Make that call to avoid holiday nightmare
Picture it now: That perfect Venetian Valentine's weekend or a half-term family trip to EuroDisney - and then ... disaster. Your credit card transaction is denied and your debit card won't let you take out any money.With banks almost always compensating customers for debit or credit card fraud, it is hardly surprising that attempted cash withdrawals or purchases overseas may be refused.
Peter Harrison, cards expert at price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, said: "People heading overseas are always organised enough to ensure they have a passport but, just as important, is to tell your bank you are going abroad.
"It is staggering to think that only 31 per cent of people who went overseas last year told their credit or debit card provider they were doing so.
"All of these people are running the risk of not being able to pay for anything - and therefore ruining their holiday.
"It takes very little time to tell your bank and can save you big problems and unnecessary stress."
One in nine people either had credit card transactions denied or weren't allowed to take cash out while they were overseas last year, according to the survey commissioned by moneysupermarket.com.
It also found 79 per cent of card users got out some plastic that charges fees for overseas transactions.
Peter Harrison added: "It is surprising to see the bulk of the UK population still doing nothing about paying fees for simply using a debit or credit card while abroad.
"Seventy-seven per cent of those who used one of these cards say they aren't happy paying fees. It remains to be seen though if their annoyance will turn to action."
A Nationwide debit card doesn't charge an overseas fee, while credit cards from the Post Office, Thomas Cook and Nationwide also don't levy a fee for purchases abroad.
Peter Harrison added: "If you have a high-interest current account, such as from Abbey, Alliance & Leicester or Lloyds, there's no harm in opening a Nationwide current account specifically for your trips away.
"It's the same with credit cards where, for example, you might have a zero per cent card from Halifax for your UK purchases and a Post Office card for overseas."
Peter Harrison's top tip: When you phone your card provider to tell them you are heading overseas, write down the time of your call and the name of the person you spoke to.