If you plan to travel abroad soon, ensuring you’re financially prepared for your trip is important.
After all, you don’t want to be stuck worrying about money when you should be soaking up the sun or exploring a new city.
But managing your money while traveling can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re visiting a foreign country with different currency and banking systems.
Don’t worry! We have six helpful tips to share that will help you handle your finances while traveling abroad.
Let’s get started!
1. Use online banking
When traveling to foreign countries, we recommend online banking to monitor your account activity.
By accessing your bank account online, you easily track your account balance and transaction history from anywhere in the world.
Regularly checking your account lets you keep on top of any suspicious transactions. You can also protect yourself from ATM scams by handling everything from your phone or laptop.
2. Avoid using ATMs in remote or isolated areas
If you do find yourself needing to use an ATM while traveling abroad, it’s best to avoid machines located in remote or isolated areas.
These machines may be more susceptible to card skimming or other types of ATM fraud. Instead, try to use ATMs located in well-lit, populated areas, such as inside a bank or shopping center.
3. Don’t use public Wi-Fi while banking online
Using public Wi-Fi for banking while abroad can pose a significant risk to the security of your financial information.
Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured and easily accessible to cybercriminals who could potentially gain access to your login credentials, credit card numbers, savings accounts, and more.
To ensure online banking security, use a trusted network, such as your mobile network or a personal hotspot, when conducting financial transactions.
4. Set up automatic bill pay
Before leaving for your trip, it’s a good idea to set up automatic or online bill pay for any regular expenses back home, such as rent, utilities, or credit card bills.
This way, you can ensure your bills are paid on time and avoid late fees or penalties. When you pay bills automatically, it also gives you peace of mind knowing that your finances are being taken care of while you’re away.
5. Alert us of your travel plans
You should also inform us when you plan to travel abroad.
This is because we have fraud detection systems in place to identify unusual or suspicious activities on your checking account, including transactions made in a foreign country.
If we detect such activity, transactions could be flagged as fraudulent, which could cause inconvenience and disruption to your travel plans.
6. Have backup funds
It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan when it comes to your finances while traveling. If your primary payment method is blocked or stolen, having access to backup funds can help you avoid getting stuck without money.
One option is to give a trusted travel companion, such as a spouse or friend, access to your backup or savings account in case of financial difficulties.
Another option is to keep backup funds in a separate account or on a prepaid card you can access if needed.
Online banking with Union State Bank
Are you excited about your upcoming travel plans? Make your trip hassle-free with Union State Bank’s online banking services and app.
With Union State Bank’s mobile app, accessing your online bank account has never been easier. You can easily monitor your account activity, keep track of your balances, and quickly access your transaction history, all from the convenience of your phone or laptop.
And to ensure the security of your account and avoid any unnecessary disruptions, don’t forget to inform a member of our team about your upcoming travel plans.
Download our mobile banking app or contact a member of the USB team.
