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<p>A credit card is convenient and less cumbersome than cash when you're in a foreign country, but it has the potential to incur fees or cause other issues without a little know-how or pre-planning.</p>
<p>That's what We3travel.com blogger Tamara Gruber discovered on a trip to Spain with her husband and then 8-year-old daughter. She had forgotten to alert her credit card issuer that she was going to be traveling internationally, Gruber says, and when she tried to purchase a SIM card in Barcelona to use her cell phone, her card was declined.</p>
<p>"It was a true Catch-22 situation in that we couldn't buy the SIM card without our credit card, and we couldn't make a call to get the charge approved without a SIM card," she says. "I'll never make that mistake again."</p>
<p>That's one of five mistakes international travelers commonly make, and fortunately, there's an easy way to avoid each. Read on for helpful tips on using your credit card abroad.</p>
<p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/international-travelers_body-2_596433091_0.jpg" alt="Two woman explore the streets of Barcelona"></p>
<h2>1. Set up a travel notification</h2>
<p>Card issuers typically monitor your account for fraudulent use, so making a charge in a destination that you do not typically transact in can trigger a freeze on your account. When this happened to Gruber, she was eventually able to take out cash at an ATM, purchase the SIM card and call the credit card company to unlock the account. Having your card declined "can be very distressing in another country, especially when the card is your only access to money," says Caroline Makepeace, who founded the travel site y Travel Blog with her husband, Craig.</p>
<p>The fix, according to experts like Keryn Means, founder of the family travel website Twist Travel Magazine, is to let your card issuer know which cities you plan to visit and the dates of your trip. "I usually put a little buffer at the end of our travel dates, just in case we get delayed somewhere," Means says. "I will also include any countries and cities our flights are connecting through in case we're delayed there."</p>
<h2>2. Watch for foreign transaction fees</h2>
<p>With some credit cards, customers need to pay a foreign transaction fee for credit card purchases abroad to cover the cost of converting the money into U.S. dollars. Foreign transaction fees are typically 3% of the purchase amount, which can quickly add up. That's why it's helpful to check first; you can strategize before you go and consider getting a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees.</p>
<h2>3. Anticipate your need for cash</h2>
<p>Not every merchant accepts credit cards, so consider taking at least some cash with you when you travel. The amount of cash you bring along depends on your comfort and needs, but keep in mind that ATM usage while traveling internationally can incur fees.</p>
<h2>4. Have a backup credit card</h2>
<p>Consider traveling with more than one credit card so you have an alternative if your other one is lost, stolen or declined.&nbsp;You may want to keep them in separate locations. &ldquo;Generally, I&rsquo;ll leave one in the safe at the hotel,&rdquo; Means says. &ldquo;If I&rsquo;m traveling with a friend or spouse, I usually make sure they have one too.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>5. Take advantage of travel benefits</h2>
<p>Your credit card may offer travel benefits or perks. Some cards offer accelerated rewards you can earn on travel purchases. Others offer free checked bags or early boarding, and some credit cards may even include car rental coverage. It's useful to look into this before your trip, says Makepeace, because earning rewards like these can be worthwhile.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>&mdash; With additional reporting from the Life and Money by Citi editors</em></p>

5 Top Tips for Using Your Credit Card Abroad

<p style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Seasoned travelers know to pack light. And, arguably, one of the most important things you can bring weighs only about five grams: a travel rewards credit card.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Choosing one can seem confusing at first &mdash; the miles, the points, the cash back &mdash; but as cardholders know, you don't have to be a math whiz or hyper organized to make the most of travel rewards. If you can create a trip itinerary, you can successfully navigate using a travel rewards credit card.</p>
