This past summer, however, our card suddenly stopped working in Ireland, about 5.5 weeks into an eight week trip. What I learned from this may help you.
We figured it out when the card suddenly would not pay for our dinner the last night in Glendalough. When we got back to our room, I got online and sure enough, we had an email to call the toll-free, overseas number for the company.
Fortunately I also had a PDF file with me teling me the 800 umber, and how to call an overseas operator (dial 001 before the number. Remember this point: 0-0-1.)
"No big deal," I thought, and figured we would just call collect from a pay phone in the Dublin Airport before we flew out. Little did I know...
Well, if you didn't know, pay phones are not like public pay phones anymore. The pay phones in the airport are set up by a for-profit phone company, which uses only their operators and lines to make calls. They would not make a collect call to the toll free number as listed on the credit card. I tried several times at different phones, and it was always the same answer: If you give us your credit card number we will charge the call to it, and you can discuss the charges with your credit card company when you return home.
The point they didn't get was that my credit card was no longer working, even after I patiently explained it several times.
Finally I even tried using the credit card number, figuring "What the hell do I have to lose" but, of course, the charge was declined and they hung up on me.
Off to Paris, where we had a little time to kill before catching the RER into the city. Same story, but in French this time.
At our hotel I dug out my emergency credit card (I always carry this card buried deep and never use it) but then realized with a sinking feeling that I had forgotten to notify them that I was overseas, and if I started charging things they would lock that card as well. No big deal... I can call their 800 number (joking) or just log on the website and notify them that we are out of country...
Now what was my password again?
Nope. Not that one either. Good try... now I am locked out of the website until I call the 800 number to verify it is me.
See, that is the problem with an emergency credit card you bury and never use: you forget you have it, you forget to call and you forget the password to the website.
Now I am starting to worry a little bit. I can get out about €400 a day cash with my ATM card, but if that is compromised then I am in bigger trouble. So we got out the first €400 and started hoarding cash while I tried to figure out what to do.
I hit on the great idea of getting a bank to help me. I mean, banks all have a sort of interest in this, right? Well, the first three banks we walked into were very helpful, but they were not able to place the overseas call, or to even get an overseas operator. This was really puzzling until one pretty sharp employee mentioned that they were using voice over internet protocol (VoIP), which is essentially a closed in system... so they had no access to an operator.
Great.
So I tried one last bank, the biggest one I could think of in Paris, BNP Paribas, where I found an English speaking manager. She patiently hung with me, and on the fourth try got through!
Well, my credit card company was very helpful, and sure enough, some goon in Florida was trying to charge gas and electronics. Not to worry, they cancelled the card and where would I like the new card sent? It should take ten days...
Ten days.
I thought there was some emergency card type thing they could send, like overnight, or arrange something with a different bank, or, or...
Well, they could get an emergency card to a relative in two days, who could then send it to me. Will the bank let you stay on the phone for about an hour while we do the paperwork?
I am thinking, where would we be in a week or so? And if we are off by a day or two, this card could be chasing me all around Switzerland...
Besides, I can see it is past closing time and the poor manager wants to go home.
After hanging up, I thank the manager and we head out to dinner.
Along the way I picked up another €400. Stashing the cash.
During dinner, I realize what I really need to do is get in touch with my emergency card company and get that card OK'd to use. But I am also thinking I hate to make another go at the bank thing. There has to be a way to call out of France; I mean they have those 800 numbers, call collect notices for a reason.
So, when we get to the hotel I ask the desk clerk if he knows how I can make a collect call to my credit card company in America?
Oui, monsieur! You may use the hotel phone and to dial overseas, like this: 0-0-0-1 then the 800 number, and VOILA!
I was connected with the bank and cleared to charge up a storm.
Just like that.
And so we finished the trip.
It cost us a little extra in finance charges from the BofA card we use for emergencies. They tack on a 3% exchange rate and start charging interest right at the time of purchase, so I think we were out like $80.
However, the extra charges and costs on my compromised CapitalOne Card, which resulted from my delay in paying the bill immediately (I disconnected the account from my bank upon learning the card was closed, thus the bill was paid late, thus I incurred finance charges), all those charges were refunded to me.
The biggest thing was the day lost in Paris, trying to deal with this stupid problem.
So, onto the LESSONS LEARNED:
Carry an emergency card.
Since it is an emergency card, make a note to be sure to notify them before traveling.
Standardize all my account passwords (but change it every year).
Note that, when calling the US, dial 000.1 (three zeros, not two) then the number to get overseas operator.
Ask to use the motel phone, as many business phones are on a closed phone system, ie: VoIP or private pay phones.
Have a way to get cash to pay the bills in the meantime.
I am glad I have been with the same credit card company for a long time now, as they know my spending and payment habits, and are happy to do things like refunding charges to
Bottom line: There isn't a problem that money can't solve. Travel cheaply, but when it's time to open up with the money gun, use it like a shotgun.