As long as you are not completely unruly when it comes to money, it is strongly recommended that you bring a credit card with you when you go on a city break. This is not something you hear exclusively from the banks that offer credit, but to a greater extent from the travel experts. The card gives you extra security, bonuses and emergency solutions if you need it. It’s just a matter of finding the right card.
Security against fraud on city breaks
When shopping with a credit card, you do not technically use your own money, but rather borrow it from the credit company that issued the card. Therein lies a security you do not get when you pay with cash or regular bank cards. Should you for any reason have a need to dispute the purchase, or complain about the product or service to which the transaction applies, you can dump the problem on those who own the money, namely the credit company. It is in their own interest that transactions with their credit cards go smoothly, and they therefore often take on the task of getting the right settlement. If you are cheated on a city break and have paid in cash or with a debit card, it can be difficult to get your money back. The credit company, on the other hand, has rice behind the mirror, and can deprive the seller / point of sale of the right to use card transactions. They will lose a lot on that,
Other travel benefits by credit card
Some credit cards give you benefits when you go on a city break, which you will not find anywhere else. For example, the cards from airlines such as SAS give access to their lounges at the airports they serve, as long as the trip was paid for with the card. Both SAS and the Norwegian card also give bonus points, which you can convert to new trips, or to pay with, for example, the hotel. Some credit cards also offer discounts on restaurants, lodging and rental cars, or other goods and services that are particularly relevant on vacation. You will also find cards that provide easier access to concerts and experiences abroad, or unique benefits related to, for example, foreign football clubs, if major matches are on your travel program.
Choose a credit card with free travel insurance
One of the best benefits of some credit cards is the availability of free travel insurance. You should have such insurance anyway, and then “free” is an unbeatable argument. The rules are about the same no matter which card and affiliated insurance company you deal with. Half of the travel costs must be paid with the card, which practically means that you buy the flight ticket or the package tour on credit. If you settle the credit before the interest-free period is over, you will not lose a single kroner. On the contrary, you may have saved money, because you had the funds to buy when it was cheap, and may have received valuable bonus points or CashBack with the purchase.
The insurance also applies to cancellation, should it become relevant. In addition, it also applies to a number of people you travel with, as long as their tickets were paid for in the same way. Here, the restrictions vary from company to company, but often you get the whole family, or a certain number of friends.
Withdraw cash with a credit card abroad?
From a purely financial point of view, it is better to withdraw cash with a regular bank card (debit card) than with a credit card. The interest exemption of 45 to 52 days does not apply to withdrawals or payment by post. Abroad, you also receive a currency surcharge and / or a withdrawal fee, depending on which card you own. The interest rate on most credit cards is relatively high, and the cash you withdraw also loses some of its value. If you use the money you have in the holiday account, you also have better control over the total costs for the city break.
Therefore, some use credit cards for cash withdrawals
Despite the fact that you get a few kroner in interest charge when withdrawing cash with a credit card, there are some good reasons to use the credit card for this purpose, and especially abroad. In the rare cases where people are exposed to so-called “skimming” or other fraud, it is better that it is money from the credit card that is stolen, rather than the money you have in your current or salary account. If the credit card is lost, you have better protection, in the same way as when buying goods and services. The credit company and the company behind the payment solution (VISA and MasterCard) are taking up the fight with the thugs, as it is after all their money that has been stolen. On your part, you avoid emptying your travel box.
Avoid a wasted city break
There are obvious exceptions to what is pointed out above. A credit card is worth its weight in gold if you get broke, lose or have your valuables stolen, and similar boring events. As long as you still have the card, of course. The credit card allows you to get enough cash, in addition to settling the expenses you would otherwise pay with the card. Cash is not needed as often, but it is still unavoidable. If you are on a city break abroad, it will hardly be appropriate to use a credit card as a means of payment every time you want a cup of coffee, or buy a packet of chewing gum at a kiosk. In many places, card payments are also not accepted, such as at second-hand markets, at street vendors and some restaurants and bars.
The expert tip
Although it is a bit curious, we can mention that most credit cards fit like a glove on the card holder that controls the light in the hotel room you are staying in. If for some reason you want to have the light on while you are out of the room, hopefully only for a short errand, you can use most bank cards. Just remember that you have then left it, and thus take a risk in relation to the theft of your card! It may also be a good idea to lock a credit card in the hotel room safe. Should you be unlucky enough to lose or have your wallet stolen, you have your credit card in backup.