When do you need to set a Citi travel notification?

You can easily add a Citi travel notification to your account online. Just sign in, click “Services” followed by “Travel Services,” and select “Add a Travel Notice.” Then, enter your travel information and submit. It’s best to set a Citi travel notification for your credit card or debit card any time you’re taking a trip. This will prevent your account from being suspended due to suspected fraud when you’re in an unusual area. You’re never required to add a travel notice to your Citibank account, but it’s always a good idea for both foreign and domestic travel.

What exactly constitutes “travel” comes down to your judgement. You don’t need to set an alert every time you drive to the grocery store. But if you’re visiting a place well outside your daily geographic radius, it’s a good idea.

Here’s how to set a Citi travel notification:

1. Sign into your Citi account online.
2. Click “Services,” then “Travel Services.”
3. Select “Add a Travel Notice.”
4. Enter your destinations as well as the dates of your departure and return.
5. Verify the phone number and email address that Citi has on file are up to date.

A travel alert lets Citi know that charges from a new location don’t mean you’re a victim of fraud. So it helps you avoid Citi putting a temporary hold on your card while you’re away. You can cancel or update your Citi travel notification at any time by logging in and changing your information. It only takes a few minutes and could potentially prevent a major inconvenience on your trip.

If your card is declined while traveling, you can call customer service at 1-800-950-5114 and enter your card number to speak to a representative who can help. Internationally, you can make a collect call to 210-677-0065.

Any time you're planning to leave. Of course, context matters. 

If you're going to a neighbouring city, you might not need to let them know. But if they see the card being used from a different country, thousands of miles away, they might block it if they don't know it's you.