Travel with Visa: Essential Travel Tips for Abroad | Visa
Travel with Visa
Roam far and wide. Visa is accepted at millions of places worldwide. Explore the reasons you should use your Visa card abroad.
Reasons to pack your Visa card
Visa makes traveling easier. So you can be the world traveler you want to be
Don’t be responsible for purchases you didn’t make
When making payments abroad, you can be sure that your purchases are protected by advanced security and our Zero Liability Policy.*
Our ATMs are all over the globe
Usually, with a Visa card, you don't have to worry about accessing or converting foreign currency when you travel. But for those rare times when you need cash, Visa is ready to help.
Get cash from a global ATM Exchange Rate Calculator
Welcomed where you travel
There are over 150 million merchant locations where you can use Visa when you travel. Plus, you can make even more out of your trip with experiences and offers that are exclusive for Visa cardholders.
Sources/Footnotes/Disclaimer
*Visa’s Zero Liability Policy does not apply to certain commercial card and anonymous prepaid card transactions or transactions not processed by Visa. Cardholders must use care in protecting their card and notify their issuing financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. Contact your issuer for more details.
Visa has you covered when things don’t go according to plan
Find out more about travel and emergency services.
Travel Emergency Assistance Services
When you are traveling or working anywhere in the world, your covered Visa card gets you access to a multilingual call center, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help get the assistance you need. As a covered cardholder, you, your spouse, and dependent children under 22 years of age who are traveling with can call a dedicated toll-free number in the United States, or call collect when traveling abroad. Keep in mind this program provides assistance only. Cardholders are responsible for the cost of any services received. Services include:
- Medical Referral Assistance - provides medical referral, monitoring, and follow-up
- Emergency Transportation Assistance - arranges for transportation under medical supervision
- Emergency Message Service - can relay emergency messages for travelers and is available 24 hours a day
- Prescription Assistance and Valuable Document Delivery Arrangements - can accommodate unexpected prescription needs or transport critical documents (e.g. passport or travel visa), which may have been left at home or elsewhere
- Legal Referral Assistance - can arrange contact with English-speaking attorneys, U.S. embassies and consulates, bail-bond assistance, and follow-up assistance
- Emergency Ticket Replacement - arranges for the replacement and delivery of new tickets, and assists with ticket reimbursement procedures
- Lost Luggage Locator Service - can help you through the common carrier’s claim procedures or can arrange shipment of replacement items if an airline or common carrier loses your checked luggage
- Emergency Translation Service - provides telephone assistance in all major languages and helps find local interpreters, if available. Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Contact your issuer for a copy of your Guide to Benefits.
For Infinite cardholders: Read Travel and Emergency Assistance Services terms and conditions
For Signature cardholders: Read Travel and Emergency Assistance Services terms and conditions
Emergency Card Replacement
Visa can work with your bank to expedite the replacement of your card and ship it globally within 24 to 72 hours after approval. Alternatively, we can arrange for cash to be available at a location near you, usually within hours of your bank's approval.
Learn more about emergency card services
Emergency Cash Disbursement
To bridge spending when awaiting a replacement card, when experiencing card acceptance difficulties, or when you simply need cash in hand, Visa can arrange for cash to be available at a location near you.
Learn more about emergency card services
Visa Prepaid cards Skip the cash and choose Visa Prepaid
You don’t need to travel with a wallet full of cash. A Visa Prepaid card offers you flexibility, convenience, and security.
Make the most of your Visa card
Visa, the way the world pays. From handy currency conversion tools to support when things don’t go as planned, we here to help virtually anywhere you want to go.
The extraordinary awaits
Enjoy curated experiences across the globe and unlock exclusive offers on your journey
Dynamic Currency Conversion explained
How to get emergency cash while traveling
Stay on top of your card activity with Visa Purchase Alerts
Explore common questions about traveling
Make the most of your Visa card while traveling.
Should I let my bank know that I’ll be traveling abroad?
Yes, tell your card issuer about your trip before leaving so they don’t flag unfamiliar transactions. Additionally, make sure you know your card’s daily ATM withdrawal limit, expiration date, account balance, and available funds. This ensures your card will work while you’re away and has sufficient funds to cover your travel expenses.
Will there be an ATM where I travel?
ATMs are available at over 2 million locations around the world so you can get cash when you need it. Getting cash at an ATM abroad can actually be more cost-effective.
Should I pay in the local currency or convert to USD?
Foreign merchants may offer to convert your bill to US dollars. Although it is convenient to see the bill in your home country's currency, the conversion usually includes a markup. To avoid the markup, decline the conversion and choose to pay in local currency. If you chose to pay in local currency, but the transaction was charged by the merchant in a different currency, contact your bank to contest the charge.
Dynamic currency conversion explained
Is it safe to pay with my Visa card abroad?
Yes, using your Visa card is a safe and easy way to pay while you’re abroad. Visa’s advanced security features and Zero Liability* protection mean you can pay with confidence anywhere in the world.
How do I see what travel benefits come with my Visa card?
Travel benefits can vary depending on your Visa card type and card issuer. Please contact your card issuer to see what travel benefits come with your specific Visa card.
What can I do to prepare before I travel?
Apply for mobile alerts Sign up for free text alerts when a transaction exceeds a pre-set amount or when unusual card activities are detected.
Learn more about Visa Purchase alerts
Memorize your PIN before departing Whether you’re using a magnetic strip or chip card, know your card PIN before traveling overseas. If you’ve forgotten your PIN, reapply for a new one.
Make a copy of everything in your wallet Keep a copy of all your card account numbers and the telephone numbers for reporting lost or stolen cards. Keep this information in a safe place, away from your wallet or handbag. Always keep your credit card number and three-digit CVV2 code on the back of your Visa card confidential.