Visa Introduces Digital Emergency Card Replacement Service for Global Travelers

Visa has launched a new service aimed at making travel less stressful for cardholders who lose their credit or debit cards while abroad. The new service, called Digital Emergency Card Replacement, allows cardholders to receive a digital replacement card via text or email, no matter where they are in the world.

Once cardholders receive their digital card, they can quickly authenticate it and add it to their digital wallet. This service, which Visa sends on behalf of card issuers, is designed to provide a fast, secure, and convenient solution for those who lose their cards while traveling.

Kathleen Pierce-Gilmore, Global Head of Issuing Solutions at Visa, highlighted the service's importance, stating, “We’ve all felt that moment of panic while on vacation — the loss of a card and the feeling of being stranded. Our new digital emergency card solution addresses these very issues.”

This new service enhances Visa’s already extensive Global Customer Assistance Services (GCAS), which handles over 3 million multilingual interactions annually. By integrating this digital solution, Visa is not only helping cardholders regain access to their funds quickly but also enabling issuers to offer improved customer service.

Digital wallets have become an essential tool for 74% of American travelers, according to the Visa Global Travel Intention Study from November 2023. The study noted that affluent travelers and millennials are particularly reliant on digital payments. In contrast, cash is often a source of stress due to concerns about theft, currency conversion fees, and the hassle of dealing with leftover currency.

Kirk Stuart, Visa’s Head of North American Merchant, Acquiring & Enablement, emphasized that “Americans expect a seamless, digitally connected travel journey whether they are here in the U.S. or abroad.” Visa’s new service is a step toward ensuring that even in the face of unforeseen challenges, travelers can continue their journeys with minimal disruption.