7) Not Informing Your Bank of Your Travel Plans
This is a biggie because one swipe in an unfamiliar location and your entire trip could turn upside down. This happens because your bank or credit card companies are closely monitoring your card activity, which is (9 times out of 10) a good thing. However, swiping your card at that restaurant in Italy could set in motion a chain of events ending with your card being blocked. Not having access to cash while traveling is a major headache and can put the brakes on your vacation. Avoid all this by calling all your financial institutions ahead of time and letting them know your travel plans. Tell them the dates and the country/countries you plan to travel through. Don’t forget to mention layover cities. You’re likely to use a card there when you’re in need of a drink or snack and find yourself without the local currency.
