Travel Smart with your credit card - Travel & foreign exchange

Travel Smart with your credit card

At ANZ, we’re doing whatever it takes to make using your credit card overseas easier.

If you want to get the most out of your credit card on your next trip overseas, follow our ‘10 healthy credit card habits of smart travellers’. You’ll discover that managing your credit card while you’re away can be a lot easier than you think. Bon voyage!

10 healthy credit card habits of smart travellers

1. They let us know before they go.
That way, we know our smart travellers have taken a card overseas. This helps avoid the card being stopped by ANZ Falcon™ when it detects overseas purchases.

2. They get a PIN for their credit card in addition to their signature in case they need to electronically verify purchases overseas.
Many countries now have security chip technology and require a PIN instead of a signature to authorise transactions on a credit card. Without a PIN, a merchant could decline a transaction.

3. They take more than one card.
To protect themselves against loss and theft, smart travellers carry additional card(s), like an ANZ Access, ANZ Everyday Visa Debit card or prepaid ANZ Travel Card. It also helps when using ATMs that don’t let cardholders choose between their transaction and credit accounts, which can occur in some countries and may lead to fees on your accounts.

4. They take backup funds in a variety of forms.
Smart travellers know that when they land in a foreign country, it’s good to have funds in a variety of forms, and to have a small amount of local currency for small purchases. They also know that it’s worthwhile hiding some funds away in case of an emergency.

5. They set up ANZ Internet Banking, ANZ Phone Banking and ANZ Mobile Phone Banking before they go.
Just because they’re thousands of kilometres away, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t in touch with their banking needs. Managing credit cards and paying bills using ANZ Internet Banking, ANZ Phone Banking and ANZ Mobile Phone Banking can be both cost effective and convenient.

6. They set up automatic monthly credit card payments.
Not only is it convenient, but it also ensures that monthly credit card bills get paid on time to avoid late payment fees.

7. They arrange new or replacement credit cards as early as possible.
Ordering replacement cards early in the planning stages helps to relieve any last minute anxiety.

8. They purchase insurance to cover themselves.
Smart travellers know that the saying ‘If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to go’ holds true. They know that they have to cover themselves and their cards in case things go wrong. Those with ANZ Gold and ANZ Frequent Flyer Visa Platinum cards know that they get Overseas Travel and Medical Insurance at no extra cost.

9. They take their important phone numbers with them.
When things don’t go according to plan, they know who to call if they lose or have a card stolen, or need an emergency cash advance.

10. They check the expiry date on their credit cards before they go.
They know that a card expiring overseas is an avoidable oversight that could also prove to be an annoying and costly inconvenience.

Other handy tips and things to remember

Never let your credit card out of your sight. Know where your cards are at all times. If possible, walk to the counter to pay your bills, instead of giving your card to the waiter, and never leave your card behind a bar.
If a merchant attempts to swipe your credit card through more than one machine, question the merchant and contact ANZ immediately if you suspect fraud.
If your credit card is lost or stolen, or you believe someone has managed to unlawfully obtain your card details, it is essential you inform ANZ immediately. We will put a stop on your card, preventing it from being used and arrange for a replacement.
In an emergency, getting a temporary credit limit increase is a quick and easy way to access additional funds. Visit ANZ Internet Banking anytime to see if you are eligible for a credit limit increase.
Take an ANZ Travel Card as an additional way to access your money overseas, wherever Visa is accepted electronically. We recommend you keep your ANZ Travel Cards (primary and backup) in different locations so that if one is lost/stolen you can continue to access your money with the second card.
Ensure you keep all receipts until you have reconciled your credit card statement. Check amounts and dates thoroughly as some merchants may have a different business name to what may appear on your statement. If you have a query about any transactions on your statement, contact ANZ immediately.
Never write down your PIN and, if you change your PIN, avoid choosing obvious numbers like your birth date or phone number.
Keep us up to date with your immediate contact details.
Carry your cash in a money belt to make life hard for thieves. Some smart travellers carry a cheap wallet with no money to trick pick-pockets.
Keep a small amount of cash hidden away for emergencies.
Make photocopies of your passport to take with you or email a scanned copy to your personal email account.
Some hotel and car hire companies may perform a temporary transaction on your credit card as a security deposit. Be aware that when this happens, your available credit will be affected. The transaction is usually then reversed (or a refund generated) when you check out or return a car safely.
Register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade so that you can be contacted in an emergency.
Take the following phone numbers with you (and put them in your mobile now) You can also copy and paste them into a document and send the list to your personal email accounts for easy access from wherever you are travelling:

ANZ Australian call centre

Telephone icon 13 22 73 or +61 3 9683 7043 (reverse charges via international operator)

ANZ Internet and Phone Banking

Telephone icon 13 33 50 or + 61 3 9683 8833

ANZ Mobile Phone Banking

Telephone icon 1300 ANZ MOBI (1300 269 6624)

Secure Sentinel and ANZ CreditCover PLUS

Telephone icon 1300 131 026

ANZ Lost and Stolen Emergency Services

Telephone icon +61 3 9683 7043 (reverse charges via international operator)

ANZ Travel Card Customer Service

Telephone icon 1800 094 003 within Australia or +613 9683 7777 from overseas

Any advice does not take into account your personal needs and financial circumstances and you should consider whether it is appropriate for you.

ANZ recommends you read the Product Disclosure Statement and the Financial Services Guide (PDF 213kB) before acquiring the product.

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