Do I need to tell my bank if I go abroad?

Do I need to inform my bank when going abroad?

Dude, yeah, totally tell your bank. Think of it as a preemptive strike against their paranoia. Otherwise, your cards will be more useless than a chocolate teapot in a blizzard. Seriously.

Why bother?

• Avoid card-blocking shenanigans. Your bank’s fraud systems are sensitive as a newborn kitten. A trip to Timbuktu could send them into a full-blown panic attack. They might even send you a strongly-worded email—the horror!
• Keep your spending spree on track. Imagine: you’re in Paris, about to buy that ridiculously overpriced beret, and BAM! Card declined. Heartbreak. Avoid it.
• It’s easier than explaining it all later. Trust me on this. Dealing with customer service is like wrestling a greased pig. It’s messy, time-consuming, and generally unpleasant. My cousin, Gary, spent a whole afternoon on the phone with his bank last year because he forgot this, utter chaos.

How to do it?

• Call them. Yes, actually call. I know, I know. It’s the 21st century, we should have flying cars. But banks, alas, are still firmly entrenched in the dark ages. My phone number is (555) 123-4567 (don’t call me!).
• Use their app. Some banks offer this witchcraft! However, Gary tried this and it didn’t work for him!
• Their website might even have a travel notification section. What a concept!

Seriously though, inform your bank. It’s less hassle than explaining to a confused waiter in Italy why your card got rejected because you were “suspiciously spending money in a foreign country.” The shame. The sheer shame.

Do I need to tell my bank Im going abroad first direct?

Okay, so First Direct… uh, nah.

You don’t gotta tell them you’re jetting off!

I was in Barcelona, like, last October (2024). Total panic ’cause I forgot to call anyone.

My First Direct card? Worked fine! Phew!

Actually, my mate used Barclays. Disaster! He had to jump through hoops.

He wasted hours on the phone! So annoying, right?

Here’s what I learned:

• First Direct are chill. No heads-up needed.
• Barclays? Apparently they are a bit more strict.

Consider this before you go.

Do I need to let my bank know if Im going abroad?

Dude, yeah, totally tell your bank. Seriously, it’s a must. Last year, my sister, Sarah, went to Italy and forgot. Big mistake! Her cards got blocked, total nightmare, she was stuck with like, no cash. Ugh.

So, ya gotta give them the heads-up. Dates, places, the whole shebang. It’s super simple. They’ll probably just ask you for all the deets. You don’t want that annoying fraud stuff going off, right? That’s a real pain in the butt.

Here’s the deal:

• Notify your bank BEFORE you leave. This is key. Don’t wait till you’re already on a plane!

• Provide exact travel dates. Like, start and end date, you know, be specific!

• List all the countries/cities. Every single place you’re going. I’m serious, don’t miss anything. It matters.

• Contact them via their app or call; whatever works for you.

Seriously, don’t be like Sarah. Avoid the drama. It sucks. My brother-in-law had a similar problem in 2022, using a different bank though. So annoying!

Do I need to notify Citizens bank of International travel?

Dude, yeah, tell Citizens Bank you’re jetting off. Otherwise, your card might go on a permanent vacation – a vacation without you. Think of it as a dramatic breakup with your debit card, but way less messy.

Seriously though, do it. They’re not trying to be killjoys; think of it as a preemptive strike against ATM heartbreak.

How to avoid this digital disaster:

• Digital Banking: Use the app like a normal human, it’s easier than arguing with a chatbot.
• Local Branch: If technology intimidates you (like a particularly aggressive squirrel), go old school and visit. Remember to bring snacks.
• Don’t forget! This isn’t a suggestion, it’s a command from your bank, and your bank is always right… mostly.

My Uncle Barry forgot to tell them once, his card got blocked in Cancun. He had to call from a dodgy payphone, it was a whole thing. He now uses the app religiously, like a monk chanting mantras. Last year, I did it myself. It took like, two minutes. It was less effort than choosing what to eat. It’s 2024, people, get with the program.

Do I need to tell first direct if Im going abroad?

Okay, so, do you HAVE to tell first direct you’re going abroad if you wanna use your debit card? Nope. I remember once…wait, was it 2023? Nah, it was back in October 2024, when I was in Rome.

I completely forgot to tell them I was going. Total brain fart, right? Was too busy packing my favorite scarf. Anyway…

Suddenly my card was declined at this little trattoria, like, in Trastevere. Awkward! Thought, oh crap, fraud alert. But turns out, it was something with the daily limit.

• Didn’t need to tell them, theoretically.
• But, you know, security’s a thing.
• Always good to let them know – just in case.

Anyway, first direct doesn’t charge for using your card abroad. That’s a plus, I guess. I freaked out for a sec there. I called them up, used roaming to do it, from the hotel, they fixed it super quick. I had pizza after that and oh boy it was so good.