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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.
4.60%SoFi members with Direct Deposit or $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
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.
5.50%*Base annual percentage yield (variable) is 4.75% as of 7/31/23. 5.50% APY reflects a .75% boost available as a special offer with qualifying deposit. Terms apply. Cash Reserve is only available to clients of Betterment LLC, which is not a bank, and cash transfers to program banks are conducted through clients’ brokerage accounts at Betterment Securities.
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.
5.55%All Bread Savings APYs are accurate as of 11/30/2023. APYs are subject to change at any time without notice. Offers apply to personal accounts only. Fees may reduce earnings. To open a CD, a minimum of $1,500 is required and must be deposited in a single transaction. A penalty will be imposed for early withdrawals on CDs. At maturity, your CD will automatically renew and earn the base interest rate in effect at that time.
0.50%SoFi members with Direct Deposit or $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
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 Debit
This account 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.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
