Global cards are becoming quite popular nowadays and are widely used by people travelling across different countries. We all know that different countries have different currencies, and when travelling from one country to another, you need to change your payment methods and currency as your nation’s currency will not be there. You can exchange your currency with other currencies from a forex centre before you leave your country or use a traveller’s cheque or credit/debit card for international payments.
But they need to find a way to offer advantages similar to a global card. This is why today, most people, whether they are travellers or study abroad students, prefer to use global cards instead of any other international payment method. So, if you are planning an upcoming trip abroad and looking for a way to simplify and secure your international payments, keep reading. Here, we will share 15 tips and ways to use a Global card to help you understand the full potential and advantages of using it in your next abroad trip.
What is a Global card?
Here we will also share a brief description of a global card before discussing the tips and ways to use a global card. It will help you to understand the concept better. It is also called an international prepaid card, multi-currency forex card or global travel card. This prepaid card works similar to any credit or debit card but can only transact foreign currencies.
One can get multi-currency travel cards from forex dealers or bank authorities. These cards can be loaded with one or multiple currencies and help make smooth payments internationally.
15 tips for using a global card
While travelling to a foreign country, there is nothing better than purchasing a global card to manage all your international payment needs. The card is easy to use, hassle-free and convenient, which makes your international payments safe and reliable.
But if you are using it for the first time, you may need to learn how to use it or maintain it for better safety and savings. So, here we will list 15 tips on its usage.
- Use to load foreign currencies like a prepaid card-
The global card or travel card works similar to prepaid cards, also called international prepaid cards. You can easily load them with foreign currencies and use them during your trips abroad. Travel cards are easy-to-use; you can load your travel card from your card provider. Also, you can use net banking to load your travel card before leaving your country.
- Swipe and pay
You can use a global card to make payments like paying for your flight tickets, booking an event, paying for your shopping, dinners, travels and much more abroad. You can use your travel cards just like your credit/ debit cards to make all these payments in your country. You need to swipe your card in the merchant’s payment machine and make your payment. For instance, you will have dinner or watch a movie during your trip abroad. Then you can use your travel card to swipe and pay for your expenses. The card is also used for tap and pay, a contactless payment for your shopping, transit or food.
- Make online payment
Your Forex card can also be used to make online payments. It is as simple as you make online payments with your debit/ credit cards within the country. But the primary benefit of using this global card is that you do not need to pay a cross-currency charge that you must face while using credit/ debit cards to make payments in a foreign country.
- Use to shuffle funds from currency wallets-
Travel cards can be used for shuffling funds from currency wallets. The multi-currency global cards can shuffle currencies from different currency wallets without paying a cross-currency fee. For instance, if you travel from the US to the UK, you can change your currency from USD to GBP through net banking without paying a cross-currency fee.
- Load INR and pay with different currencies
Using global cards, you can load different currencies to make payments abroad. In addition, these cards can also help you to use a single currency to make global payments. If you use an international or global debit card and load INR, you can use the card to make payments in Euros, USDs, Swiss currency and much more.
- Use to withdraw cash from international ATMs
As we have mentioned, a travel card is similar to a credit/ debit card. These cards are used to withdraw cash from your country, as well as from the international ATMs. So, when you carry a travel card, you can withdraw cash from ATMs across the globe.
- Check instant transaction details.
Travel cards are also useful for checking instant transaction details. Checking your transaction details every time you perform a transaction, helps to track your transactions during your trip abroad. The instant transaction details can be sent through SMS alert or mail every time you use the card to transact.
- Re-generate pin via ATMs
The travel card comes with a security pin for performing transactions. But you can also re-generate the pin to strengthen safety and security. The card pin is easy to re-generate, and you can do the regeneration through ATMs similarly as you change your credit /debit card pin.
- Carry a backup card
While travelling to a foreign country, you need to rely on yourself the most because you will be travelling among strangers, and it may take some time to get help in an emergency. Carrying a backup card during your travels abroad is wise. For example, if your travel card is stolen, lost or damaged during your foreign trip, you can use the backup card for your emergency money transactions.
- Make sure to check the expiry date.
It is also vital for you to check the expiry date before you purchase the travel card. You can get your travel card /global card from the nearest global card provider or apply for the card through a digital onboarding process. But you must check the expiration date while accepting the card from the provider. If you accept an expired card without noticing, you can face huge trouble in the future.
- Do not use the card for toll fee payments.
When you travel from one country to another, you must pay different toll fees to enter a country or city. But if you are using a global card for the first time, you may need to learn that it cannot operate to pay toll fees. So, it will fail if you try using your travel card to pay a toll fee. Instead, you can withdraw some cash from an ATM before crossing a toll post and use them to pay off the fee.
- Check charges and use the card accordingly.
It is one of the important tips you must remember while using your global card. Every travel card has its specific charges depending on the usage. And if you know the fees, you can use the card to avoid maximum fees and save money. Suppose a card has a daily cash withdrawal limit and takes an extra charge for withdrawing money over your limit; then, you must stay within your daily limit to avoid the fee.
- Check support or help facilities.
While choosing a global card, it is essential to check the support or help facility of the provider. Always choose a card that comes with 24/7 global assistance. It will ensure you will get immediate support during your foreign trips.
- Opt for contactless payments
It is also wise to opt for a contactless payment like tap and pay instead of handing your card to the merchant. It is a more safe and more reliable method.
- Never use the card to pre-book a hotel, accommodation or car
Never use your travel card for pre-booking hotel rooms, dinner tables or taxis/cabs in a foreign country. It is something many Indian students studying abroad and travellers suggest for safety concerns.
Conclusion
Global cards are no wonder the best payment method for your foreign trips. The global card has a chip and pin, and you can use it to withdraw money from foreign ATMs or use it online and swipe and pay during your stay or visit a foreign country. But you must use a global card wisely and properly to maximize its benefits.
