Lifehacker’s Guide to International Travel

Posted on March 8, 2019 by resourcefulman

So you’ve finally booked an overseas vacation, which has been marked on your calendar for several months now. Congratulations!

Before embarking on your hard-earned journey, you’ll have to overcome a few necessary hurdles to make sure your vacation gets through without a hitch. What kind of hitch? Well, the ones that involve blocking your credit card or trying to make a phone call without being charged a monthly rent.

Here’s a list of everything you need to do before your flight finally takes off.

Call your bank

Before leaving the country, be sure to contact your bank to inform them that you are traveling abroad. Why? It’s simple – they won’t interpret any foreign transactions as fraudulent and won’t block your card from making purchases.

The easiest way to do this is to call the number on the back of your credit card and provide the date and location of your trip. Some banks will also let you set this up online if you’re phone shy. Here’s how several banks work, as Credit Karma points out:

Bank of America. You can set up trip notification for Bank of America in your mobile app or through your online account. To set up travel notification through your online account: Sign in and hover over the Help & Support menu tab. Click Set Travel Alert from the drop-down menu. Enter your destination, travel dates, contact number and maps that you take with you. Share any other travel details that you think are relevant.

Chase To set up your Chase travel notification, start by logging into your online account: click the three horizontal bars icon in the upper left corner of the screen. Click Profile & Settings. Scroll down to the Advanced Settings section. and click “Travel”. Click “Update” on the right side of the credit card section. Specify departure and return dates and destination.

Wells Fargo If you would like to take your Wells Fargo credit card with you, set up Wells Fargo travel plan notification. You can do this through the bank’s mobile app or through your online account. Start by logging into your account. Hover over the Accounts drop-down menu at the top of the screen. Click on “Manage Travel Plans”, which is located under the “Manage Maps” section. Enter dates and destinations.

Exchange your money

You will definitely need some cash on your trip, as fees charged on credit and debit cards can skyrocket. Some banks charge an overseas transaction fee – from one to three percent of your purchase amount – every time you use a credit card. Worse, banks can charge an international pricing service for ATM withdrawals – anywhere from one to five dollars.

Relieve the headaches associated with foreign fees by bringing cold hard cash with you. How much exactly? As a rule of thumb, it’s generally a rule of thumb to carry between $ 40 and $ 60 on any day when visiting the city, according to Maria Hart, executive editor of hotel review site Oyster . In a metropolis, she said, you will most likely have access to ATMs and the ability to withdraw cash, unlike in more remote areas.

“If you are going to more rural areas, calculate how long you will be between metropolitan areas or airports (with ATM access) and allocate $ 100-200 per person per day,” she added. “When I was in Cuba, I had to carry cash with me throughout the trip as US credit and debit cards did not work.”

And it’s probably best to keep your money in a safe place, especially if you have a large stack. “If you carry a few hundred dollars with you, don’t put them in your wallet,” Hart said. “Buy a quality money belt, tuck it under your clothes and take most of it there. I would also hide some bills elsewhere, such as the zippered lining of your suitcase. Don’t let pickpockets steal your vacation money. “

There are tons of money belts to be found on Amazon (and not all of them are inconvenient if it is a concern).

According to airline expert and author Seth Kaplan, the trick for finding the best exchange rate isn’t at your airport kiosk either, but at your bank . As a service for clients, most banks offer to exchange money for international currencies. You can do this in person at your bank branch (some also allow you to do this online and collect cash at the branch).

“If not, check to see if your bank has branches in the country you are visiting, or if it participates in a consortium of banks where a particular bank in the country you are visiting will offer you a decent deal,” Kaplan said. “For example, Bank of America participates in the so-called Global ATM Alliance .”

If you have leftover currency and are a coffee fanatic, you can upload it to your Starbucks card to use at home (as we wrote earlier). Alternatively, you can ask your bank if they will accept it for exchange (they should, but it depends on the currency).

