Updated
Fact Checked
Eric McWhinnie
Notifying your credit card company about your travel plans used to be an important thing to do before a trip. With Chase, that's no longer the case.
You don't need to set up a Chase travel alert before you go anywhere, even when traveling abroad. In fact, Chase doesn't even offer this option anymore. Here's what has changed and what you should know about using your Chase card when you travel.
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.
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 cards 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 your travel expenses
- 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
As of Apr. 16, 2024
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| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve® |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
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Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Reserve®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
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Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. 60,000 bonus points |
Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. 60,000 bonus points |
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Rewards Program: Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases |
Rewards Program: Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel℠. |
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Intro APR: N/A Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
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Regular APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable |
Regular APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable |
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Annual Fee: N/A $95 |
Annual Fee: N/A $550 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Reserve®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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How to prepare for a trip with Chase credit cards
You can travel with your Chase credit 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.
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.
Still have questions?
Here are some other questions we've answered:
FAQs
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Chase no longer provides the option to set up a travel notice. Because of its enhanced security measures, it doesn't need cardholders to give notice of upcoming travels.
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Yes, you can use your Chase card internationally. Before you do, check the pricing and terms to see if it charges a foreign transaction fee. If so, it's better to use a different card that doesn't have this extra charge.
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To find out if you can use your Chase card abroad with no fees, see if it has a foreign transaction fee. Many Chase credit cards don't, and if yours doesn't charge this, then you can use it for international purchases with no fees.
Our Credit Cards Experts
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.
Fact Checked
Eric McWhinnie
Eric McWhinnie has been writing and editing digital content since 2010. He specializes in personal finance and investing. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance.
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Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, and JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool recommends Hyatt Hotels, Marriott International, and Southwest Airlines. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.