We highly recommend you carry a VISA debit card attached to a personal checking account as you travel around the world. In our experience this is the most reliable way to get money overseas. Mastercards work… SOMETIMES. American Express works… NEVER. VISA is the most accepted card and will give you the least trouble.
2) ATM Symbols
When you enter a new country, you’ll want to stop by an ATM machine and take out cash for your personal money. You will want to look for an ATM with symbols that match the symbols on the back of your debit card. The most popular symbols are Cirrus, Interlink, Star, and Plus. The more symbols you have on your debit card, the more ATMs you’ll be able to use. If your debit card isn’t working check to make sure you are at an ATM with the right symbols.
3) Daily Limits
Your ATM card comes with a daily limit. Most likely this is going to be an extremely high number that you don’t need to worry about. However, I would recommend you call your bank and know what your limits are each day at an ATM. If your debit card isn’t working, the second thing to check would be if you’ve gone over your daily limit for money or times used.
4) Security Removed
Your bank account comes with certain fraud protection systems. As you travel to multiple countries and use your card, banks will suspect your card as stolen. You have to call your bank and tell them that you are travelling for 11 months through all kinds of random places. They will want to know where you are going. Some people give them the route and dates. Some people simply say “the whole world.” There are pros and cons to both approaches. If you only give them your route, you will need to notify your bank of any route changes or stops along the way. If you say the whole world then you no longer have ANY fraud protection. You choose which way you want to go.
5) Credit Card for backup
Sometimes you’ll be in a place your debit card just isn’t working for whatever reason. It’s not a bad idea to have a credit card for a backup plan. It won’t be accepted with the fruit lady on the street, but in major cities you can get your basic needs with a credit card. Not necessary, but not a bad idea.
6) Add a person you trust to your account
One of the best things I did was add my mom to my bank account. She could then walk into the bank and do anything that needed to be done for me financially at that bank, no questions asked. It made life very hassle free. Your mom might not be the best person to add to your bank account, but I would recommend you add a trusted source. Someone who can deposit money for you, change information, and generally take care of anything you need. Not to mention when your mom calls and is so sad that she can’t send you a birthday present on the field, I will tell her that she should add a little cash to your personal bank account. You should make that a simple process!!!
7) What if it’s stolen?
Debit cards, credit cards, cash, wallets, computers… all that good stuff… it gets stolen. It’s happened multiple times. First thing you need to know is to protect your stuff, if someone can see it, they can steal it. So don’t let them see it!!! Second thing you need to know is that it will be okay. Plenty of Racers have had their stuff stolen and they’ve all lived to tell the tale. If your debit or credit card gets stolen the VERY first thing you need to do is contact your bank or credit card company. Any transactions that happen after it is reported will not hurt you. If you wait to report it… assuming it will just “turn up”… you could find yourself in a whole heap of trouble. In order to report your card stolen, you need to have the phone number available. Don’t keep that in your wallet… it won’t help you! I recommend you send an email to yourself with that information. Next, contact your financial power of attorney or the person added to your bank account. Let them know the situation and they can help get you a new card. Last, let the field support staff know. We can receive a new debit card and bring it to you on the field the next time coaches or staff come to visit. We need to know in advance that it’s coming, so please send an email and let us know.
