Traveling abroad? How to avoid problems with your credit cards

Credit cards were always looked at as an alternative to carrying money or traveler's checks overseas, but new technology changes abroad might make it more difficult for travelers to use their normal credit or debit cards overseas. Many European countries are now relying on credit cards with microchip technology, but only a few cards in the United States have a microchip embedded in them. In fact, according to GetFluent-C, 22 countries are migrating to or have plans to adopt the EVM chips for credit-card purchases.

EVM chips are small, thin chips embedded in credit and debit cards. The chips have metal contacts that, when touched to a proper receptacle, supposedly provide a more secure method of identifying the cardholder than magnetic strips. The EVM chips were named after Europay, Mastercard, and Visa, the companies that developed and agreed to the standard.

Gemalto, a digital security company and producer of EVM cards, offered advice for United States citizens traveling abroad in 2010. The company explained that travelers can purchase an Italian Tourist Card with an embedded EVM chip. These can be bought like a pre-paid European phone. The company added that some cards are even available pre-loaded with Euros and can be purchased at hotels. Another benefit to such cards is that they offer discounts to museums, cultural exhibits, and other entertainment venues.

Another option is to contact your credit- or debit-card provider to try to get a new card with EVM technology. The standard has been adopted by a number of credit card companies, including American Express, JCB, MasterCard, and Visa. It's likely that more companies and retailers in the United States and abroad will adopt EVM technology in the future.

Most automated tellers (ATMs) in Europe will still accept your credit or debit card and allow you to withdraw Euros or other forms of foreign currency when abroad. But many unattended automated kiosks like those found at subways, trains, parking garages and more, only accept EVM cards. Ultimately, before you leave on your trip, check web sites and your hotel(s) to determine whether or not the area you're going to accepts magnetic strip cards, or if you'll need a card with an EVM chip.

-Chris Meehan