Should I Alert Chase if I Plan to Travel With My Credit Card?

Notifying your credit card company about your travel plans used to be one of the most important things to do before a trip. If you plan to use Chase credit cards, that's no longer the case. You don't need to set up a Chase travel notice before you go anywhere. In fact, Chase doesn't even offer this option anymore.

Why a Chase travel notice isn't necessary

According to Chase, its enhanced security measures mean cardholders don't need to set up a Chase travel notice. The card issuer previously offered a travel alert option, which you could set up through your online Chase account or over the phone.

Like every bank, Chase has advanced systems in place to monitor its accounts and block fraudulent activity. As it's improved its fraud detection, the credit card issuer has been able to do away with its travel notification form.

If Chase notices any unusual activity on your Chase credit card, it will send you an alert and may decline potentially fraudulent transactions. You can receive fraud alerts by phone, email, or both, depending on your account settings. When you receive a fraud alert for a transaction, you can then notify Chase if the transaction was legitimate.

How to prepare for a trip with Chase credit cards

You can travel with your Chase cards without a travel notification, but there are a couple of things you should do before you go.

Start by setting up fraud alerts on your phone. Here's how:

Log in to your Chase account.
Go to "Profile & settings." You can find this link on the main menu or by clicking the profile icon.
Click "Alerts," and then "Alerts delivery."
Click "Add," and then "Mobile."
Fill out the form with your mobile number.

While you're traveling, always keep your phone with you. If Chase blocks any travel purchases because they seem suspicious, you'll get the alert and can approve them.

I'd also recommend saving your Chase cards in a payment app, such as Google Pay or Apple Pay. The nice thing about these apps is that if you lose your credit card, the card information automatically updates as soon as a replacement card is sent out. If you're on a trip and you lose your Chase card, you can call Chase for a replacement and start using the replacement card right away through a payment app.

Speaking of lost credit cards, it's a good idea to have a backup plan in case you lose your wallet. For example, you could keep a credit card, debit card, or extra cash in a secure location where you're staying.

Which Chase credit cards are good for traveling?

You can use Chase cards around the world, but some are better travel credit cards than others.

Chase Sapphire are Chase's premier travel cards. The more affordable option is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card with a $95 annual fee. There's also the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which has far more travel perks for a $550 annual fee. Each of these cards offers:

Chase Ultimate Rewards points you can redeem for free travel
Bonus rewards on travel and dining purchases
No foreign transaction fees
Rental car insurance
Baggage delay reimbursement
Trip delay reimbursement
Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance

Chase travel cards also include airline and hotel credit cards with Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Hyatt Hotels, Marriott, and several other popular brands. If you use an airline or hotel often, you could benefit by picking up its credit card.

The most important thing is to get a Chase card with no foreign transaction fee if you'll be traveling outside the United States. Some popular Chase cards, such as the Chase Freedom cards, are fine for domestic trips. But since they charge 3% foreign transaction fees, it would cost you extra to use them during international travel. If you go outside the country and spend $1,000, a travel credit card would save you $30 in transaction fees.

Now that there's no need for a Chase travel notice, it's easier to prepare for a trip with Chase cards. It's still smart to set up fraud alerts to your phone, save your cards to a payment app, and have a backup plan in case you lose your wallet. But you don't need to worry about declined payments just because you didn't mention your travel plan to Chase.

About the Author

Lyle Daly

Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.