

Tips to save you money when traveling overseas

August 22, 2011 12:00:00 AM PDT
When traveling overseas, knowing the best way to pay for purchases and to get local currency can save you a lot of hassle. You should plan ahead so you don't face unnecessary fees or get gouged on the exchange rates. Your money will go a lot further if you know what to watch out for."You can get blindsided by the foreign transaction fee that many credit card companies charge on overseas purchases. It can add up to as much as three percent of everything you put on the card," said Consumer Reports Money Advisor Greg Daugherty.

But there are cards with no foreign transaction fee, including Capital One, HSBC's Premier World MasterCard, the American Express Platinum Card, and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Be aware that at places like gas stations, your credit card may be rejected, no matter which card you have.

"Europe is switching to a new, more secure type of credit card and American credit cards aren't always accepted. You'll be OK at restaurants and hotels, but you may need to pay cash at gas stations, train stations and smaller shops," said Daugherty.



It's also a good idea to tell your bank or credit card company where you'll be before you head overseas, so the bank won't suspect your card's been stolen and put a freeze on it.

Another money-saving tip from Consumer Reports Money Adviser is when using a credit card for purchases, be sure the merchant charges you in local currency. If you're charged in dollars, you could end up paying a lot more.

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