<p>Still, while the earned miles for airline travel, points for hotel stays and other benefits unlocked by travel credit cards can be substantial, "too many people aren't tapping into their rewards," says Andrea Woroch, a consumer and money-saving consultant in Bakersfield, CA. In fact, 23% of credit card holders didn&rsquo;t redeem their rewards in the past year, according to a survey conducted by CreditCards.com.<br><br></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 11px;">That adds up to missed opportunities for saving money and taking advantage of other perks. "Some rewards cards come with great travel-specific benefits like credits on hotel travel or access to priority pass airport lounges," says Pete D'Aleo, senior vice president of fee rewards growth strategy at Citi. "So whether you like to plan a big trip once a year or you're a frequent business or leisure traveler, rewards credit cards can help you get more from your journeys."</p>
<p>In other words, if you're somebody who travels without one of these cards, you may be missing out on valuable benefits for your travel. To remedy that, try these tips for choosing the right card &mdash; no poring over points charts or complex algorithms required.</p>
<p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/dont-lose-rewards_body-1_953243884.jpg" alt="view of pacific ocean at sunset from bluff"></p>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Explore all your options</h2>
<p>Rewards credit cards vary in their offerings, and depending on your spending and travel habits, there may be more than just one card that's worthwhile. "I believe it's a good idea to have a couple of travel reward cards," says Woroch.</p>
<p>Card benefits can shift, too, so "another thing people overlook is opening a new card to get more rewards," Woroch adds. "If you've been using the same card for years, you could be missing out on a better reward program and opportunity to earn even more rewards on your everyday purchases," she says.</p>
<p>To narrow down the cards that are best for you, think about the way you travel and your organizational habits. For each one you research, ask yourself if you'll truly take advantage of the perks &mdash; regularly enough that they'll outweigh any of the costs. These are four common factors to consider:</p>
<p><strong>1. Annual fee</strong> Many travel rewards credit cards come with an annual fee. If you're going to use the perks, their collective value may be more than that fee. If you don't travel all that often, though, you may be better off with a different credit card.</p>
<p><strong>2. Foreign transaction fee</strong> While many general credit cards charge foreign transaction fees, some travel rewards credit cards don't. "That's not a commonly discussed perk but it's so valuable," D'Aleo says. "When traveling internationally, those foreign exchange fees can really rack up."</p>
<p><strong>3. Welcome bonus</strong> After applying, new cardmembers typically receive a welcome bonus of some sort &mdash; say, a generous amount of bonus miles &mdash; but this also entails having to spend a certain amount of money on the card within a set time. To take advantage of this, you need to be the type of person who will keep track of what you'll need to spend to earn the bonus.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 11px;"><strong>4. Rewards points or miles </strong>This is where a credit card can really help you, and because each travel rewards credit card offers something a little different, it's worth taking the time to compare them carefully, taking your personal travel and spending habits into account. Some cards focus on airline miles that can be put toward future trips, for example, and some offer additional points or cash back earn on travel purchases. Others give you points on travel-related purchases like dining, gas, flights, hotel bookings and rental cars, which you can redeem for online shopping, travel purchases, gift cards or other items. Some credit cards may even have relationships with ride share services that you frequently use. That's why it pays to strategize here.</p>
<p>"It's important to select a product that earns points in the categories that you spend," D'Aleo says. "Think about how and where you spend, and how you can get the most points from your annual spend."</p>
<p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/dont-lose-rewards_body-2_627380346.jpg" alt="A couple ride bikes in Cartagena, Colombia"></p>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Make the most of rewards</h2>
<p>The key is to organize your spending so that you're using the right card at the right time. One way is to set up calendar reminders for monthly or quarterly spending with a certain rewards card, or you can keep a digital cheat sheet of cards and categories. Another idea is to mark your rewards cards with color-coded stickers to identify which one you may want to use for travel versus groceries or dining, for example.</p>
<p>One challenge travel-rewards cardholders commonly encounter is blackout dates, but there are strategies to help navigate these. (And of course, there are some travel rewards credit cards that have no blackout dates at all.) If you see blackout dates when researching a flight and you don't need to buy the tickets right away, it's a good idea to check back before purchasing because blackout dates can often shift. Another option is to refocus your flight search on a different airline that's a partner of your credit card company. "Being flexible is key to stretching your dollars," Woroch says. If you can take a super early flight or depart in the middle of the week instead of on a weekend, for example, you may find that you can book with points and have more left over for future trips too.</p>
