How to Use Credit Cards Safely and Effectively for Summer Vacation
The summer travel season is here, and many people are already imagining themselves on vacation. No matter if you’re headed to a beach escape or a trip abroad, choosing how to pay for your travels matters just as much as where you go.
NerdWallet’s 2026 Summer Travel report says 84% of travelers plan to use credit cards for their vacations. This can be a smart choice. Used wisely, credit cards offer more than convenience. They help you earn rewards, get cashback, and enjoy special travel perks.
But the convenience of using your card can cause problems if you are not ready. A declined card at an international café or the nightmare of falling victim to a skimming device at an unfamiliar gas station can ruin your trip. The good news is that a few simple precautions can be the difference between a seamless journey and a stressful ordeal.
Before you travel, make sure your finances and credit cards are ready. Here are four ways you can help maximize your credit card benefits while shielding yourself from the unexpected this summer.
1. Know Your Credit Card
It’s good to know the specifics of your preferred travel credit card. Look into any travel benefits your credit card may have, including concierge services, emergency assistance services, roadside assistance and TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit. Make sure you know if your card is commonly accepted at your vacation destination, and ask about foreign transaction fees if you plan to travel internationally. Check with your credit card company to see if a travel alert is required when traveling outside your geographic area to ensure your card doesn’t get declined. This could especially be true for international travel.
2. Be Prepared for the Unexpected
If you can, consider bringing at least two credit cards on your trip, ideally from different issuers, so you’ll have a backup in case one is declined, lost or stolen. It’s also good to check your credit card’s expiration date and credit limit. Familiarize yourself with the card management features in case your card is lost or stolen.
3. Protect Yourself from Fraud
Before using unfamiliar gas pumps, ATMs, or payment terminals, look for skimming devices scammers use to steal card information. Carefully inspect card readers and keypads for signs of tampering or anything that feels loose or out of place. To further enhance your security, consider these high-tech alternatives:
- Digital Wallets: Use digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. These services offer stronger encryption protection than physical cards by using “tokenization,” which means your actual card number is never shared with the merchant.
- Tap-to-Pay: Use the tap-to-pay feature at gas stations and other retail locations. Utilizing the contactless symbol on the reader significantly reduces the risk of card skimming, as your card never has to enter the physical slot where hidden devices are often installed.
For an extra layer of defense, set up real-time purchase alerts on your smartphone to monitor account activity the moment a transaction occurs.
4. Reporting Credit Card Fraud
If you experience credit card fraud while on vacation, contact your credit card company as soon as possible to report the fraudulent purchases. You may also want to report any scams or instances of fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
With a little preparation and a watchful eye, you can keep your finances secure and ensure that the only things you bring home from your summer vacation are great memories.
Lori Smith is a SVP, branch administrator for Arvest Bank in Overland Park.
About Arvest
With more than $27 billion in assets, Arvest is a full-service bank that delivers financial solutions to individuals and businesses of all sizes. Since entering the Kansas City market in 2009, Arvest has grown to a top 20 bank and the sixth largest mortgage lender in the metro. The bank has 20 locations in the metro area. Arvest is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC.