How many credit cards do you bring on a trip?
Jun 8, 2019, 9:04 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,214
1 Chase CSR
1 foreign exchange fee free Amex (probably the Gold as they now have 4MR for Restaurants worldwide
1 other bank fx free card (just for back-up)
1 ATM-Debit card
1 depending on Hotels/Flights possibly a Hilton Amex/ Chase IHG/ ... to maximise earnings
1 foreign exchange fee free Amex (probably the Gold as they now have 4MR for Restaurants worldwide
1 other bank fx free card (just for back-up)
1 ATM-Debit card
1 depending on Hotels/Flights possibly a Hilton Amex/ Chase IHG/ ... to maximise earnings
Jun 8, 2019, 9:59 am
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
Same as I carry on a day to day basis. I carry:
- Drivers License
- CSR Visa
- AMEX Platinum
- Marriott Bonvoy AMEX
- Priority Pass
- Citi AA Mastercard
- JP Morgan Palladium which somehow still hasn't expired
- Health Insurance Card
- Debit Card
- Drivers License
- CSR Visa
- AMEX Platinum
- Marriott Bonvoy AMEX
- Priority Pass
- Citi AA Mastercard
- JP Morgan Palladium which somehow still hasn't expired
- Health Insurance Card
- Debit Card
Jun 8, 2019, 10:24 am
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
I'd never travel with only one or two, especially not two from the same issuer. Terrible mistake to depend on a single credit / cash access line when you're in the field. I take about four, plus a debit card. If one doesn't work or gets frozen preemptively because the issuer's sentinel software suspects fraud / irregularity, I got several more to try.
I also travel with high limit cards. Among my travel preferences is having the comfort of knowing I can walk into an airport anywhere in the world and get home in any class on the next available flight(s.) I've never had to do it but it's good to know that I can.
Jun 8, 2019, 10:53 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
Programs: DL , AC, BA, Hhonors Diamond, IH Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,358
Domestically, just what i always carrry. Amex gold for food, CSR for travel expenses, and whatever card I'm currently working on a bonus for (for other expenses). I may also have the Amex Hilton card if I'm staying at a Hilton. And an ATM card.
Overseas, I usually just take the ATM card, the CSR, and another backup card (usually the Amex so that I can use travel services in a pinch).
Overseas, I usually just take the ATM card, the CSR, and another backup card (usually the Amex so that I can use travel services in a pinch).
Jun 8, 2019, 6:47 pm
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
This is exactly my premise for a couple of extra cards - I want to have enough available credit to get me out of wherever I am (when away from the US).
Jun 8, 2019, 8:14 pm
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 63,622
These days, I have 2x wallets when I travel internationally so a total of 5x credit and 2x ATM.
My daily-use wallet gets put away into a zippered-pocket as soon as I pass airport security, and the travel-wallet would have 1x credit and 1x ATM card (with only 4-digit pin) plus cash/medical insurance card.
When I arrive, the passport holder plus the daily-use wallet goes into a secured-pouch and stored in the safe. The travel-wallet has empty slots for hotel keys (which my regular wallet does not).
Works better that way for me - don't have to worry about shifting things from wallet-to-storage, and vice-versa. When I get back home, reverse process. Put away the travel-wallet, and the daily-use wallet (with my house key) goes back into my pocket.
Plus side is that priority pass has gone digital - so 1 fewer card to carry in travel-wallet.
I've had issues in the past when foreign ATM's won't accept overly-long PINs, I've lost 1x card because it dropped on the floor while I was transferring, and my travel-wallet is a lot slimmer than my daily-use one since it doesn't have prox-cards, etc... in it.
My daily-use wallet gets put away into a zippered-pocket as soon as I pass airport security, and the travel-wallet would have 1x credit and 1x ATM card (with only 4-digit pin) plus cash/medical insurance card.
When I arrive, the passport holder plus the daily-use wallet goes into a secured-pouch and stored in the safe. The travel-wallet has empty slots for hotel keys (which my regular wallet does not).
Works better that way for me - don't have to worry about shifting things from wallet-to-storage, and vice-versa. When I get back home, reverse process. Put away the travel-wallet, and the daily-use wallet (with my house key) goes back into my pocket.
Plus side is that priority pass has gone digital - so 1 fewer card to carry in travel-wallet.
I've had issues in the past when foreign ATM's won't accept overly-long PINs, I've lost 1x card because it dropped on the floor while I was transferring, and my travel-wallet is a lot slimmer than my daily-use one since it doesn't have prox-cards, etc... in it.
Jun 9, 2019, 6:01 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
Quite right. On the road I need to be able to spend myself out of any jam without worrying (until later when the bills arrive, anyway).
Jun 9, 2019, 7:45 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: NC
Programs: AA, Marriott/SPG, AMEX
Posts: 272
I take every card I have that has no FTF's as well as a no FTF debit and my normal debit card. It's kind of like insurance in the way I take an umbrella even if no rain is forecast. I also spend a couple hundred bucks a year for travel health insurance for my husband and me. I hope to never have to implement my back-up plan but I've got it, just in case.
I will say I always give a travel alert (even though most/all of my no FTC cards don't ask for it anymore).
OP, are you looking for the "right" number of cards or something else?
I will say I always give a travel alert (even though most/all of my no FTC cards don't ask for it anymore).
OP, are you looking for the "right" number of cards or something else?
Jun 9, 2019, 10:12 pm
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
Jun 10, 2019, 9:50 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: 42.1% in PDX , 49.9% in PVG & 8% in the air somewhere
Programs: Marriott Ambassador Elite, UA 1K, AS MVP GLD 75K, DL Pt
Posts: 1,086
One primary and one backup in my wallet:
SPG AMEX ( yes still SPG for now, not worth much since the devalue but still tolerable so I use it ) mostly for Marriott and backup for everything else
Chase Saphire: Primary.
ATM: Fidelity
Backup in a second wallet: BA Visa, BA ATM
Never saw the need for more than a primary and then a backup seperate
SPG AMEX ( yes still SPG for now, not worth much since the devalue but still tolerable so I use it ) mostly for Marriott and backup for everything else
Chase Saphire: Primary.
ATM: Fidelity
Backup in a second wallet: BA Visa, BA ATM
Never saw the need for more than a primary and then a backup seperate
Jun 10, 2019, 11:47 am
#29
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
1 Amex
2 Visa
2 ATM (different checking accounts)
I leave 1 visa and 1 ATM in my room/luggage separate from when I'm out, just in case of theft.
2 Visa
2 ATM (different checking accounts)
I leave 1 visa and 1 ATM in my room/luggage separate from when I'm out, just in case of theft.
Jun 10, 2019, 12:01 pm
#30
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I have my wallet that goes in my pocket with:
- Citi Executive/Amex Platinum for lounge access
- Daily expenses card (currently Mileage Plus Explorer for the spend waiver)
- Back up daily expenses card in case the first one doesn't work
And then in my laptop bag is my travel wallet with
- Hilton, IHG and Marriott cards for hotel stays
- DL Amex and AA Aviator for bonus miles at lounges
- Citi Executive/Amex Platinum for lounge access
- Daily expenses card (currently Mileage Plus Explorer for the spend waiver)
- Back up daily expenses card in case the first one doesn't work
And then in my laptop bag is my travel wallet with
- Hilton, IHG and Marriott cards for hotel stays
- DL Amex and AA Aviator for bonus miles at lounges