Random Declines - could be dangerous

Nebulous2

MissConception2 said:

Nebulous2 said:

I'm not sure if I go to anywhere you would consider as unsafe. I trim the number of cards I carry when abroad, leaving some at home, but would usually have at least 4 (2 credit, 2 debit)  that don't have foreign exchange fees, and another 2-3 that do, but could be used in an emergency. 

Something I do early in a holiday, if I can find a fee-free ATM, is draw out cash. Even in France / Spain, I'll get 100 or 200 euros, depending how long I'm away for.

Having said that - last year I made a purchase of over 2000 euros in a shop, on a credit card, and didn't even have to authorise it. It just went through. So I've had very few problems, either at home or abroad. 

That's my approach, very much a belt and braces one. 

On one occasion I did try to get cash from an ATM. In fact I tried about 5 or 6 of them in two different locations. All of them wanted a cash transaction fee, and it was pretty steep! So even if the card you have is fee free obtaining cash might not be free if the ATM itself charges. As I don't use cash much these days I'd never encountered this before. Since my cards were still working at the time I didn't get any cash.

I had taken a small amount of foreign currency (where it was available) with me, but not all currencies can be had (easily) in the UK. Even then, you are warned about carrying a lot of cash if there is any possibility of being mugged. If you choose to carry cash it must an amount that you are prepared to lose as any insurance cover you might have would either not cover it all or it would be below the excess value.

In truth any major city could be considered unsafe these days if you happen to wander into the wrong area. Even London is an unsafe place, as are most cities in the UK.

Well you haven't mentioned where you were, so I found it difficult to gauge what you meant by unsafe.

I had a week in London recently as a tourist for a theatre trip, and never felt unsafe, despite wandering the streets at night, using the tube, going to Christmas markets etc. 

The primary point I was making was that I do not consider two means of payment enough. Even when I have three times as many payment options as you did I still like to have it backed up by cash. I hate ATM foreign currency fees, and try to avoid them when I can, but paying 5 euros to withdraw 200 is only 2.5% which is less than a currency exchange would charge you to take cash out before you go. 

born_again

To respond to title.

There is never anything RANDOM about security checks.
Any call center or other team member. Will get a couple of days training is they ever spout the word "RANDOM" on a call to a customer...