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Should You Alert Credit Card Companies About Your Upcoming Trips?

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There was a time when we called our credit card companies to let them know we’d be traveling. That way we wouldn’t get locked out from using our cards overseas. Then I noticed that bank websites had a “travel notification” area where you could do your notifications online. Even years ago, I always forgot to let my credit card company know I’d be traveling, and sure enough, a few times that mistake created quite a hassle. I’ve never used the online “travel notification” option, but now I see, at least in the case of American Express, I don’t have to.

The other night, I got an email I’d never received before. Because I paid for a plane ticket with my American Express Gold Charge Card, AMEX took it upon themselves to let me know that they do NOT need to be notified when I travel. Maybe this proactive approach has been going on for a while, but this is the first time I noticed it. Have you received these kinds of emails? Do you still notify your credit card companies you’ll be traveling? I’m curious, so let me know in the comments below.

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14 thoughts on “Should You Alert Credit Card Companies About Your Upcoming Trips?

  1. Christopher

    My Citi Prestige has been doing that which was nice until recently when I purchased an airline ticket for my friend to visit me. My card kept getting declined because a travel notification was created that put me in my friend’s city going to my city, which of course wasn’t the case at all.
    Some of my Amex have also been creating automatic travel notifications also, but no complications with those.

    Reply
    1. Shelli Post author

      Interesting to know about Citi Prestige because that’s one of my go-to cards. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, Christopher.

      Reply
  2. Hoang

    Shelli,

    I got the same email before. I also just notified BOA for my next trip, safe than sorry.

    In 2015, I got a voice mail from credit card company about a charge when I was on the cruise ship and since then I try to notify them when I remember,

    Reply
    1. Shelli Post author

      Good idea, Hoang. I think it varies from each card issuer. And if it makes you feel better (safe than sorry) then it’s worth doing.

      Reply
  3. mike murphy

    thanks for the info, we always notify the cc companies we use when traveling, now wait and see how it goes

    Reply
    1. Shelli Post author

      You’re welcome, Mike. I think the online “we’re traveling” notifications make it much easier than back in the day when you had to call.

      Reply
  4. Denise

    AMEX told em they watch spending patters so don’t need the notification. I do notify my other card companies. However I have a trip coming up and did not put the air on the AMEX. Went to buy a tout that was part of the trip this week and the charge was declined. I got calls and e-mails from AMEX to verify it was legit before I could make the charge. Then a few days later went to buy a train ticket and had to enter a code they sent me before it would go through.

    Reply
    1. Shelli Post author

      Wow, Denise. Sounds like a lot of hassle from AmEx. Does it make you feel safer about your card security or does it feel like AmEx is overdoing it?

      Reply
  5. Franklin

    I take the same 3 credit cards with me whenever I travel: My Citi Thank You Premier, Bank of American Travel Rewards and Diners Club. The Citi is my primary card because I earn 3x on travel spend. The other two are back up cards as well as for specific travel benefits….DC gives me lounge access, primary rental car coverage and has the EMV chip for Europe.

    I used to have to call in for travel notification. But I can now do it online for the Citi and BOA cards. Recently I did receive a notice from Citi that they know from my airfare charge that I am traveling so no need to notify. I did anyway just to be safe. I would still need to call in on the DC card but since it is a back up card I don’t always do it.

    Reply
    1. Shelli Post author

      Your strategy makes good sense, Franklin. The online travel notifications do make it easier. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.

      Reply
  6. David T

    What? You didn’t put airfare on your Plat?! ;-) I have gotten a notification and I appreciate the proactive approach!

    Reply
    1. Shelli Post author

      Thanks for the laugh, David. Sometimes I do, but not in this case :) I think most people agree with you on the proactive approach. Haven’t received this notice on any flights booked with AmEx Platinum card, so that’s a bit odd. Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!

      Reply
  7. Pingback: Does Citi Really Know Where and When I am Traveling?

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