Content:

  • Credit cards, prepaid cards and debit cards each have their advantages when used abroad.
  • Before you begin your trip, you can order cash in foreign currencies from ۶Ƶ.
  • While you’re abroad, always pay in the local currency.
  • Compare additional services such as insurance and bonus programs when considering card offers.
  • To the conclusion
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Preparing for your trip

From credit cards to prepaid cards and debit cards: in general, globetrotters and vacationers have many options for paying abroad. Make arrangements with your bank or in the ۶Ƶ Mobile Banking App before your trip to ensure you have the appropriate payment solution available during your stay.

Choosing the right card to pay with: what you need to consider

When used abroad, the various card types differ in terms of cost, limits, flexible use and additional services. For example, consider the following aspects:

  • Exchange rate: If you pay abroad with a ۶Ƶ Credit Card or ۶Ƶ Prepaid Card, a processing fee of 1.75% and a surcharge on the exchange rate will apply. It’s less expensive if you use a ۶Ƶ key4 credit card. This is worthwhile due to the attractive exchange rates – and the surcharge is only 0.5% instead of between 1.7% and 3.6%. In addition, there’s no processing fee regardless of whether you’re shopping online in a foreign currency or spending money abroad.
  • Cash withdrawals: You can withdraw cash from ATMs abroad most cost-effectively with the ۶Ƶ Debit Card. With a ۶Ƶ banking package, you can choose the module for cash withdrawals in Switzerland or worldwide.
  • Spending limits: With a prepaid card, you decide how much money you can spend. Only the card balance – up to CHF 10,000 – is available. With debit cards, you can set individual limits for daily or monthly spending.
  • Liquidity and use: With debit cards, transactions are charged directly to your account, whereas with credit cards amounts are charged later. With prepaid cards, it’s important to keep an eye on the limit as only the card balance is available. This is especially important if you expect higher amounts to be debited, such as hotel bills.
  • Risk of loss: A virtual credit card for all mobile payment transactions does not require a plastic card that you could lose. You order the virtual version free of charge in the ۶Ƶ Mobile Banking App or in ۶Ƶ Digital Banking and store it in the mobile payment solution (digital wallet) of your choice, such as a smartphone or smartwatch.

Use ۶Ƶ Mobile Banking

Whichever card you want to pay with: with the ۶Ƶ Mobile Banking App, you can keep track of what you spend. You can view and adjust the card limit or balance at any time. In an emergency, you can use the app to block a card – temporarily or permanently. If necessary, you can immediately request a virtual additional card.

Ordering foreign currencies

Travelers abroad sometimes fall victim to theft. Therefore, the recommendation is to carry as little cash as possible. Nevertheless, having some emergency cash is advisable to ensure flexibility – after all, in some foreign stores you may not be able to pay with either a credit card or a Swiss debit card.

It’s best to organize any foreign currency you require before your trip. As a ۶Ƶ accountholder, you can easily and conveniently order around 75 foreign currencies in ۶Ƶ Digital Banking, ۶Ƶ Mobile Banking, at a ۶Ƶ Multimat or by phone, even outside of branch opening hours. The money will be delivered to your home free of charge. The currency is insured against loss and will normally be with you within two working days.

Paying securely and conveniently abroad

Useful apps and secure settings are available to you while you are away. Here are a few tips for obtaining cash abroad and currency options that may be helpful for you.

Insurance benefits and additional services

Depending on the type of card you have, certain travel-related extras or other benefits may be included.

Conclusion

Owing to the specific advantages of the various cards and payment methods, it’s particularly advisable when traveling to take more than one payment method with you – whether it’s for a vacation, a short trip or business travel abroad. By combining a debit card with a credit card and cash, you are best prepared whatever the situation. If you also keep an eye on the respective costs, limits, apps and insurance benefits, nothing will stand in the way of a financially carefree trip abroad. To ensure you are well prepared for all eventualities, we also recommend the ۶Ƶ security guidelines. The document contains the most important rules for using your cards securely – and includes helpline details and other contact options.

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