What about the whole “USD or local currency payment” question you can get from overseas suppliers? “Well, avoid paying in US dollars at all costs,” Kaplan said. It’s best to pay in your local currency as there are often fees charged for conversions (called dynamic currency conversions – usually worse than your regular exchange rate).

How much should you be willing to spend on your entire vacation? Well, it depends on a number of factors. You should consider the daily expenses for food, transport, activities and souvenirs in addition to large expenses like flights and hotels. You can also use the NerdWallet calculator to find out how much money you might need to save on your trip.

Get an international call plan

If you want to avoid the rapid increase in phone charges, the first thing you should do after landing is to turn on airplane mode or turn off cellular data. This will force you to rely only on Wi-Fi access (assuming you haven’t bought an overseas phone plan yet). Yes, you can probably survive the ride using Wi-Fi alone, but in cities where it’s hard to find it, it can be difficult for you to find Uber.

You can also contact your carrier and request an international data plan, but this is often accompanied by the caveat that you will still have to save your data (which means that you will have to limit your time on Instagram). Here’s how several plans stack up, according to Wired :

AT&T offers a service called Passport that gives you 200MB of data and unlimited text messages in over 200 countries for just $ 40 added to your current monthly plan. (Calls abroad still cost a dollar a minute, so speak quickly.)

Verizon offers a similar Travel Pass service that costs $ 5 a day to expand your plan to Mexico and Canada and $ 10 a day to serve over 100 other countries.

The amount of data required depends on how actively you plan to be online. Posting 30 photos on social networks costs about 10 MB; each web page you visit costs approximately one.

The real trick for beating these annoying fees is using WhatsApp. A message on WhatsApp requires much less data than text sent using your data plan; you could send thousands of messages with your WhatsApp plan without even exceeding your limit.

Alternatively, you can buy a local SIM or prepaid phone at your destination. It will take extra effort (you will need to find an available store) and SIM cards are not compatible with all phones. “You usually get the best deal if you wait until you arrive to buy it, but of course you can look into the plans before you get there,” Kaplan added. “In many cases, the local mobile operator has a shop or kiosk at the airport where you arrive, so if you are ready, you can know where to go when you land.”

Plus, if you’re heading somewhere closer, such as Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean, your existing phone plan may already cover those areas, Hart said.

Purchase a power adapter and converter if necessary.

Do you have the right power adapter for your hair dryer or phone?

Find your country’s outlets by consulting Conair or the International Electrotechnical Commission ‘s listings and check for voltages. Some countries will also list more than one plug type, which does not necessarily mean you will need a different adapter. Check with your hotel or search the internet to find out which outlet is most used.

Most of the plugs in the world operate with two voltage settings: 110/125 V or 220/240 V. Look at your device (usually on a tag) and compare it to the voltage settings in your country. If the destination setting is too high for your device, your equipment may burn out. If it’s too low, it won’t work as well or cause damage.

You can also buy a travel converter that converts the outlet voltage settings to match your device. You can find a bunch of coupler / coupler adapters on Amazon . Many gadgets are now ” dual voltage ” too, which means they can work with both settings (which means the chargers for your smartphone or laptop are probably ok). On something like a hair dryer, you will see this marked “110-220” on the tag.

Wondering if there might be a problem with your device? Here’s what you’ll need in several destinations if you’re coming from the US:

For Australia and New Zealand, newer devices will probably only need a Type I adapter. Older devices will probably need both an adapter and a converter.
For Ireland and the UK, newer devices will probably only need a 3-pin Type-G adapter. Older devices will probably need both an adapter and a converter.
For Japan, you probably won’t need an adapter at all (although, in experience, Type A converters are far more common than Type B converters, which have an extra pin. This means you are less likely to find a suitable outlet for devices. which require a third pin, such as extension cords for Apple power adapters). The voltage is slightly lower than that of the USA (100 instead of 120 volts). You should be fine without a converter, but if you’re concerned you can buy one just in case.

And if you want to be on the safe side , Amazon sells a variety of universal adapters that are suitable for point of sale in any country, so if you are planning a multi-destination trip this is the best solution.

Make sure your passport is valid

Is your passport valid for at least six months ? While some countries may require your passport to be valid only for the duration of your stay, some countries require it to be valid much longer.

“Not all countries have a six-month timeline requirement, but you have to follow it anyway, because you never know which workaround you will have to take,” he added. “For example, maybe your flight home is canceled, and the airline reroutes you in a different direction, and you find yourself in a long stopover in a country that you did not plan to visit, and you cannot get to the hotel that they offer you because you are not allowed to us. leave the airport “.

And to be safe, you should always get a photocopy of your passport whenever possible. Why? If you lose it overseas, having a copy will make it much easier to verify your identity (The US Department of State recommends that you leave a photocopy at home with a friend or family member and take it with you separately from where you plan to travel. Save your passport). You can even apply for a duplicate passport if you travel abroad regularly and are prone to losing things.

If you do lose your passport overseas, bring your photocopy to the nearest US consulate or embassy, as USA Today recommends. The consular section will ask you to fill out a passport application and take a new photo. You can usually get an emergency passport within 24 hours for travel.

Check visa requirements

Before going on vacation, find out if you need a visa to visit. Check Visalist to see if your destination requires it and how to subscribe to it. It’s usually a painless process, Kaplan says, but often has to be done before the trip.

Some destinations may also charge you a fee when you leave or enter the airport, sometimes called a “visa” fee. To find out how much you owe, visit the US Department of State website and find your destination (and bring enough money into your wallet).

Find out if you need travel and health insurance

Before we dive into the world of travel insurance , you should know that there are two types: the standard one, such as the one you will see as an option when purchasing your flight ticket, and the more comprehensive medical insurance.

The former usually cover things related to lost bags, canceled flights and missed flights due to illness. The latter, however, usually covers any medical need due to health problems, as well as transportation home or to the hospital in the event of an emergency (as well as death accident insurance, but let’s not think about that for now). in addition to all of the above.

If you want to be sure you receive compensation for your canceled flight, then basic insurance can be worth it, Hart said, especially if the flight is particularly expensive. Basic insurance is fairly easy to purchase and you can usually add it when you buy your ticket.

Some credit cards (like Chase Sapphire ) may already provide travel insurance if you bought a flight with their card, so be sure to check your bank’s policy, Kaplan said. You can also buy cheap travel insurance from providers like Allianz if you’ve already purchased your flight. To be sure, you can compare different policies using Insure My Trip .

You may want to consider overseas health insurance to cover you in the event of an emergency. Often, you may already have comprehensive health insurance provided by your healthcare provider. To inquire about this, refer to your insurance policy abroad by calling your insurance company at the number on the back of your ID.

And if this does not apply to you internationally, you can usually buy an additional travel policy that will cover you in the event of a medical emergency (both Aetna and UnitedHealthcare offer such policies). You will still have to file a grievance with your health care provider as usual for any health care (so keep all receipts).

Check the vaccination policies and prescriptions for your area.

In a number of countries, a special vaccination is required to visit (other vaccinations are just a good measure, even if they are not required). Check the CDC website (or CDC app) to find out what vaccinations are needed and recommended for your destination.

Also, stock up on prescription drugs before you travel if you run out of them. Even if you go to the pharmacy with a copy of your prescription and enough money, you may still have trouble getting your prescription ( CDC also discourages buying medicines overseas as you cannot guarantee their quality or authenticity). … You may be more fortunate if you go to your local doctor to prescribe the medications you need. If you choose to return your medicines, be sure to declare them upon arrival at US Customs and have a copy of your prescription and a doctor’s note just in case.

And if you are shipping medicines overseas, make sure they are clearly labeled on the containers and have a doctor’s note handy, preferably on letterhead, as the New York Times recommends. As a rule, in small amounts, you will not face serious problems, but you can risk confiscating or even worse in another country. CDC recommends that you contact the US Embassy at your destination in advance to see if there are any problems with your medication upon arrival.

You can also pack other over-the-counter medicines that are also not readily available overseas (such as ibuprofen or pepto bismol).

