Financial tips for traveling

As you prepare for your upcoming travel, you might be focused on packing your bags, booking your stay, or securing transportation. But it’s also important to prepare yourself financially to help protect against fraud and manage your budget.

Before you go

Do I need to submit a travel notice to Huntington Bank?

The short answer is no, you do not need to submit a travel notice on your debit or credit card. As a Huntington customer, you no longer need to alert us of upcoming travel thanks to the enhanced fraud tools and added security of EMV chips.

EMV chips are the small, square, often silver computer chips that appear on the surface of debit and credit cards. When making a purchase with an EMV chip card, you can tap the card for a contactless payment or insert the card into a payment terminal. As the card is read, the EMV chip creates a unique code with each transaction, so the retailer never receives your actual card number. This makes it more difficult for fraudsters to steal your information, maximizing the security of your debit and credit cards.

We also actively monitor accounts for suspicious activity. If we have questions about a particular transaction, we may contact you via text message to confirm it was valid^†.

Exchange money at Huntington

Save time and effort and spend more time enjoying your destination by pre-ordering foreign currency at Huntington for a flat fee of $15^‡. Visit any Huntington branch to order from more than 75 world currencies.

To place an order, you must have a Huntington account. We'll deduct the U.S. dollar equivalent of the order plus the $15 fee from your Huntington checking or savings account. If you have unused foreign currency when you return, you can exchange that for U.S dollars at your Huntington Bank branch for a flat fee of $15 per order^‡. Learn more about ordering foreign currency.

Enroll in mobile alerts

Get a heads up the moment your debit or credit card is used for a purchase without even logging into your bank account. You can personalize your Huntington alerts^† based on your habits with customizable messages straight to your phone or email. Track your balances, stay ahead of fees, and know when we spot unusual account activity in real time. Enroll in mobile alerts.

Hold your mail

Before you leave, request a mail hold for the duration of your trip online through the U.S. Postal Service. Bills and other documents with sensitive information sent through the mail could be intercepted by fraudsters and increase your chance of identity theft. Mail piling up in your mailbox could also signal to thieves that you’re away and your home is unattended.

While you’re there

No foreign transaction fees with Huntington credit cards

Choose a credit card with benefits that fit your lifestyle and your travel plans. While other banks may charge up to an additional 3% on purchases made outside the United States, cardholders with the Cashback Credit Card, 3x Rewards Card, or the Lower Rate Credit Card will not have that extra expense^≠.

What if my credit or debit card is declined while traveling?

Declines can still happen to ensure we keep your account safe. While this is not common, we know it can lead to a frustrating experience. We recommend the following tips to help ensure a successful trip:

• Ensure your credit or debit card has been activated.
• Consider enrolling in Mobile Banking and Online Banking to easily access your accounts.
• Ensure you know your PIN (Personal Identification Number) so that you can use your card as a debit transaction or withdrawal money from the ATM.
• If you do forget your PIN, you can always change it in Online Banking or through the Huntington Mobile App.
• Always have a backup payment option, if possible.
• Make sure your contact information is up to date.

Report a card lost or stolen as soon as possible

If your credit or debit card was lost or stolen while traveling, report it to your bank as soon as you can. Huntington customers can lock their cards through the Huntington Mobile app and can report their card lost or stolen by calling (800) 480-2265.

Know our number

As part of Huntington’s commitment to our customer’s safety and security, access to online banking and the Huntington Mobile app is limited in some countries. If you need help during your trip, contact us or give us call at (800) 480-2265.