Travelling Abroad? You Need An International Debit Card

Do you travel often? Are you looking to make purchases in other countries? Tired of paying high fees while abroad? If you said yes to any of the above, then an international debit card is a must.

Most people have a debit card, but not everyone understands the difference between a domestic and international debit card. While traditional debit cards are extremely useful for daily purchases and banking, they typically cannot be used outside of their country of origin. This is a big problem for travelers who may need to make purchases or withdraw funds in a foreign country. An international debit card offers special benefits that the typical, run-of-the-mill debit or Interac card can’t, and keep things simple because customers do not need to bring a secondary card with them. With an international debit card, customers can go to a bank, credit union, or ATM and withdraw cash when needed, or make purchases at POS. International debit cards are supported by Visa or MasterCard, giving them recognition in foreign countries around the world.

International debit cards are a great financial tool that credit unions can offer new customers to entice them to move away from traditional banks. An international debit is convenient and will help with customer retention.

Features of an international card include ATM usage, just like domestic cards. However, since these cards are secured with a financial institution that has an international presence (Mastercard / Visa), usage fees are typically waived, saving you on fees. It can be used just like a credit card, but since the card is connected to a checking or savings account, the funds used are deducted from your actual account, and you don’t rack up debt or get charged interest. It’s truly the best of both worlds.

Thanks to improved processing terminals, transactions are completed in real time and there are no holds on purchases. People can conveniently and efficiently make purchases without worrying about delays are declines. Additionally, international debit cards provide overseas travelers with safety and security. It’s risky to travel to a foreign country and carry around large amounts of cash. An international debit card offers theft protection via a secure PIN, fraud maintenance from the issuing company, and purchase protection.

If you plan to escape the cold weather and abscond to a climate, you need an international debit card.