Credit cards can make great travel companions. They save you from carrying around a wad of cash in unfamiliar territory, allow you to book hotels and rental cars with ease and automatically keep track of your purchases. Depending on your card, you may even have free benefits such as hotel discounts, airline miles or cash-back earnings on purchases, and built-in rental car insurance.Your plastic travel companions can also pack unwanted surprises, such as currency conversion fees on foreign purchases, incompatibility with payment kiosks abroad and a headache should a thief make off with your wallet or purse. While federal law limits your liability in the event of fraudulent transactions, the resulting hassle of preventing or dealing with them can suck the joy out of your vacation.In this series of articles, Bankrate.com explains how to minimize fees, fraud and inconvenience while maximizing your card benefits during your trip. 6 tips for traveling with credit cards Charging your way around the world? Here are some ways to prep your plastic for a trip abroad.Cut card fees on purchase abroad Planning a trip overseas? Trim the expense of foreign transaction fees on your credit cards.Why your credit card may not work overseas A different credit card system may leave you without funds abroad.7 ways your credit card can boost travel Think all travel perks have disappeared? Check your credit card for extra deals.Avoid credit card fraud on the road A compromised card can ruin a vacation. Protect yourself from thieves with these tips.VideosTravel and credit cards Before traveling overseas, make sure you call your credit card company.When to buy an airline ticket Before you take off, land the best deal on your airfare.Chip and PIN credit cards What is meant to help stave off credit card fraud might actually hinder Americans traveling abroad.CalculatorsWhat will it take to pay off your credit card?The true cost of paying the minimumSavings goal calculatorFind the best credit card for you? advertisementRelated Links:Video: Credit cards and teensGetting your student a credit cardNational credit card rates for Aug. 18, 2011Related Articles:Fix credit with secured cardsReduce credit card feesSubscribe to Bankrate newsletters
Credit cards can make great travel companions. They save you from carrying around a wad of cash in unfamiliar territory, allow you to book hotels and rental cars with ease and automatically keep track of your purchases. Depending on your card, you may even have free benefits such as hotel discounts, airline miles or cash-back earnings on purchases, and built-in rental car insurance.
Your plastic travel companions can also pack unwanted surprises, such as currency conversion fees on foreign purchases, incompatibility with payment kiosks abroad and a headache should a thief make off with your wallet or purse. While federal law limits your liability in the event of fraudulent transactions, the resulting hassle of preventing or dealing with them can suck the joy out of your vacation.
In this series of articles, Bankrate.com explains how to minimize fees, fraud and inconvenience while maximizing your card benefits during your trip.
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