There are many reasons that your credit cards + your travelling will equal a combination that will keep you safer on the road and possibly even save you money. From reserving your hotel to purchasing souvenirs at your destination, a credit card makes traveling a lot easier. Worldwide acceptance, zero liability, extra features and even better exchange rates all add up to some great benefits to anyone who desires to travel.
Especially for those traveling to foreign climes, a credit card will be the most universally accepted form of payment. Visa, MasterCard and American Express signs are found wherever payments are expected and are much easier than trying to figure out how many pesos are in a dollar! These three most commonly used card brands transcend language barriers world over - no translations needed.
Credit cards are a great protection for consumers with their zero liability clauses. You will only pay for authorized purchases providing you have exercised reasonable care in safeguarding your card. There are some exceptions to this rule but in general you are granted protection in the event that your card is stolen. As long as you notify the company as soon as you've discovered the loss, most cards will hold you blameless and will cancel the stolen card so you don't have unexpected bills when you get back home.
The market is so competitive that credit card companies are bending over backwards to convince people to hold an account with them. To that end, most cards offer some extra features that can really help you stay safer and save money while traveling. Some of these benefits can include travel accident insurance, auto rental insurance and even trip cancellation/interruption coverage. Often credit cards offer a travel and emergency assistance feature, as well, which can cover things like lost luggage, emergency transportation and even translation services.
One excellent benefit to using credit cards while you travel is that you will usually get a lower currency exchange rate when traveling abroad. Credit card purchases are exchanged at the interbank rate which is almost always the best rate available for currency exchange. Most credit card issuers will charge you a nominal fee, typically 3% or less of the transaction amount. This is lower than trying to cash in traveler's checks or convert your cash at the local exchange rate. There are even some cards that will not charge any fees for this convenience.
It's reassuring to know that no matter how far you travel, your major credit card will be accepted and ensure that you have accommodations for the night. Zero liability will protect you should you lose your card or have it stolen during your travels. The extra features on most of today's cards like the insurances available and trip cancellation protection are helpful and money saving benefits while you travel. Overseas travel becomes less expensive when using your credit cards, as well. As you can see, the benefits you will gain from your credit cards + your travelling are numerous compared to the dangers and costs of carrying cash.
