Money
How to make money, save money, and manage finances
while internationally traveling.
Checking - Debit - Credit Accounts
Charles Schwab
- International Debit Card (reimburses ATM fees)Wise
- specializes in international money transfers, offering services that enable individuals and businesses to send, receive, and manage money across borders with transparency and cost-effectiveness.
Chase Credit Card
Chase offers a few good credit card options for travelers! The Freedom Flex card offers GREAT value. (no annual fee, 0% APR for x amount of months, cash back in special categories, and I received $200 back after spending $500 in the first few months!) I specifically used this card for my 2nd trip to Asia, which reduced my $1,000 round-trip ticket to only $800!
- Sign‑up bonus: Typically 20,000 Ultimate Rewards points (≈ $200 in value) after spending $500 in your first 3 months.
- 5% back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal
- 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
- Cell phone protection: If you pay your wireless bill with the card, you’re covered up to $800 per claim, max $1,000/year, up to two claims annually; $50 deductible per claim.
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Secondary coverage in U.S. (primary abroad) when you decline rental company CDW and pay with the card.
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Covers prepaid nonrefundable fares up to $1,500 per person, $6,000 per trip for covered reasons (e.g. illness, weather).
Another good option is using the Amazon Chase Visa credit card as it also rewards 5% cash back on travel expenses (when booked through Chase Travel*) along with other perks! (I used the points to help buy new camera/laptop for my trip!)
Free Amazon Gift Card upon approval ($150-$200)
5% back on eligible Amazon purchases: Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods (with an eligible Prime membership)
5% back on travel booked via Chase Travel portal
2% back at restaurants, gas stations, local transit & ride‑sharing
No foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the U.S.
Travel protections: baggage delay reimbursement, travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement (up to $3K), auto rental collision coverage, roadside dispatch service, emergency assistance referrals (fees may apply)
Savings - Investments Accounts
HYSA/CD - Hold/save money when interest rates are good. I held money in a 6-mo CD when rates were over 5%. One advantage of high yield savings accounts is that you're allowed to withdraw money at anytime, which is good for emergencies. Check and compare banks often, but currently I'm earning 4.2% with LendingClub Level Up Savings.
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Online Shopping | Rewards/Cash-Back
Rakuten
Don't pay full price when purchasing gear for your next travel vacation! Add the web extension for it to easily notify you when items are cheaper at other online stores, and earn cash back! Sign up bonus available!
