# Credit Card Travel notification question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 10, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873 "2013-08-10T14:45:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/1 "2013-08-10T14:45:40Z")
Huh. My Wife and I will be in Germany for most of September. So, of course I want to let my bank know that I will be using my credit card there. Odd thing is, I can’t give them this information now on August 10th, to let them know that I will be using the card in Sept overseas. I have to wait until 72 hours before I leave (or use it in Germany vs the US). I have to call back. Ummm… What? Is this just really, really bad database design that they can’t put dates in that I will be using the card in Germany? Or is there something else going on. I’ve talked face to face with account reps in my bank and they don’t understand it either. Any ideas why I have to wait until right before I leave to notify them? ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/2 "2013-08-10T15:19:19Z")
They probably designed the system not to permit advance scheduling because trips can get cancelled. If you tell your bank now that you’re traveling to the Smithereens next month, and they program your card to be useable from that country during the month of September, what happens when your trip gets cancelled next week and you neglect to call the back back to let them know? There’s a security risk waiting to happen: purchases will be pre-authorized from a country that you’re not in. But wait, there’s more! Your travel notification will probably expire 30 days after you make it, because most people won’t bother to call the bank and let them know they’re back home. Chase visa did this to me. In order to continue using their visa overseas for an entire year, I had to contact them every 30 days to re-activate the travel notification because they couldn’t set it up for longer than that. It seems like a lot of silly precautions being taken, but that’s what banks are good at. ---
**Author:** ![zwede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ac91a4/32.png) [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/3 "2013-08-10T16:04:10Z")
I’ve traveled quite a bit between the US and Europe and never had to call the CC company. My credit cards (VISA and MasterCard) have always worked fine. I thought the red flag would be if the card is used in multiple countries at once, but as long as I only use it in one country it will be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/4 "2013-08-10T17:25:12Z")
Count me as another person who has never had any issues using my credit or debit cards overseas. I’ve never bothered to contact them and let them know my plans, they’ve just always worked. Maybe it would be different for travel to other places but I’ve been to a good number of countries in Europe without any issues. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/5 "2013-08-10T17:42:33Z")
Discover requests notification of country to country travel. IIRC ---
**Author:** ![zwede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ac91a4/32.png) [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/6 "2013-08-10T17:43:09Z")
A tip: If you need cash abroad try using your US ATM card. Mine works fine in both Canada and Europe. I get very low fees and a good exchange rate. Much, much better than getting a cash advance on the credit card. Your ATM card should have some symbols/logos on the back. If you have either “PLUS” or “PULSE” chances are good it will work. ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/7 "2013-08-10T18:21:53Z")
> [@zwede](#): > > I’ve traveled quite a bit between the US and Europe and never had to call the CC company. My credit cards (VISA and MasterCard) have always worked fine. I thought the red flag would be if the card is used in multiple countries at once, but as long as I only use it in one country it will be fine. I had no difficulties using my card in Japan hundreds of times over a space of 10 years. Earlier this year my CC company called my American address 4 times in one week, even after I notified them I travelling and approved the earlier charges. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/8 "2013-08-10T18:39:46Z")
huh. Talked to my bank for the ATM, and even a supervisor. No can do. Must call no sooner than 5 days before travel. I’m going to be VERY busy at that time. I don’t get this at all. Called the credit card that I might use and they had no problem. It’s just something that I would like to check off my list. And I can’t do it. Thanks for the responses. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/9 "2013-08-10T19:00:18Z")
My husband and I traveled with another couple. We were able to use our credit and debit cards everywhere, but the other couple had problems with both everywhere we went. They seemed to have to call in every port. I imagine it depends on the bank and the card. We had Visa, they had Discover. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/10 "2013-08-10T20:05:02Z")
I notified my credit card company of my travel dates when I went to China. Including when I was coming back to Florida. My trip ended up being extended for two days, and I used my card during those extra days. No issue from the credit card company. Isn’t this EXACTLY what should have caused a flag? ---
