The airport isn't the only potential source of money woes for travelers. Try your own credit card. Did you know that your credit card -- unbeknownst to you -- might suddenly be rendered inactive, just as you're about to charge that lovely painting?

        It's true. Credit-card companies may put you on "high level fraud alert" once they see just a couple overseas charges, preventing you from making any purchases or cash withdrawals. The onus may fall on you to call your card issuer and reactivate your card. Imagine if it's 3 a.m. in the U.S. and you have no cash or ATM card.

        Another potential pitfall: if you lose your credit card in a foreign country, chances are you won't be able to get a replacement, unless they have local offices. So consider carrying a second card as back-up and storing it in a separate location.

How can you make the most of your various payment options while traveling, avoid unnecessary charges and save money? Here are some helpful tips:

Accessing Cash

        If you need cash while you're traveling, use your debit card. While some banks may charge an ATM usage fee of 50 cents to $1.50, plus a conversion fee of 1% on the amount withdrawn, many skip the conversion fee altogether. Accessing cash from your credit card could run you at least triple the cost -- 2% to 3% as a cash advance fee -- plus a currency-transaction fee and ATM fee charged by both your bank and the ATM you're using.

        Wondering about travelers checks? Experts report that they can be easily counterfeited and come with high costs.

        If you need to change dollars to the local currency, remember you'll get better exchange rates the further out you are from the airport. So, if you must, exchange only what you need at the airport.

Making Purchases

        Ready to buy those boots? Your best bet is to charge it on your favorite credit card, but let your issuer know you plan to travel overseas in advance of your trip to avoid the potential fraud freeze on your card.

        You'll get better exchange rates -- those negotiated directly by the bank -- plus possible product liability insurance, in the event your purchase is lost, stolen or broken in transit. If you're at all afraid of charging more than you can afford, use your debit card instead.

        Also, watch out for overly helpful merchants. Some overseas merchants will offer to convert your bill to your home currency. Don't do it: you're likely to get hit with another 7% to 9% fee based on the price of your purchase, with about 5% to 6% going to the merchant and the rest to the credit-card issuer. That could tack on another $45 to a $500 purchase.

        Finally, don't forget that some countries, such as France and the rest of the European Union, provide a refund for a portion of the tax paid on items purchased and then taken out of the country. The refund usually requires a minimum purchase with a single merchant ($25 in Sweden and $340 in Switzerland, according to the World Travel & Tourism Tax Policy Center). You'll need to ask the merchant for the tax-credit documents as you make your purchase and then turn them into the appropriate counter at the airport. Be sure to leave yourself enough time when departing.

Product Protection

        Many consumers make the mistake of assuming that the same product insurance protections offered on credit-card purchases apply to overseas purchases. But that's not always the case, so ask your credit-card company if you're protected while traveling abroad.

        Generally, credit-card issuers that underwrite their own insurance, such as American Express, extend coverage to overseas purchases. But, MBNA reports this free "extended warranty" for cardholders was discontinued as of September, even for U.S. purchases.

Car-rental Insurance

        If you're renting a car abroad, you'll be offered the chance to buy extended collision insurance. That could make sense and simplify life in the event of an accident. But you may be able to save a bundle simply by checking with your credit-card company.

        "The car rental company was about to charge me $140 for additional insurance for one week," says Tom Houston of his trip to Czechoslovakia. "But by simply activating the car insurance offered by my credit card, I paid only $5 for the coverage."

        Houston reports that through his American Express card, he could pay for the coverage and then discontinue it upon his return. Others card issuers, such as MBNA, include it so long as the full cost of the car rental is charged to the card.

        Finally, consider bringing a simple calculator. That way, you can always calculate the real cost and avoid the surprise on your bank statements.