Card Services
Tell us before you go
A travel notice takes about a minute and keeps our fraud systems from declining a legitimate purchase 3,000 miles from home. Set one for any trip outside your usual pattern.
Why it is worth the minute
Our fraud model watches for spending that does not look like yours. A notice tells it what to expect.
Fewer declines abroad
A first purchase in an unfamiliar country is the single most common reason a good card gets declined. A notice removes that trigger.
Covers your whole trip
Set the dates once, list every country including connections, and the notice stays in force until the day after you return.
Applies to every card you hold
One notice covers your Summit credit cards and your debit card, so you are not filing three separate requests before a trip.
Foreign transaction fees by card
Which card to lead with depends entirely on where you are going.
Rates current as of July 2026 and subject to change. Membership eligibility required. This is a demonstration website; rates, products, and figures shown are illustrative only.
Setting one, and what to do out there
Three minutes of preparation saves an awkward conversation at a hotel desk.
File the notice
In the app, open Card Services and choose Travel Notice. Enter your destinations and dates, or call 1-800-555-0148 and give them to us. Any branch can do it too.
Check your contact details
Make sure we have a number that reaches you overseas. If we do need to verify a purchase, a text you can actually receive settles it in seconds.
Always pay in local currency
When a terminal offers to bill you in dollars, decline. That conversion carries a markup of 3% to 6% set by the merchant, on top of any fee your card charges.
Carry a backup and some cash
Keep a second card somewhere separate from the first, and note our collect number, 1-716-555-0199, in case both go missing.
Common questions
Is a travel notice actually required?
No. Our fraud model uses far more than location, so most trips go smoothly without one. It is still the cheapest insurance available against a declined card in a country where you know nobody.
How far ahead should I set one?
Any time before you leave, including from the airport. We suggest a few days out so a member advisor can look at the rest of your setup if something needs changing.
Do I need one for domestic travel?
Usually not. It is worth doing for a long road trip through several states or an extended stay somewhere far from home, where a run of unfamiliar merchants can look unusual.
What if my card is declined anyway?
Check for a verification text or push notification first, since confirming it usually clears the hold immediately. If nothing arrives, call the number on the back of the card or collect at 1-716-555-0199.
Can I change or cancel a notice?
Yes, edit the dates or destinations in the app at any point, including while you are travelling. Extending a trip by a week takes about thirty seconds.
Will I be charged to take out cash overseas?
A debit withdrawal costs 1% plus $2 per transaction, plus whatever the operator charges, so take out larger amounts less often. Cash advances on a credit card start accruing interest immediately and are best avoided.
One minute before you fly
Set your notice in the app, or call us and we will take the details over the phone.