**Author:** ![zwede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ac91a4/32.png) [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/11 "2013-08-10T20:20:20Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > I notified my credit card company of my travel dates when I went to China. Including when I was coming back to Florida. > > My trip ended up being extended for two days, and I used my card during those extra days. No issue from the credit card company. > > Isn’t this EXACTLY what should have caused a flag? No, I don’t think so. A flag would be you getting gas in Florida and an hour later there’s a charge from a restaurant in China. As long as the charges show in a reasonable sequence (Florida -\> China -\> Florida), everything should be considered fine. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/12 "2013-08-10T20:23:37Z")
The algorithm used to determine if the charge is legitimate are very sophisticated. Presumably it expects that a cardholder might have extended his or her stay by a few days. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/13 "2013-08-10T21:21:26Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The algorithm used to determine if the charge is legitimate are very sophisticated. Presumably it expects that a cardholder might have extended his or her stay by a few days. I’m sure. And they did catch someone trying to use my card # at Macy’s in NY for $1300 worth of stuff that I never bought. Had to get another card. Good catch. I’m only trying to warn them before hand. But I CAN’T put the warning in untill 5 days before I travel. Huh? I’ve got lots to do before this trip, and it would be nice that I could get this one little thing off the docket. Do they not have a way to record that John Doe is going to be in Germany from 9/1 to 9/21? Nope, I guess not. Got to call within 5 days of travel. Considering the simple request to attach this to my account is not possible, I worry that the card will be shut down in the US during those 5 days. Idiots. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/14 "2013-08-10T21:50:03Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I’m sure. And they did catch someone trying to use my card # at Macy’s in NY for $1300 worth of stuff that I never bought. Had to get another card. Good catch. I should note that was over 5 years ago on a different card. Only time it has ever happend ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/15 "2013-08-10T21:54:28Z")
I just got back from a two week visit in China. Used both Visa and AmEx, no problem and I didn’t inform either of them. Thousands of dollars on both cards. I’ve done the same in Europe and South America multiple times in the past two decades. The only problem was over 10 years ago in Rio de Janeiro when I needed to charge my flight on my AmEx. It was an expensive flight and I wasn’t too surprised. But the hotel bills, etc…, all went through without a hitch. excavating (for a mind). ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/16 "2013-08-10T22:22:23Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > I just got back from a two week visit in China. Used both Visa and AmEx, no problem and I didn’t inform either of them. Thousands of dollars on both cards. > > I’ve done the same in Europe and South America multiple times in the past two decades. The only problem was over 10 years ago in Rio de Janeiro when I needed to charge my flight on my AmEx. It was an expensive flight and I wasn’t too surprised. But the hotel bills, etc…, all went through without a hitch. > > excavating (for a mind). Well and good. I’m not wondering about things that went off with out a hitch. I am wondering why my bank card will not take the information that I will be in Germany untill 5 days before I leave. It’s a MasterCard. My Visa folks have no problem with it. And I have that all set. Why can’t they put the info in now? They don’t seem to know. Any Ideas? I think its just a shitty database design. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/17 "2013-08-10T23:32:57Z")
Suntrust Bank saw no problem with letting me withdraw hundreds of Canadian Dollars from a ScotiaBank ATM but then wouldn’t let me use it at a gas station on the South Side of Chicago. Guess the bank computer does think it is the baddest part of town. No, it had nothing to do with Chicago per se because I had already used the card in Chicago with no trouble, it only tripped up at the ghetto gas station. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/18 "2013-08-11T00:13:47Z")
I’ve had my CitiBank account locked twice when going to Europe. And the second time, I had actually notified them of the trip, and they locked it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/19 "2013-08-11T00:47:55Z")
What _bank_ issues the cards has a lot to do with this. Bank of America for instance has something of a reputation for being mighty quick to flag and lock – by amount, by location, by type of merchant, by type of service, etc. In my case, inside US territory they seem to have a big-ticket-item flag for my account for transactions at retail points, while giving me no trouble for dining/lodging/gas types of things. Maybe because they’ve recorded a pattern of my doing large consumer purchases mostly online. A true PITA, too, because then to unlock it and proceed I’d have to rattle off a whole damn lot of my account information to the drone on the phone while who knows who else is around hearing me. AmEx, meanwhile, has never given me trouble either inside or outside the US for my own transaction so nowadays if the salesperson says BoA is declining me I just whip out AmEx. AmEx does not require me to inform before travel. When I travelled to Britain and France neither BoA nor Chase nor my home bank told me there was a short window but then again I only notified less than 10 days before. My cash card (a Scotia MasterCard) worked just fine at ATMs and I got decent exchange. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873/20 "2013-08-11T02:07:28Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I am wondering why my bank card will not take the information that I will be in Germany untill 5 days before I leave. It’s a MasterCard. My Visa folks have no problem with it. And I have that all set. Good for you, for having multiple credit cards. This is _exactly_ why that’s a good idea; likewise, a good idea to have two checking accounts and maybe even two savings accounts. You never know when you will lose access to an account for some reason, idiotic or otherwise. Banks have so many rules and secret algorithms, there’s no telling when some computer error or data entry error or bureaucratic bungle will make a mess of things. You have a good chance that everything will get straightened out eventually, but it could take days or weeks, during which time you won’t have access to your money. Having multiple accounts _at multiple different banks_ is your protection. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-travel-notification-question/665873.md?page=2)