Let your card issuer know about your trip before you leave so that unfamiliar transactions aren’t flagged as suspicious. Additionally, make sure you know the daily ATM withdrawal limit for your card, as well as the expiration dates, account balance and amount of credit available to you. This ensures that you won’t be caught short with a card that doesn’t work while you’re away, or not have enough credit to cover your trip expenses.
Travel tips
Your financial security abroad is vital. Have no fear, we’ve provided a list of tips for you to stay prepared at every step of your next trip.
Before you go
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Sign up for free SMS transaction alerts to receive instant SMS messages when a transaction exceeds a pre-set amount or when unusual card activities are detected. Contact your card issuer for details.
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Whether you are using a magnetic strip or chip card, know your credit card PIN before traveling overseas. If you have forgotten your PIN, reapply for a new one.
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Keep a record of card account numbers and telephone numbers for reporting lost or stolen cards. But remember to keep this information in a safe place, away from your wallet or handbag. Always keep your credit card number and the three digit CVV2 code on the back of your Visa card confidential.
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Take note of your card account number and the telephone number for the Visa Global Customer Assistance Services (GCAS) of the country you are traveling to. Visa cardholders can report lost or stolen Visa cards and request emergency services by calling the GCAS number.
Learn more about GCAS
On your trip
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Go through your receipts and make sure they match with your monthly statement.
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Look out for ATMs with the Visa PLUS mark anywhere to withdraw local currency with ease. Visa cards that bear the PLUS logo can be used for cash withdrawals, using the same PIN at ATMs worldwide. Click here to locate ATMs.
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Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) offers you a choice of paying in home currency when you use your card overseas. This service is offered by merchants and includes a service fee based on the local exchange rate used. If you would like to use a more competitive rate, select your local currency. If you didn’t pay with DCC but still see it on your bill, contact your bank to contest the charge.
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Always double-check the information on the sales receipts, including the currency you are being charged, before you make payment. Keep a copy of all sales receipts.
When you're home
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Using your Visa card when you travel is safer than carrying large amounts of cash. Plus, paying with Visa lets you enjoy Visa’s exchange rate. This frees you from the need to compare and calculate exchange rates.
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If you see a charge you don't recognize or if you notice any inconsistencies, contact your bank immediately.
Global customer assistance services
No matter where you are in the world, our multilingual service representatives are on hand to assist you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If your Visa card has been lost or stolen, Visa Global Emergency Assistance Services representatives can:
- Block your account from fraudulent purchases within 30 minutes.
- Arrange for a replacement card to be sent to you within 3 working days.
- Provide for emergency cash to be collected from 270,000 locations worldwide.
In the United Arab Emirates, the contact number is 8000-021-866-654-0112 *.
Alternatively you may place a collect call from anywhere in the world to+1 303 967 1090.
Please note - Callers dialing the toll-free number, including the collect call number, from mobile or hotel phones might be charged fees. Visa will not be responsible for any fees incurred. Collect calls made to +1 303 967 1090 must be done through the local phone network operator.