GO Group Shares Financial Tips for International Travel

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Mar 01, 2017, 15:02 ET

CHICAGO, March 1, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Planning a trip abroad? The travel experts at The GO Group LLC asked Maricel Tabalba, financial writer for credit.com, for advice on how to avoid financial mishaps during your travels.

1. Inform Your Bank and Credit Card Issuer of Your Trip
Financial institutions often block transactions coming from unexpected locations, such as foreign countries to guard against fraudulent activity and identity theft. Call your banks and credit card companies in advance of your journey and tell them where you'll be going and when to let them know you'll be using your card or account from those locations. If you're still blocked, a simple call to customer service should resolve any issues that crop up.

2. Acquire Local Currency
Cash is still quite useful in certain geographic regions where credit card acceptance is spotty at best. Convert your dollars into the local currency, but beware of doing so at the airport. You'll get a better exchange rate from a bank or at an ATM. Merchants may offer to accept your USD and convert it at the time of purchase, but they might use unfavorable rates of exchange, so it's best to keep a few hundred dollars worth of local money.

3. Bring Multiple Types of Payment
Don't rely on only one means of payment. Rules about accepted payments options vary from place to place, so it's prudent to have at least one backup handy. Try to bring both a Visa and a MasterCard issued by separate companies. If one doesn't work, try the other.

4. Explore Specialized Payment Methods
Traveler's checks and pre-paid debit cards might save the day if your credit card is declined or stolen. They're also appropriate for paying wherever credit isn't accepted. If nothing else, they provide extra methods of payment, giving you more flexibility.

Most credit cards charge fees when you make purchases abroad, but there are foreign-friendly credit cards that don't. With the right card, you may even be able to accumulate cash back or other rewards on the purchases you make in other countries.

5. Do Your Banking Online
Online banking allows you to perform many banking functions which is helpful if your bank doesn't have branches in the area you're visiting. Setting up automatic bill payment ensures you don't fall behind on your obligations while you're out of the country.

Certain stressors are unavoidable when traveling, but money woes don't have to be among them. Save money, lower your expenses and protect your peace of mind with the tips provides by Tabalba.

The GO Group, LLC provides both shared-ride shuttles and private cars at more than 90 airports in the United States and international destinations including Canada, Central America, The Caribbean and Europe. For a complete list, visit the website at www.GoAirportShuttle.com. The company serves some 13 million passengers per year.

SOURCE The GO Group, LLC