Best practices for banking while traveling

Whenever you prepare for a trip abroad, you can stay plenty busy with your travel to-do list: downloading the plane tickets, making sure the itinerary is updated, putting your passport in your carry-on, and making sure all the essential travel items are purchased and packed.

It’s easy to overlook some things when you’re making big plans to head out of the country, especially when it comes to banking. Here are some quick and easy tips to make sure you have a smooth money experience whenever international travel is on your calendar.

Before you go

There are several things you should do before leaving the country to keep your money safe from physical and identity theft.

• Place a travel note on your accounts. To ensure your debit cards work wherever you go, you should place a travel note on your accounts with us for all domestic and international travel. You can easily do this from the UBTgo mobile app by tapping Contact Us, then Travel Notice. You can also use the secure Message Center in UBTgo. In the message you send, please include the state(s) or country(s) you’ll be visiting and the start and end dates of your trip. It's also important to share any and all locations you might be in as you travel: This includes airport connections and layover locations, all states you'll be driving through, etc. 
• Know your fees. Your UBT debit card will incur a 1% foreign transaction fee on transactions made outside of the United States. Your other cards might also have foreign transaction fees. Contact your other banks or credit card companies separately to alert them of your travel plans and ask about foreign transaction fees. 
• Stop by the bank for cash. Carrying some cash — to complement your debit and credit cards — is a good idea because it can be easier to stay within your budget by rationing cash. You’ll also avoid being denied service at places that don’t accept credit cards — and you’ll have money on hand for taxis, snacks, tipping, etc. If you need foreign currency, stop by your local branch at least 7 to 10 days ahead of your departure so we can order that for you so that it arrives on time. 
• Put your mail and deliveries on hold. Packages left outside your home can signal to thieves that you’re not home, and an unattended mailbox can lead to identity theft.
• Pay your bills ahead. If you plan to be gone awhile, pay any bills ahead so you don’t forget to do it when you’re enjoying sightseeing. This will potentially save you money on late fees. (Hint: Setting up BillPay through your UBTgo account is a great way to track and pay bills!)
• Clean out your wallet. Get rid of anything you don’t need to take with you (loyalty cards, gift cards, extra credit cards, etc.) so that if you lose or misplace your wallet during your trip, you don’t lose everything!
• Adjust your thermostat. Save money and conserve energy by keeping the house at a temp that doesn’t use up so much electricity and gas but keeps extreme temps from being destructive. Unplug any electronics too!
• Update your mobile wallet. Before you head out, make sure all your forms of payment are uploaded to your phone’s mobile wallet to ensure you can use them if needed. It’s also wise to make sure your boarding passes are accessible digitally too!

While you’re away

While you’re gallivanting about in another country, here are some additional tips to keep in mind.

• Hit up the ATM for extra cash. Hopefully you took enough cash with you, but this tip is helpful in case you didn’t. Your destination outside the U.S. likely has its own currency, and your best exchange rate is at ATMs. According to many travel blogs, avoiding currency exchange kiosks in airports is a good idea because of their exorbitant exchange rates.
• Don’t lose your card in the ATM. Avoid sacrificing your card to a hangry ATM by making sure there’s a travel note on your account first. It doesn’t hurt to double-check and be sure you’ve completed the travel notice on your account before attempting to withdraw currency from an ATM with your debit card.
• Carry multiple forms of payment. Having multiple cards on hand, as well as cash, can come in handy if you find yourself in a bind. It also helps to have cards in different places, such as one on your person and the other in your travel companion’s wallet, just in case your personal items get lost.  
• Use your UBTgo features. Features like card freeze and transaction alerts can come in handy when you’re traveling. You can also set up debit card controls to set up debit card parameters while you're traveling. Familiarize yourself with how to use those features and they’ll be at the ready if and when you need to utilize them! 

Need help setting up a Travel Notice, or have other questions about banking abroad? Our Customer Support Team is always happy to assist you.