No, I don't expect it to happen, especially since I use a money belt. But in the event it did, I checked with my credit card companies. No way they can help since we are in a different place every day so no way they could send a replacement card to me. So dump question of the day. In the unlikely situation it happens, any good (realistic) ideas of what to do?
Posted by
NYC
922 posts
Carry a 2nd credit card and a 2nd ATM card. If everything is lost, good luck. :) Be sure to write down the Call COLLECT numbers from the back of your cards so you will be able to call to report any loss immediately.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
First: Don't carry everything in one spot, be it a money belt or two shirt pockets. Second: Talk to your bank, the one that you have money in. Find out what it takes to get you wired a gob of money to anywhere in the world. Set up that capability. Third: Any number will work to call the credit card people. If you use the 800 number, a voice pops us that says something like 'press one to continue at regular international rates'. It'll cost you ten bucks or so, but it gets the job done. Forth: A credit card company can get you a new card ready to go in twenty-four hours. FedEx can get something anywhere in the world in seventy-two hours.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23548 posts
You plan for it. We carry three credit cards and two debit cards accounts with dual cards on both accounts plus a fourth credit card in my wife's name. With both of us wearing money belts the cards are scattered so if one was lost we would just call the bank and continue on. In nearly a year of travel in 18+ years have never lost one. How many have you lost in the past two years? A bigger risk is having the mag strip go bad. We were just in New Orleans and my main ATM card quit working. First time that has ever happen. Didn't think to try my wife's card on the same account. Went to my back up card and it worked fine. Spent 30 mins today at the bank and they have no idea what is wrong with the card except that it will not work. New ones on the way. Carry back up to back up.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9109 posts
FedEx can get something anywhere in the world in seventy-two hours. From the east coast to Europa they can do it in 24 hours at no additional cost.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
What Frank said. Anything that can go just a little bit wrong is eventually growing to blow up in your face. You don't sweat it, but you've played mental 'what if ?' so many times that you don't even blink.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5790 posts
Exactly what Ed said. I had my wallet stolen when I lived in London. What I learned from that experience ... 1) You shouldn't carry all your cards and money in the same place. 2) You don't need to know your credit card # to cancel your card. 3) I lost my cards on a Saturday and had a replacement Visa two days later on Monday ... and that was without emergency service. The credit card company told me that they could provide emergency service if I needed it. I declined because I lived in London and could go back to my flat. 4) Sometimes big banks are better than credit unions. My big name bank was the one that could help me immediately. I couldn't even talk to customer service at my little local credit union to order a replacement until business hours on Monday. Because of that, I still keep my big name bank credit card as a backup. When I travel solo, I typically keep one card in the hotel safe and one in an interior pocket of my purse. I figure the odds of me losing both on the same day is pretty low. If there are two of you, reduce your risk by dividing your assets so that neither of you is carrying everything.