It's that time of year when you may travel from the United States to another country. As you go through your packing list, consider how you'll pay for things and get cash.
In years past, you may have brought your plain-old credit or debit card overseas without problems. Nowadays, magnetic-stripe cards are useless in some places. Other countries have higher security hurdles, and you may be out of luck unless your card is a "smart" card.
Smart credit and debit cards have a chip built-in, which makes it harder for thieves to use fake or stolen cards. You need to enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to use the card, and the embedded microchip helps to ensure that you're authorized to use the card.
In some countries, these smart cards are the only form of plastic accepted. Consumerman explains that you can end up with big headaches and unexpected expenses if all you have is a magnetic-stripe card. Before you head to the airport, find out if your card will work in the countries you plan to visit.