Before you leave, alert your bank to your intended travel abroad. Banks will put a hold on your account if they believe there is fraudulent activity. Resolving a hold requires time on the phone with the bank's headquarters, which will detract from your time abroad.
Know whether your debit card will work abroad. MasterCard and Visa are the most popular cards and are more widely accepted than other types. Getting a new card prior to leaving the country may be advisable.
Be aware that using a debit card abroad will cost you. At foreign ATMs, banks charge a 2 to 5 percent conversion fee in addition to a transaction fee. If you anticipate using a lot of cash, take out larger amounts to avoid multiple transaction fees. If you are using your debit card in a store or restaurant, you will be charged the conversion fee.
