We bring you useful tips on what to watch out for when using your payment card abroad and tips on how your card can make traveling more enjoyable.
1. Travel Insurance with Your Card
With Visa PLATINUM and Visa INFINITE cards, you automatically get free travel insurance with unlimited medical expense coverage for you and your family.
The UniCredit TRAVEL ASSISTANT service is available to you in case of flight or luggage issues directly at the airport. It is valid both within the EU and outside of it.
The 24/7 assistance line is +420 283 002 908. We recommend save it to your mobile device.
Download the insurance card for the PLATINUM card or the INFINITE card.
You can find more useful information about travel insurance here.
2. Premium Services with Your Card
Make your wait at the airport more pleasant in one of the over 1,200 VIP airport lounges of Airport Companion Europe. You can find the list at www.dragonpass.com, along with instructions on how to book entry and details about electronic membership. For Visa INFINITE holders, the service is unlimited and free of charge.
With the UniCredit CONCIERGE, you can forget about the hassle of arranging your vacation or finding the perfect gift. Whether you need to book flights, buy tickets to a sports event, or find a hotel in your chosen destination, we will handle it for you. Lifestyle managers are ready to assist you with almost any non-banking request 24/7 at +420 230 233 330. This service is free for Visa INFINITE cardholders.
Do you want to use the UniCredit CONCIERGE service and have free access to airport lounges? Contact your private banker to find out how you can get a Visa INFINITE card.
3. Cash Withdrawal from ATMs
We recommend withdrawing cash abroad only from official ATMs of local banks marked with a bank logo. ATMs without a bank logo usually offer less favorable exchange rates and higher operator fees.
If the ATM offers the option to select a currency, always choose the local one without conversion, as the conversion rate to your home currency is often unfavorable.
With Visa PLATINUM and Visa INFINITE cards, you always withdraw without fees. If the foreign ATM network operator charges a fee for cash withdrawal, they should inform you of the fee and its amount before you confirm the transaction.
If you are in countries where UniCredit Bank has branches, withdraw from their ATM network to avoid unexpected fees from other banks.
4. Payments at Merchants
If the terminal offers the option to select a currency, always choose the local one and without conversion to avoid an unfavorable exchange rate.
When paying, do not drop the card from your hand, always keep it with you.
Before going on vacation, check your card limits for payments at merchants, ATM withdrawals, and online payments. You can easily change them in the Smart Banking mobile app, via the helpline at +420 221 210 000, or in person at one of our branches.
If you know you won't be using your card for online payments during your vacation, we recommend lowering the limit to a minimum or completely disabling online payments in Smart Banking. You can reactivate payments and set the desired limit anytime.
5. Frequent or Long-Term Stay Abroad and Payments in Local Currency
Do you travel abroad often? Or are you planning to live there for a longer period? Then we recommend considering opening a foreign currency account in the local currency. Payments will then be automatically deducted from this account, without the need for conversion. Don't forget to request linking your debit card, which you normally use for CZK, to the new foreign currency account.
The Infinite Account even offers you the option to open an unlimited number of accounts in many foreign currencies.
6. Payments with Mobile or Smart watch
Do you occasionally forget your wallet at home but always have your mobile with you? Save your payment card in the Apple Pay or Google Pay digital wallet, pay with your mobile (or smartwatch), and make your life easier.
Before traveling abroad, check whether the country you are visiting supports these services.
Find information about Google Pay HERE.
Find information about Apple Pay HERE.
Find information about the virtual card HERE.
7. Card Blocking and Unblocking or change of PIN
In case of loss or theft, we recommend blocking your payment card permanently as soon as possible by calling the helpline at +420 221 210 000. You can temporarily block the card for free yourself directly in the Smart Banking mobile app.
Have you entered your PIN incorrectly three times and your card is blocked? Call the helpline at +420 221 210 000, where an operator will advise you on how to unblock the PIN correctly.
We do not recommend changing the PIN at an ATM in a foreign country. Most ATMs abroad do not support this service, and most domestic ATMs also do not support changing the PIN for a card from another bank.
If you are unsure of your PIN, you can easily view it in the Smart Banking app.
8. Setting Proper Limits on Your Card
If you don't use your card every day for online payments, we recommend limiting online payments in the Smart Banking app or reducing the limits to a necessary minimum. You can activate or increase them anytime.
Don't forget about the limits for cash withdrawals and card payments at merchants. Don't keep them excessively high for the entire duration of your stay abroad but adjust them according to your everyday needs. You can easily customize the limits in Smart Banking.
Setting up notifications for outgoing payments can also protect you from potential problems. Again, you can choose the amount from which you will receive notifications, e.g., from 1,000 CZK.
9. ATM Card Retention
Contact our helpline at +420 221 210 000 as soon as possible to request card blocking and re-issuance.
Don't let such a situation catch you off guard! For trips abroad, we recommend carrying at least two payment cards.
10. Using the Card for Car Rental Reservations
To ensure smooth car rental abroad, we recommend checking the reservation conditions and acceptance of different card types with the selected car rental company before traveling.
Keep in mind that the merchant has the right to refuse card types that their terminals do not support. Therefore, always have a backup payment card with you.
If the conditions for car rental reservations are not met, the bank is not responsible for the card not being accepted.
Didn't find the answers to your questions? Contact our helpline at +420 221 210 000, where we will be happy to advise you, or visit a branch or contact your private banker.
Before traveling, we also recommend reading the Ten financial tips for every informed traveller.
