Visa Travel Rules: Notify Or Not?

do you have to notify visa when travelling

When travelling, it is no longer necessary to notify your bank or credit card company of your plans. Banks have improved their fraud detection systems, so they can protect your account from suspicious or unauthorised transactions without prior notification. However, it is still a good idea to ensure your bank has your up-to-date contact information so they can reach you if necessary. Additionally, it is recommended to check your card's expiration date, confirm your credit limit and account balance, and make a note of your card and issuer contact numbers in case of loss or theft. In some cases, setting a travel alert may still be beneficial, especially if you are using a new or infrequently used card, making a large purchase, or travelling and spending inconsistently with your usual pattern of behaviour.

quartzmountain

Visa Travel Notification Service helps avoid mistaken purchase declines

When travelling, it is a good idea to notify your bank or card issuer of your trip. This is so that they don't flag unfamiliar transactions as suspicious. It is also a good idea to make sure you know your card's daily ATM withdrawal limit, expiration date, account balance, and available funds. This ensures your card will work while you’re away and has sufficient funds to cover your travel expenses.

The Visa Travel Notification Service helps avoid mistaken purchase declines by incorporating cardholder self-reported travel plans into the VisaNet authorisation message. Visa informs the issuer whether the cardholder is transacting during the travel dates and at the travel destination they reported, helping them to more confidently approve transactions when cardholders make purchases while travelling. This also gives cardholders peace of mind.

Visa Travel Notification Service is API-based, so travel details can be sent to Visa regardless of how cardholders tell you their plans. For example, if there is an online or mobile form that cardholders can enter their travel plans into, the cardholder-reported plan can be sent to the Visa Travel Notification API. If the cardholder calls a customer service centre, the backend system can send the cardholder-reported travel plan to the API.

The Visa Travel Notification API can be used by any developer in the sandbox, however, since the Visa Travel Authorisation Tag is delivered to issuers in the VisaNet authorisation message, only Visa issuers can sign up for the Visa Travel Notification Service and use the API in production.

quartzmountain

Informing your card issuer about your trip

When planning a trip, it is essential to ensure that you can access funds and use your credit or debit cards without any issues. While it is not always necessary to notify your card issuer about your travels, doing so can help prevent potential problems and provide peace of mind while travelling. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for informing your card issuer about your trip:

Contact Your Card Issuer in Advance:

It is generally recommended to contact your card issuer, such as Visa, before your trip to inform them of your travel plans. This step allows them to make a note of your travel destinations and dates, so they can monitor your account for any suspicious or unusual transactions. By providing this information, you can help avoid declined transactions due to security concerns.

Update Your Contact Information:

Make sure your card issuer has your up-to-date contact information, including your email address, phone number, and any other relevant details. This enables them to reach you quickly if there are any issues with your account or if they need to verify any transactions.

Set Up Travel Alerts:

Travel alerts are a useful way to notify your card issuer about your upcoming trip. These alerts are easy to set up and can usually be done through secure messaging, online banking, or a phone call. Provide your travel dates, destinations, and any transit countries or layovers. This information ensures that your card issuer knows your exact travel itinerary and can monitor your account accordingly.

Understand Your Card Benefits and Restrictions:

Before your trip, review the benefits and restrictions of your card, especially regarding travel. Some cards offer perks like lounge access or lack of foreign transaction fees, which can be advantageous when travelling. Understanding these benefits can help you maximize your card usage during your trip.

Be Aware of Daily Withdrawal Restrictions:

Contact your card issuer to confirm any daily cash withdrawal restrictions at your destination. This information is crucial for planning and managing your expenses, especially if you intend to withdraw cash during your trip.

Keep Your Card Information Secure:

It is essential to protect your card information and PIN when travelling. Memorize your PIN and keep your card details safe. In the unfortunate event that you lose your card, report it immediately to your card issuer. They can assist you in replacing the card and ensuring the security of your account.

