When you are traveling or working anywhere in the world, your covered Visa card gets you access to a multilingual call center, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help get the assistance you need. As a covered cardholder, you, your spouse and dependent children under 22 years of age who are traveling with can call a dedicated toll-free number in the United States, or call collect when traveling abroad. Keep in mind this program provides assistance only. Cardholders are responsible for the cost of any services received. Services include:

• Medical Referral Assistance - provides medical referral, monitoring, and follow-up
  
  
• Emergency Transportation Assistance - arranges for transportation under medical supervision
  
  
• Emergency Message Service - can relay emergency messages for travelers and is available 24 hours a day
  
  
• Prescription Assistance and Valuable Document Delivery Arrangements - can accommodate unexpected prescription needs or transport critical documents (e.g. passport or travel visa), which may have been left at home or elsewhere
  
  
• Legal Referral Assistance - can arrange contact with English-speaking attorneys, U.S. embassies and consulates, bail-bond assistance, and follow-up assistance
  Emergency Ticket Replacement - arranges for the replacement and delivery of new tickets, and assists with ticket reimbursement procedures
  
  
• Lost Luggage Locator Service - can help you through the common carrier’s claim procedures or can arrange shipment of replacement items if an airline or common carrier loses your checked luggage
  
  
• Emergency Translation Service - provides telephone assistance in all major languages and helps find local interpreters, if available. Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Contact your issuer for a copy of your Guide to Benefits.

For Platinum cardholders: Read Travel and Emergency Assistance Services terms and conditions

Visa can work with your bank to expedite the replacement of your card and ship it globally within 24 to 72 hours after approval. Alternatively, we can arrange for cash to be available at a location near you, usually within hours of your bank's approval.

Learn more about emergency card services

To bridge spending when awaiting a replacement card, when experiencing card acceptance difficulties or when you simply need cash in hand, Visa can arrange for cash to be available at a location near you.

Learn more about emergency card services

Yes, tell your card issuer about your trip before leaving so they don’t flag unfamiliar transactions. Additionally, make sure you know your card’s daily ATM withdrawal limit, expiration date, account balance, and available funds. This ensures your card will work while you’re away and has sufficient funds to cover your travel expenses.

ATMs are available at over 2 million locations around the world so you can get cash when you need it. Getting cash at an ATM abroad can actually be more cost effective.

Get cash from a global ATM

Foreign merchants may offer to convert your bill to US dollars. Although it is convenient to see the bill in your home countries currency, the conversion usually includes a markup. To avoid the markup, decline the conversion and choose to pay in local currency. If you chose to pay in local currency, but the transaction was charged by the merchant in different currency, contact your bank to contest the charge.

Dynamic currency conversion explained

Yes, using your Visa card is a safe and easy way to pay while you’re abroad. Visa’s advanced security features and Zero Liability* protection mean you can pay with confidence anywhere in the world.

*Visa’s Zero Liability Policy does not apply to certain commercial card and anonymous prepaid card transactions or transactions not processed by Visa. Cardholders must use care in protecting their card and notify their issuing financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. Contact your issuer for more details.

Travel benefits can vary depending on your Visa card type and card issuer. Please contact your card issuer to see what travel benefits come with your specific Visa card.

Apply for mobile alerts
Sign up for free text alerts when a transaction exceeds a pre-set amount or when unusual card activities are detected.

Learn more about Visa Purchase alerts

Memorize your PIN before departing
Whether you’re using a magnetic strip or chip card, know your card PIN before traveling overseas. If you’ve forgotten your PIN, reapply for a new one.

Make a copy of everything in your wallet
Keep a copy of all your card account numbers and the telephone numbers for reporting lost or stolen cards. Keep this information in a safe place, away from your wallet or handbag. Always keep your credit card number and three-digit CVV2 code on the back of your Visa card confidential.