4 Tips On How To Take The Risk Out Of Traveling

How much thought do you put into planning your trip before you travel?

Are you the type of person that spots a cheap flight, books it in a whim, and leaves visa, health and accommodation plans to the last moment?

Or are you the person that plans well in advance, watches the fare deals, monitors the prices of accommodation and knows in advance when your passport expires and if you require a visa or vaccinations or not?

Do you consider security, safety and health requirements when you travel?

Risk #1 – Legal Requirements

Your documentation is not up to date e.g. passport is due to expire within 6-months which can result in refusal to board your airline or enter a country by sea or land. Place a note in your diary for at least 9-months prior to your passport expiring, this will allow sufficient time to organize your new passport.
Visas not applied for which can result in a refusal to enter the country – check each countries visa requirements. If you apply for a visa online ensure that it is the official government department, there are many private companies offering visa services which look very much like the official government department.  How can you tell?  The fees will be much higher.
Onward flight tickets – proof of onward travel, one way tickets are not accepted by airlines on check in and countries on arrival which can result in refusal to board the airline and you may need to purchase a very expensive ticket before you can check in. There are websites available that you can rent a ticket for a small fee for 24 hours e.g. Fly Onward and Best Onward Ticket.
Ensure that you have copies of your passports and visas either in an online account or actual photocopies. For Australians, note, if you have your passports stolen whilst traveling overseas the Australian authorities require original birth certificates, not copies, to process the new applications. Ensure that someone at home has access to the originals.

Risk #2 – Health

Traveling without travel insurance – ‘if you can’t afford travel insurance you can’t afford to travel’. Ensure you take a printed copy of your policy with you and emergency contact numbers for the Insurance company.
If you have to claim for a medical ensure that you have receipts, also take photocopies of the claim and receipts when lodging.
Vaccination records not up to date – be sure to check with your doctor that you are covered for the countries you plan to visit. Ensure that your travel medical document is completed and date stamped when vaccinations are administered.  Take a copy of the document and leave it behind with your original birth and marriage certificates.
Incorrect vaccinations for the country you are visiting, for example, Yellow Fever is required when traveling into some countries from another i.e. Costa Rica from Panama. Rules are changing all the time, check regularly before traveling with the appropriate government departments.
Medication you require is illegal in the country that you are visiting. A visit to your G.P. will assist in this – there could be a generic brand available.
Not sufficient supplies of medication to cover your holiday duration. It can be difficult to replace medication overseas, a visit to your G.P. prior to traveling is essential to ensure you have enough to travel with.
No letter from your Doctor in regards to the medication and dosage that you take. Ensure you visit your G.P. and ask him/her to write you a letter explaining what the tablets are, what they are issued for and your actual dosage and keep this in your hand luggage.
Hearing aids – ensure that you have a supply of batteries.
Mobility issues at airport. On booking your flights request wheelchair assistance.
Emotional support dogs without correct documentation – a visit to your Vet to obtain these documents well in advance of traveling is required. Ensure that you keep checking government departments of the country that you are travelling to, to keep up to date with their regulations.
If you are traveling with children ensure that you have medicine that is suitable for their age group. It can be difficult to obtain medicine suitable for children abroad, take sufficient supplies when you travel.

Risk #3 – Communication

• Ensure that you have left with family and friends your full itinerary, hotel addresses and contact details, cruise ship and tour details etc.
• Check with your telephone provider that they have mobile roaming in the countries that you are visiting, particularly check the Pre and Post paid. We found they are different coverage.
• Compile a list of the countries emergency numbers
• Make sure you have a way to communicate with friends, family, banks and embassy when traveling. Skype and Skype credit, Viber, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger.
• Make sure you have the international number for banks etc. rather than the 1-800. Look for country code and direct number.

Risk #4 – Money

• Advise your banks and credit card providers that you will be traveling to certain countries prior to leaving the country
• Take photocopies of your cards front and back and leave with family and friends, keep a digital copy on your smart devices
• If you are traveling with currency or credit cards ensure that each member has their own and that they are kept in a safe place whilst traveling e.g. money belt
• Ensure you have contact details for credit card providers in times of theft or loss.
• When using external ATMs, ensure that there is a video security camera is aimed at the ATM machine, also check the machine for any loose parts, particularly where you insert the credit card, simply pull hard on any part of the machine that is proud, this will determine if a skimming device has been self adhesive attached.
• Do not use external ATMs at night unless you can see a camera.
• Ensure that you can take currency out of country’s ATM using your credit or travel cash card e.g. Cuba
• Ensure that you have a small amount of local currency available on arrival.
• Do not take out large amounts of cash with you during the day, use a body money belt when traveling.
• Check online (even when overseas) your balance on credit, debit and travel money cards to ensure that you have not been compromised with invalid charges.
• Make sure you have two different types of currency cards should one be compromised you can continue traveling using the other companies card.