Tell your card issuer about your trip before leaving, so they don't flag unfamiliar transactions when you’re using your card abroad. Additionally, make sure you know your card’s daily ATM withdrawal limit, expiration date, account balance and available funds. This ensures your card will work while you’re away and has sufficient funds to cover your travel expenses.

Keep a copy of all your card account numbers and the telephone numbers for reporting lost or stolen cards. Keep this information in a safe place, away from your wallet. Always keep your credit card number and three-digit CW2 code on the back of your Visa card confidential.

No need to get cash before you go. ATMs are available at over 2 million locations around the world, so you can get cash when you need it. ATMs abroad can actually be more cost-effective. 

No matter where you are in the world, Visa Global Customer Assistance (GCAS) representatives are just a phone call away. Whether you need to block your card in case of loss or theft, request an emergency card replacement to carry on with your travel, or simply need some emergency funds, support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in a multitude of languages.

Learn more about Visa Global Customer Assistance Services

Foreign merchants may offer to convert your bill. Although it is convenient to see the bill in your home country’s currency, the conversion usually includes a markup. To avoid the markup, decline the conversion and choose to pay in local currency. If you choose to pay in local currency, but the transaction was charged by the merchant in a different currency, contact your bank to contest the charge.

Get cash at over 2 million ATMs worldwide. Look for ATMs with the Visa brand to withdraw local currency with ease. Visa cards can be used for cash withdrawals at ATMs worldwide.

Explore Visa ATMs

A chargeback is a way for your bank that issued your card to reclaim money from the retailer’s bank when you do not get the goods or services you paid for, including if the retailer or supplier has gone out of business. Before pursuing any chargeback you should first try to contact the merchant, retailer or service provider for any dispute you may have.

Chargebacks are not a legal right, but if you have paid on a Visa debit or credit card, you should address a chargeback claim to the bank that issued your card, and they can then put in a request to the retailer’s bank.

Find out more about chargebacks and how to make a claim.

If your flight is cancelled at the last minute, for example if an airline goes into administration, or in other circumstances outside of your control, you may be able to get your money back if you’ve paid with your Visa card.

The first step is to contact the retailer, or tour operator you made the purchase from to understand whether you are covered by a bonding authority or insurance scheme. If you are not fully covered and only partial or no compensation will be paid through this route, you can then speak to the bank that issued your card to look at more options.

ATOL
https://www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection/

ABTA
https://www.abta.com/

World Health Organisation
https://www.who.int/

UK Government Travel Advice
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Examples, research and recommendations are provided “AS IS” and intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for operational, marketing, legal, technical, tax, financial or other advice. Visa Inc. does not make any warranty or representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the Information within this document, nor assume any liability or responsibility that may result from reliance on such Information. The Information contained herein is not intended as legal advice, and readers are encouraged to seek the advice of a competent legal professional where such advice is required.