4 Mins October 07, 2019
When Apurva Desai landed in Zagreb, Croatia for a holiday, he discovered that his hotel was not as cheap, as claimed by the tour operator. He paid extra money and after two days, he used up his credit card and traveler’s cheques. A quick call to his father saved the day. He received extra money via WireTransfer and also learnt an important lesson.
Nobody wants to be in this situation when travelling abroad. Here is what you can do to save the day:
A. Be aware of currency conversion rates before you begin your journey. You wouldn’t want to be caught unawares and pay extra. Go to any online website or use your smartphone to calculate.
B. Is there any additional Airport Cess? This could be applicable in some countries when you enter or leave them. It could also set you back by a few dollars or pounds. Research on this aspect and keep extra cash handy.
C. Ensure your credit/debit cards work internationally. You would not want the painful realization that your cards don’t work in certain countries. That would really hurt. Also find out what would be the extra charges on your credit card, every time you swipe it internationally.
D. Exercise caution and let your bank and credit card provider know about your overseas trip. This will save you the shock of finding your card frozen, just because you notched some foreign charges. Definitely, a no-no on foreign soil!
E. Traveler’s cheques : This age old option will hold you in good stead in case your wallet/credit cards/cash get stolen. It’s a good back-up to have. But on a flipside you may have to do some extra legwork to find an exchange location.
F. Travel insurance : Talking of best bets, this one tops the list. It is your buffer for any flight cancellation, accident, medical mishap, baggage loss and a host of other things while on a foreign sojourn.
G. Don’t forget to register with the Indian Embassy. It will be protect you and connect you with your family in case of a dire situation.
What if you get stuck in a situation where money can settle things? Here is how money reaches you from India:
• An online transfer is one of the quickest and hassle free methods to get money deposited, using name, address, and bank details.
• Issuing personal cheques is a safe option too.
• A wire transfer uses an electronic fund transfer which takes at least two days to reach the recipient.
• An international money order can be done via cash, debit card, or a traveler’s cherub, with the recipient’s details.
International travel can give you lifelong pleasant memories. Don’t let any carelessness or ignorance spoil your plans. Travel safe!
