I'm sorry, but my bank is not my "mommy" and I shouldn't have to OK my travel plans with "her" before I can spend MY money. With today's technology, banks should be able to send a text and/or recorded message that suspicious activity was detected and that if they don't hear back from us within a certain time frame verifying the activity THEN the account will be frozen. There is no reason, nor excuse, for them to block, freeze, "hold" my account without first notifying me that they are going to do so.
By then if someone has stolen your identity or card it's too late. I'd much rather be inconvenienced by having to take a few minutes to call the cc company or bank than find out my cards are maxed or my checking account is totally tapped. I don't like Big Brother but it IS their business how you use your card as it's THEM who loses if you don't pay up or if fraud is committed. While the card holder is not held responsible if the card is lost or stolen, if it is lost/stolen, you don't report it because you don't know it has been THEN the difficulty begins. If the card is used fraudulently then the cc company or bank can be out thousands of dollars.
We've never notified our cc companies when we've gone stateside but did so when we went to Denmark and Iceland. Citibank denied a charge on my card when I tried to purchase something online at Toys R Us because it was unusual activity. I was able to use another credit card so it was not a big deal. And when I spoke to Citibank I made sure I thanked them for keeping an eye out for me as it only benefits everyone.
