MONEY TIPS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE HEADING TO SOUTH AFRICA FOR
THE 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP™
As hundreds of thousands[1] of football fans are
making their check lists and preparations to attend the 2010 FIFA
World Cup™, Visa, a FIFA Partner and the preferred card of the
tournament, has released a Top 10 list of useful payment card tips
to ensure everyone travelling to South Africa for the FIFA World
Cup™ make the most out of their experience.
The Visa Visitor Guide: South Africa 2010 offers an array of
information on must see heritage sites, museums, and safari parks
as well as shopping and dining insights from local experts, and now
includes an updated tournament schedule and a list of the 32
qualified teams.
Money Tips for Travellers
For a safe and enjoyable time in South Africa, here are 10
payment card and money tips you need to know before you go.
- You’ll need a Visa card or cash to pay for items at all FIFA
World Cup™ venues. To get a Visa credit, debit or prepaid card
visit your bank or go to www.visaeurope.com/getacard
- Remember to notify your issuing bank that you will be
travelling and that you will be using your Visa credit or debit
card abroad to avoid any issues when transacting.
- If you lose your card, report it to your bank immediately.
- Take advantage of special merchant offers while in South Africa
– for details read the Visa Visitor Guide: South Africa 2010. To
download a copy of the Visa Media Offers guide, visit
www.visaeurope.com/en/newsroom/fifa_2010_media_offers.aspx
- While you’re travelling, set up a direct debit to pay your
credit card bill and make sure you have sufficient funds in your
debit account.
- Write down the telephone numbers for your bank and assistance
call centres in case you lose your card.
- Contact your issuing bank about travel-related benefits for
Visa cardholders.
- Look for the Visa or PLUS logo on ATMs or at point-of-sale to
check you can use your Visa card. To find the nearest ATM visit
www.visaeurope.com/personal/findacashmachine/main.jsp
- Always have a small amount of Rand, plus a Visa payment card on
you while travelling throughout South Africa.
- Carefully review your payment card statements and contact your
issuing bank immediately if you see any suspicious or incorrect
charges.
Visa Visitor Guide: South Africa 2010
South Africa has something for everyone – adventure, beauty,
culture and history.
Visa worked with local experts to identify information specific
to the culture of South Africa and the communities within each host
city. To help football fans travelling to watch their favourite
team compete in the 2010 FIFA World CupTM, information has been
added to ensure everyone going to South Africa is well informed and
prepared.
In addition to the Top 10 payment card tips that fans should
keep in mind before, during and after their trip, an updated
schedule has been added and a list of all qualified teams which
will offer an at-a-glance option for travellers as they make plans
around each game.
The Visa Visitor Guide: South Africa 2010 also offers
information such as: a football glossary, travel-related benefits
for Visa cardholders, transportation information and helpful tips
for attractions, shopping, dining and more in each host city.
Special merchant offers for Visa cardholders such as discounts at
heritage sites, museums, parks and other attractions throughout
South Africa are also included – designated by a small blue Visa
card throughout the guide.
To download a copy of the Visa Visitors Guide, visit
www.visaeurope.com/personal/travellingabroad/fifaworldcup.jsp
To download a copy of the Visa Media Offers guide, visit
www.visaeurope.com/en/newsroom/fifa_2010_media_offers.aspx
Travel-related Benefits for Visa Cardholders
Visa gives cardholders the freedom to go global with the
convenience of unsurpassed acceptance at millions of locations in
more than 200 countries and territories. Before travelling, Visa
cardholders should check with the bank that issued their card to
understand what benefits are available to them, as card benefits
vary worldwide. Examples of travel-related benefits that Visa
cardholders may enjoy include:
- Around-the-clock emergency assistance, in case of lost or
stolen cards, and other travel emergencies
- Travel-related insurance and other benefits, like lost luggage
reimbursement and emergency translation services
- Special offers at hotels, restaurants and spas
- Benefits that can open doors and even save money at vineyards,
golf courses, sporting venues and performances around the
world
- Access to promotional offers from tourism providers, such as
hotels, airlines and car rental companies
- Access to unique experiences – from viewing world-renowned
sporting events to going behind-the-scenes at favourite
performances
[1]
www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/federation/insidefifa/news/newsid=1171620.html
About Visa Europe
In Europe, there are over 390 million Visa debit, credit and
commercial cards. In the 12 months ending December 2009 those cards
were used to make purchases and cash withdrawals to the value of
€1.4 trillion. 11.2% of consumer spending at point of sale in
Europe is with a Visa card.
Visa Europe is owned and operated by over 4,000 European member
banks and was incorporated in July 2004. In October 2007, Visa
Europe became independent of the new global Visa Inc., with an
exclusive, irrevocable and perpetual licence in Europe. As a
dedicated European payment system it is able to respond quickly to
the specific market needs of European banks and their customers -
cardholders and retailers - and to meet the European Commission’s
objective to create a true internal market for payments.
Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world. In
addition, Visa/PLUS is one of the world’s largest global ATM
networks, offering cash access in local currency in more than 200
countries and territories. For more information, visit www.visaeurope.com
Contact details:
Visa Europe press office
Tel: +44 (0)20 7795 5336
E-mail: europeanmedia@visa.com