The Common Payment Method Rick Steves Recommends Avoiding In Europe

Having traveled extensively in Europe for decades, Rick Steves is an expert on dos and don'ts on the continent. From where to go, what to wear, and how to travel, his advice is invaluable for travelers. Steves' website contains hundreds (if not thousands) of travel tips, several of which are about bank card safety. When writing about payment methods in Europe, he says: "Avoid using a debit card for purchases."

This is in case your card is stolen and used by someone else. Steves writes: "Because a debit card pulls funds directly from your bank account, potential charges incurred by a thief will stay on your account while your bank investigates." In other words, while your bank sorts things out, you might find yourself in Rome dining on instant noodles instead of mouth-watering pasta.

To avoid this scenario, Steves opts for a credit card when making purchases. And he's right to do so (of course). Credit cards offer greater fraud protection because they don't pull money directly from your account. If you report your card stolen, your bank simply wipes fraudulent charges from your bill, and your bank balance never takes a hit. It's a big reason why credit cards can help you feel safer while traveling. In contrast, with a debit card, you're out of pocket until the bank accepts that the charge was fraudulent.

For Steves, the alternative to paying for purchases by credit card is cold hard cash. But how does he get that cash? It's not by traveler's check, but by using his debit card. Steves writes: "I limit my debit card use to cash-machine withdrawals." He says credit cards' "sky-high withdrawal fees and cash-advance interest rates" as the reason for this in another post on his site. Again, Steves is correct: It tends to be more cost-effective to withdraw money using a debit card. Just make sure to read up on his tips for protecting your money when using an ATM abroad before you go.

The type of card you use in Europe is also important. As Steves points out in his "Pretrip Money Checklist for Travelers" post, "Visa and MasterCard are universal, while American Express and Discover are less common." If you don't already have a Visa or MasterCard, try to get hold of one before your trip. You'll also want a card that supports contactless payments and to add it to your digital wallet if possible. Aside from everyday convenience, digital wallets can be a lifesaver. If your physical card is lost or stolen, a replacement can often be automatically added to your app, saving you from the hassle of waiting for a new one to be mailed overseas. For the safest transactions in Europe, follow Steves' approved formula. Stick to credit cards for purchases, and use debit cards for ATM withdrawals. And always have some cash on hand just in case.