Get a driver’s license if you are planning a trip

Planning a trip abroad? In many countries, it is actually illegal to drive without a valid driver’s license in that country and without an insurance policy. If you drive long distances (or short distances and just want to be safe) and don’t want to be fined, you can get an international driving license from AAA. It is recognized in 150 countries and translates your identity information into multiple languages.

You can fill out an application on the AAA website and bring it to your nearest branch (or do it by mail). You will need two passport photos, a driver’s license, and $ 20 money. If you are already abroad you can receive it by mail, but it will take four to six weeks before it is delivered to you, unless you decide to expedite it (so it’s better for those on long stays) …

Register your trip with the Department of State

If you want your family to always know that you are okay, enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Registration Program or STEP. You can register travel dates, check travel advice at your destination, and in the event of a local emergency, the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate can assist you.

If your family or friends are unable to reach you, the local consulate or embassy will use the information you provide to contact you as best as possible (even if it is a family or personal emergency).

Take care of the housekeeping if you are going on a long trip

Before going on vacation for a month, you will need to take care of some essential household chores. What exactly? First, prepay any bills you might have on your trip, Hart said.

Oyster has compiled a list of other household chores you may need to tackle, but here are some of the notable ones:

Unplug any unnecessary devices such as toasters, computers, and fans. You protect them from power surges and save on energy costs.

Take out the trash and recycle. Make sure there is no food debris in the trash can. Bonus points for adding a little lemon juice or vinegar to eliminate odors.

Postpone mail and newspaper subscriptions. Or have someone pick it up every few days; nothing says that no one is at home like a bunch of letters.

I would add that if you are going abroad for a long time , consider freezing your gym membership. If you have a child or pet and are not taking them with you on your trip, hopefully you have already prepared a suitable babysitter, dog walker or cat sitter in advance. And of course, always set up an out of office autoresponder for your email (this applies to anyone on vacation of any length).

Check all

Heading to the airport? Here’s a quick checklist of things to ask yourself before take off:

Is your flight on time? Download your airline’s app before your flight to stay on top of any delays (there’s also the added benefit of quick seat changes if you’re trying to get out of a middle seat). Or just take a look at the airline’s website.
Is your flight really delayed? Know your rights to compensation for significant delays, as we wrote earlier (and if you are traveling to or from the EU, you are probably guaranteed money for a long delay, in accordance with EU law )
Do you have TSA pre-screening or international entry ? Make sure you update the passenger information on the airline’s website with your Known Traveler Number so you can skip the safety lines along the way.

Do you have a verified seat? If not, and you are going to the airport, you will have to refer to it at check-in (airlines often refuse seating at airports when the time is really close to the departure time). If you have a few days before departure, please use the airline’s website or contact them directly by phone.
Are you a food allergy? Make sure you include a meal request in the passenger information on the airline’s website at least 24 hours before departure. If you are concerned about food allergies abroad, look for restaurants just in case.
Do you have a snack or entertainment during the flight? Buy a book or a snack before heading to the airport (often cheaper ). While you cannot smuggle liquids through security, you can bring a reusable water bottle with you to fill in the airport water fountain.
Do you have a smart bag like Away ? Remove the battery and put it in your carry-on baggage. Non-removable battery packs are not permitted and the flight attendants will ask you to remove them at check-in.

Is your hotel verified? Find the confirmation email sent. Better yet, print it if you don’t have Wi-Fi access and need an address. If you’re staying on Airbnb, contact your host to let them know of any significant travel changes that could cause unexpected arrivals or delays. They will want to know this in order to anticipate when to exchange keys.
Have you learned any basic language skills for the country you are traveling to? It would be nice to know a few simple colloquial expressions like “hello” or “thank you”. A good travel guide should include this as well as the basics of tourist hotspots.
What’s the weather like? Before leaving, check the weather forecast to know what to take with you, such as a coat or swimsuit.
Are there any safety warnings? Check your destination and read the recommendations of the US Department of State .
Phone, keys, wallet! Three of the essentials. And your passport! Have a good time and don’t forget to send a postcard!

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