3 Sneaky Expenses to Keep an Eye on While Traveling

Imagine coming back from a vacation and having your cell phone shut down because of a $15,000 cell phone bill. That's what happened to finance and travel writer Holly Porter Johnson when she returned from a trip to Bora Bora.

Being the seasoned traveler that she is, she purchased a plan from her cell phone company that covered multiple countries. Unfortunately, she assumed Bora Bora was on the list of countries with coverage when it actually wasn't.

The fact is there are a few sneaky expenses that can make your travels far more expensive than they need to be. As you're planning your next vacation, here are just a few to keep an eye on, and what to do about them.

Cell Phone Charges

Roaming fees can give you a harsh surprise if you are not careful. Even in Johnson's case where she had a specific plan that allowed for international travel, she was caught off guard.

Each cell provider has its own plan for international travel. The catch is, you need to check your carrier's list to make sure your travel destination is covered. Nevertheless, the list leaves room for error. For example, most countries in the Caribbean are covered when it comes to a foreign travel plan. But the plan doesn't include Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, which are U.S. territories.

It's a good idea to check your coverage with your cell phone provider before traveling abroad. See if they have an international plan, or whether using Wi-Fi, when available, will be the best option.

Foreign Transaction Fees

Credit card fees are another expense that can dampen your vacation vibes. Depending on the credit card, you could be hit with a foreign transaction fee when purchasing from non-U.S. retailers. While the fee may not seem like much, a 3% fee, for example, can quickly add up when it's applied every time you use the card.

One way around this issue is to obtain a credit card with no foreign transaction fee like the Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard®.

Conversion Fees

In addition to transaction fees, you may also get hit with a conversion fee. This isn't determined by the card issuer, but rather the payment processor. The rate may also depend on which country you visit. The best way to avoid unexpected conversion fees is to research this information ahead of time. For example, Mastercard® has an online calculator where you can determine whether or not a conversion fee applies.

If you're traveling with cash, you may want to do a currency exchange before traveling to your destination. This gives you the opportunity to shop around for the best rates. Avoid exchanging your bills at the airport, where conversion rates tend to be the highest.

These sneaky expenses are great to keep top of mind while you're planning your next dream vacation.

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