Tips for using your cards while traveling

Before you travel, make sure your debit and credit cards are just as ready as you are. Following these tips can help you save money, avoid interruptions, and travel with peace of mind.

Notify your card issuer

You can update your travel plans in minutes right from the Centra Mobile app! Simply open the app and choose ‘Card Management’ from the ‘Account Services’ menu. Select ‘Travel Notice’ to send us a message about your upcoming travel plans to prevent potential card interruptions. Make sure to include:

Your card number

Your dates of travel (when you’re leaving and will be returning)

Your destination

You can also call our Contact Center to ask a Team Member to mark your Centra cards for travel.Limit card usage to avoid fees

To save money while traveling, try to limit the use of cards that charge added fees outside of the United States. We’ll automatically waive foreign ATM fees charged by Centra. Other financial institutions may still charge you for using their ATM. It’s a good idea to research fees for any other cards you plan to bring with you.

Have multiple payment options

Be prepared with several payment options. Having different options can help make sure you aren’t stranded with no way to pay. Also, if your card is declined due to suspected fraud, you’ll be happy you have another way to pay.

If it’s suspected that fraud is occurring on your Centra card, our fraud team will contact you.

Debit card fraud

If your card is lost, stolen, or you’ve noticed an unauthorized transaction, please log into your digital banking to place a temporary block on your card. Simply choose ‘Card Management’ under the ‘Account Services’ menu and block your card.

You can also initiate a transaction dispute or report your card as lost or stolen in digital banking. If you’d prefer to speak to someone, please call 844-698-7052.

As a reminder, Centra sends fraud text alerts from the number 37268. If you receive a text message from this number, it’s not fraudulent, and you should reply accordingly. Please know that a Centra Team Member will never contact you to direct you to reply ‘no’ to a fraud text alert.

Credit card fraud

For all other forms of fraud, please contact us immediately. For check fraud, we recommend filing a police report to provide to our fraud team.

Be aware of local currency conversion rates

If you do use local currency, look into the conversion rates from dollars. If you use your credit card, be sure to conduct the transactions in local currency.

Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) lets you have a transaction conducted in U.S. dollars rather than the local currency, so you have a better idea what it’s costing you. While it’s convenient, it’s also expensive. The exchange rates for DCC can be higher than what your card issuer will use when it converts the purchase for your statement.

ATMs can also attempt to charge you for DCC, some more obviously than others. The charge may be termed as “locking in” or “guaranteeing” a conversion rate, which sounds safe and like a smart move. Instead, you should choose whatever option allows you to proceed without the conversion. Always select to be charged in the local currency, no matter how the question is phrased.

Think before you scan

QR codes are everywhere when you travel: restaurant tables, parking kiosks, transit signs. Unfortunately, scammers know this too.

Scammers can place fake QR code stickers over legitimate ones in busy tourist areas. When scanned, these codes can send you to lookalike websites designed to steal your personal or financial information. This tactic is known as “quishing,” a funny word that could have serious consequences.

Some tips to help avoid falling victim:

Check if the QR code looks raised, wrinkled, or slightly misaligned.

Be cautious if the sticker looks different from the surrounding signage.

When in doubt, search the business’ website manually instead.

If something feels off, trust your instincts and skip the scan!

Centra Blog