5th in the "Are you ready to check-off “Visit my Clan Homelands” on your bucket list?" series
While I am still at home before my holiday, I always prepare a “To Do Before Trip” Checklist and so I don’t miss any details and my trip goes smoothly. Even in this age of technology/internet, you are asking why I would have a paper trip folder, right! Ask yourself - what if my cell phone or iPad does not have internet when I arrive? This has happened to me and I lost a whole day working out the kinks! Or what if I lose my cell phone or iPad during my trip, where is else is my info located for quick access? I have had this happen to a friend for both phone and iPad but luckily she found both but she now still keeps trip folders. I also use a USB stick with all this information as well as medical information on it in my moneybelt!
This is my To Do Before Trip Checklist!
- Passport – check your expiration date, get it renewed if near departure date, don’t wait to cut it close! If you’re bringing the kids, make sure you have the right paperwork, including a passport for each, a letter of consent if only one parent is traveling, and documentation for adopted children. Make a photocopy, keep in your money belt and leave one with family member in the US.
- Other IDs - Consider bringing a couple extra passport-type pictures, which can expedite the replacement process for a lost or stolen passport such as your driver’s license or work ID.
• Airlines, Accommodations, Transportation (I create an excel spreadsheet with all this information to include all flight information, accommodations’ confirmation #, contact person with addresses, phone numbers, etc. and then can give to my family in case of emergencies) This goes in my trip folder. Reminder: If you plan multiple cities via train, purchase your rail pass, you should purchase prior to your trip but if only for a day trip and returning to start destination, you can purchase same day of trip. - Credit Card/Bank Card(s) – most cards’ websites now have a way to notify them online when you will be traveling out of the country. If they don’t, call them. This is very important as if they are not use to seeing charges for you out of the country, they may lock your card until they have contacted you. Also, another good idea is to create a small card (business size) to keep in your money belt to include: your credit card/bank’s emergency phone number in the US (but not its 800 number) to call collect if you have a problem, include your last 4 Digits of each card # and Pin code. If you don’t know your credit card’s PIN code, ask your bank to mail it to you. Trick: I usually create a code to remember my PIN #. And, don’t forget to read your benefits section of your cards so you can see what they also will cover during your trip out of the country (extra on top of your travel insurance). NEVER make a copy of your actual credit card!
- Medical Needs and/or Prescriptions - It's smart to make a list of specific medical conditions, ie. Diabetic, pacemaker and prescriptions in case you end up at a hospital as well as copies of prescriptions for eyewear/contacts and medicine in case you lose either to make it quicker to get replaced. Visit your doctor to get a checkup, and see your dentist if you have any work that needs to be done. If you use prescription drugs, stock up before your trip. • Mobile/Smartphone(s) - If you plan to use, contact your provider to enable international calling or to “unlock” your phone. Consider signing up for an international calling, text, and/or data plan, and be sure to confirm voice- and data-roaming fees. Example: Verizon has for $10 a day unlimited texting, including pictures and calls. If you don’t have unlimited data, you can purchase more but I have 4 GB of data and have NEVER gone over, even with a 12-day trip and using GPS on my iphone.
- Apps - Download any apps you might want to use on the road, such as translators, maps, and
transit schedules. My favorite is Mobile Passport! This allows you to enter back into the US and skip the Kiosk and go straight to front of the line by having on your phone. This is only at 26 airports in the US. Check out their website: https://mobilepassport.us/ Other apps I have on my iPhone are my airline, Airbnb or booking.com, credit card and banks as well as my favorite exchange app Unit Plus as it converts not just money but Area, fuel-Mileage, length, temperature, time, volume and weight so I use this all the time, even when not travelling. Don’t forget to add any usernames or password onto your paper with your other credit card/bank info or have on your phone under passwords, etc. - US Embassy – STEP – Smart Traveler Enrollment Program https://step.state.gov/step/ I always register my trip with the closest Embassy in the Country I will be travelling in the most (usually Edinburgh) so if there were to be any type of emergency such as Mother Nature catastrophes or terrorism attacks, they know I am there and it makes it easier to reach them for help!
The next blog or two will be regarding Packing, from your checklist to which suitcase/clothing and how to pack with great new packing tools!
Until next time!
~Gwen
Gwenmcn.cmaa@gmail.com