The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: November seventh, with advice about thawing credit freezes.

As travelers who were stranded for days by the events of September 11 discovered, coming up with cash can be complicated when the unexpected extends your journey, especially if your credit's frozen. When you rent a car or check into a hotel, the agent usually insists on having a credit card number as a guarantee of payment. It's standard industry policy to freeze a portion of your credit reserve to cover either a hefty deposit or your estimated charges.

One problem is that even when the final bill is smaller than estimated, some freezes remain in effect for up to two weeks. Banks around the country have different policies about putting freezes on client accounts. If you're on a long trip or maintain a balance near your credit limit, a freeze can put you over the top. Apart from the embarrassment and inconvenience of having your card refused, you can find yourself short of credit when you need it most.

To avoid being chilled by credit freezes, track your account and pay down balances before leaving home. Be aware of how much credit you have and how long any freeze will be in force. You can ask when you check in. If your bill proves smaller than estimated, ask for the unused credit to be unfrozen. Anyone who spends a lot of time on the road should carry several cards, or ones like Diners Club or American Express that set no maximum how much can be charged. They cost more and require complete payment every month, but they won't leave you stranded on the road and out of credit.

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