- To avoid coming home to overdue bills, leave some stamped envelopes with credit card payments with someone reliable, who can mail them off during your trip.

- Note that an American Express card, with a passport as further identification, can be used to convert personal checks into local currency at some Amex offices in large cities. This can be quite useful for those willing to pay USD 75 a year for a card. Card holders can also use some Amex offices as mail pick-up points.

- Some people pay for most of their trip with plastic and avoid cash as much as possible. If you do this, remember that rhe exchange rate may change between the day that you charge and the day you get your bill, and may cost, or save, you some money, depending on which way your home currency goes. Also, if you use a credit card authorization for a deposit, make sure that the authorization is taken off your account as soon as possible, preferably while you watch. For example, if you rent a moped a USD 300 fee may be placed on your card until you return the moped. It’s up to you to make sure that when you do return it, the authorization is removed. If you don’t, it will stay charged against your account and reduce your available credit until taken off.