Chances are, the next time you use your credit card to make a purchase — even in the U.S. — you might be charged a foreign transaction fee.

How can that happen?

It all depends on where your merchant is incorporated.

For example, almost all cruise lines are registered or incorporated in foreign countries.

Buy a drink on the ship and put it on your card?

You get hit with a foreign transaction fee because all purchases are reconciled in their foreign bank account.

Use your debit card at an ATM overseas?

Not disclosed, but you get hit with a foreign transaction fee.

This also applies to online shopping if the merchant is based outside the U.S.

So double check — first — if your credit card doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee.