companies might think this suspicious. They may try to call you to confirm if you are indeed making the transactions... and if they can't get a hold of you they may suspend your card.

Not to say this will happen... but it might. A couple minutes phone call to them, and a note will be put on your account telling them the european charges are to be expected. Better to be safe.

[wszeto28]

Yes call them to let them know to avoid hassle

[apachekeith]

I'm travelling out to Europe in a few months and I was wondering if I should let my credit card companies that I will be using their cards out of the country?

I'm totally clueless about this. Do you let your credit card company know that you are leaving the country?

Take everybody's advice & let them know. I'm going to Ireland in 4 days & have informed them already & will be double checking again before I go.

Nothing more embarrasing than having your CC declined in a foreign country & having to fix it long distance.

[Coolers]

Equally important is travelling with more than one credit card. Informing the bank of your intention to travel out of the country will not necessarily prevent a blocked card.

[commander_groo]

I have also heard that you should avoid having a zero as the leading digit in your 4 digit pin.

[gibguitar]

I've done this before. Just dial the number on the back of your card and they will ask you where and how long and they will leave a note on your file. If you don't do this, they may view purchases outside of the country as suspicious activity and disable use of your card.

[hobgoblins]

Yes definitely. I've found that the people at MBNA are very quick to assume your credit card has been stolen, even when in Canada.