Quick Health
Before going on a trip and especially when traveling to third-world nations and to locales off-the-beaten-track, we advise you to check over your personal health insurance policy to see what you are covered for while on your trip.
If you plan to drive, you should check to see whether your driver’s insurance policy covers you when traveling outside your country. It is almost a certainty that if you intend to drive, you should obtain car insurance in the country you are visiting as your local insurance may not be recognized.
The possibility of tour company, cruise company, hotel and/or airline bankruptcy. You should be aware that bankruptcy insurance has many technicalities and loopholes. So ask detailed questions and read the coverage and exclusions carefully.
The possibility that you will get ill or injured and need emergency medical evacuation: Remember that if you need to be evacuated and don’t have insurance, you will have to pay for the evacuation. This can run into U.S. $10,000 and up.
The availability of call-in services such as emergency medical referral, emergency cash advance, emergency message relay, and medication replacement: Having one number that you can call to arrange emergency services can give tremendous peace of mind. If you are going off-the-beaten-track make sure that these services will be available in the particular country you are visiting.
Luggage Lost
For starters, don’t panic. Most luggage is only delayed, not lost permanently.
File a missing-luggage form–even if the airline agent insists that your bags will turn up on the next flight. And take a copy of that with you.
Ask about the airline’s immediate reimbursement policy.
Cash for major purchase immediately.
Daily stipend.
The best way to lessen the chances your valuables will be lost is to carry them with you.
Be sure to check in as early as possible to make sure both you and your luggage make the flight. Try to schedule a reasonable amount of time–at least 45 minutes–between connecting flights.
Consider buying additional insurance.
Driving Abroad
Obtain an International Drivers Permit (IDP).
Have your Passport photographs ready.
Carry both your IDP and your State Driver’s License with you at all times.
Packing Tips for Airline Travel
Some items that should never be put in the bag you plan to check into the cargo compartment of the aircraft:
Small valuables: cash, credit cards, jewelry, cameras.
Critical items: medicines, keys, Passport, tour vouchers, business papers.
Irreplaceable items:manuscripts, heirlooms.
IFragile items:eyeglasses, glass containers, liquids.
Remember that the only way to be sure your valuables are not damaged or lost is to keep them with you.
If you are traveling on more than one airline, check with the airline for its limits on the size, weight, or number of carry-on pieces. (There is no single standard applicable.)
If you plan to go shopping at your destination and bring your purchases aboard as carry-on, keep the limits in mind. Carry the receipts separately.
Don’t put anything into a carry-on bag that could be considered a weapon (e.g. scissors, penknife).
Ask the airlines about the limit for every segment of your international trip before you leave home, especially if you have a stopover of a day or two or if you are changing carriers.
The bags you check should be labeled – inside and out – with your name, address and phone number.
Travelling with Valuable Business Related Items
Keep your laptop in a case that doesn’t immediately identify it as a computer. The same advice holds true for cameras, VCRs, etc.
Do not put your laptop on the conveyor belt to be x-rayed. Rather, ask the security guard to conduct a manual search of the computer and any other electronic equipment you may have with you.
Once on the airplane, keep your laptop nearby.
Keep your computer underneath the seat in front of you.
Always travel with extra batteries and call the hotel ahead of time to make sure it has modems and data ports.
Pack an extension cord so you can use the laptop from your preferred spot.