<p>And because credit card terms aren't always top of mind, the weeks before you leave for a trip can be a good time to take stock of your travel card's perks. You're not likely to forget the exciting ones, like a big welcome bonus, Woroch notes, but it's easy to forget something like trip-cancellation insurance or complimentary baggage checking. You also wouldn't want to pay for car rental insurance at the checkout counter only to later learn that your card offers this for free.</p>
<p>Maximizing your points and perks is what travel rewards credit cards are all about, after all. Because it isn't enough to pack light &mdash; you also want to lighten the load on your budget.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>&mdash; With additional reporting from Geoff Williams and Life and Money by Citi editors.</em></p>

How to Maximize Your Travel Rewards Credit Card 

<p>Seasoned business travelers have packing down to a science, but as new travel trends emerge, it may be time to tweak that carry-on.</p>
<p>These accessories can help make your trip safer, more comfortable and devoid of a panic-driven midnight dash to buy something last-minute. Consider putting these must-have items in the suitcase (or in the luggage suggested below) for your next trip.</p>
<h2>1. Upgrade naptime</h2>
<p>Catching a few extra winks is key for busy road warriors who depart at dawn and return on the red eye. Forgo flimsy airline blankets and bring your own quality version instead. Look for the easy-to-pack sets which usually include a lightweight blanket and a light-blocking eye mask (check out the bug-eye style to avoid sleep lines on your face) in a travel-ready bag. For maximum in-flight coziness, sets come in a range of soft fabrics from fleece-lined to luxe-cashmere.</p>
<h2>2. Try voice assist on the go</h2>
<p>If you&rsquo;ve become hooked on a voice assistant at home, consider a portable option for your carry-on. Connect it to the Wi-Fi at your destination, and stay updated on the news, talk with friends or colleagues and it could even help you sort out travel plans. Even if you&rsquo;re halfway around the world, your voice command technology can make you feel right at home. Note: make sure the assistant is supported internationally if you&rsquo;re bringing it abroad.</p>
<h2>3. Take better photos</h2>
<p>Carve out down time during your next work trip to see the sights and snap artistic shots to share on your feed. Enhance your photos with small portable lenses that clips on to your mobile phone or tablet. These lenses, which range from $10 to about $50, allow you to customize photos with wide angle, fisheye and macro lenses for a polished look and feel.</p>
<h2>4. Find safe Wi-Fi networks</h2>
<p>Traveling for business can be stressful, especially if you&rsquo;re unsure about the stability or security of a hotel&rsquo;s Wi-Fi network. A portable Wi-Fi travel router can help you connect to either a wired network or a hotspot, like your phone. You can also purchase an external hotspot device that gives you internet access just about anywhere. Devices can range from $15 to upwards of $50 depending on capability.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Even if you&rsquo;re halfway around the world, your voice command technology can make you feel right at home.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>5. Get smarter luggage</h2>
<p>More and more suitcases offer GPS capabilities, battery chargers&nbsp;and even a built-in scale. These bags come in a range of sizes, including carry-on, giving you multiple accessory essentials all in one place. The battery charger alone can be a lifesaver if you&rsquo;ve ever helplessly watched your battery drain on a flight with no outlets available.</p>
<h2>6. Have a laundry day</h2>
<p>Whether it&rsquo;s getting a coffee stain out of a skirt or freshening up a few shirts, a portable laundry system not only helps you deal with stains while on the go, but you&rsquo;ll also avoid hotel laundry fees. These systems tend to fold up to a small rectangle, weigh in at less than half a pound and have scrubbing nodules within the bag designed to get clothes truly clean. Bonus: These compact wash bags require less water per use so they&rsquo;re eco-friendly, too.</p>
<h2>7. Be solar powered</h2>
<p>As our lives become increasingly more connected, one charger and cable may not cut it.&nbsp;Having a USB solar charger allows you to power up your phone while you sit at a sunny caf&eacute; and sip a cappuccino. Plus, depending on where you&rsquo;re traveling in the world, it eliminates the need for multiple plugs and power adaptors.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>A USB solar charger allows you to power up your phone while you sit at a sunny caf&eacute; and sip a cappuccino.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>8. Go green</h2>
