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Travel Tips

Before You Go

1. What type of research should I do before I travel?
2. What additional research should I do when planning foreign travel?
3. Where can I find some online resources to do some research for my trip?
4. Money: What credit cards do I need to take with me?
5. Why should I contact my credit card companies before I leave?
6. How can my credit card company help prepare me for my trip?
7. Should I use my credit card when I travel?
8. Should I use my ATM card while traveling?
9. How can I make sure I’ll be able to use my ATM card while traveling?
10. Where can I get quick access to cash while I’m traveling?
11. What should I know about using travelers checks?
12. How can I protect my travelers checks while traveling?

1. What type of research should I do before I travel?

• Do some research, learn as much as you can about your destination.
• Check to see what type of weather the area has so you can plan accordingly.
• Check to see what type of paperwork and documentation you will need to travel.
• Find out what type of diseases are common to the area you’ll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.
• Check your own medical coverage to see what type of coverage you’ll have when away from home. Consider purchasing trip insurance.
• If you plan on driving, get your car ready and investigate the local road conditions, laws and other driving requirements.
• Do some research about the costs of local items so you can set your budget. Don't forget to budget for taxes and tipping. Many governments charge high taxes for travel related services.
• Check the dates of local major holidays or festivals, since services may be limited on those dates.

2. What additional research should I do when planning foreign travel?

• Find out if you will need a passport to enter the country. Make sure your passport is up to date and valid. Some countries will not let you in if your passport will expire within six months of your return home, extend it, if you are close to expiration.
• Find out if you will need any visas to enter the country.
• Check with the U.S. State Department concerning safety warnings for U.S. tourists at your destination.
• Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications you’ll need to take before, during and even after your trip.
• Check the financial section of your newspaper, they usually post exchange rates and checking in advance can give you an idea of how much you’ll need to budget.
• Do some research with your country's Customs to find out what you can take with you and what you may bring back.
• Build some basic language skills in the local language.
• Most of the world uses the metric system, so try to become familiar with this system. 1 kilometer = .62 miles so 100 kilometers per hour = 62 miles per hour.

Money:

4. What credit cards do I need to take with me?

• Take your major credit cards, such as, Visa, Master Card and American Express. (remind Cuba is different, more info at www.cuba-junky.com)
• Make sure they are really credit cards and not just debit cards with a credit card company’s logo on them. Many locations require a credit card and will not accept a debit card, so they may have limited use on your travel.
• Leave all your local store credit cards in a secure location at home; there will be no need to carry them with you.

5. Why should I contact my credit card companies before I leave?

• You want to notify them of your trip. They may delay you if they are unaware you are traveling. The unfamiliar spending patterns might cause them to suspect that the card is being used fraudulently and delay your approvals.
• They will be able to explain many of the services that they can provide while you are on your trip.

6. How can my credit card company help prepare me for my trip?

• You can arrange to pay bills that will come due while you are gone.
• They will be aware that you will be making charges from another country.
• They will be able to give you an idea of how acceptable their credit card is in that particular country.
• They can verify acceptance at certain foreign locations.
• They’ll be able to see if your PIN number will work in the countries you are visiting. They can also issue you another PIN number if your current PIN is unacceptable to the foreign bank’s system.
• They can explain cash advance, ATM, foreign purchase and foreign exchange rate policies and fees.
• They can explain any services they offer, such as, extra insurance for your rental car, luggage or purchases. Make sure the coverage offered extends outside the United States and will be valid in all the countries where you’ll be traveling. Also, be sure to note any other exceptions.
• They may need to give you another phone number to call in case you need to reach them. The 800 number listed on the back of your card may not work from foreign locations.
• You can find out if they charge a currency conversion fee, so you can find the most economical card on which to place your foreign purchases.

7. Should I use my credit card when I travel?

• Yes, using your credit card can be more valuable than using cash, so use it when you can.
• You’ll probably be able to get a better exchange rate than changing money to spend yourself.
• You’ll be in a stronger position; the credit card company can often charge back disputed charges.
• Many times your credit card will offer an extra guarantee or warranty when you purchase items with your card, but you’ll want to read the fine print for exceptions.
• You won’t have to risk your safety by carrying and displaying large amounts of cash.
• If you lose your card, most credit cards have a low maximum liability limit if you quickly report the card as lost.

8. Should I use my ATM card while traveling?

• Yes, with the ability to draw out small amounts of cash as needed, you can avoid the risk of traveling with large amounts of cash. Using your ATM card can also be a good way to get cash in foreign countries.
• The ATM will issue money in local currency.
• You should exchange at the bank’s wholesale exchange rate. You may still want to shop around to different banks since some will charge a high usage fee for their ATMs. Although, even high ATM fees may be less than others will charge for currency exchanges.
• Don't wait until you're out of money to go to an ATM, the machines can run out of money or break down.

9. How can I make sure I’ll be able to use my ATM card while traveling?

• Call your bank to make sure your PIN number will work in foreign countries.
• Find out your daily limits and plan ahead. You may need to take out money little by little or ask to have your daily limit increased.
• Use your ATM card before you go, to make sure it is still good.
• If you go through many airport security checks, remember that the security scans can demagnetize your cards. You might want to ask for a visual inspection.
• Don’t wait until you’re out of money to go to an ATM, the machines can run out of money or break down.

10. Where can I get quick access to cash while I’m traveling?

• www.visa.com/pd/atm/main.html
  Visa’s ATM locator web page. This site provides a searchable database that locates ATM’s belonging to the Visa, Visa Electron and Plus ATM network worldwide.
• www.mastercard.com/atm/
  MasterCard’s ATM locator web page. This site provides a searchable database that locates
  ATM’s belonging to the MasterCard and Cirrus ATM network worldwide.

11. What should I know about using travelers checks?

• If the particular brand of travelers checks are accepted in the country and area you’ll be visiting.
• How widely they are accepted within the countries and areas you’ll be visiting.
• Any fees for purchasing and using the travelers checks.
• The travelers check company’s loss, replacement and refund policies.

12. How can I protect my travelers checks while traveling?

• Take the same precautions you would to protect your cash. Be sure to learn and follow the procedures required if you lose your travelers checks. You’ll also need to make copies of your travelers checks before you go and keep separate from them the following information.
• The serial numbers of the travelers checks.
• The denomination of the travelers checks.
• The date and location of their purchase.
• The phone number to call to report them missing.
  

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Links & Sources:

• FreeTraveltips.com