Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: Here are a few things to know about debit and credit cards when traveling:

•Car-rental companies will not accept credit cards that are a combination credit/debit card. That is because this type of card does not have “deep pockets” like a regular credit card does. Their reason is that if you cause damage to the car, the car-rental company will charge your credit card for those damages immediately. It is up to you to resolve reimbursement from your insurance company. To summarize: Always carry a real credit card when you plan to rent a car.

•Whenever you travel and plan to use your credit card, be sure to call your credit-card company before leaving. Let it know you will be using the card while traveling. Otherwise, the company’s computers might flag your card for “out-of-habit usage” and block your card for transaction approval. Credit-card companies do this for security reasons. – Linda, travel consultant from California