<p>Finding space in an already-stuffed bag for an aluminum or hard plastic water bottle can be a challenge, but there&rsquo;s always room for a flexible collapsible water bottle. Carrying your own bottle is an eco-friendly choice, and durable BPA-free silicone bottles that can hold cold or hot liquid are available in several sizes and colors. And, while you&rsquo;re on the green-travel theme, consider picking up a reusable glass, silicone or stainless steel straw to further cut down on plastic waste.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

 Must-Have Travel Accessories for Business Travelers

<p>Miami, FL, is dappled with its pastel-hued Art Deco buildings. Los Angeles, CA, has a lock on dreamy Spanish Revival villas.</p><p>And everyone knows to check out the latest from contemporary "starchitects" when wandering New York, NY. But you don't have to shell out the cash for a big-city trip or overseas jaunt to be wowed by great buildings.</p><p>From Victorian mansions to modernist museums, there are a host of amazing architectural destinations across the United States that won't break your budget or have you digging around your drawers for that passport.</p><p>Gas up the car for a road trip or book a domestic flight to see world-class architecture across the country.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/Exterior-of-the-Miller-House-and_Garden-Columbus-IN.jpg" alt="Exterior of the Miller House and Garden, Columbus, IN" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Columbus, IN</h2><p><em>Mecca for Modernism</em><br /><br />The first hint that something special was afoot in this small southern Indiana city was when a striking, modern geometric church by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen rose up amid the traditional 19th-century Victorian buildings in 1942. And it didn't end there: In the wake of this triumph J. Irwin Miller — the young local businessman who had recommended Saarinen — decided to shepherd a full-on transformation of Columbus. Explore this relaxed city and you'll find more than 70 iconic Modernist structures, most built between the early '50s and late '70s.</p><p>Best of all, many of these libraries, churches, community centers and government offices are public buildings. So, visitors can explore these Modernist gems for free. Another way to see these marvels is on one of the Columbus Area Visitor Center's tours — don't miss out on the tour of the Miller house itself, designed in the 1950s by Eliel's son Eero Saarinen and a team of renowned 20th-century architects.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/Exterior_of_the_Menil_Collection_in_Houston_TX.jpg" alt="The exterior of the Menil Collection, in Houston, TX" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Houston, TX</h2><p><em>Architecture as art</em><br /><br />This Gulf city often gets overlooked architecturally, but it is one of the only major American cities constrained by virtually no zoning laws, making it home to some of the most ambitious buildings constructed since World War II. French immigrants and modern art enthusiasts John and Dominique de Menil hired Philip Johnson to build their house in 1948 — and other Houstonians, newly flush from the post-war oil and industrial boom, soon followed suit.</p><p>Before long, world-renowned Modernist architects were building everything from skyscrapers to schools around town. Today, a visit to the Museum District reveals a neighborhood full of stunning Modernist buildings designed as — and for — art. The de Menils' is still the crown jewel, though: The Menil Collection art campus includes structures by Renzo Piano and Johnston Marklee, two of which were designed in conjunction with the artists Mark Rothko and Cy Twombly.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/City-Hall-in-Boston-MA.jpg" alt="City Hall in Boston, MA" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Boston and Cambridge, MA</h2><p><em>A Brutalist boomtown</em><br /><br />It's not only about colonial architecture in Beantown. For those who know where to look, the streets of the Massachusetts capital and its next-door neighbor Cambridge possess one of the largest concentrations of Brutalist architecture in the United States. Stroll the ivy-clad campus of a prominent university and take note of the visual arts center, a prime example of this modernist architectural movement that emerged in the mid-20th century.</p><p>Across the river in Boston, admire Madison Park High School and the Government Center complex, considered one of the most prominent American examples of the style. The controversial 1969 City Hall building has long been threatened with demolition, so don't sleep on your chance to see this unexpected Brutalist haven.