Where’d all this catnip come from?

In the letter titled “Ensuring Credit Card Usage Overseas” (May ’06, pg. 12), the reader suggests advising the card issuers twice before taking a trip so they don’t make your card unusable by implementing a security watch while you are gone.

My warning is do not be surprised if they freeze your card anyway, especially if you have given them a detailed itinerary. In my case, their excuse was I wasn’t in the country I was supposed to be on that date, so the card must have been stolen. Besides, somebody at my home could have reactivated it.

I explained that I was delayed due to mechanical difficulties and that my cat isn’t allowed to use the phone, but they did not care. After 27 years of using that bank’s card, I canceled it and have been very happy with my new one.

One other warning for travelers who now use debit cards to avoid the 2%-3% fees — some banks are canceling or limiting their use overseas. Others will put a permanent okay on the account so you can use it anywhere.

KIT STEWART
Sequim, WA