Credit card company cancelled my card whilst on holiday

A4445

I normally take several cards. Amex, Nationwide, Clarity and my debit card. I also take cash. I’m a bit of an anxious person so like lots of back ups.

Unfortunately the cards are the banks property. They can cancel and ask for them back at anytime. Taking them to court won’t work.

GibbsRule_No3

I like all the comments that say people should take more than one card but some people might not have that option for one reason or another.
My story.
On my first trip to Chicago I purchased a camera with a Barclaycard and then a day later I wanted to hire a bike from the Pier, it was declined, luckily I had cash and used that and I was coming home next day. I called BC when I got home and was told I should have let them know, taking that on board I did on later trips, on one trip I called my bank to let them know and they told me I didn’t need to do it anymore. You guessed it the card was declined, locked, so I had to call from the US to get it unlocked. Reason it was locked, crossover of months and my direct debits went out between US shop purchases. Needless to say I always now insist that they put a marker ( do they do that?) on my account with the dates I will be away.
I do now have a credit card with a miserly amount on it, that would certainly not pay for a hotel room if my debit card is declined.

chattychappy

GibbsRule_No3 wrote: »

I like all the comments that say people should take more than one card but some people might not have that option for one reason or another.

Generally if you can get one card and operate it properly, you can get one or two more. Also if travelling with another adult, their card(s) can act as backups.

Your experience mirrors mine. Phoning up in advance to say where you're going makes little difference as to whether a card gets blocked. That said, it might be easier to unblock a card if you've pre- warned them.

I had a situation where a card was blocked after using a particular ATM. Called up, unblocked. They said they'd noted where I was. Next day, same ATM, blocked again. Meanwhile another card worked fine in that ATM without any blocks.

I have long since stopped telling CCs in advance of my travels. Takes too much time,, I'm often not sure where I'll be anyway, don't think it makes any difference. Plus, by carrying multiple cards I just don't have a problem.