A new TSB survey uncovers why such a high number of cards are declined overseas.

When you go on holiday, you just want to tell everyone how excited you are that you’re going somewhere exotic, whether it's your Gran, the person you sit next to at work, even your pet hamster. But the one that many of us forget to tell is our bank.

According to TSB, 77% of travellers who have had their credit card declined overseas failed to inform their bank that they would be out of the country before they left.

57% said they hadn’t realised they needed to call the bank, 38% felt they shouldn’t have to and 12% simply forgot. 7% said they didn’t have the time to spend on hold to speak to an operator, while 4% said they felt the notification process was too complicated.

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Why you need to tell your bank

Many banks use an automated fraud detection system, which is why it's so important to tell them if you're heading abroad. If your bank notices any unusual activity on your account, such as increased spending and transactions in foreign countries, it will automatically block your card to stop further spending.

It’s likely that the bank will follow this up with a text or phone call to make you aware of this activity.

Unfavourable consequences

When their card was declined, 55% of respondents to TSB's survey said they worried that they couldn’t pay for goods and services they had just received, while 73% were "just plain embarrassed".

Your phone bill could also balloon because of calls and texts that you receive from your bank when you’re away, even if it’s just a short call checking that you are aware of the card usage.

Do I need to contact my bank?

Different banks and card providers have their own ways of dealing with overseas spending, so we’ve collected the important info that you need about using your card abroad. In all cases, make sure your contact details are up-to-date so that they can get hold of you if necessary.

Bank	What you need to know
American Express	Call the number on the back of your card if you plan on using it overseas.
Bank of Scotland	Contact Bank of Scotland in-branch or over the phone before you travel.
Barclays	No need to tell Barclays that you are going abroad. Can withdraw up to £300 a day from cash machines that display a Visa sign.
Barclaycard	No need to inform Barclaycard.
Capital One	Same as above.
Halifax	Contact in-branch or over the phone before you travel.
HSBC	Let HSBC know you’re travelling by clicking ‘going abroad’ on your internet banking account or calling customer services before you go.
Lloyds	You must contact Lloyds before you travel.
NatWest/RBS	Inform them at least 24 hours in advance. Log your details through your online banking account by selecting the ‘using your card abroad’ option from ‘our products’. It can also be sorted in your local branch.
Nationwide	This can also be done through your online account. Select ‘travel notifications’ under ‘account services’.
Santander	No need to inform Santander before travel. You can withdraw money from any machine with the Cirrus sign.
Tesco	No need to contact.
TSB	Call TSB to let them know of your travel plans in advance.
Virgin Money	Phone Virgin Money before you travel.