What to do if you lose your credit card while abroad

Quick insights

• It could be beneficial to prepare for a lost or stolen credit card before it even happens, and there are a number of easy, helpful tips to nip that problem in the bud.
• Planning alternate payment methods, pre-booking accommodations and travel and keeping a record of your credit card information are just three ways to help minimize the problems associated with a missing credit card.
• By reacting quickly and calmly and following your prepared plan of action, the impact of a lost credit card can be overcome relatively quickly and easily, allowing you to get back to enjoying your vacation.

Traveling can be—and frequently is—equal parts relaxing, exciting, stressful and fun. One of the central rules of traveling is that something will inevitably go wrong—or at least not according to plan—at some point during your trip, and the longer you’re on the road the more truth you might find in that statement. But perhaps one of the most feared travel hiccups is the loss of a credit card while traveling overseas. What do you do if you lose your credit card while abroad?

Steps you can take when you lose your credit card abroad

There are several useful, important steps you can take after losing your credit card, but perhaps the most important is: Don’t Panic. This situation is unfortunate and certainly not insignificant, but it doesn’t need to ruin your day, let alone the entire trip. Some steps you can take to help your situation include:

1. Freeze your card: If you have access to it, you may want to freeze your card in your bank’s app before doing anything else. This is helpful if you’re not 100% sure where it is and think you may be able to retrieve it.
2. Contact your credit card issuer: Most credit card companies have a 24/7 customer service line with both domestic and international phone numbers. Contacting your lender as soon as possible can enable them to cancel or freeze your card to prevent fraudulent transactions.
3. Police report: Reporting the loss to local police may not recover your card, but it can provide documentation that may be useful for your credit card company or travel insurance.
4. Login to your account: Checking your account for unauthorized transactions is another important step. If you notice any, report them to your credit card company as soon as you can.
5. Request a replacement card: Whether or not the card in question was the only credit card you brought on your trip, getting a replacement arranged ASAP can help restore peace of mind. Some credit card companies can expedite a new card to you, even when you're abroad.

Managing your daily expenses without a credit card

While you wait for your new card to arrive, preparing for daily spending without that credit card could be useful. A little pre-planning could go a long way here, but even if you were caught completely unprepared, there are ways to help you get back to your vacation:

• Carry cash: One thing that can help protect your peace of mind before the loss of a card is to have a small reserve of cash available in case you need it.  It’s not a bad idea to carry a small amount of local currency for emergencies, as even if you have a credit card, there’s always the possibility that small local vendors still aren’t set up to process credit card transactions. If you didn’t do so previously, the loss of a credit card can be a smart time to go to an ATM and withdraw some cash.
• Use traveler’s checks: While increasingly outdated, traveler's checks can be a safer alternative to a wallet full of cash. This is more relevant to the pre-planning stage, however, as purchasing traveler’s checks while already abroad can be difficult.
• Have a backup card: If you have one, a backup credit or debit card can be a lifesaver. This is another one that works best if planned ahead of time, but it can be smart to travel with at least one or two credit cards and a debit card. Remember to notify the card issuer of each of your cards that you're traveling abroad with to avoid any blocks on your account.
• Use mobile payment apps: Mobile payment apps are accepted at a growing list of vendors around the world. Before setting out on your trip, it can be helpful to link your credit card to apps like Apple Pay or Google Wallet. Then you can continue to make payments without the physical card. While not all locations will accept mobile payments, this option can be especially useful for online purchases and in-person payments at larger vendors, like grocery store chains.
• A little help from your friends: If you're traveling with others, your companions may be able to cover your expenses temporarily. If not, try contacting friends or family back home. While not always the most affordable option, you may be able to rely on a cash transfer service like Paypal Inc. or Western Union^®.
  

Securing your accommodation and transportation

It can be helpful to ensure your upcoming accommodation and transportation plans are still covered while you wait for a replacement credit card:

• Confirm your hotel booking: If you've pre-paid your accommodation with your lost credit card, confirm your booking is still secure. Some hotels may require a new card upon arriving to be used for incidentals. If you did not pre-book accommodation, you might have saved alternate payment information in a booking app or mobile wallet, which could still be available when making online or mobile reservations.
• Arrange for transportation: If you've been relying on your credit card for transportation, consider alternatives like local public transport, which often accepts cash.
• Ride-sharing apps: Apps like Uber and Lyft are linked to your account, not a specific card, so you can continue to use them even if you lose your card (so long as you have some sort of alternate payment method linked).

As was the case with your daily expenses, securing accommodation and transportation is made a lot easier with a little pre-planning. Try to plan and confirm as much of your travel as possible before departure so you’re covered in the case of emergencies.

Preventing credit card loss during travel

Some tips to help prevent credit card loss include:

• Carry only necessary cards: Minimize the risk by only carrying the credit card you plan to use. Keep your backup card(s) in a secure place, like a hotel safe, and only carry one card when you’re exploring your destination.
• Secure your cards and documents: A money belt or neck wallet can be more secure than a regular wallet or purse.
• Record your credit card details: Having a copy of your card number and the customer service line can speed up the process of reporting a lost card.
• Notify your credit card issuer: Notifying your credit card company about your travel plans can help the issuer monitor your account for any unusual activity.

Bottom line

Losing a credit card while travelling is never fun—especially if this occurs while in another country. Planning for this before departure can help you have more options available, including an alternate credit card, debit card, traveler’s checks, mobile payment apps and more. Even if you didn’t plan ahead, there are many options for surviving the loss of a credit card and continuing to enjoy your vacation until a new card arrives.