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If your debit card winds up lost, stolen or eaten by an ATM overseas, your travel plans can be seriously inconvenienced. Here are tips to ensure your trip goes smoothly.
Prepare before your trip
It’s a good idea to let your bank know when and where you’ll be traveling before you head overseas. You can also confirm which number to call if something goes awry. Another pro tip: Make sure you bring a backup card, as well as some cash in the local currency.
Keep your debit card account numbers in a safe place. Take a photo of the front and back of your card with your smartphone and store the images and numbers in an app that is encrypted or password-protected. That way, they won’t be accessible if your device gets lost.
If you lose your debit card, call your bank or credit union
You’ll want to alert your financial institution ASAP, so it can take steps to protect your account from fraud. The trusty toll-free 800-number you use for customer service may not work overseas, so plan to call a direct line. Skip to the end of the article for a list of bank phone numbers for international callers. You may also be able to get in touch via your bank’s secure mobile app or website.
Once you notify your bank or credit union, a representative can walk you through the steps to take if you misplace your debit card. This includes suspending or freezing your debit card, having a replacement sent to you and monitoring your account for unauthorized charges.
A savings account is a place where you can store money securely while earning interest.
A savings account is a place where you can store money securely while earning interest.
4.00%SoFi members with direct deposit can earn up to 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 1.20% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum direct deposit amount required to qualify for the 4.00% APY for savings. Members without direct deposit will earn 1.20% APY on all account balances in checking and savings (including Vaults). Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 03/17/2023. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet
3.75%3.75% APY (annual percentage yield) with $0 minimum balance to earn stated APY. Accounts must have a positive balance to remain open. APY valid as of 02/14/2023.
These cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
These cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
4.00%Annual percentage yield (variable) is as of 02/06/2023.
Min. balance for APY
$0
CDs (certificates of deposit) are a type of savings account with a fixed rate and term, and usually have higher interest rates than regular savings accounts.
CDs (certificates of deposit) are a type of savings account with a fixed rate and term, and usually have higher interest rates than regular savings accounts.
3.30%Your annual percentage yield can be as high as 3.30% based on the following combined rate rewards: direct deposits (not including intra-bank transfers from another account) totaling $1,500 or more each month will earn 0.40%. A qualifying direct deposit is required for the remaining interest rate qualifications to apply. Ten (10) point-of-sale transactions per month using your Rewards Checking Visa® Debit Card for normal everyday purchases with a minimum of $3 per transaction, or enrolling in Account Aggregation/Personal Finance Manager (PFM) will earn 0.30%; maintaining an average daily balance of at least $2,500 per month in an Axos Self Directed Trading Invest account will earn 1.00%; maintaining an average daily balance of at least $2,500 a month in an Axos Managed Portfolio Invest account will earn 1.00%; and making a monthly payment to an open Axos Bank consumer loan (commercial and business loans excluded) via transfer from your Rewards Checking account will earn a maximum of 0.60%.
Monthly fee
$0
Money market accounts pay rates similar to savings accounts and have some checking features.
Money market accounts pay rates similar to savings accounts and have some checking features.
If possible, avoid relying on one card when traveling abroad. Instead, pack multiple forms of payment — cash, debit and credit cards — so you have options if one goes missing or simply doesn’t work. Your bank will probably send a replacement card to you, but it can take a few days. Having a spare card can help with access to your money.
If you don’t have a backup card, you could ask family or friends to wire funds to you, using a service such as Western Union or MoneyGram. You could also ask your card issuer if it could wire emergency funds from your account. Note that these services typically come with fees.
Backup cards that offer ATM reimbursements and don’t charge foreign transaction fees can help you avoid extra expenses. Some even offer spending rewards and perks, so they are good to have as primary debit cards, too. Here are some of NerdWallet’s debit card recommendations. Note that they may be offered by nonbank providers, who partner with a bank for FDIC insurance.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Best for rewards: Discover's Cashback Checking
This account is not currently available to new customers, but it usually offers 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.
More details about Discover Cashback Debit
Cashback Debit details from Discover: "ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or other cash equivalents, cash over portions of point-of-sale transactions, peer-to-peer (P2P) payments (such as Apple Pay Cash), and loan payments or account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back rewards. In addition, purchases made using third-party payment accounts (services such as Venmo® and PayPal™, which also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cash back rewards. Apple, the Apple logo and Apple Pay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries."
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Best for travel: Charles Schwab Bank's High Yield Investor Checking
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Best for travel: Capital One's 360 Checking
No currency conversion or foreign ATM fees.
Checking account has no monthly fees and earns a small amount of interest.
Customer service numbers for international travelers
Losing a bank debit card while traveling overseas is a hassle, but it doesn’t have to mean you lose access to all your money. With a little preparation and a backup plan, you can quickly resolve your debit card issue and get back to enjoying your trip.
