Heading to Vegas-Call card companies?

[Anonymous]

Hi All, Heading to Vegas in the morning. Should I contact my card companies and them know I'm going?

[Anonymous]

Yes..keeping them informed will stop any embarrassing decline when you swipe just because of "unusual activity or location" and auto fraud alert on your accounts

It only took once for me took make this a standard procedure when I'm traveling. I also notify my bank for DC usage too.

[simplynoir]

Better to be safer than sorry if you're already concerned about it to be sure. Me personally I have never had any problems using my cards even out of the country. Of course as usual YMMV.

[-Cal-]

It depends on the issuer. Some don't care at all, some you can notify and they still will trip while traveling, some will note it on the account and you will be problem free. I never notify Amex/Chase/Citi and I'm usually fine.

[Anonymous]

I would mainly due to the location and if you live far or flying

[Creditplz]

I just went in March/April, I didn't notify anyone, BofA let $3500 worth of charges pass, and chase let 1000.

Although I live in SoCal so it's only a 4-5 hour drive. Can't hurt to call and let them know though.

[Anonymous]

Ok. Called Capital One. They said they do not require travel notifications any longer because of the chip cards. They did notate it on my account though.

Chase Freedom Unlited used the automated phone travel notification. Very easy to do.

Chase debit card they notated my account on phone.

US Bank also notated my account by phone.

Thanks for the replies. I feel much better now!

[Skymogul]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Ok. Called Capital One. They said they do not require travel notifications any longer because of the chip cards. They did notate it on my account though.

---

FYI you can also do that by logging into your account online and going to Services / Travel Notification.

[happypill]

This really depends on the issuer and your spending patterns.  If you travel regularly, most issuers (certainly all of the big ones who cater to travelers) will adapt to your profile in short order.  I travel frequently and have never used a travel notification and have never been declined due to this reason.  If I were traveling internationally, I would probably set a notification because I don't do that nearly as frequently.

So, if you don't travel frequently, it could be a good idea.

[Turbobuick]

I just notified two card issuers this morning. They know we are creatures of habit, so if you travel frequently, they likely already aware. I don't travel much, so I make sure the couple cards I bring along are good to go. 

Citi Bank has a recording queue that responds to the word "travel". The recording asks the travel dates and locations.

Bank of America has it on their webpage to set up dates and locations related to travel.  

Pretty simple, takes just a couple minutes.