Originally Posted by
Explorer789
I agree that debit card is great for getting cash at the ATMs, especially in Europe since many of the top banks do not even charge ATM fees when using them.
However, I still use cc whenever it is possible simply because I want to earn points on all my expenses and most of the travel cards have no forex fees.
I think the biggest mistake most people make is not informing their bank they are going on a trip and may be using their card overseas and this is what causes some banks to preemptively close your card. I think almost all the major banks require you to give them a travel notice, with exception being Amex, so they will not automatically flag the account when they start seeing purchases made outside your home area or regular spending pattern.
I think Chase sent me an email saying I no longer had to inform them that I was traveling. I never notify any of my credit card companies anymore. Of course I'm out of the country 3-5 times a year.
As for a debit card, I tried for a very long time to just have an ATM card (only that couldn't be used as a debit card) but I think all my financial institutions have done away with that. As far as liability, the bank and/or Visa/MC may place a daily limit on withdrawals. I have changed those on various cards.