By Amy Chlebeck, Travel Advisor, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Getting ready to leave on a long awaited trip? Or a spontaneous quick escape from the winter? No matter which trip style you are about to embark on, a common question many travelers pose to me is, “What hints do you have for our pre-trip to-do list?” Over the years i have organized what many of my clients have said is a great list which you might find helpful, too.
Identification
It might seem to be a silly thing to add to a preparation list, but time flies, and before you know it, your passport has expired. Always verify required travel documents needed for your destination. Based on where you are going, a valid US government issued photo id might be all you need. In the not-too-distant future a Real ID will be needed which is also being referred to by some states as an Enhanced Driver’s License. For other destinations, a passport and/or possibly a visa is required. Based on the documents you need to for your trip, you must plan in advance due to the processing time to obtain documents if needed.
A general rule of thumb for a passport is making sure you have a minimum of 6 months validity beyond your return date. But this can vary so be sure to consult with your travel agent, airline or the embassy or consulate office of the destination you are visiting to verify. The advice is similar regarding visas. Your booking source or country’s embassy will be able to inform you if you need to obtain a visa prior to travel. If you’re not familiar with a visa: it is an additional document required by some countries along with a passport to be permitted to enter a country and stay for a defined period of time.
Money matters
Most travelers today plan to mainly use credit cards while traveling. While this is for many a convenient way to pay for purchases, you do want to be sure to bring with you a bit of cash as well. Cash is most frequently used when a credit card is not accepted for tips or small purchases such as beverages or snacks.
When traveling, bring two to three cards in case a card should be lost, stolen or compromised. And if traveling abroad, leave your Discover card at home. This is a card not recognized abroad. Ideally, if time allows, call your credit card company to advise that you will be traveling so the card company can expect to see charges coming from beyond your home region.
For all international trips, it is very wise to call your card companies to see which of your cards might charge either no fee or a very low fee for foreign transactions. I have seen card companies charge between zero and 3.5 percent for all charges made in a foreign currency.
Smart devices
In our world of connectivity through smart phone and tablets, often in our hands, many find downloading airline apps helpful. From most apps, travelers can check in for flights or monitor flight status. Also for your smart phones, particularly for any travel out of the US, I always recommend checking with your phone carrier for plan coverages. You want to verify data plan limits for the destinations you are traveling to as well as any charges for phone calls outgoing and incoming.
Updating family members
This hint might seem very much a common sense reminder but many forget to do this. Be sure to leave your complete itinerary with a couple of key family members or friends. In our age of always being able to be reached via cell phones and emails, many clients no longer do this basic step…leaving flight information, hotel lists and/or cruise itinerary. This is crucial information if there is an emergency. I highly recommend you leave your family contact information for your travel agent as well. I have had family members reach out to me in desperation to find a loved one traveling when they did not leave a detailed itinerary of where they would be and when!
Packing
It seems everyone has their own personal packing hints. A couple that I mention to clients frequently:
If traveling abroad, it is very prudent to make a copy of your passport data page. Carry this copy separate from your actual passport book. This copy can be extremely helpful if your passport is lost or stolen when abroad.
If traveling with your spouse and checking two suitcases, I always suggest intermingling your clothing and shoes. That way if one bag is delayed or lost, you will still have some clothes!! And even though, thankfully, a lost or delayed bag situation doesn’t happen too often, it is wise to have one change of clothes with you just in case.
Bon voyage!
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