Many tourists carry their credit cards wrong and pay the price.

Traveling abroad for the first time feels like stepping into a new world—one full of color, culture, and sometimes, financial confusion. Plenty of first-time travelers assume their trusty credit card will work flawlessly overseas, but that’s rarely the case. In fact, even seasoned travelers still make small credit card missteps that turn into expensive hassles. Whether it’s unexpected fees, security issues, or flat-out embarrassment at a checkout counter, it only takes one mistake to ruin the day.
Using credit cards internationally isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little planning and awareness. Things like not alerting your bank or swiping the wrong card for a purchase can result in declined transactions or extra charges. The worst part? Most of these problems are easy to avoid if you know what to look for. If you’re heading abroad, sidestep these rookie moves and you’ll avoid a lot of unnecessary frustration.



