How can I avoid unexpected card costs abroad?

Don’t rely on cards alone when traveling

A travel-focused story in the set warns that relying solely on card payments abroad can backfire, with research indicating that more than a third of holidaymakers have been caught needing money unexpectedly. The issue is that card access doesn’t always behave the way travelers expect—merchant declines, fees, or limited acceptance can all create gaps.

Practically, this means you should plan for at least one backup payment channel:

• Carry some physical cash as a fallback when cards aren’t accepted or transactions fail.
• Use cards strategically rather than assuming every purchase will work on the first try.
• Verify that your bank won’t block transactions for “unusual” activity abroad.

This matters for day-to-day travel logistics. If you’re booking transport, paying for small meals, or using local services that may not support international cards reliably, a single payment problem can derail an itinerary—especially when you’re far from an ATM.

The safest approach is redundancy: one primary method (card) and one backup (cash), plus the ability to access funds quickly if your card is declined. That also reduces pressure to use costly alternatives when a trip is already in motion.

In short: cards are convenient, but they’re not a complete plan. A modest cash reserve and basic checks with your bank help avoid the “caught out needing money” scenario that survey results suggest is common.