Are you about to head off on summer vacation? While you are making sure that you have your hotel or condo rental, plane tickets, rental car and activities booked, make sure you take your AmeriChoice VISA with you. If you don’t have an AmeriChoice VISA, there is still time to apply and you’ll have the card before you take off!
Many hotels and car rental companies will take a debit card to pay for your room or car, but they will most likely place a hold on your card and you won’t be able to access that money until a few days after you check out of the hotel, or return the car. Using an AmeriChoice VISA to reserve and pay for your rentals will ensure that there isn’t a hold placed on cash you might need later.Traveling with an AmeriChoice VISA offers so much more than an easy way to make purchases. There are hidden benefits that are included with your AmeriChoice VISA that you hopefully never have to use, but in the event that something happens, know that your AmeriChoice VISA has you covered.
With a car rental comes insurance. The AmeriChoice VISA includes an auto rental collision damage waiver, meaning that VISA will cover any damage due to collision or theft while you have a rental car. For VISA cardholders who do not have auto insurance, VISA will reimburse you for the costs associated with the claim. For those cardholders who do have auto insurance, VISA will reimburse the deductible and other costs associated with the claim. Activating the auto rental collision damage is easy! When picking up the rental car, just pay using your AmeriChoice VISA and decline the auto rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW/LDW).
Nobody wants to plan for a bad vacation, and using an AmeriChoice VISA can help safeguard you against that. While there is fraud out there, an AmeriChoice VISA gives you the peace of mind and security while traveling. If something does happen to your VISA, you are covered with the VISA zero liability feature. VISA will reimburse you for unauthorized transactions on your card, if it gets lost or stolen. In the event that your card is lost, stolen or damaged, VISA will get you a new card within 1 business day, or 24 hours in some cases. VISA will also work with Western Union and AmeriChoice to get you cash.
We know many people prefer to use their debit cards or cash while traveling to stick to a budget, and not going into debt on a vacation is a great thing. However, there are times when a VISA credit card is a better, safer choice over a debit card or cash. A VISA credit card doesn’t have a daily spending limit, isn’t linked to your checking account and can be quickly and easily replaced if it gets lost or stolen. You can easily use your VISA credit card and make payments easily from online or mobile banking.
For those who already have an AmeriChoice VISA credit or debit card, a simple thing to do is notify us of your travel plans. Letting us know your travel plans will save you the embarrassment and headaches of a blocked card while you’re on vacation, especially if you’re traveling outside of the country. Simply let one of our representatives know where you’re headed and the dates, if you’re driving or flying and we’ll take care of letting VISA know you’ll be using your cards outside of your normal use. You can also message us through Online Banking with the same information if you decide to take a last minute trip or forget to tell us before you leave.
It’s also a good idea to sign up for VISA purchase alerts. This feature allows you to set an alert that can be customized to any amount, if your card is fraudulently used, you will get an alert. This is a great, simple and free way to fight fraud, at home or on vacation.
For those members who have a Platinum Preferred VISA, you also get concierge service, travel insurance and no-cost travel accident insurance, in addition to the services listed above.
An AmeriChoice VISA has so many hidden benefits that in an emergency situation can be the difference between being stuck in your hotel room for the remainder of your trip, or a great trip with a tiny bump that VISA fixed quickly.
If you don’t have an AmeriChoice VISA and would like to apply, or find out more information, click here, or call one of our Financial Service Representatives at 717-697-3474.