Notifying our credit card company we'll be out of the country???

[farjar]

Does anyone notify their credit card company that they will be using their cards out of the country? I was just wondering if the credit card company might get suspicious of sudden foreign charges appearing on our bill. I would hate for them to flag or cancel our card while we're sailing and they weren't able to contact us to verify the charges were legitimate. You're thoughts/experiences would be greatly appreciated. :)

[Kurbanfan]

Yes we do now:D Never had until last August on the Elation our S&S was denied:o Seems spending money at Cabo Wabo sent them a red flag......

Good thing we had another card with us.......

[GTO-Girl]

It would probably be wise for you to notify them, just for the reasons you mentioned.

 

I "forgot" to do that on my last cruise.....bought a ring.....and by the next morning I had a message on my cell phone trying to verify if the charges were okay (I had no phone service). My card is through our local credit union, so when they could not get me they called my office and my friend in Human Resources verified that I was indeed out the country.

 

I could have saved everyone a lot of trouble if I had just notified the credit card company. :o

[Dee777]

My husband and I ALWAYS call Visa when we leave for a vacation, ever since he tried to use his card in Utah (We are from Saskatchewan, Canada) and found out it was shut down. A quick phone call corrected the situation, and now we always call to notify them for both his card, and mine.

[bnsilly]

Yes, we always do this as well because we had charges denied once and didn't want to mess with that hassle when we were out of the country

[Nezmo]

Yes, I do it. If I don't my card company does start calling to check for possible fraud. I just call the number on the back of the card and they ask where I am going to be and when.

[Chris41]

My suggestion to you is Yes. My bank is very diligent in watching any charges that seem abnormal and when they find one they call my house. If we are not home than the card is turned off. This could be a real problem when on vacation. I fly out of the middle east on my R&R and of course use my card somewhere along the trip and by the next day they have called my DW to check. I hope this has helped and have a great cruise.

[bumbles]

Yes, we're leaving for France tomorrow and notified two of our credit cards that we'll be out of country. They asked one security question each & made the notation on our card files...they also gave me the customer service number to call from outside the US if we had any problems. Very painless, and it gave me peace of mind.

[direfun2000]

Yes Our CC said they would put a hold on our card because of suspicious activity if we didn't. CC companies these days are pretty tight with all the ID theft going on.

[Cruizincuzin]

I recommend doing this as well. I notified the credit card company in advance that I would be using the card for my sign and sail--I did not know how the charges from Carnival would appear or if it would be charged daily or at the end of my cruise.

[luckycruzer]

bank debit ones also. Have been stuck b4..but no more..lucky

[jaja]

Yup- I always notify them...!! One less thing to worry about !!!

[Meco21]

We did a couple years ago when we went on the Triumph, but forgot to last December on the Liberty. We did not have any problems either time. We did not make any big purchases in the ports either.

[stthomaslover]

You should check to see if there any fees associated with using your card in a foreign port. Last month for the first time, even though had card for 20 years, I was charged a 3% fee for everything I purchased.

 

I was quite upset to find those charges, so went to the bank and they apologized, but said I should have been charged everytime I used it out of the Country, I was just lucky in the past.

[pmc7704]

You should check to see if there any fees associated with using your card in a foreign port. Last month for the first time, even though had card for 20 years, I was charged a 3% fee for everything I purchased.

 

I was quite upset to find those charges, so went to the bank and they apologized, but said I should have been charged everytime I used it out of the Country, I was just lucky in the past.

 

That's the reason I got a Capitol One Credit Card. As far as I know, they're the only ones that don't charge for foreign purchases. I used it a lot in the lat couple years in Europe, British Isles, Turkey, etc, and never had a fee charged. And yes, I did notify them of my itinerary when I left the country.

[Drew B]

I was very annoyed in that I called them about two weeks before my trip, and they told me I'd have to call back a day or two before I leave. Why? :confused: if it's just a matter of putting a note in the computer file, I don't get why that can't be done in advance. I just hope I remember...

[CrazieNCruisingGypsy2]

Does anyone notify their credit card company that they will be using their cards out of the country? I was just wondering if the credit card company might get suspicious of sudden foreign charges appearing on our bill. I would hate for them to flag or cancel our card while we're sailing and they weren't able to contact us to verify the charges were legitimate. You're thoughts/experiences would be greatly appreciated. :)

 

I did. I also told them I would be driving down and the route I was taking so they wouldn't think something was up. The guy was very appreciative. He gave me numbers to call when in the US, GC, Jamaica and Mexico to call in case I had a problem with my CC. I put the numbers in with our cruise documents and passports.

[CruisersfromMD]

I agree with many of the previous posters. MY DH and I call our credit card company before we travel.

 

I was on a cruise about 9 years ago. While in Mexico I bought a ring at a jewelry store. I used my credit card. Since I had not called the company ahead of time I was on the phone with my company, while at the store, for about 15 mins. as they wanted to be sure that I was OK with the purchase etc. They thought the card might have been stolen. I am glad the company was so villigent, but the time wasted could have been better spent at a local bar - LOL.

[firefly333]

Im pretty iffy on using my credit card in foreign ports, and bring cash for pretty much anything. If you are planning on buying something really expensive, then yes, Id call them and alert them.

[JeanieTheMom]

I agree with everyone else. I tell them, then try not to use the cards. But it's good to be prepared, bcause you just never know....

[dprg644]

Yes I did and do. They also provided me with a phone number to call collect from any country if there was any problems.

[KULPN]

I never had a problem & I never really thought about it either. Guess I'd better. Thanks!

[1tuckersmom]

Yes, we always call our CC company when we are traveling.

 

I let them know if I am traveling out of Country or out of State.

 

One less thing for me to worry about.

 

My DH says that I borrow trouble, maybe so but better safe than sorry I say.;)

[cruisetobeaches]

Does anyone notify their credit card company that they will be using their cards out of the country? I was just wondering if the credit card company might get suspicious of sudden foreign charges appearing on our bill. I would hate for them to flag or cancel our card while we're sailing and they weren't able to contact us to verify the charges were legitimate. You're thoughts/experiences would be greatly appreciated. :)

 

Always! It's a free phone call and only takes a couple of minutes. Although we use cash only in ports, our S & S can get pretty hefty........

[Havinsnest]

We use debit cards. I saw something on CC last year suggesting you call about going out of the country. When I called the credit union she suggested we call when we leave the country or even the state. So that's what we do.

 

I got a call last week asking to confirm purchases about 3 purchases on my debit card over a 3 day period. They were our monthly grocery store trip, gasoline and a clothing store visit. In our town. :confused:

 

At least they are looking out for me.