The magnificent and unique Grand Canyon in the U.S., the romantic Champs-Élysées in France, the grand and imposing Colosseum of ancient Rome, the British Museum housing over 6 million items... Just how luxurious is the dream of traveling abroad? In fact, with proper preparation, you’ll find that maintaining travel quality while exploring foreign lands doesn’t cost as much as imagined for working professionals or families.
Handling fees and currency exchange: Banks offer many free and discounted services during peak seasons for overseas travel and studying abroad
Currently, most domestic banks can handle overseas financial services. During peak seasons for overseas travel and studying abroad, many banks launch various promotions with significant discounts, especially from July to September each year, which is one of the annual travel peaks. The overlap of overseas travel and study abroad seasons often leads banks to waive or discount various handling fees.
For example, now at China Everbright Bank, using the Go Abroad+ card to handle related overseas financial services includes free deposit certificates and loan certificates, a 20-point discount on foreign exchange purchases, no telegram fees for overseas wire transfers, exemption from the first three UnionPay ATM withdrawal fees per month overseas, free overseas travel fund custody, and a 50% discount on fees for booking overseas bank accounts. There are also gifts such as overseas accident insurance and exquisite presents.
Air tickets and hotels: High cost-performance options on popular online booking websites
If you can’t book more than a quarter in advance or don’t want to waste too much time with layovers, using search engines and low-cost airline comparison websites can help you easily find the cheapest flights during the same period. For example, www.attitudetravel.com/lowcostairlines is a well-known global low-cost airline comparison site. Once you find the region or country you want to go to, you can discover all the low-cost airline routes and special offers flying into that country.
Booking the most cost-effective hotels online is also a skill. You can use popular hotel booking websites. For instance, www.hrs.cn Global Hotel Reservation Network includes over 250,000 hotels across 180 countries worldwide. The website also promises that under the same booking conditions, the hotel prices booked on its platform are the same or lower compared to the lowest prices offered by other online reservation and travel platforms.
Additionally, domestic banks, travel agencies, and other institutions often collaborate with overseas hotels to launch promotional activities. For example, recently China Everbright Bank and American Express jointly launched the Melbourne trip, offering local hotel discounts for users of American Express Travelers Cheques.
Payment or cash withdrawal: Using American Express Travelers Cheques electronically
In Europe and America, it’s common to pay by credit card. Is it suitable for Chinese tourists to use credit cards when traveling there? For Chinese travelers, electronic travelers cheques are actually more cost-effective. Electronic travelers cheques are similar to prepaid top-up cards—you top them up domestically and then use them for card payments overseas or cash withdrawals at ATMs. They’re as convenient as credit cards but safer, with lower fees, greater ease of use, and no spending limits. Especially for large overseas purchases, electronic travelers cheques may be the best option.
Currently, the main electronic travelers cheques available in China are issued either jointly by multiple banks including China Everbright Bank with foreign banks or independently by those banks. For example, the American Express Travelers Cheque electronic version can be purchased through China Everbright Bank. Now, a first top-up of just $200/€200/£200 gets you a cashback rebate, up to a maximum of $300.
Shopping: Get international popular merchant discounts with a bank card
Just like in China, there are many discount channels for shopping overseas. Many international brands partner with various Chinese commercial banks and other institutions. By simply applying for an international credit card or electronic travelers cheque from these banks, you can receive discounts from partner international brands.
For example, the American Express Travelers Cheque electronic version provides various discount services globally in well-known dining, shopping, hotel, leisure, and entertainment industries. This includes a 15% discount at Bloomingdale's and Macy's; a $50 discount on $500 Disney and Orlando tickets; 50% off in the U.S. and 75% off in Europe at Diamond Resort International; and a 30% discount at Reebok and Rockport Outlets.