Your summer getaway is all about relaxing. That means not thinking about work, chores or errands and soaking up the sun for a few days. You want your vacation to go off without a hitch.
Make sure you have complete access to your money and the strongest protection from fraud while you’re out enjoying yourself. Just like you’d pack sunscreen and a beach towel, make sure to check off a few financial checkboxes before you travel.
Quick links:
Consider using a credit card for safer purchases
Using a debit card instead of cash for your transactions is generally the safer option. Using a credit card is even better. Credit cards give you zero liability on unauthorized purchases and quick reversal of fraudulent charges.
Better yet, if fraud does happen, there’s no impact on your actual cash while the issue gets sorted out. Learn more about why using a credit card while traveling is the safest option.
Manage your debit and credit cards online
Your debit and credit cards are really your keys to fun during your vacation. You have complete control over them when you have an online + mobile banking account. Access Card Management by logging into your account, going to the Accounts tab, then selecting Card Management. With this tool you can:
- Create travel alerts that let us know that it’s really you using your debit or credit card while out of town.
- Set up spending alerts and control to block unauthorized transactions.
- Block your cards from use while you know you’re not using them.
- Mark your cards lost or stolen in case anything happens to them.
Add your cards to your digital wallet
While your debit and credit cards are key to making purchases while on vacation, you don’t actually need them. You can set them up in Apple Pay or Google Pay to make safe, secure, contactless transactions using your mobile device.
Check your accounts often in online + mobile banking
One of the best ways to fight fraud and keep track of how much you’re spending is to monitor your online banking account. If you have access to a computer while on vacation, you can login from our website.
But you probably aren’t taking your laptop on vacation… Make sure you download the Arsenal mobile app to your phone to keep tabs on your account anytime, anywhere. Learn more about online + mobile banking.
Contact an Arsenal rep on the mobile app
Have a question about your account? There’s no need to make a phone call. Start a live chat on our website or on the mobile app and get the answers you need, fast. When you first start a chat, our automated assistant AVA will attempt to give you the answer you need. If AVA can’t help you, it will direct you to the person in the department who can, quickly.
Find a credit union Shared Branch location
Sometimes you just need in-person help. As a member of Arsenal, you have access to the Credit Union Shared Branch Network. You can access 5,600+ other credit unions in the network to withdraw cash, make deposits, pay loans and much more. Visit this site to find a Shared Branch location near you.
Pay no fees at CO-OP ATMs
A lot of beach bars and snack shacks are cash only. That’s fine because you have access to over 35,000 free ATMs across the country as part of the CO-OP ATM Network. Plan out your trip and use this site to find a free ATM near your hotel or rental.
