Holiday checklist

A credit card is always useful on holiday. Anything you buy is automatically insured for damage, theft or loss. Apply for a credit card in plenty of time, as it can take up to 10 working days to arrive.

The standard setting for your payment profile is ‘Europe’. Check whether you need to change this to ‘World’ before you leave. If you forget to check, you can still change it easily in the app. If you’d like to be sent a reminder when you travel outside Europe and your debit card is still set for Europe, open the ABN AMRO app, log in and go to ‘Profile’. Choose ‘Debit cards and wearables’ and turn on the ‘Show reminder’ notification.

Tip: take €50 to €100 in cash from the Netherlands just to be on the safe side. If you’re unable to withdraw money when you arrive at the airport, you’ll be able to exchange some euros at a currency exchange office so you can at least get to your hotel.

A lot of people spend more money than usual on holiday, on excursions, for example. Check your daily limit before you leave, so that you can increase it in plenty of time. It takes 4 hours before a new limit comes into effect.

Sometimes there can be a delay when you make a payment or withdraw money abroad. The transaction might not appear immediately in the app. Set up push notifications so that you're notified when money is debited from your account. This allows you to see exactly how much you've paid. It's a handy way to keep track of what you spend on holiday and keep an eye on your budget if needed.

If you forgot to take out travel insurance, or need additional cover for your upcoming trip, you can easily take out short-term or annual travel insurance in the app. Go to Help > Products > Insurance > Take out insurance > Annual travel insurance or Short-term travel insurance. Follow the instructions and send your request.

If you don't have the app, please click the button below.

Maestro debit cards aren’t accepted everywhere in the world. Here are some of the countries where you may encounter problems:

• United Kingdom
• Australia
• United States
• Portugal
• India
• Qatar
• Abu Dhabi

Unfortunately, ABN AMRO has no control over this. Ask whether you can use your debit card in the country you're visiting at a local bank, travel agency or embassy. We advise you to always take an alternative payment method with you, such as a credit card.

We understand that it's difficult if you find yourself without a debit card, but luckily there are ways of paying without a physical debit card. You can set up Apple Pay or Google Pay, depending on your phone. This allows you to pay using your phone or smartwatch, even if your debit card has been blocked.

All purchases you make with a credit card are insured against theft, loss and damage for 180 days. This is perfect when you're on holiday. But what if you've lost of forgotten your PIN? Luckily, it's easy to request your PIN. You'll receive it by post, so check and make sure you request your PIN in time before your holiday starts.

If you lose access to your own phone, you can use the ABN AMRO app on your travel companion's mobile phone. Simply create an additional profile in the app. You'll need your account number, card number and an ID document to do this, but once you've set it up, you'll quickly have access to your account. You can delete this extra profile from your companion's phone once you get back from holiday.

Activate 'Find Hub' on Android

To activate 'Find Hub' on an Android device, go to Settings > Google > (All services>) Find Hub and activate the feature.

Activate 'Find My' on an iPhone or iPad

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap your name and then 'Find My'.
• Tap 'Find my [device]' and then activate 'Find my [device]'.

When you're abroad, it's a good idea to withdraw money from one of the larger banks. These banks usually offer safe, reliable services, which means you don't have to worry about withdrawing money. Check the exchange rate beforehand and whether you'll be charged for international transactions. Also make sure that your debit card is suitable to be used abroad by removing any restrictions before you leave. Withdrawing money from recognised banks minimises the risks and allows you to enjoy a carefree holiday.

You may be charged a fee for withdrawing cash and paying by card when abroad, depending on where you pay and which bank you use. It's free in most euro countries, but check before you make a withdrawal or card payment. Please note: withdrawals on your credit card are often more expensive because you pay an exchange rate mark-up as well as a transaction fee. Try to pay by debit card wherever possible.

If you're planning to visit a country outside the European Union, it's a good idea to buy a local SIM card or eSIM to avoid unexpected mobile data costs. A local SIM card means that you benefit from cheaper rates and can stay in touch with the home front. Don't forget to put your current SIM card somewhere safe and check that your phone doesn't have a SIM lock, so you can switch smoothly to a local provider. A great way to enjoy your foreign adventure without worrying about exorbitant phone costs.

Hiring a car on holiday gives you freedom to explore, and paying by credit card makes the whole process much easier. A lot of car rental companies require a credit card for the deposit and payment, because this is a fast, secure way of processing transactions. Make sure your credit card limit is high enough to cover the deposit and check the terms and conditions of your card for insurance that might cover any damages.

It might be good idea to take an extra means of paying with you, so if your phone or wallet gets stolen, you'll still have a debit or credit card that you can use. Keep this extra card in a safe place, such as the safe in your hotel room.

Always store your phone and debit card separately, so you won't lose everything if you lose your phone or it gets stolen.

When you're abroad, it's a good idea to withdraw money from one of the larger banks. These banks usually offer safe, reliable services, which means you don't have to worry about withdrawing money. Check the exchange rate beforehand and whether you'll be charged for international transactions. Also make sure that your debit card is suitable to be used abroad by removing any restrictions before you leave. Withdrawing money from recognised banks minimises the risks and allows you to enjoy a carefree holiday.

When you get home from a wonderful holiday, it's important to check your account statements. This gives you a clear picture of what you've spent and may help you to discover any irregularities. Check any transactions you don't recognise and if you're in any doubt, contact your bank. It's also a good time to evaluate your budget to see whether you spent as much as (or more than) you'd planned. Regularly checking your account statements allows you to keep control of your finances.

Don't forget to change your payment profile back to your usual profile after you come back from a holiday. Check your direct debits, limits and notifications to make sure everything is set up the way you want. Resetting your payment profile ensures that your financial affairs are back on track and you can carry on spending money without having to worry.