So you get back to the bank charges
Because of a few euros I do not hurt me, but if I’m two months in Mexico, will definitely go back 30-40 Euro together on bank charges. I can bring back to me.
That’s even quite simple. Suffice an email in which you auflistest individual withdrawals. For my Thailand-refund that looked like this:
Please reimburse the machine fees for the following transactions:
THB Phuket Airport # 2Bangkok
THB of Krung Thai Bang Phuket
THB SCB of Koh Pha Ngan
THB Natchata of Hotel Krabi
THB Bangkok Bank
THB Kaolak Sub Branch of Pang Nga
THB Sri Thanu Phone
THB of Narah Karn Hotel
The fee amounted to THB 150 per each withdrawal. ”
A few days later I had a credit on my account.
Open an account DKB
The DKB VISA card you just get together with a checking account (and a debit card). Registration is possible online. Then you print out the documents and thus go into a post office (PostIdent).
Following it takes about 14 days has opened up the account and you have the PINs, TANs and the cards. So the card apply not only shortly before the trip, but in time!
Incidentally, you can also open the account, if you’re resident abroad.
Here you can apply for the DKB VISA card.
By the way: Only the cashback of machines is at home and abroad for free. If you go to the bank to switch, for a fee. Even if you pay with the card, 1.75% will be charged. This is perfectly normal, but you should just know. Not everything on the card is free.
My second credit card
I would never travel with a credit card around the world. Therefore, I have always with you a replacement card. My choice has fallen to the VISA Card Amazon. The has no special advantages for travelers, but a nice bonus system for Amazon customers.
In the first year, the card is free. You even get a 30 Euro Amazon voucher as a thank you. From the second year the ticket costs 19.99 euros per year.
If you’re using the card abroad (for example, ATM) You pay a fee of 1.75%. Then there are the fees of the foreign banks.
Why I have chosen for the amazon card? For each transaction, the I make with the card, I get a little credit. For two euros in sales there is a bonus point. That’s worth a penny. Not so exciting. But if I buy the card from Amazon, I get two points for every Euro. In other words: For every Amazon order I receive a credit of 2% (1,000 points there is then a 10 Euro voucher).
For people who order frequently and everything at Amazon, which is quite interesting.
Click here for the Amazon VISA card and other information.
Tips around the use of credit cards
Do not rely on a single credit card. Take always with two cards! Ideally, you have a VISA and Mastercard. However, I myself have two VISA cards.
You should always have emergency numbers of your banks here. If a card is stolen or stuck in the vending machine remains (or you forget it there), you can be blocked immediately by telephone the map. Sometimes you have your card but also can unlock if your bank has blocked due to “suspicious” cash withdrawals abroad. In Vietnam I did that happen with two cards.
Carrying not both credit cards around with you, if it is not absolutely necessary. Stow a card safe in your room. As you get robbed, are not the same, both cards away. Alternatively you can, although both cards carry the body, but not in the same place.
If no money comes out of the machine
Sometimes no money comes out of the machine. In Germany, however, is that me never happens abroad frequently. In Mexico, I had always this issue in the early days, in Vietnam.
Why is that?
You have no credit on the card and the credit limit is maxed out.
There is no money in the vending machine. In developing countries, which is not uncommon.
The machine can not cope with the card. For whatever reason. That was often the problem in Mexico.
The card has been blocked by your bank because your withdrawals “suspicious” are. It happens now and then. It’s annoying, but is your protection. A simple phone call is enough and the card is unlocked.
Since these things can happen, I have the beginning of my trip is always a nest egg here. Mostly I put 200, – Euro in cash, which I can trade.
So much for credit cards when traveling. In this article you can find more information about how you have your finances under control while traveling.