I always notify my bank when I am traveling abroad as its simply better to be safe than sorry

I didn't notify Chase when I flew to Hong Kong and ran into no issues, but had my card denied at a purchase at Target in Tulsa. YMMV

I always call at the airport before I leave. Sometimes, I still get flagged and long distance charges will apply.

I only call when visiting "exotic" countries that I have never frequented before. Places such as Vanuatu, Fiji, Bolivia or Malawi. I would hate to be in the middle of the Pacific with poor internet/phone connections and not be able to pay for something I needed right away.

Do you notify banks before going abroad?
 

Never had to notify AMEX and never had an issue but I do let my local bank know as I use my local bank card for ATM in Europe and avoid the hassle of an ATM rejection. My local bank also has a limit on how much I can take out in a day but with conversion factor I also have to ask them increase that as well.

I always let the bank, Amex and Chase know - even though Amex, and now Chase, tell me I don't need to. I have had various transactions flagged or rejected over they years (even when I have called!). I know they have their algorithms, and I just want to minimize that. A couple of years ago, Chase rejected my paying my hotel bill in Brussels. I wasn't really embarrassed, and a call to the number on the back of the card got it cleared up and unblocked fairly quickly, but I'd rather not have that happen.

Yes..

I've never notified either Amex or my bank, for the simple reason that it won't stop fraud detection kicking in and blocking your account, even if you do. They won't unblock the card without you calling in, so all it's doing is making it easier to varify when you do call.

I've used my cards wherever I go, and never had a problem, until this current trip when I tried to use thecsame ATM in Bush InterContinental twice in an hour. A quick skype call to my bank got the card unlocked again. He wanted to know what my travel plans were for the rest of the trip, but I think gave up after I told him 12 hours in Rio, 24 hours in Texas then 2 days in Singapore, followed by another by anotger 24 in Texas starting on the same day I left Singapore. :-) I used my Amex card in Rio, Houston, Tokyo and Singapore, all within 72 hours with no issues whatsoever.

I quit calling for several years, especially as my overseas travel is patternistic. But a few months ago the British Airways website suddenly rejected my Citi card, so now I call again.

Certain kinds of transactions release the hounds more predictably. If I buy LIRR tickets from Jamaica to Manhattan from an unstaffed kiosk, my phone rings within minutes. If I buy petrol in Ireland nothing happens.

I never have a problem in Europe. However, I've had to call Discover, AMEX and MC when trying to use in S. Korea, Japan and The Philippines. Learned my lesson and now call in prior to travel.

Yeah, but they do. So they will block the card if they suspect fraud.

Many people don't understand that quite often in poorer or more remote countries the card gets declined because the banking system in that country couldn't communicate with the system in your home country.

All my cards have numbers you can call collect. Plus you can always put Skype on your phone or PC and call free.

I'll do so to cover my tracks.

After my bank card and CC were flagged the day I was leaving Costa Rica, leaving me with just barely enough cash to pay my departure tax after getting to the airport (I think I literally had $1 left!) I always call now, even when traveling within the US!

Personally I've never had to call when traveling in the US, but I know people whose cards stop working if they leave the state. It really depends on the bank.

A decade ago my card was blocked while I was overseas as the company saw expenses coming in from " out of pattern" spending.
I now do inform the banks of countries I will visit and duration.

sometimes I wonder if I am giving out TMI !:confused: