Thursday, November 10, 2011

Tips for using your credit card and accessing your bank account

                                             
Here is an interesting article that I wanted to share. It was posted on the Ilovestudyabroad.com website back in July 2011. Here are some tips for using your credit card and managing your bank account while studying abroad.

1. Call your credit card company and let them know where you’ll be living and traveling so they don’t freeze your card. If you are planning any quick weekend trips, you'll still need to let your bank know.

2. Sign up for online banking. Money can fly out of your hands abroad so its best to be aware of exactly how much you’re spending.

3. Research. Be aware of foreign transaction fees and if your credit card company has relationships with certain banks. Some students have also found that if they call the company ahead of time and ask if they will waive certain fees, they will.

4. Change your pin to 4 numbers. Some foreign ATMs only let you enter 4 digits.

5. Bring more than one card incase you have a problem using one.

6. Make copies of your cards or write down the numbers in case they are lost or stolen.

7. Let family members know not to mail you personal checks abroad. If you're running low on money, It would best for them to directly deposit the money into your account.

8. Dollars are pretty useless once you leave the U.S. Bring the foreign currency to the airport for transportation and food the first day and just some U.S. currency for an emergency.

9. Bring proper identification. Some foreign merchants will not accept the U.S. magnetic strip cards without backup I.D. since they now use a more advanced pin and chip system.

10. Be aware of currency rates. For example, you might take out 600 Korunas at an ATM in the Prague airport, only to realize later that is equal to just $35. Check out this list of iPhone apps for a currency converter.

11. Make sure your credit card limit is sufficient for your trip. You might need to ask your credit card company to increase it.

These are all excellent tips. Some people may not even consider their money sources before they leave the country, and let me tell you, when you run out of money, all the fun adventures stop. So don't let that happen to you!

Interested in studying abroad? Check out the Center for Global Initiatives program at NDSU
http://ndsu-studyabroad.blogspot.com/2011/09/cheapskates-guide-to-antwerp.html



-Danielle

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