Use Credit Cards to Save Money While Traveling -

Using credit cards while traveling is a pocket-friendly as well as a convenient technique. You can earn points, miles and cash back rewards. However, these are the basic benefits of using a credit card overseas.

If you wish to make the utmost advantage of all the travel benefits that a credit card can offer, you must know which doors to knock on. Here are a few unbelievably amazing benefits that could help you save a lot more on your vacation.

Finding the Perfect Card

Credit cards are the best pocket-companions during travel. Traveling with cash can be quite risky, and the advent of credit cards has made it safer for people on a trip. Whether you choose to shop, go out for dinner, or buy flight tickets - credit cards are the best mode of payment. Certain credit cards also offer excellent travel offers and services.

However, the biggest bitterness sets in when the credit cards levy exorbitant charges for foreign transactions. What should you do when you have to fund an overseas trip - should you pay such high charges or should you look for alternatives?

Well, cheaper travel options are abundant. You just need to browse your options and find the right credit card to suit your purpose, which can be a tedious task. However, you ought to be aware that you can save a considerable amount of reserves if you just research enough to find the suitable card.

Most credit cards in the US and UK charge low foreign transaction fees, sometimes even as low as 0%. Unfortunately, we Indians are not that lucky. All Indian credit cards charge at least 2% foreign transaction charges, and these are the premium travel cards that are difficult to get.

Ordinary credit cards that most Indians easily qualify for might charge an insanely high fee. Do not be myopic while sorting through available credit cards; devote some quality time and search extensively for the best credit card deal.

These are the criteria that you must check before deciding on selecting a credit card for travel:

• If you are a frequent overseas traveler, the first prerequisite for your apt credit card should be a decently low currency conversion charge and foreign exchange rate.
  
  
• Look for cards offering reward points that can be converted for Air-miles or direct Air-miles that can be redeemed while purchasing flight tickets.
  
  
• Check for cards that give you free access to Airport Lounges.
  
  
• Credit cards levy a markup fee of 3% to 5% on foreign transactions. This essentially means that if you spend Rs.1 lakh on your foreign trip using a credit card with a 5% markup fee, you will end up paying an extra Rs.5000 to the issuer. Hence, you should look for a card that has low markup charges.
  
  
• A few credit cards levy a fee on swiping the card for purchases. Avoid those. You will find many cards that do not charge this absurd fee.
  
  
• Most credit cards charge varying rates for cash withdrawals through ATMs. Find the card that charges the least.