Caution! Expensive expenses for card payment on vacation - this is how you save!

Caution! Expensive expenses for card payment on vacation - this is how you save!

Many travelers use their bank cards on summer vacation, but the Chamber of Labor (AK) warns of high fees for payments with plastic cards, especially in non-euro countries. These fees can quickly become a high cost factor that significantly charges the planned vacation. An example: In Turkey, up to 20 euros expenses can be incurred when lifting 400 euros. The AK therefore recommends paying with the ATM card in euro countries.

The high fees primarily concern payments and money withdrawals to bank -independent ATMs. In non-euro countries, expenses are generally incurred. The average costs for lifting are around 3 to 3.3 percent, with minimum fees of 2.50 to 4 euros. There are also up to 2 percent manipulation fees.

recommended payment methods

Payment cards in euro countries usually do not cause any expenses, but there may be high costs when taking out cash. It is advisable to withdraw smaller amounts, since the fees may not pay off. On average, the cost of credit cards for payments in non-euro countries are between 1.65 and 2 percent, 3 to 3.3 percent.

an investigation by oe24.at pointed out the economic disadvantages that travelers can expect from transactions outside the euro area. Many consumers are not aware that they always have to expect fees for payments or withdrawals outside the euro zone. The best tip is to pay or withdraw in the state currency and to avoid cash changes in disadvantageous conditions.

tips for minimizing cost

The AK also recommends that travelers check the fee models of their banks before they leave to avoid unexpected costs. Withdrawal fees for credit cards can vary depending on the provider, whereby providers such as Card Complete and American Express calculate up to 20 euros for lifting. Alternatively, debit cards usually offer cheaper options, such as 4.82 euros at Erste Bank.

The use of credit cards also has advantages: they offer a comfortable and secure payment method that is recognized worldwide. Credit cards of different providers, such as Visa and Mastercard, make it possible to carry out large amounts of cash, which significantly reduces the security risk. Nevertheless, users should always keep an eye on the daily exchange rates and possible additional fees, since they can significantly increase the holiday costs.