- Don’t use your debit card to pay for anything but ATM withdrawals.
- Both cash and credit are useful for different transactions.
- You can get foreign currency from your bank, a currency exchange kiosk or an ATM.
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You’re finally taking that big trip abroad.
For as much time and energy you’ve spent saving up and searching for the best deals on flights or cruises, places to stay, and travel experiences, it would be a shame to blow extra money at the last minute. But that’s what you’ll be doing if you don’t use your cash and credit wisely.
“The thing I never, ever, ever recommend doing abroad is (using) your debit card to pay for things unless you’re withdrawing money from an ATM,” said consumer savings expert Matt Granite, who’s known as The Deal Guy on YouTube.
Here’s why and what else travelers should know before visiting another country:
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Can you use debit cards internationally?
Yes, but Granite strongly discourages using it to pay for anything but ATM withdrawals.
“You’ve just given a terminal that you are unfamiliar with access to your bank account with a pin. You’ve absolutely no idea what happens beyond that point,” he warned.
Is it better to travel with cash or credit?
Both.
“You generally want cash on you, always, in case of an emergency,” Granite said.
Cash is also useful for gratuities and small purchases. For larger…
