Travel first, pay later. Why not?

Think carefully before spending money on overseas travel.

The pandemic, which lasted for over two years, reminded everyone of the importance of accumulating and managing personal finances in all times. Even after the pandemic was controlled domestically and internationally, people still tended to manage their finances carefully with clear and appropriate spending plans. For example, with a long trip during the holidays, many people chose to split the payment into smaller installments instead of paying a large sum at once, to save money for other expenses for themselves and their families, such as shopping for Tet (Lunar New Year), renovating their homes for the recent New Year...

Furthermore, concerns about safety and the ability to cope with unexpected situations while traveling have not completely disappeared. Being locked down or contracting an illness while abroad remains a significant worry for travelers at the present time.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu H., business director of a logistics company in Hanoi, said: “Two years ago, I had already obtained my visa and bought my tickets to visit relatives and travel in England when I heard about the lockdown. I was both sad because I had been busy preparing and couldn't go, but also lucky that I hadn't gone yet. Now that I want to go again, I'm quite worried about both safety and finances because traveling abroad has never been a small expense for me.”

Besides the concerns, the desire to experience a long vacation and enjoy life after a long period of time due to the pandemic is undeniable, which means that Ms. H, like many other people today, needs to carefully consider and plan before making a decision.

The "enjoy now, pay later" financial solution is on the rise.

In fact, even before the pandemic, the cost of an overseas trip was never small. To avoid significantly impacting their finances after such a trip, travelers need a reasonable and clear spending plan. Many have chosen the financial solution of using credit cards to enjoy now and pay later, so that temporary difficulties don't hinder the joys of exploration and enjoyment in the present, creating beautiful memories for the future.

In addition, applying financial tips shared by experienced travelers on travel forums, such as: creating a detailed trip plan with a budget including contingency funds; booking flights and accommodations as early as possible; using credit cards for major expenses like flights and hotels to take advantage of the best deals and participate in card promotions; and then converting to monthly installments to avoid paying a large sum at once… will help you spend more economically and efficiently.

Ms. Thu.H also shared that during the recent Lunar New Year holiday, she had many unavoidable expenses such as shopping for the holiday, gifts for both sides of the family, etc. In addition, when planning a spring trip for the whole family, she researched credit cards "specifically designed" for travel enthusiasts to break down travel expenses and chose Citi PremierMiles, recommended by a close friend who is also a travel aficionado, to enjoy attractive benefits such as cashback, double reward miles, which can then be redeemed for airline tickets, hotel stays, or travel insurance…

Specifically, when using the Citi PremierMiles Credit Card for overseas travel, cardholders will enjoy a range of exclusive benefits such as:

• Double your Rewards Miles when spending overseas, purchasing airline tickets and making transactions at duty-free shops, and use your Rewards Miles to redeem for free airline tickets and hotel nights on future trips.
• Enjoy the Citi Premiermiles Personal Assistant service, assisting with all your airline ticket bookings, hotel recommendations, and airport transfers. Access and relax at VIP lounges worldwide with 8 free accesses per year with the Priority Pass included with your Citi PremierMiles credit card.
• Foreign transaction fees are only 1.99%.
• In addition, cardholders will have a safe travel experience with travel insurance coverage in case of flight delays, lost luggage, and accident insurance up to 20 billion VND.

Besides finances, tourists also need to pay close attention to safety when traveling abroad. Unexpected situations such as losing or having luggage, wallets, or phones stolen are not uncommon, so tourists should learn the necessary steps to handle them beforehand to avoid panic when they encounter such situations.

Both cash and credit cards are essential for convenience and increased security when traveling abroad. The optimal choice is to use a credit card that allows cash withdrawals for small purchases and direct card payments for larger expenses. Credit cards equipped with EMV chips to combat fraud, such as Citi PremierMiles, ensure the security of all transactions and personal information wherever you are. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic, contactless credit card payments remain a safer option, reducing the risk of exposure to infectious diseases.

If you're planning a more complete and memorable trip, don't forget to use your Citi PremierMiles Credit Card as a convenient, secure payment method and a trusted travel companion. For more details and to apply for a Citi PremierMiles card, please visit: https://citi.asia/vnfrbAq