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Study Abroad

In field issues

Field advance card issues

Self-Troubleshooting

PROBLEM TROUBLESHOOTING TIP
Card doesn’t work
  • Check your balance, using the phone number on the back of your card, to ensure you have sufficient funds. If you do not have sufficient funds, contact UW Study Abroad F&A to discuss additional funding.
  • There is a maximum cash withdrawal of $1,220 per day. Cash withdrawal limits may be lower in certain countries/banks/ATMS. Please check and plan accordingly.
  • ATM machines owned by large banks have better success withdrawing cash
PIN doesn’t work
  • Swipe and sign for the purchase instead.
  • Reset your PIN after your purchase by phone
Message: “Unable to process your transaction at this time.”
  • ATM may be offline or out of cash, try another ATM.
  • In some locations you may be unable to use ATM’s on religious holidays; try to withdraw funds the next day.

Contact Customer Service

CUSTOMER SERVICE GROUP CONTACT INFORMATION DETAILS NEEDED
Study Abroad F&A (8:00am-5:00pm Pacific M-F) uwsafa@uw.edu 
  • Card name and last 4 digits
  • Error messages received
UW Field Advance Office (8:00am-5:00pm Pacific M-F) fieldadv@uw.edu or pcshelp@uw.edu, 206-543-4500
  • Card name and last 4 digits
  • Error messages received
US Bank prepaid.partner@usbank.com
  • Transaction Type – debit purchase or ATM cash withdrawal
  • Date
  • Amount
  • Location
  • Error message

Other Payment Options               

If you cannot resolve issues with your US Bank card before payment must be made, use the following payment methods in this order:

  1. Use field advance cash if available
  2. If the SAFA office is open, contact us to charge our card by phone.
  3. Last option, pay with your personal cash. Submit the receipt along with the reimbursement form and SAFA will process the reimbursement through Workday. Note: Please do not enter any expenses paid with personal funds on your field advance expenditure spreadsheet. They are handled separately.

Advance payment not received

If you arrive at your destination and your vendor says they have not received your advance payment, here are some steps you can take to check on or confirm payment:

  • Make a payment with your field advance card or cash (follow up with SAFA to have additional funds added to your card as needed)
  • Contact SAFA to check on the progress of the wire payment; they may be able to pay by card over the phone if wire payment has not already been sent
  • If it is an emergency, contact the Global Travel Health and Safety team at 001.206.632.0153.

Unforeseen/emergency expenses

If you are in a situation that requires you to make a substantial unforeseen or emergency payment, please see the following.

  • Make a payment with your field advance card or cash (follow up with SAFA to have additional funds added to your card as needed)
  • Call International SOS, the emergency assistance provider connected to UW international insurance. They should be able to set up a guarantee of payment at clinics, hospitals, or assistance centers within their network. Use the ISOS app to locate nearest facilities.
  • If ISOS cannot help, call the UW Global Emergency line at 001-206-632-0153.
  • Please note that any medical care or supplies students receive during the program CANNOT be paid for with program funds. If the student is unable to pay at the time of treatment, call the UW Global Emergency line (phone number above), and they can help with emergency funds.

ATM and Credit Card Best Practices

ATMs and credit card security varies widely, from country to country, sometimes even within cities. Follow these general guidelines when preparing for successful and safe transactions abroad:

  • While it may not always be possible to have your credit card in your sight when it’s being charged, so that no one is copying down your information, you can always track your purchases.
  • Save receipts and monitor your account for unauthorized purchases.
  • If you detect fraud or that your credit card information has been stolen, email SAFA to freeze the account..

ATMs, both abroad and in the U.S., can be targets of ATM card reader skimming or low-tech scams, such as people standing over your shoulder to watch you input a PIN. Before you withdraw money from an ATM, pay attention to your surroundings and feel around for any loose parts or plastic that seems out of place. Not all ATM scams are detectable, but it’s always a good idea to check.

For more health and safety topics while abroad, see here.