Travel smart: 5 debit card travel tips

From hometown purchases to worldwide adventures: Your debit card speaks the universal language of travel!

You're ready for your big trip. Your bags are packed. Your plans are set. But have you thought about how you'll pay for things? Your debit card is a great way to pay when traveling. It's safer than carrying cash. Plus, it helps you keep track of what you spend.

Here are five simple tips to make your debit card work better for you when traveling.

1. Tell your credit union or bank you're traveling

Even though many banks and credit unions can detect travel based on your spending patterns, it’s still a smart move to set a travel notice before you go. If unfamiliar charges pop up from another city or country, your card could be flagged — or even temporarily blocked — as a precaution.

Most financial institutions, including Desert Financial, make it easy to set up a travel notice online or through their mobile app. To help ensure your card works wherever your trip takes you with your Desert Financial debit card, use the following steps in our mobile app, or give us a call at (602) 433-7000:

• Select More at the bottom of the screen.
• Select Manage Accounts, then Manage Debit Cards.
• Select your card, then Manage travel plans.
• Enter your travel details and select Submit Travel Plan.

2. Know your daily spending limits

Your debit card most likely has limits on how much money you can spend each day or withdrawal from an ATM. These limits help keep your money safe. Before you travel, find out what these limits are. If you need to, ask your credit union or bank if it’s possible to raise them temporarily.

Remember that ATMs in other countries might have their own limits too. Be sure to check your balance often. This helps you make sure you have enough money and can spot any strange charges quickly.

3. Bring more than one way to pay

Prepare for the unexpected when traveling. Your debit card can serve as your go-to payment option, but it's smart to have other ways to pay too. Bring some cash in the local currency and consider having a backup debit card from another account. Or bring a prepaid travel card.

Be sure to keep your cards in different places. Put one in your wallet, one in your hotel safe and maybe one in a hidden pocket (close to your chest if possible). This way, if your wallet is lost or stolen, you still have access to your money.

4. Watch out for extra fees

Using your card in other countries often costs extra. You might pay fees for:

• Foreign transactions (typically are 1-3% of what you spend)
• Taking money from ATMs
• Changing money from one currency to another

Here's a helpful tip: When paying for something, if you are asked if you want to pay in local money or your home money, always choose local money. The store's exchange rate usually includes hidden fees that cost more than letting your financial institution handle it.

5. Keep your card info safe

New destinations can bring new adventures and new risks — especially when it comes to your money. When you're on the go, using a digital wallet is one of the safest ways to pay. It keeps your card info protected, reduces physical contact and makes transactions fast and secure.

Why digital wallets are your best bet:

1. Tap to pay (contactless) – most secure
2. Chip insert – secure, but slower
3. Magnetic swipe – least secure

Whenever possible, opt for using cards in your digital wallet. It adds an extra layer of security by using encryption and tokenization instead of sharing your actual card number. Keeping your money safe is just as important as keeping yourself safe. With a digital wallet and a few smart habits, you can explore confidently and pay securely — wherever your travels take you.

How to add your Desert Financial debit card to your digital wallet

Desert Financial supports these digital wallets:

• Apple Pay^®
• Google Pay^™
• Samsung Pay^™

Get started in just a few steps:

1. Open your digital wallet app
• Apple users: Open the Wallet app.
• Android users: Open Google Pay or Samsung Pay.
2. Add your card
• Tap “Add Card” and follow the prompts.
3. Enter or scan your card info
• You can manually type in your card details or scan it using your phone’s camera.
4. Verify your card
• You may receive a verification code via text or email to confirm.
5. You’re ready to tap and go!
• Once verified, your card is ready for contactless payments.

Another bonus pro tip if you’re traveling, be careful about using the internet for banking while traveling. Don't use public Wi-Fi or shared computers to check your accounts. Instead, use your phone's data connection and your bank or credit unions official app. Keeping your money safe is just as important as keeping yourself safe.

Did you know? If someone makes a fraudulent charge with your debit card, you won’t be on the hook for it. You’re covered thanks to Zero Liability Policy.¹

Safe (and smart) travels!

Following these simple tips can make your trip much smoother. Good planning helps you enjoy your travels without money worries. If you have questions about using your card abroad, give us a call at (602) 433-6000. Safe travels!