Traveling with credit/debit cards By HELOISE

Dear Heloise:

Here are a few things to cognize about debit entry and recognition card game when traveling:

• Car-rental companies will not accept recognition card game that are a combination credit/debit card. That is because this type of card makes not have got "deep pockets" like a regular recognition card does. If you do harm to the car, the rental company will bear down your recognition card for those amends immediately. It is up to you to decide reimbursement from your coverage company.• Whenever you go and program to utilize your recognition card, be certain to name your credit-card company before leaving. Let it cognize you will be using the card while traveling. Otherwise, the company's computing machines might flag your card for "out-of-habit usage" and block dealing blessing for security reasons. This could set you in a unstable state of affairs if you are away from place and low on cash.• If you be after to utilize your debit entry card or recognition card to retreat hard cash from an standard atmosphere abroad, be certain your pin figure is only four figures long. Most foreign ATMs are not put up to take longer PINs.

LINDA, traveling adviser from California

Linda, good hints. Our research discovered that many rental-car federal agencies will accept a debit/credit card. One said it accepts "some" debit entry cards. So bank check with the company when you do the reservations.

One of my helpers took a recognition card to Italian Republic and establish out that it wasn't accepted anywhere in the country! It set a damper on her vacation.

P.S.: Ask the hotel how much it sets on "hold" on your recognition card, and be certain the throw is "released" when you check up on out.

HELOISE

HELOISE P.O. Box 795000 San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000