As anyone who has ever travelled internationally knows quite well, preparing to travel overseas takes more time and organisation than a quick weekend trip to a local resort. From making sure your passport is up-to-date to booking your flights, hotels and any tours you want to go on, there is plenty to do. Even a short break to enjoy some sunshine can be made easier with a few clever tips that smart travellers utilise to be prepared and make the most of every second of their holiday.
Let your Credit Card Company Know your Travel Plans
Credit cards often offer great exchange rates, which do not add on foreign transaction fees. To be sure you can actually use your credit card on holiday, call the companies ahead of time and let them know which country or countries you will be visiting and on what dates. This way, a well-meaning fraud department will not think that your credit card was stolen and shut down your account as you are about to pay your room or restaurant bill. Booking flights and travel arrangements on a credit card often provides more protection too if anything goes wrong. Just remember to pay it off in full so that you don’t get any additional charges. I have a credit card especially for travel reasons and don’t use it at any other time.
Know Your Rights
Have you ever experienced the frustration of a delayed or cancelled flight, only to be left wondering if you’re entitled to any compensation? You’re not alone. Flight disruptions are an unfortunate reality of air travel, but understanding your rights as a passenger can make all the difference in ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. In this blog post, we’ll demystify the process of claiming flight compensation, empowering you to navigate these situations with confidence.
To be eligible for compensation, certain criteria must be met. These criteria often include:
- The flight must have been departing from an airport within the jurisdiction covered by the relevant regulations.
- The disruption was within the airline’s control (e.g., not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes).
- The delay or cancellation meets the specified duration thresholds outlined in the regulations (usually three hours or more for delays).
If you have been delayed in the EU then it is worth seeing if you are entitled to flight compensation EU. Airhelp make this process as easy as possible and you could have significant compensation which at least alleviates some of the stress of delayed flights!
Bring Clothes and Medicine in your Carry-on Bags
To get some rest during a long and noisy flight, tuck earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones and a sleep mask into your carry-on bag. Also pack any prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications you may need during the trip. This way, if you get a headache or feel queasy during a flight, you can take something right away and not wait until you get to your hotel. Also include an extra set of clothes including socks and underwear in your carry-on bag; if your bag takes a day or two to catch up to you, you won’t be at the mercy of the hotel’s gift shop for an outfit to tide you over until your luggage shows up.
Think Like a Boy Scout and Be Prepared
Check the restrictions or travel alerts for the countries you are visiting, and check the embassy’s website for those countries for any security messages. While you are on those sites, jot down the contact details for those embassies and carry them in your purse or wallet. Also, be sure your health insurance will cover you when travelling overseas; if it will not, you may wish to purchase supplemental insurance to cover any emergencies. Before you leave, make two copies of all of your travel documents and other paperwork and leave one copy with a friend or family member who you trust and carry the other copy separate from the originals.
Check If your Electronics Will Work
Google the names of the countries you are visiting to see what types of adapters, if any, you will need to bring with you to use your electronics. You can purchase charger adapters at local electronics stores or on Amazon along with outlet adapters. I got caught recently in Italy when staying at a villa with Bookings For You as I had a European adapter but it still didn’t fit!
Finally If travelling with children it is wise to be extra organised! Pack a few of their favourite things, especially if you are flying. When mine were little I would make up a flight bag with sweets and some magazines. The sweets help their ear pressure if they are chewing or sucking a lolly. Plenty of snacks help along with some small activities they can do. If your child gets regular infections or asthma ask the GP for a spare set of medications, I have needed this before and it is a pain trying to get a doctor’s appointment or speak to a pharmacist in another language!
Following these six travelling tips will hopefully ensure that your journey is stress-free and you can just enjoy a holiday with your family.
