Vacation Credit Card Hassles
 

Has anyone had problems with CC authorizations because you were using your card on vacation (another state)or charging something out of your normal pattern ?
Has anyone ever called their CC company and said we are going on vacation to X so don't question the charges? Is that a safe thing to do? Experiences please! Thanks R5

We had this problem so now we call and let them know when we are going on vacations or planning on spending more than normal like around Christmas. We have never had a problem since.

Curious, what you view as a greater hassle, the need to pull out a photo ID once in awhile, or the nightmare that will occur if someone gets a hold of a credit card in your name.

Unfortunately, the reality is that ID theft is becoming a major problem and it is far to easy to steal someone's credit card number. As the saying goes, "a few bad apples are going to spoil the fun for everyone else."

On a recent trip to Vegas, I needed to show my ID several times when using my card. I didn't view it as that big of a deal.

We got a notice when we returned home that said that there may be a misuse of our card and to call the company. This has happened several times in the last 2 years. Guess they don't envision us travelling. ;)

Recently they even cancelled the card that I'd had for 20 years and had memorized the number from online and phone use because they suspected that the number had been compromised. Apparently a merchant reported that their files had been accessed and all the credit card numbers were in jeopardy so all the cards were cancelled.

Not only is it the safe thing to do, it's the smart thing to do, especially if you plan on going overseas. Also get the toll free number for overseas travel just in case if that's your destination. I usually don't do it for U.S. travel, but then again I never go away for more than a weekend in the U.S. usually. It wouldn't hurt though if you plan on charging a lot.

Had this problem once while in Hawaii using a credit card from our Credit Union. Was denied credit at a store after a morning of shopping. Called the credit union and apparently you could only use it 6 times in a day unless you called and told them you'd be out of your "normal" area of charging. Promptly cancelled the credit card. Got a different card and have never had a problem since.

I always call before going on vacation telling approximate dates and areas. And as I tell them my return date I don't bother to call back to let them know no more charges from that area.

My CC bank is in another state, I doubt very much they can send somebody to rob my house. I would think to call a taxi or a shuttle to the home address is more dangerous.

I'm not concerned with showing the i.d. at my end-it's what's happening on the other end of the line-the CC people get concerned and deny authorization and every waiter or store clerk or etc. is nixing your every purchase. This means I am constantly calling my CC and telling them it's o.k.? Yet, I'm not sure how I feel about a blanket o.k. when I am travelling!

I've been on the road so much the last 5 years that my credit card company doesn't even bother to call any longer.

I always call Citibank and let them know my travel plans. I once had a hold put on my card the last day of the trip because of all the places I had been charging -- they thought it sent up a red flag.

Oddly enough, they recently called me at home thinking I had a problem. Seems they recorded charges on my card in California, England, France, and New York all on the same day. I was doing some reservations and purchases from home. All in all, I think it's a good thing they keep tabs and look out for the problems. It's just a pain if you are away somewhere and they call your home to check on your card.

Sometimes if you DON'T advise your credit card provider that you will be traveling, the first charge away from home may go through, but a "hold" will be put on your account until they can reach you by phone and verify that you are using the card away from home.

LOL When we moved from Dallas to Savannah, I'd go back to Dallas a couple of times a yaer, where our son still lives, to do my clothes shopping. My husband, at home going about his normal business, got a call from VISA during one of these trips saying there was an unusual pattern and spending and unusual amounts on our card, had it been stolen? He told them no, that I was in Dallas shopping. That wasn't good enough for them...if I did not call them myself by the next day, our card would be rejected. You can well imagine the call I got from my husband that evening. WHAT HAVE YOU BOUGHT???WHAT ARE YOU DOING????!!! Too funny.

OliveOyl-Thanks for the levity!
:))
I might have replied to my hubby:
"Why buying goodies for you dear!"

It happened to me on a ski trip in Colorado. We bought groceries and lift tickets at a grocery store in Denver as well as rented a car. The next day while trying to get our rental skiis, the CC was declined. We assumed because we were over the limit, it turned out they put a hold on because of suspicious charges. They did call our home ONCE. Obviously we were not there. After arriving home and paying the bill I again tried to use the card and was denied. After contacting the CC company, i learned about the hold.

Before our next big trip, which was three weeks in Hawaii, I did notify the CC company. I did relay my concern about only being notified ONCE by phone concerning this problem. I have not had the problem since.

The only time my credit card company has contacted me was right after a trip to Dallas.I had put gas in the rental car.later in the day I gassed up the buddies car as he had bought the previous 2 dinners.Next day when I get home,the credit card company wanted to know if everything was OK.I said yep.Seems that with them,if they see 2 gas purchases within a 24 hour period,it sends up a red flag.The theory being that the most important objective of a credit card thief is to keep their gas tank full.

While in London last fall, I used my Credit Union Card for all my "goody purchases. Card was never declined
When I arrived home there was a call on my answering machine from them asking me to call at earliest conveneience.
They were concerned about the "unusual" activity and it was a "courtesy" call.

Good looking out in my opinion

Prior to my last trip to Italy, I called both my cc companies and informed them of my exact dates of travel and that I would be in Italy only. Towards the end of the trip, my Am Ex ("don't leave home without it") was cut off.

When I returned home, I discovered their outside, contracted security service company had been calling a home number for me that was 3 years old asking if I was ot of the country. If I was out of the country, how would I know they were calling? Hello? When I called Am Ex directly, I was informed that they don't relay travel plan information to their "fraud watchers". So what good is that?

I've had the same problem as Beach Boi with the credit card company questioning more than one gas purchase in the same day. My husband is in sales and he often will fill up twice in a day (now he has a company car and the company's gas card!) Once we advised the credit card company about the likelihood there would often be multiple gas purchases in a single day, it was not again a problem.

BTW, the reason multiple gas charges might send a red flag to the credit card companies is that you can use a credit card at a gas pump without signing an invoice.