Holidaymakers warned of credit card charges

Britons have been urged to take steps to ensure their summer holidays are not blighted by fees levied on overseas card usage.

Many people will be planning a summer holiday abroad, with South Africa a likely destination for many given the imminent start of the 2010 World Cup .

However, while drawing up spending plans is unlikely to be top of the list for soon-to-be holidaymakers, Moneyfacts spokeswoman Michelle Slade has warned that failure to take the implications of spending on credit cards overseas could lead to many Britons exceeding their budgets.

In the UK we are so used to free banking that many people assume things will be the same when they go overseas, Ms Slade commented.

This can be a costly mistake as charges are applied both for taking money out of a cash machine and for making purchases in store.

Ms Slade also advised people to change currencies before they get to the airport to make savings.

Football fans heading to South Africa for the World Cup should also be aware that no more than 5,000 rand in cash will be allowed in or out of the country.