By following these instructions, you can effectively inform your card issuer about your trip and take advantage of the benefits and security measures they offer. This proactive approach will help ensure a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience, allowing you to focus on creating memorable moments.

quartzmountain

Tips for keeping your account safe while travelling

  • Be aware of your surroundings: Keep your card and personal information safe by being vigilant, especially in crowded places. Avoid carrying your wallet if possible, and be wary of people bumping into you.
  • Use a safe: Take advantage of the hotel-provided safe for your valuables, including cards, cash, and passport.
  • Avoid carrying cash: You can't lose cash if you don't carry it. Instead, use a prepaid card that is safer than cash.
  • Check your card: Ensure your card won't expire during your trip, and confirm your credit limit and account balance.
  • Write down important information: Jot down your card numbers and contact numbers for your issuer, and keep them in a safe place away from your wallet or purse.
  • Inform your card issuer: Let your card issuer know about your trip before you leave so unfamiliar transactions aren't flagged as suspicious. Visa's Travel Notification Service can help you avoid mistaken purchase declines while travelling.
  • Review your statements: Check your statements carefully when you return and contact your bank immediately if you see any suspicious or incorrect charges.
  • Be cautious online: Only use private, secure Wi-Fi networks to check banking or card information while abroad. Secure your personal information by password-protecting all your devices and setting them to auto-lock when not in use.
  • Keep your bank in the loop: Provide your bank with up-to-date contact information so they can reach you if necessary.
  • Keep track of your accounts: Familiarize yourself with your bank's mobile banking app or internet banking so you can monitor your accounts on the go.

quartzmountain

When to set a travel alert

Setting a travel alert is a good way to avoid the hassle of having your card declined while travelling. Credit card companies monitor accounts for unusual activity and may decline a transaction if they suspect fraud. Therefore, it is a good idea to notify your bank if you are planning to use your card in a new location, especially a foreign country.

  • Using a new card: If you are using a credit card for the first time during a trip, the bank will immediately register that the card is not in its usual location. Setting a travel alert will prevent the card from being flagged as fraudulent.
  • Using an old card: If you have a card that you only use occasionally, and you haven't used it in six months, using it in another country or state may raise some red flags. Setting a travel alert will prevent this.
  • Inconsistent behaviour: If you are a frequent traveller, credit card companies are used to seeing you charge purchases all over the world. However, if you have never left the country before, an ATM withdrawal or credit card purchase abroad could set off some alarm bells.
  • Making a large purchase: If you are planning to make a large purchase while abroad, it is a good idea to let your credit card company know. This is especially true if you have been using a different card for your day-to-day purchases during the trip.

You can set a travel alert through your credit card issuer's website or mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of your card. It is also a good idea to update your contact information with the issuer, so that they can easily get in touch with you if they spot any issues.

quartzmountain

How to set a travel alert

While it is not always necessary to notify your bank or card issuer when you travel, it is a good idea to do so. This is because it helps to prevent unfamiliar transactions from being flagged as suspicious and declined. It also ensures that you are aware of any possible daily cash withdrawal restrictions.

Contact your card issuer

Get in touch with your card issuer or bank before your trip. You can do this by calling their customer service line or by visiting a branch in person. Let them know the dates and destination of your trip.

Update your contact information

Make sure your card issuer has your correct and up-to-date contact information, including your phone number, email address, and any other relevant details. This will enable them to reach you quickly if there are any issues while you are away.

Set up a travel plan

Some card issuers and banks allow you to set up a travel plan through their website or mobile banking app. Log in to your account and look for an option to "add travel plans" or "set a travel notification". You will need to provide your travel dates and destination.

Confirm any restrictions

Before you travel, confirm with your card issuer if there are any daily cash withdrawal restrictions at your destination. This will help you avoid any issues when accessing cash during your trip.

Make a record of important information

Jot down your card details, including the card number, expiration date, and the phone number of the card issuer. Keep this information in a safe place, separate from your wallet or purse, in case your cards are lost or stolen during your trip.

Review your statements

When you return from your trip, review your card statements carefully. Look out for any suspicious or incorrect charges and contact your card issuer immediately if you notice anything unusual.

Frequently asked questions

You no longer need to notify your bank of any upcoming travel plans. However, it is recommended that you let your card issuer know about your trip before you leave so unfamiliar transactions aren't flagged as suspicious.

You can notify your bank about your travel plans by sending them a secure message, or by calling them.

Notifying your bank about your travel plans can help prevent mistaken purchase declines and provide you with peace of mind while travelling.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment