How to use credit and debit cards abroad

Credit card or cash, that is the question! A practical guide to using your credit and debit card abroad to make your trip easier and safer.

Whether you're traveling to London for business or pleasure, you no longer need to change your currency before you leave, which greatly increases the risk of losing hundreds of pounds in cash and ruining your stay. As explained in detail in Facile.it's guide to using credit and debit cards abroad, it is actually very practical and safe to use your credit card abroad, as in the case when you use it to withdraw from ATMs, as in where the goods are purchased. with payment through pos.

To leave without worries, it is good to make sure in time that your card can work in international networks. In addition, some cards can be activated, but only with restrictions: for this reason, it is very important to check with the bank that issued the card what are the working conditions and whether the country of destination allows its use. Similarly, to avoid unpleasant surprises upon returning from London, it is also necessary to check the costs associated with banking operations carried out abroad. Fortunately, the UK is part of the Sepa Area (Single Euro Payments Area and also the Single Euro Payments Area), i.e. that set of European countries in which payments are made in euros and which, therefore, usually they do not provide for additional fees or, in any case, that go beyond the national standard for payments that are made directly to merchants. All those who need more detailed information about payments in euros and acceding countries can refer to the Sepa news and documentation section to keep up to date with the latest ABI circulars. How to use a credit card to create a loan, read this source.

What is recommended to do

It is also generally not recommended to change the cash you carry with you at the airport: buying in local currency essentially allows you to access better exchange rates than at the airport. Therefore, it is always much more convenient to buy with a credit and debit card, or alternatively, withdraw cash as soon as you arrive in London.

In regards to ATM withdrawals (abbreviated as ATM - Automated Teller Machine in English), the fees applied, often associated with currency exchanges, can vary considerably from bank to bank and typically average around 2% for debit cards and are slightly higher , about 4% for credit cards. In such a huge city as London, it is important to always know where the nearest bank branch is: in order not to be left without cash in case of need, there are actually many simple and safe ways to check the location of the nearest branch, such as the ATM Finder offered by Simple, where you just need to enter an address related to your location to find all branches in that area. Find out the history of gambling addiction research and how online casino addiction is being fought today in this article.

Another fundamental issue that is good to be aware of when you are staying in London for a few days is the possibility of your card being stolen, lost or cloned: to be prepared for these contingencies, it is important to write down all card service numbers and contact your bank who deactivate it, so that you can then fully enjoy your stay in England.