Travel Tips
Plan, Prepare and Pack
Protect Yourself From Fraud & Theft When Travelling: Plan, Prepare and Pack
With rest, relaxation and fun on their minds, many Canadians overlook the trouble, headache and inconvenience of theft and fraud that can occur while travelling. MasterCard Canada and the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) have joined forces to help Canadian travellers be financially prepared and safe when travelling.
Travel Tips from ACTA and MasterCard Plan
Research in advance when heading to a new destination so you know what to expect. What currencies are accepted? What are the average costs for taxis, hotels and restaurants? Is there a Canadian consulate office? Talk to your travel agent, read travel books or web sites, and talk to friends and family who have been to the destination before.
Use your credit card for advance bookings like plane tickets, hotel reservations, travel insurance or car rentals. If you have trouble with these bookings, your credit card issuer can assist you and help secure refunds. As well, many credit cards come with built-in travel and car rental insurance benefits. Read your cardholder agreement to be sure.
Notify your credit card issuer in advance. Tell your credit card issuer when and where you'll be travelling so if they see unusual activity on your account, they'll know why. One of the ways that MasterCard issuers monitor for fraud is by detecting transactions that vary from your usual spending pattern. Your card issuer's contact information can be found on the back of your card.
Secure travel insurance because accidents can happen. You should consider buying travel health insurance so that you don't get stuck with medical bills. It can be purchased through your travel agent who will give you information on what is covered.
Leave your valuables like expensive watches and jewellery at home. You don't want to lose them and they can mark you as targets for thieves.
Make a record of your passport and credit card information, including the contact number to reach your credit card issuer in case of emergency. Keep this record in a safe and secure place away from your passport and credit cards (i.e., not in your wallet or purse). Also, leave a copy of this information and your itinerary at home with a family member or close friend.
Clean out your wallet by taking out everything but the essentials. The more items and pieces of information a thief gets, the more damage they can do.
Pack
Pack your MasterCard because a credit card is the safest and most reliable way to spend when you travel. MasterCard is accepted around the world and you're protected by MasterCard Zero Liability from unauthorized transactions because of a lost or stolen card. Plus, you'll have a detailed record of your spending when you get home. (For details on the Zero Liability policy, see www.mastercard.ca/zeroliability.)
Don't carry large sums of cash, because if it's lost or stolen, it's gone. Before your trip, arrange to have a few dollars in local currency for small purchases like a cab when you first arrive, tips, or small souvenirs. Don't depend on being able to get local currency as soon as you arrive in the country.
Avoid local scams, since criminals often target tourists because they're more likely to be carrying valuables and are less familiar with local surroundings. Only accept services from legitimate providers. Confirm exactly how much something will cost before purchasing. Only exchange currency with credible organizations like banks and hotels. Keep an eye on your valuables at all times.
Reimburses you for the actual cost of repairing or replacing your checked or carry-on luggage if it is lost or damaged while traveling on a common carrier when you pay the entire cost of the tickets with your eligible Mastercard card.
Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
Reimburses you for personal property stolen from your hotel or motel room. Your hotel/motel stay must be purchased entirely with an eligible Mastercard card.
Never leave your card in the hotel room. Keep your credit card in your possession at all times. When making a purchase, don't let the salesperson take the card out of sight.
Lock up your valuables, wear a money belt under your clothes or use the hotel safe. Never leave your money, credit cards, jewellery, cameras, or other valuables out in the open in your hotel room.
Keep receipts from your credit card purchases. When you get home cross-check them against your statement. Notify your card issuer immediately if you see any unusual or unexpected items.
