January 14, 2010
Vancouver Convention Centre.
In the 2009 Tourism Outlook: Canada study, by Visa, 25 per cent of respondents indicated they were likely to attend the Vancouver Winter Olympics, which begin Feb. 12.
With credit cards being the most popular method of payment for travellers (62 per cent), it’s imperative that those (including incentive travel groups) heading to the Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler take precautions to keep their credit-card and personal information safe. Herewith, some timely tips:
Alert your financial institution – If you’re going to leave the province/country during your vacation, contact your financial institution to let them know that you plan to use your credit card in a different location. Out-of-the-ordinary shopping patterns, particularly outside of Canada, may trigger a fraud alert.
Know your Personal Identification Number (PIN) – Canada, as well as many countries around the world, have migrated to chip and PIN technology. If you have a chip and PIN card, select a difficult password that does not include predictable numbers like your birth date or telephone number. Never share your PIN with anyone.
Record your own information – It’s a good idea to keep a secondary record of your key ID documents and payment-card numbers with you when you travel. That way, in the event of a lost or stolen wallet, you will have the numbers of your cards, passport and other ID, making it quicker and easier to report the missing documents.
Review insurances available on your card – Different cards come with different levels of insurance coverage for travellers, such as lost baggage insurance or car rental insurance. Review your cardholder agreement, to determine what is covered.
Take advantage of travel perks – Certain credit cards offer special experiences both at home and internationally. Some, for example, can help you access top-notch restaurants, shows and attractions all over the world.
|