Playing your cards right ? tips for traveling with credit cards

Using credit cards while traveling is a good idea for a number of reasons:--You have a record of your expenditures for record-keeping and tax purposes (especially important if you travel for business)--You may get a better exchange rate when obtaining foreign currency when using your credit card. --Credit card companies can refund disputed charges and may offer extra guarantees, special deals or warranties.--Your liability in the case of a stolen credit card is limited to $50But, traveling these days is often a juggling act of luggage, boarding passes, identification cards, passports and a gauntlet of security measures. These identification acrobatics can leave one slightly addled and perhaps more at risk of being targeted by an enterprising pickpocket or purse snatcher. And, even though your liability is limited, costs can quickly add up if multiple cards are involved. Factor in the hassle and increased risk of identity theft, and it is apparent a few preemptive measures can save you from a boatload of heartache.

Consider the following tips as guidelines to traveling safely and affordably with your credit cards?. Plan Ahead:Anytime you travel you should make photo copies of all of your credit cards airline tickets and documents, both front and back. You should leave these photocopies with a friend or family member. Be aware that if you make copies of your cards and documents to take with you, you may be giving thieves another opportunity to rip off your personal information. Consider blacking out details such as expiration dates, verification codes and social security numbers.

If you decide not to carry photocopies of your credit cards, be sure to have the card cancellation numbers from the backs of the cards written down and stashed in your luggage.Leave a Paper Trail:Save receipts and keep track of the places you used your card. Make sure receipts are stored in a safe place so they can be checked against your credit card statement to ensure unauthorized charges have not been made and/or gone unnoticed.Two accounts are better than one:When traveling with other family members, even spouses, bring different credit cards that are on separate accounts. When a card is lost or stolen and must be cancelled, all cards on the account are cancelled as well. Having at least two cards from separate accounts will prevent the situation from leaving you stranded.Keep it light:Carry only the personal information absolutely necessary for vacation, such as a passport or driver's license. The less personal information you have, the better off you will be if your purse or wallet is stolen.

When traveling by air, always keep copies of important documents in a separate part of your luggage, such as a carry-on bag. Keep cards on your person. Most travel stores carry small bags that you can keep cards, cash, and other items you will need to access while out and about. Consider a money belt or security wallet.Look out for fees: When traveling abroad and using a credit card, watch out for the conversion fee that many banks levy to convert charges in foreign currencies to dollars, generally 1% of the purchase amount. Some banks charge a fee and some don't so, if you have several cards, it's worth checking with the issuers to see which one has the best deal.

Even with the conversion charge, many times ATM machines will have the best possible exchange rates and the lowest fees.With proper planning, credit cards are a convenient, secure and cost-effective means of payment when traveling. Just keep these tips in mind, and the next time you're balancing on one foot at the security gate, you'll be glad you did.Copyright ? 2004 Luggage 'n' Travel Accessorieshttp://www.luggage-n-travel-accessories.com.

Signed, Limited-Edition, Unique Business Cards Make Marketing History

Toronto, ON (ContentDesk) July 6, 2006 -- Business cards are normally used to announce yourself, and to give the recipient your contact information. Now they've got another use -- as collectibles.

Are you sending out your business cards to prospective customers?...by Sonia Colon

Are you sending out your business cards to prospective customers? c)Copyright 2003 S.ColonAre you sending out your business cards to prospective customers? ? 2003 S.ColonProspective customers are anyone from your next door neighbor to your dentist. Sending and or leaving your business cards to and at the following people/places is essential in getting the word out "offline" about your business:*Doctor's Office*Bill payments (Yes, attach a business card to all of your outgoing bill payments. In fact, its known that the person who receives your bill payment is not always the same person each time!)*Dental Office*Laundry Room*Supermarket Bullentin Board*CleanersThese are just a few places. Be creative and send your business cards to as many places you can think of. Potential customers areeverywhere! Good luck..

Which Business Credit Cards with Reward are the Best?

Thinking of applying for a credit card with a reward program to help you and your business? Here is a brief guide to some of the best programs on the internet.The Platinum Business Credit Card with rewards from American Express is a great offer. It has a introductory 0% APR, and has a low 4.99% fixed rate for balance transfers made within the first 45 days. Perfect for those with good credit, you can get a decision within 60 seconds, when you apply online. Citibank also offers great business credit cards with rewards that could help you and your business. The CitiBusiness Card, like the Platinum Business Credit Card, offers qualified applicants a low introductory rate and no annual fee.

This card is perfect if you are thinking of transferring your balance as it will give you a low interest rate. It also offers a great credit line, which will let you make purchases for your business. If you are looking for a credit card to help you better manage your business expenses, the Advanta...

Benefits from small business credit cards

Imagine hiring an accounts keeping agent for free for your small business. This is what small business credit card does for you indirectly. However, this is not the only benefit. There are a lot of other benefits too. It's for these benefits that the small business credit cards have gained the status of a necessity today.

Let's see what these benefits are.


1. Auto-segregation of business expenses

This is the most important benefit from using a small business credit card. You just have to ensure that you make all your business payments using your small business credit card and your monthly credit card statement will clearly and accurately reflect all your business expenses. You can use this further for accounting purposes or business planning.


2. Rolling credit

Small businesses, as any business, incur expenditures first and earnings later e.g.

a business might need to make purchases, pay their...

Use Your Credit Cards Responsibly

With Americans going deeper into debt every day, usually thanks to uncontrolled use of credit cards, you may wonder if there is any good way to use a credit card. If so, how can you control your credit card debt, as opposed to letting it control you?The first step is self-control. If you can't discipline yourself to make wise decisions about credit card use, then don't get a credit card. You're just asking for trouble. This means that you have to be brutally honest with yourself.

If you're not judicious with the money in your bank account, how can you be judicious when it comes to the use of someone else's money, which you'll have to pay back with interest? Don't fool yourself. Be honest and be willing to make the decision not to get a credit card if you feel that you won't be able to control it.That being said, there is a difference between thinking you can handle a credit card and actually handling one properly. It can be like a loaded weapon if you're not careful. But, if you're...

Business Cards Go Fishing!

The offline effort of business cards should focus on getting your website address out there for everyone to see. How do you broaden your reach by using this simple, but one of the most effective marketing tools? (Assuming that you already to have a good stack of business cards with the who, what, where, why and most importantly your URL information stated in them.) Most likely, you have handed out numerous cards to people you have met on the streets and you've hit up various business/retail storefronts with your business cards that sit by the cash registers which pretty much go unnoticed. The good news with leaving your cards at the checkout counter is that it's still a viable place to get people to notice your cards if it's presented in a unique way. What you need is some serious ?bait' for potential customers to sink their teeth into. This is where we go ?fishing' folks.Business cards are left everywhere, and seriously, left behind.

If they are just sitting in a pile, it's hard...

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