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3 Smart Money Moves When Traveling Abroad

Jul 26, 2024

Consider these tips when planning for international travel and perhaps save yourself time, money and headaches.

Key Takeaways

  • Before you travel, research the exchange rates and fees for different methods of payment in the countries you'll be visiting.
  • When using an ATM abroad, choose the local currency to avoid additional fees. 
  • Make sure you have the right protections in place to prevent fraud or to quickly address it if it happens.

As we get into gear for international travel, a few quick steps to prepare your finances before you board a plane could reduce stress once you’ve landed.

 

Vacationers often overlook financial matters that may save precious time, money and just plain headaches when traveling internationally. Having a credit card declined because your bank suspected a fraudulent international charge could ruin a dinner on vacation, for example. Or failing to change your currency before leaving a “closed currency” country could force you to leave behind a significant amount of money. You could even run into problems after you’ve returned home, if you find you were charged a litany of ATM and foreign transaction fees.

 

Here are a few tips and considerations that can reduce such headaches related to foreign travel, along with a look at Morgan Stanley’s cash management solutions that can help.

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  1. 1
    Using cash abroad

    Cash can be one of the most cost-effective and convenient forms of payment when you're out of the country, but key considerations remain. For instance, you'll still need to know the exchange rate and whether it's a closed currency country—meaning money can't be exchanged outside the borders. Keep this in mind because you'll need to either spend or exchange any remaining foreign currency before you leave the country. 

  2. 2
    Cards and fees

    ATM and foreign transaction fees can rapidly add up when making purchases or withdrawing cash abroad. Whether your preference is a credit or a debit card, bring only the cards that you’re going to use, and the ones that you’ve confirmed don’t charge fees. If you withdraw local currency at an ATM, your bank could charge you $1 to $5, and you could pay 1% to 3% of the transaction amount. The owner of the ATM may even tack on an additional fee.

     

    International ATM options can be confusing at times. Consider choosing an ATM from a reputable bank that you recognize. Be sure to select withdrawal in the local currency to eliminate the ability for the ATM owner to charge a fee and an exchange rate that your bank may not be able to identify or reverse. 

     

    With the Morgan Stanley CashPlus Brokerage Account, clients have access to unlimited ATM rebates worldwide and will not incur foreign transactions fees when they use their associated Morgan Stanley Debit Card.1

  3. 3
    Protecting yourself from fraud

    While debit card fraud is a risk both at home and abroad, it’s one of the last things you want to deal with while traveling. The ongoing battles between thieves and financial institutions can create some unexpected collateral damage. Banks can quickly shut down your account after noticing your card was used in a foreign country. With effective monitoring in place to protect your card from fraudulent activity, before departing, it’s always a good idea to have a phone number on file with your bank in the event they need to contact you if a transaction comes into question.

     

    Take common sense steps to prevent criminals from gaining access to your card number. You may want to consider limiting your debit card use to ATM withdrawals at banks, which may have better security. The Morgan Stanley Debit Card can help reduce the risk of fraud through chip and PIN technology, a global standard in security that encrypts your information. In addition, you can stay up to date on your Debit Card activity with alerts that are right for you. You can monitor transactions made outside the U.S. or track transactions made online or over the phone. Should you suspect fraudulent activity, you can lock or unlock your card at any time on Morgan Stanley Online or Mobile.

     

    In addition, CashPlus Brokerage Account holders also have access to complimentary Identity and Credit Protection from Experian® which can provide an extra layer of protection and peace-of-mind in case fraudulent activity occurs. 

Saving for your next vacation

As you start searching for your next destination, you may also be thinking about ways to save for your travels. One way to plan ahead is to utilize Morgan Stanley’s Preferred Savings Program for Qualifying Cash2 which is a competitive alternative to traditional high-yield savings accounts and money market funds. Saving ahead of your next vacation may allow your travel fund to grow before your departure.  

 

Your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor can help you explore your options and choose the right cash management and savings strategy for you. 

Find a Financial Advisor, Branch and Private Wealth Advisor near you. 

Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's Broker/Check.

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