What Should I Do Before I Travel?

OK. So you have everything booked and you’re all set to go.

Except you haven’t packed yet.

And wait, what’s the weather even supposed to be like? Can I make calls there? Should I renew my passport now or wait until I get back??

Sometimes once the questions start they just don’t stop, and it’s so easy to get overwhelmed when you’ve spent your hard earned dollars doing everything you can to make your vacation perfect. So, what do you need to actually need to remember (and what’s best left until you return)?

Here are my travel musts:

• Go over your documents and tickets! Double check all the spelling, and make sure it matches your passport (international) or driver’s license (domestic). Map the location of your hotel and any tours you’ll be taking- even if you don’t print it, it’ll be fresh in your mind. Don’t forget to check out any directions you’ll need so you can allot enough travel time if you have anywhere to be at a specific time!
• Make sure your passport is valid beyond your dates of travel. As a general rule, you’ll want at least 6 months after your scheduled departure date, but you can check out travel.state.gov for your destination’s specifics.
• Purchase travel insurance! It covers things like trip interruption, cancellation, and health emergencies… not to mention flight delays and baggage loss. Trust me, you’ll only need to sleep on an airport bench once to be convinced of its value.
• Make sure you have the right power adapters and converters for your destinations, and check the fine print of any electronics you’re bringing to know if it’s dual voltage.
• Call your cell provider to check out service in your destination, and if necessary, opt for an international plan. If you’re going to multiple destinations, print out the fees for each so that if you need to make a call, you know what you’re paying.
• Check currency exchange rates.  Depending on destination it may be cheaper to purchase ahead of time or by ATM when you get there.
• If you’re visiting a destination with seasonal weather changes, wait until 14 days before your trip when you can see a more accurate forecast, and then pack.
• Download any apps you’ll need– I like to download airline apps to avoid ever having to print a boarding pass again, but some hotels also have great apps that make your trip easier!
• Opt for credit cards (with a low, or non-existent foreign transaction rate) instead of debit cards to bring along. Credit cards offer a higher level of protection if lost/stolen, and some even have limited insurance over your travel arrangements purchased with the card. Since debit cards are linked to directly to your bank, it may take extra time to return stolen funds to your account. If you prefer to use a bank card, be sure to process it as credit instead of debit to avoid any fees.
• Contact your bank/credit card company to let them know you will be traveling to prevent interruptions on your accounts. This can often be done online- I also recommend signing up for text alerts so you can confirm something is/isn’t fraudulent immediately!
• Take a photo or make a copy of your passport. I like to create a locked album on my phone with photos of all important documents pertaining to my trip, just in case anything is lost or stolen.
• Check in to your flight, select your seats, and get your boarding pass 24 hours prior to travel time.
• Keep coins or small bills on you to tip drivers, tour-guides, waitstaff, etc. It’s the times you least expect it that you’ll find yourself wishing you had a few!
• If your flight is delayed/cancelled and you purchased travel insurance, keep all related information (boarding passes, receipts, etc) in a safe place. If you are able to get a reason for the delay or cancellation from an airline employee, that’s even better (just ask nicely).
• If your luggage is delayed/damaged go straight to file a claim for lost or damaged luggage. Don’t wait and see if it shows up, file the claim immediately and keep track of the paperwork. If you have travel insurance, you’ll need this to file an insurance claim.
• Bring your sense of humor! Every destination is different and they all have their own thing. When you’re traveling, even the journey to the destination is part of the experience, so do your best to keep a smile on your face and enjoy!