Three things you should know when traveling overseas.
#1- Before you go, after you have planned your trip, check out The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You get up to date alerts and the following.
- 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.
#2 - Now that you've taken care of those essentials, you may want to know how to upgrade reservation to make your travel more comfortable. Airlines have well-defined ways to upgrade: either through the use of loyalty miles or by paying an additional fare. Upgrading a hotel accommodation is even easier and usually, won't cost you any additional money.
The first rule: be honest, respectful and friendly. Don't tell the desk clerk it's your anniversary if it's not. Ask for an upgrade politely. Many front desk personnel face rude and angry visitors every day, yet they are usually authorized to offer upgrades. Don't be a rude dude. Be respectful and ask for what you want.W
The first rule: be honest, respectful and friendly. Don't tell the desk clerk it's your anniversary if it's not. Ask for an upgrade politely. Many front desk personnel face rude and angry visitors every day, yet they are usually authorized to offer upgrades. Don't be a rude dude. Be respectful and ask for what you want.W
#3-What if you lose your passport while on vacation?" In years gone by you might have had a real problem. Today's technology lets you recover from a lost passport (or credit card) much more easily. Before you leave, scan your credit cards (including phone numbers for reporting a lost card) and your passport, creating image files of each. Save those images at a secure location on the web using services like Gmail, Yahoo mail, DropBox or others. You'll be able to access them with your password from any location that has Internet access. It wouldn't hurt to scan your driver's license and any other important documents as well.
Take time to search the Internet for overseas travel articles.
Be safe, have fun, and take lots of photos for your memory book.
© 2015
M. Bradley McCauley
All Rights Reserved.Take time to search the Internet for overseas travel articles.
Be safe, have fun, and take lots of photos for your memory book.
© 2015
M. Bradley McCauley
