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If I lose my credit card(s) when traveling, how do you get them replaced? Do they need an address, some form of ID (this is tricky, since it could have been lost together with the card), and how much time they need for that? Do credit card companies thought about the inconvenience of losing your credit card while on the go?

Quora Feans
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The time needed to get a replacement varies from bank to bank. Some will send a card out right away via overnight courier service, others send them by mail which could take a while, some will only send them to the address on record in which case you are s.o.l.

Likewise the procedure to get a replacement varies from bank to bank. All will take reports over the phone and most start the replacement procedure over the phone. They will check your personal factoids, likely ask you to confirm some recent uses of the card (charges) perhaps your last payment amount, etc, stuff that theoretically only the cardholder knows.

Best thing to do it record your card numbers and the customer service number and keep it someplace safe, away from where the cards themselves are. You can email that data to yourself, so that you can access from any internet cafe. Some folks create a standalone email account just for such purposes.

And before you travel, you should let the bank know you are traveling and where, which would also be a good time to ask them the best procedure should you lose your card.

  • Also, if you ask for rushed shipping to your international destination, they might charge you an extra fee. Make sure you're aware of this. – Aditya Somani Aug 05 '14 at 01:03
  • " let the bank know you are traveling and where" seems like an awkward procedure. – Quora Feans Aug 05 '14 at 15:17
  • Not sure why it would be awkward. You simply call them up and let them know you will be traveling in Thailand, Cambodia, Bali, etc during November, so when charges start showing up from a country you don't live in, their fraud department will know it is OK. Would also help prove you are you when suddenly someone calls from Bali to tell them "your" card was lost. –  Aug 05 '14 at 15:29
  • I think this practice is not up-to-date anymore. Nowadays, banks would call you on your cell-phone when something raises a red-flag. – Quora Feans Aug 05 '14 at 15:52
  • Some banks call, some banks don't, some phones work everywhere, some phones don't. Calling them in advance covers all bases. –  Aug 05 '14 at 16:09