10 expert payment tips for a safe summer vacation

(BPT) - This summer, people are traveling and spending more money than ever. According to the Mastercard Economics Institute’s Travel Trends 2024 report, an annual industry deep dive across 74 markets, there are a few key trends:

• American wanderlust: A record-breaking 15.9 million Americans jetted off internationally in the first quarter of 2024 alone. For example, Japan welcomed over 3 million passenger arrivals in March 2024.
• Global spending spree: The cruise and airline industries are experiencing a windfall, with nine out of the last 10 record-setting spending days occurring in 2024.
• Taking much-deserved PTO: Tourists are savoring their getaways, extending their stays by an average of one extra day compared to pre-pandemic times. This trend is particularly strong for budget-friendly destinations.

But there are some individuals who never take a vacation: scammers. While people are spending, they’re waiting to pounce! As you plan your next trip abroad, follow these safety tips to protect your money before you go and while you’re away.

Booking your travel

1. Book on reputable websites

• When booking your flights, hotels or experiences abroad, only interact with reputable, established vendors.
• Before you snag yourself a deal, read the reviews and examine a site to ensure it is secure.
• Make sure the company you are buying from has a phone number or physical mailing address that you can verify before you buy.

2. Use your own device and secure Wi-Fi networks

• Never shop on a device you don't own.
• Make online purchases on your personal device where you have more control.
• Keep your devices' operating systems up to date. Those updates contain critical security updates that protect you from vulnerabilities.
• Don’t shop or access your financial accounts through public Wi-Fi networks, such as coffee shops or airports. The same applies while you are traveling.
• Keep in mind your information and financial accounts may be at risk if you use an unsecured network. Use your mobile data or better yet, wait until you can use your home network.

3. Know your rights

• Check what travel benefits and insurance you have in place for your booking and while you are abroad, via your bank or your credit card provider.
• Familiarize yourself with the chargeback process. This can help prepare you for when you find yourself in a tricky situation like fraudulent or unauthorized charges on your account, damaged or defective goods or incorrect charges.

Before you go

4. Protect your tech

• Leverage Multi-Factor Authentication, which combines a unique passcode (that isn’t your address, birthday or phone number) and biometrics (such as face or fingerprint) to protect your online accounts, mobile phone and digital wallets.
• With Multi-Factor Authentication, if one factor (like your username/password) is compromised, fraudsters won’t be able to meet the second authentication requirement (like a biometric or text code), ultimately stopping them from gaining access to your accounts.
• Check your bank’s website for advice on travel and how to keep them informed of your plans.
• Use a plug to charge your devices. USB and USB-Type C cables can transfer data, which could occur when you plug the cable in to a public USB/USB-Type C input. Using a traditional plug removes the risk of data transfer, charging your device in a secure way.

5. Back up to the cloud and carry hard copies

• Set your phone or device so that data is backed up to the cloud.
• If you lose your device, you will still be able to access your travel documentation.
• As an extra precaution, carry hard copies of all your travel documents.

6. Know your card's PIN and check contactless limits

• The PIN assigned to your card is required at ATMs and at some terminals abroad.
• Different countries also have limits on how much you can spend per contactless transaction.
• Knowing your credit card and daily debit card limits and PINs can help make travel easier.

7. Set up account alerts

• Setting up alerts can help you monitor your accounts easily and quickly identify transactions that you don’t recognize.
• Should you suspect fraudulent activity, contact the financial institution that issued your card immediately.

While you're traveling

8. Have multiple payment options

• Keep an alternate form of payment in a different bag in case your wallet is lost or stolen.
• Add your eligible debit and credit cards to a digital wallet so you can pay with your mobile device wherever digital payments are accepted in stores, online and in apps.

9. Don't overshare

• Avoid posting your location in real time or your travel agenda on social media.
• Sharing these details allows potential thieves to keep track of where you are, making it easier for them to time a crime.
• The same goes for your email out of office — be careful what personal details you share, as it could prove useful to fraudsters.

10. Report your lost card quickly

• If your debit or credit card is lost or stolen while traveling, report it to your bank right away.
• If you previously added your card to a digital wallet and you are still in possession of your device, your card issuer may be able to update your digital wallet with your new card information so that you can continue using it while you wait for your new card to arrive.

Following these travel tips can help ensure a safe holiday. Help is just a phone call away. Just dial the number on the back of your card or visit your issuer’s website.

For more information about Mastercard’s security benefits, visit Mastercard.US/EN-US/Get-Support/Safety-Security.html.