If I were to go somewhere on vacation, I would do this after booking the flight ticket:
- Make damn sure that there is, and will be, enough money on my bank account.
- Inform my bank about which date span where I plan to reside in country X, explicitly asking them to turn off any potential hidden "security" systems in place for my bank account for this time period, so that I won't get locked out when I physically stand there in country X and try to use my VISA debit card.
- Pack my VISA debit card and national id card in my wallet together with my RFID blocker card and take them with me.
- Pack my passport, keeping it in the hotel while I'm outside as to have two different "proof of identity" if one somehow gets lost.
- Depending on the country, take out/exchange a small amount of physical bills at the airport before I leave it, just in case somebody wants cash or there are "sticky situations" where I need to bribe myself out of it.
Is this a solid plan?
I have heard people say that you should "take at least two different bank cards" with you, but who the hell has two different (or more!) banks? I certainly only have one, and it's more than enough with fees and various stress. I have never heard of anyone who has two or more different banks. Sounds like something that only rich people would be doing, but even then I'm unsure what the point would be since they are part of the same system anyway.
Are there any major flaws with my plan? If so, please be specific.