Bad Credit Gone

Credit cards are the safest and most convenient way to pay for expenses while on vacation, but they can be and do get stolen.

When preparing to go on that much needed vacation, protect yourself from theft by taking a few precautions prior to leaving home, because if someone is going to have the chance to steal your credit cards, not to mention your identity, it will be in a heavily populated vacation spot.

The first thing to do is to clean out your wallet and if you usually have several credit cards and charge cards you always carry, change your normal habit.

You will need to look at each card and determine which ones have the most available credit still on it, the largest credit line and the lowest interest rate for purchases that you make. Pick out two credit cards and leave the others behind, then you will have a back-up card; after arriving at the vacation spot you have chosen, place one card in the hotel’s safe or your in-room safe, if there is one.

If there is a safe in your home, put your other cards in it before leaving, if you do not have a safe of your own consider getting a safe deposit box at the bank for the things of value you will be leaving behind. You may as well leave your credit cards out in plain sight, like the top of an entryway table if you only put them in a kitchen cabinet or desk drawer, when you go away; burglars notice when a house is empty and kitchen cabinets or desk drawers will be the first place they look after gaining entry into the place.

Record the contact information on your credit card issuers and place it in your luggage where it will be safe. Since wallets and purses and even suitcases can be misplaced when vacationing, it is a good idea to have a few extra copies of this information in other places.

Unless you immediately report that the card is missing, you might have to show proof that you didn’t enjoy that meal at a 4-Star Restaurant or purchase that $1,000 necklace.

Some credit card issuers send up red flags when they see unusually heavy activity; thus it is wise to let your card issuer know that you will be on vacation, where you will be staying and how long you’ll be gone. Unless you have informed the issuers of your credit cards about vacation plans you have, they may place a freeze on any unusual charges they can’t authorize by talking to someone at home.

Using your credit card for vacation purchases can carry a second benefit, since many card issuers offer loss and theft protection; if you buy something on vacation and that particular thing is stolen, you can notify your card issuer and get a credit to your account.

The complaints about any merchandise you have ordered and never received are most easily handled, if the purchase was made with a card.

Traveling can be fun and it can be stressful, tiring and expensive, but credit cards can be very helpful when you try to keep track of those expenses.

Visit JSNet.org for more articles and information on credit cards from Alisdair Cosgrove including great deals on credit cards for students.