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There are so many things to do in the days leading up to international travel: locating your passport, figuring out if you need special vaccinations, or topping up your pans of watercolour paint.  One of the most important things to do before departure is notifying your credit card company about your trip. Here’s why this is important:

Credit card companies utilize sophisticated fraud detection systems that monitor account activity for unusual patterns. When you make purchases in a foreign country, these transactions may trigger alerts within the system, leading the credit card company to suspect fraudulent activity. If your credit card company sees charges originating from a location far from your home address without prior notification, they will sometimes (but not always) decline those transactions to protect you from potential fraud.

I have, on many occasions, traveled in and out of countries and never had a problem. But it has also happened that I have used my card every day for three weeks in a foreign country and then suddenly it is declined. It’s hard to predict when your credit card company will suddenly take notice that you’re purchasing something overseas.

To avoid the stress and inconvenience of having your card declined, inform your credit card company before you travel. It’s quick and easy. Flip your card over and on the backside you will find a 1-800 number. Dial the number and follow the prompts. They will ask you for the dates that you will be travelling and that’s it. Easy peasy.