If you're getting ready to head out of the country on vacation, don't forget to call your credit issuer and let them know when and where you're traveling. It can be a huge inconvenience when you're in a foreign country and all of sudden your credit card is declined when making a purchase, so a quick phone call before you leave is most definitely worth the effort.
You can simply call the customer service number on the back of your credit card while hanging around in a long airport line waiting for your flight. Or, if you prefer, many credit card companies allow you to initiate a travel notification online as well.
Letting your credit issuer know that you're traveling abroad should keep them from putting a security hold on your credit card after they see charges from a country that don't match your typical spending profile. While some banks may not always place this hold, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Make the call and save yourself the headache while traveling!
