Financial Tips for Your Summertime Travels

Here are seven financial tips for those traveling abroad this summer:

• Take an extra debit/credit & ATM card and keep them separate from your wallet so you have backup if your wallet is stolen. Leave the checkbook at home.
• Alert your bank. Although many banks say it’s no longer necessary to inform them when traveling abroad, AMG credit- and debit-card users should let us know so we can help protect you against fraud.
• Limit international cash withdrawals. You will incur a $5-$7 fee each time you take money from a different bank’s ATM.
• Stash extra cash for emergencies, at least $200 to $400. In some countries, cash is more important than in others, so bring plenty of it, preferably crisp, new $20 bills. Torn or damaged bills won’t be accepted.
• Purchase travel insurance. No one ever thinks they’ll get sick, injured, or robbed while traveling. With good travel insurance, you don’t have to worry about huge hospital bills or stolen gear. Also, remember to get any appropriate vaccines well in advance of your journey.
• Back up your files and photos in case your phone or laptop are stolen.
• Keep digital and physical copies of your passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, health insurance card, and serial numbers of cameras, phones, laptops and other expensive gear. Write down important phone numbers on a wallet-sized card for use in an emergency.