Know Before You Go Travel Tip Sheet

    S t a r t S m a r t : Y o u r P r e – T r i p

    C h e c k L i s t

    Bag Tags

    Consider putting your hotel address on your luggage tag. If your bag is lost, it may be delivered directly to your hotel.

    Update your Information

    If you’ve pre-booked an activity but have gotten a new credit card prior to travel, be sure to update the payment method.

    Airtags or Tiles

    Airtags or Tiles are devices that help you keep track of your belongings by sending their location to your smart device. These are available at most retail stores or online.

    Banking

    1. Remember to let your credit card company know that you will be traveling.
    2. Check to see if your credit card waives foreign transaction fees.
    3. Avoid EURONET ATM machines. Alway choose a bank that has a local name on it. The exchange fees will be MUCH lower.

    Luggage Rules for International Flights

    Luggage rules for international flights can vary on the airline, class of service, and destination. Always check your airline’s website for specifics, as extra fees may apply for overweight or oversized bags, and home airlines have stricter rules for international flights. Here is a website that provides additional information: https://travelpro.com/pages/guide-to-international-luggage-standards

    Credit Card Charges Prior to Departure

    You may notice that your credit card company has applied a pending charge for your hotel room a few
    days prior to check in. This is becoming more and more common as hotels are checking to make sure the
    card is valid. However, if you believe the charge is fraudulent, please contact your credit card company.

    Don’t Forget

    Bring extra SIMS cards for your camera , all charging cords , and an international power adapter.

    Do you know?

    Make sure you know PIN numbers for credit cards and ATM machines.

    If Possible

    Prepay for home airport parking if it is available. It is usually cheaper when paid in advance.

    Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance provides financial protection against unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage, ensuring peace of mind during your travels. It can save you from significant out-of-pocket expenses if things don’t go as planned, offering support and assistance when you need it most.

    Useful Travel Apps

    Download to smartphones or tablets

    • Airalo – an eSIMs card for international Travel
    • Xe – Currency Converter
    • Citymapper – helps you plan travel by combining multiple
      modes of transportation, including public transit, walking,
      cycling and driving. (Canada, Europe, U.S.)
    • FREENOW: a mobility app that provides a variety of
      transportation options in over 150 European cities.
    • Google Translate – multilingual translation service
    • Globe Tips – provides information on how much tip should
      be left for various services
    • Luggage Hero or Bounce – secure luggage storage in cities
      across the world.
    • Rome2Rio – free trip planning tool that helps find the best
      way to travel between any two locations in the world.
    • Flightradar24 or FlightAware – flight tracking

    More on Luggage

    Take a photo of your luggage. If it gets lost, you can show someone from the airline what it looks like. Do not pack medication in checked bags. Also, don’t forget to leave extra space in your suitcase so you have room to pack all those souvenirs!

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