Summer is the season for holidays and new experiences. And when travelling abroad, it is important to have a payment method at hand that gives you quick access to your money while also providing a high level of security.
Compared with using cash, keeping your money in a bank account and making payments by card reduces the risks associated with loss or theft, while ensuring quick access to your own funds. In addition, euro-denominated cards are designed to simplify payments in countries that use the European single currency.
Banks have included cards linked to euro accounts in their portfolios, offering a wide range of benefits.
Exim Banca Românească, through its Mastercard World Euro debit card, places a strong emphasis on travel-related benefits. The card includes payments within the euro area without foreign exchange conversion fees, complimentary travel insurance and purchase protection. Therefore, if an item purchased with the card is stolen as a result of burglary or robbery within a limited period after purchase — generally between 30 and 90 days — the insurance may cover its value. In addition, for items purchased with the card that are accidentally damaged, you may receive compensation for their repair or replacement. Certain electronic and household appliances purchased with the Mastercard World Euro card also benefit from an extended warranty beyond the standard warranty period offered by the manufacturer. Furthermore, in the event of fraudulent transactions, you do not bear the financial loss provided that you immediately report the loss or theft of the card or dispute the transaction concerned.
Mastercard World Euro cardholders may also benefit from access to airport lounges and from the advantages offered through Mastercard programmes dedicated to the premium segment.
BRD offers customers the option of using a Mastercard debit card in euros, linked to a current account package that includes access to internet and mobile banking services, fee-free payments at merchants, cash withdrawals and benefits specific to premium cards, including access to the Priority Pass network for certain products.
ING Bank offers customers foreign-currency accounts and Visa cards that allow them to efficiently manage their funds through the bank’s Home’Bank application and make payments in euros without currency conversion, targeting customers who travel frequently or receive income in foreign currencies.
As a general rule, when travelling abroad, it is usually more advantageous to use your card for payments at merchants, as cash withdrawals from ATMs generally involve additional fees.
Greater Security for Your Purchases
In addition to their basic payment function, euro-denominated cards come with additional security measures. Online payments are protected through authentication technologies such as 3D Secure, while transactions are authorised through banks’ mobile applications or biometric authentication methods. In addition, most banks provide transaction-monitoring services and real-time notifications for every transaction made.
How Do You Choose the Best Card for Travel?
When choosing a card, you should not focus solely on issuance or administration fees. The most important criteria include:
• Foreign-currency payment fees
- Check whether the bank charges an additional fee for transactions made in another currency.
- Some cards offer more favourable exchange rates than others.
• Cash withdrawal costs abroad
- If you need cash while travelling, check the fees charged for withdrawals from ATMs outside the country.
- Some cards include a number of free withdrawals or monthly fee-free withdrawal limits.
• Insurance and included benefits
- Travel insurance
- Insurance for delayed or lost luggage
- Airport lounge access
- Emergency assistance abroad
• Annual card fee
- A premium card may offer valuable benefits for frequent travellers, while a lower-cost card may be sufficient for occasional use.
Choosing the right card depends on each person’s individual needs, but one thing is certain: a euro-denominated card can contribute to a safer and more comfortable travel experience, regardless of the destination.