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/Facade-of-the-Biltmore-House-in-Asheville-NC.jpg" alt="Facade of the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Asheville, NC</h2><p><em>Turn-of-the-century time travel</em><br /><br />You could be forgiven for wondering if you'd been somehow transported to 16th-century France as you explore the Biltmore House, the grand Châteauesque mansion that put this scenic city in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the architectural map in the 1890s. The construction of the estate "brought a group of architects and artisans to Asheville that cities this size usually did not have access to," explains Kevan Frazier of Asheville by Foot Walking Tours. As a result, after the project's completion, many of the international artisans stuck around, filling the city with houses in such styles as Queen Anne Victorian, Arts and Crafts, and Spanish and Gothic Revival. By the mid-1920s, the thriving downtown was lined with ornate Art Deco buildings.</p><p>Though the boom ended with the Depression, Asheville's decision to pay off all of its debt before building anything new preserved the historic downtown for decades. In other words, to visit Asheville is akin to time-travel: The streets you stroll today look almost exactly as they did when they were built. For those interested, you can actually stay in this time preserved ambiance at an original Vanderbilt-era cottage on the Biltmore estate.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/Milwaukee-Art-Museum-Milwaukee-WI.jpg" alt="Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Milwaukee, WI</h2><p><em>A legacy of industry</em><br /><br />In the late 19th century this Midwestern metropolis sought to rival Chicago, IL, in both scale and importance as an industrial hub. Newly minted titans of industry poured money into grand structures, proclaiming significance and planting a flag for posterity through Gilded Age Renaissance Revival mansions and ornate Victorian municipal buildings. Even after the city's industrial bustle faded, Milwaukee remained a center of architecture: Its distinctive cream-colored brick buildings still line the streets of the Brewery District today. The last remaining examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's American System-Built Homes can be found here as well, alongside several of his private commissions.</p><p>Thanks to these roots of architectural innovation, the city has continued to attract top architects well into the contemporary era. No archi-tourist's visit would be complete without a trip to the Milwaukee Art Museum, where "the architecture in itself is a reason for visitation," as Amanda Peterson, the museum's senior director of audience engagement, explains. Come for Eero Saarinen's 1955 War Memorial, and stay for Santiago Calatrava's sculptural Quadracci Pavilion, most famous for its moveable Burke Brise Soleil wings.</p><h2>Architecture worth traveling for</h2><p>For the true architecture fanatic, some experiences are worth going the extra mile. Explore beyond the façades at these architectural icons off the beaten path.</p><p><a href="http://www.stoneycreekhotels.com/hotel/travel/masoncity-parkinn/home.do"><strong>Park Inn</strong></a><br /><br />Mason City, IA, is a two-hour drive from Des Moines, and the pilgrimage will be worth it for many: The city is home to the last remaining hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, opened in 1910. Book the Historic Suite for the full experience and be sure to explore the other examples of Wright's Prairie School architecture around town.</p><p><a href="https://www.nationalchurchillmuseum.org/reconstruction-of-the-church-of-st-mary.html"><strong>St. Mary Aldermanbury</strong></a><br /><br />Renowned English architect Sir Christopher Wren built this East London church in the late 1660s, but it was transported and rebuilt in Fulton, MO, in the 1960s. Now it's part of the National Churchill Museum, honoring British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.</p><p><a href="https://www.glenstone.org/"><strong>Glenstone Museum</strong></a><br /><br />The newest addition to this 300-acre Potomac, MD, art museum is a breathtaking series of pavilions from architect Thomas Phifer. Despite dancing on the architectural cutting edge, the complex is designed to blend into nature, taking full advantage of the surrounding landscape.</p><p><strong><a href="https://farnsworthhouse.org/">Farnsworth House</a></strong><br /><br />A number of the world's most celebrated architects have designed private homes in lesser-known spots around the United States. Journey 60 miles west of Chicago to Plano, IL — as many architecture students and curious fans do — to tour Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House. Set along the Fox River, this private-residence-turned museum is a pristinely restored and maintained example of minimalist architecture.</p>

No Passport Required: Unexpected US Architecture

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