(kampaň) Cestujeme
Saving money on accommodation and food on holiday is easy
TIP: Beware of DCC
Dynamic Currency Conversion or DCC is a service that you can recognize by receiving an offer on the display of an ATM or payment terminal to immediately convert to Czech crowns. However, the exchange rate you are offered will most likely be unfavourable. Therefore, it is usually preferable to withdraw the amount to be paid in the local currency. More about DCC.
What is good to know
Pay abroad mainly by card
Both in the west and east of the Czech Republic, cards are now accepted almost everywhere. There are exceptions, but they are becoming fewer and fewer. In general, card payments are now commonplace for more expensive items. This means, for example, accommodation, car rentals, decent restaurants or popular tourist attractions.
It's also quite common to find payment terminals in street stalls, for example, where cash has reigned supreme for centuries. But even small retailers have calculated that taking cards means making more money. The less cash you have, the less extra risk there is of notes getting lost or simply being miscounted when you pay.
A plastic card is still a good idea
Even if you have a card loaded on your mobile or watch (Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc.), take a plastic Mastercard or VISA with you abroad. Just in case. This is because places that normally take cards may only have a contact terminal. Typically, when paying tolls on the highway.
The other important reason to have a physical card is purely practical. Your mobile phone can run out, break or get lost, and then what? But if you have a spare card (ideally in another piece of luggage), you'll be without your mobile, but not without money.
Travel insurance connects you with a doctor
Without travel insurance, you can't go abroad. Especially if you need a doctor urgently. But quality travel insurance from us does more than that. For example, it can reimburse you for lost luggage or missed trips. Ours also has some nifty assistance services, like a Czech-speaking doctor on the phone. You can also just call, and we'll advise you of the nearest hospital where you can be treated.
Withdraw cash from an ATM
Sometimes there is no choice but to withdraw cash. But that doesn't mean you have to go to an exchange office before you leave. Either skip it altogether or just exchange a little just in case. Rely on ATMs, which are on every corner and allow you to withdraw at your own bank's exchange rate.
Of course, foreign ATMs have their pitfalls. But if you know how to do it, withdrawal fees and tricky DCCs won't catch you by surprise.
You can buy a vignette on your mobile phone
‘What's so hard about buying a vignette,’ we wonder to foreigners. But then we arrive at the border with Austria, need a vignette, and are confused as bees. Fortunately, there is a place where you can buy European vignettes online. No queues and no need to argue in a foreign language.
The DoKapsy mobile app from ČSOB provides links to official e-shops selling Czech, Slovak, Austrian, Hungarian or even Bulgarian vignettes. And not only that. It also includes tips for trips and lots of other goodies.
Travel tips from bankers
Choose how you travel and get inspired to save
S cestovkou
Are you travelling with a travel agency?
-
A payment card is essential – even if you prefer to pay in cash, it's good to always have a card with you. Just in case. For example, if your cash gets lost or stolen, you still have your card, which allows you to make payments free of charge and at a fair exchange rate. As our grandmothers used to say, don't put all your eggs in one basket.
-
Don't be afraid of ATMs – Let's not sugarcoat it, ATM withdrawals have their pitfalls. But if you know how to do it, you won't be hit with unnecessarily high fees or unfavourable exchange rates. ČSOB’s exchange rate at ATMs is comparable to that of regular exchange offices.
-
Set up alerts on your mobile phone – Get free alerts after every card payment or account transaction. In ČSOB Smart, go to Menu → Application settings → Notifications and set everything up according to your preferences. Free of charge.
-
A lost card is no reason to panic – If you lose your banknotes and coins, it will be almost a miracle if you ever see them again. With a card, there is a chance that the finder will contact you, for example by name. What's more, no one can just take money from your card. All you must do is block it by phone or in Smart, which takes a matter of seconds.
We can replace your lost card in a matter of minutes, even if you are thousands of kilometres away. We will send you the new card number and other details to your mobile phone, which you can use to activate Google Pay or Apple Pay on your mobile phone or smartwatch. -
Problems with your card, account, apps, payments or withdrawals? Give us a call! Our operators are here for you 24/7 and speak Czech – a luxury that foreign card issuers may not offer you. Save the helpline number +420 495 300 300.
-
Make sure you have good travel insurance. The more you travel, the more you will benefit from year-round travel insurance with your card. The cheapest option starts at CZK 560 for the whole year!
Na vlastní pěst po Evropě
Are you travelling independently by car, train or bus?
-
A visitor card with free cable car rides and discounts on other attractions is usually free with a stay in Austria or Switzerland. It can save you tens of euros on trips around the area; just show it at the ticket office.
-
Travel insurance connects you with a doctor – Our high-quality travel insurance does more than just cover the costs of treatment. It will also reimburse you for lost luggage or a missed trip. Our insurance also includes excellent assistance services, such as a Czech-speaking doctor on call. Just give us a call and we will advise you on the nearest hospital where you can receive treatment.
-
Accident insurance and compulsory liability insurance from ČSOB will also help you abroad. It will largely reimburse you for towing, on-site repairs, hotel or transport to your destination, sending a replacement driver... Interpretation with authorities, police or doctors is also available.
-
Are you travelling around the Czech Republic and the surrounding area? The DoKapsy app from ČSOB offers dozens of tips for trips (even with children) throughout Central Europe. You can also buy European motorway vignettes in it – Slovak, Austrian, Swiss...
-
How about a foreign currency account? To keep track of how much you spend on holiday, set up a free foreign currency account in Smart and transfer euros to it via e-Směnárna. This is where you will have money for food, souvenirs and ice cream. Your holiday money is safely separated from your ‘day-to-day’ money. What's more, it's always clearly visible in Smart.
Letecky do světa
Do you travel around the world by plane?
-
Consider ČSOB Premium services. They include free access to airport lounges, above-standard travel insurance up to CZK 100 million, and a discount of up to 10% on Booking.com.
-
If you have to cancel your holiday for health reasons, our travel insurance covers you. It also covers medical expenses, liability for damage, loss of luggage and legal assistance.
-
Don't forget to insure yourself for risky sports – The costs of treating injuries sustained while mountain climbing or surfing, for example, can be high, which is why additional insurance for risky sports is required. Take this into account when taking out travel insurance.
-
A credit card is also useful alongside a debit card – You won't get anywhere with a debit card at foreign car rental companies, unmanned petrol stations and some hotels. They only accept credit cards, from which they can easily deduct a refundable deposit. If you don't have a credit card, it's worth considering getting one for travelling.
-
Chargeback will help you win the battle for expired tickets – The airline won't refund you for a cancelled flight? Read how to use chargeback. A way to assert your rights in justified cases.
-
A plastic card is still a good idea
Even if you have a card stored on your mobile phone or watch (Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc.), take a plastic Mastercard or VISA with you when travelling abroad. Just to be on the safe side. In places where cards are normally accepted, they may only have a contact terminal. This is typically the case when paying tolls on the motorway.
The second important reason to have a physical card is purely practical. Your mobile phone may run out of battery, break or get lost, and then what? But if you have a spare card (ideally in another piece of luggage), you may be without your mobile phone, but you won't be without money.