Going on vacation is exciting! Preparing for any financial or security hiccups with a proactive checklist will help ensure your days away are spent soaking up the sunshine.
Travel Checklist: 9 Tips to Follow:
Tell your bank
One of the most important to-dos on your travel checklist is to tell your bank you’re going on vacation, especially if you’re venturing outside of North Dakota or Minnesota to visit another region or country. This helps keep your bank from freezing your account if they see unusual debit card activity in places you don’t normally shop. It’s also a good idea to check with your bank about how to send a wire transfer while you’re away, in case of an emergency.
To be extra prepared, bring a mix of payment options on your trip. This could include both American and foreign cash, a debit card, a credit card, prepaid cards and even a multi-currency card. Having different payment methods will help if one doesn’t work or if any of your cards are lost or stolen.
Make sure your bank has your current contact information. Also, set up alerts to be notified every time your debit card is used. This will help you monitor transactions while you’re away.
Sign up for online and mobile banking
Signing up for online banking and downloading your bank’s mobile app before traveling is essential for maintaining easy access to your funds and managing your finances on the go. You can check your accounts, transfer money and make payments 24/7. And again, if one of your main payment methods won’t work, having digital banking access can help you manage funds as needed.
Know where to find ATMs
Another important item on your travel checklist is knowing where to find ATMs. Carrying a lot of cash can be risky, and some credit cards charge foreign fees. ATMs can be a safer and easier way to get money.
For example, if you’re a Gate City Bank customer, you can easily find free in-network ATMs worldwide. Plus, if you have a personal checking account with us, you can get up to $250 in fee refunds at out-of-network ATMs each year!
Set a budget
It’s easy to splurge when you’re on vacation. Just make sure you set a clear budget for things like food, places to stay and activities. Again, tracking your spending with alerts and online and mobile banking can help you stay on budget. (Psst. If you need a little extra help paying for your trip, you can always apply for a home equity loan or a personal loan!)
If you want an easy way to keep your spending in check, use our debit card controls to set limits! Utilizing these digital tools can help you with overdraft protection, as well.
Pay your bills
Before you go on vacation, make sure all your bills are paid or set to be paid. This includes rent or mortgage, utilities (like electric, water and internet), credit card bills and any subscriptions. You don’t want to come back and find late fees or missed payments!
Set up automatic payments with online bill pay! This way, money will be sent from your account without you needing to do anything.
Hold mail
It’s also important to notify the postal service if you’ll be away for an extended period, so they can hold your mail. You don’t want your mailbox to get too full – or worse, have important items get lost or stolen! Especially if they contain private information like account numbers or your Social Security number. To set up a mail hold, stop by your local post office or visit the USPS website.
Before and during your trip, try not to announce that you’re going on vacation. While you might be excited to share your adventures, posting about them in real time can let people know your home is empty, which could attract potential criminals. Keeping your plans quiet until after you return is a smart way to protect your home.
Copy documents
Make sure your passport, visas and driver’s license are up-to-date. It’s also a good idea to make copies of these items in case they get lost or stolen. You might also want to copy your plane tickets, hotel reservations and emergency contact information. Keep one set of copies with you in a safe place, and leave another set with a trusted person back home.
Check your insurance
It’s also important to make sure your insurance is up-to-date before you leave. Check with your health insurance provider to make sure you’re covered for emergencies while you’re away. Additionally, think about getting extra travel insurance for things like trip cancelations, rental car damage, lost luggage and delayed flights. Keep your insurance information with you during your trip, as well.
You deserve to get away every now and then. By following this travel checklist, you can enjoy a smooth and stress-free vacation – For a Better Way of Life.® Happy travels!
Ready to make your dream escape a reality? Apply for a home equity loan or personal loan today.
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