Travel Tips

Travel Tips

1. Check your Passport Expiration Date:

Some countries require that you have six months remaining on your passport from the time you’re scheduled to depart. If you need to renew your passport before your vacation, do it as soon as possible so that you aren’t cutting it close as your trip approaches.

2. Set Up Credit Card Travel Alerts

You don’t want your credit cards to get automatically locked down while you’re on a trip! Go online or call your issuer to let them know where you’re going and when.

3. Enroll in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program).

You can enroll with STEP a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Benefits of enrolling in STEP.

• You can receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
• Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
• Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (state.gov)
• Travel Advisories and Alerts for U.S. Citizens - YouTube

 

4. What are a few things that I can be prepared before my Travel to make my trip more convenient:

• Minimize interactions at the airportand prepare ahead of time as much as possible.
• Be prepared Like:
• Do your online Check-in.
• Have all your government e-VISA or travel authorization, contact/health information or declaration (as per local regulations) filled beforehand.
• Weigh your bags as per airline allowance to avoid any confusion at the counter.

Have your e-bag tags printed and attached or use electronic bag-tag (if available)

5. Have your TSA Precheck done. With TSA Precheck you don’t need to remove shoes, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, or light jackets.

You can click on the link below to apply for TSA Precheck:

               https://www.tsa.gov/precheck

Many employers and credit card companies pay for TSA Precheck.  Please check with the concerned authorities.

6. Make Copies of Your Important Documents:

Print at least two copies of your passport photo page and other necessary travel documents. Take at least one with you and leave another somewhere safe at home. That way, if your documents are lost or stolen you or your loved ones have access to back-ups.

7. Download the MyTSA Mobile app:

This free mobile app will provide you with a 24/7 air travel guide as well as information on airport delays, security wait times, videos, and weather. You can type any item in to the “Can I Bring?” section to get instant answers on whether that item is allowed. To access the TSA mobile app, visit the TSA mobile website on your mobile device.

8. Find a Credit Card Without Foreign Transaction Fees

A credit card without foreign transaction fees will keep you from wasting money on bogus fees. Find out if any of your current cards have this perk or consider applying for one before your trip.

9. Think About Applying for Global Entry

If you plan to take at least one international trip a year, the Global Entry program might be worth the money. Read more about it here.

Global Entry | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov)