Before you travel.

Before you travel.

Many times, travelers get so excited about taking a trip and their destination expectations, they forget to plan for the actual trip.  One should do many things to prepare before you travel, but from my lived experience, I’d like to share a few tips to get you prepared for your trip beforehand.

Electronics

Charge your electronics!  It can be frustrating to be in the airport and not have access to a charger or find a plug outlet that holds the plug without you holding it into the wall.  Many airplanes now have in-seat outlets available.  However, they are not guaranteed and may be inoperative.  Be prepared and have your electronics fully charged before your trip.

Chargers

Don’t forget your chargers for your electronics.  When purchased at the airport, these items are often overpriced, and there is no guarantee of finding the correct charger or borrowing one on your trip.  My tip is to place your chargers on top or in your carry-on the night before your trip, so you do not forget them or pack them when you grab your bag.

Apps

Download all the apps you will need for your travel.  Many airlines now have their apps so that you can check in or get access to inflight information or entertainment onboard.  Other apps such as airport-specific apps, packing list apps, TSA apps, or country-specific apps are also helpful.  Downloading these apps at home before you need them is much easier than downloading them over airport Wi-Fi or on the go.

Security screening

Prepare for TSA screening or airport screening.  If your outfits or jewelry contain lots of metal, be prepared to take them off before going through airport screening.  It saves you time in security and prevents the lines from backing up when you constantly have to remove items to get through security.  Additionally, plan your footwear accordingly.  It will be easier to have comfortable slip-on shoes to get through security than to have to unlace a pair of boots.  You might also like to have a pair of socks on hand, so you are not walking on cold or dirty airport floors in your bare feet.

Government websites

Finally, be aware of government websites that will have travel information domestically as well as internationally.  Some to remember are TSA, the US Department of State, and the STEP or Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.  These sites allow you to get the latest security updates for your travel or destination.

I hope these tips help you and you are more prepared the next time you travel.  Do you make any preparations that I haven’t mentioned? I’d like to know.

Travel without traveling.

Travel without traveling.

With Covid realities, many people have put off traveling due to health and safety concerns.  For those who love traveling, however, Covid has not stopped them from traveling. I’m an advocate of traveling, but I highly advise doing it safely and with the thought of not only your health but the health of your fellow traveler.  Although staycations are great, here are a few more ideas to temper the travel bug without traveling long distances.

Visit local tourist attractions as though you were a tourist.  Often, we take our cities for granted and never take advantage of the local attractions those who pay to fly into our towns to enjoy.  One of the single most significant costs of a vacation is the flight.  Not having to pay for travel might cover the cost of a local tourist attraction you would otherwise consider expensive.  Additionally, you can go whenever you choose.

Read travel blogs like mine (shameless plug), watch travel videos, documentaries, podcasts, and all things travel. You’ll be amazed at the things you can learn from other people’s travels and experiences.  You will also be better able to plan your trips in the future by knowing some tips and tricks about your preferred destination.

Visit an international museum virtually.  One of the benefits of Covid is that museums worldwide now offer virtual tours.  A virtual international museum tour could save you time on your itinerary to visit something else or do another activity you might not have time for when you finally reach your destination.

Try dining out in different international restaurants in your area.  The world is so multicultural that it is almost a guarantee to have an international restaurant in your area.  Why wait until you travel far away to try the cuisine.  Dining locally might give you a better palate for the food when you do travel.

Try cooking an international dish at home, along with an international wine, or making a destination drink while you’re cooking will make you feel more compelled to complete the plans for your trip.

Have you tried any travel without going places? I’ve taken advantage of my home city Dallas Texas and seen places I hadn’t even considered.  How about you? Let me know.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

As a frequent traveler, I never take a trip without travel insurance. In 2019 I planned the ultimate African Safari trip with a follow-on Beach Safari. Then COVID canceled my trip, but thankfully I had travel insurance.  Whether it’s a long-distance trip or a local trip, I always choose travel insurance as you never know what the future holds, and here are five of the many reasons why it’s advisable.

1. Your trip can get canceled for a variety of reasons. Most often, they’re unplanned, and travel insurance helps to protect the investment you have made in your travel plans.  Travel insurance, depending on the plan, can cover flight costs and hotel costs. Just be sure to choose wisely.

2. Having worked as an international flight attendant for over twenty years, I am very aware that vacations don’t always go as planned. There were many times when travelers returned due to medical reasons.  Most insurance does not cover incidences out of the country, but travel insurance can.  When you consider the cost of medical care in another country regarding compared to the cost of travel insurance, it becomes an easy choice.

3. Not only can medical issues arise, but trips and plans are often interrupted, and travelers may have to return home due to an unforeseen emergency.   When considering the cost of airline rebooking, travel insurance is a much more cost-effective solution in many cases.

4. Lost or missing luggage can also become an expensive travel experience.  Considering that travelers often plan and shop before their trips, the cost of replacing luggage items is often much more than what airlines allow.  Travel insurance plans can help to make sure your unfortunate luggage loss is more manageable.

5. The cost of travel insurance compared to unforeseen travel circumstances often far outweigh the value of not having insurance. Trip delays, cancellations, hotel, and car rental issues are just a few of travel realities. I find it best to be prepared than unprepared, and travel insurance certainly helps.

As always, I encourage you to do your research on travel insurance; every situation and plan is different. Here is a great article that discusses the benefits of travel insurance in much more detail. Have you had any unfortunate travel experiences, and was insurance helpful? Let me know.

Travel credit cards.

Travel credit cards.

There are many different travel cards available, so it is essential to know how they differ and whether they work for you and your travel style.  Here are my five takes on travel credit cards and why you may consider using them.

1.Travel cards usually earn points or miles every time you use them.  Therefore, it means that even though you are not traveling, your simple everyday purchases could be working on getting you to your next travel destination. Some cards even offer double points for using the card at certain establishments or even during specific periods. These points can then convert to discounted hotel stays, airfare, and seat upgrades, to name a few.

2. If travel perks are one of the main reasons you choose a travel card, then it’s essential to read the fine print and understand how you can earn rewards with the card and redeem the rewards. If the card you chose only accrues perks on travel-related spending and you are not a frequent traveler, then consider another card. A card that allows you to earn points on everyday expenditures might work better for saving towards a trip.

3.If you travel consistently on a specific airline, then a specific airline-branded travel card might be worthwhile. Usual perks might include a free checked bag, priority check-in and boarding, a seat upgrade, and the ability to earn elite status with the airline. You are also allowed some perks when using airlines associated with the airline-specific card, such as lounge access.

4.It’s imperative that you join the airline loyalty program and have your travel card linked to that account. As a rule, you should join the frequent flyer program of every airline you fly on as it’s free, and sometimes extra points are given just for signing up.  Also, note that you usually have to join within 24 hours of travel to get credit for the flight taken.

5. Many non-airline branded credit cards have travel perks attached. However, travelers should research what card best suits them and their needs.  Some cards advertise lounge access, but only if you are traveling first-class or internationally. Others allow access but only to the cardholder and one guest. While some only allow lounge access during a specific time before or after a flight. If you happen to be traveling with a family or stuck at the airport for an extended time, having a travel card with perks you can’t use can be frustrating.

Overall, I strongly believe in frequent flyer programs, branded and non-branded travel cards.  As a person who travels often, I choose my travel itinerary based on what best works for me and what card I hold. How about you? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Keeping personal boundaries when you travel.

Keeping personal boundaries when you travel.

Establishing your personal boundary can be a challenge when traveling as you have to share communal space. However, understanding your and other people’s boundaries is important to having positive traveling experiences.

Travelers must remember that cultural norms often define someone’s perception of personal space, and people will have different sets of meanings and values. When traveling, remember that even though norms are different, you do not have to accept any interaction that violates your personal boundary.

It is important to make sure your boundaries are respected but is it equally important to respect them in others. Your actions and words may be innocent in your personal relationships yet could be construed as rude and offensive to your fellow traveler.

While many may understand the word “no” to mean exactly that, some people and cultures may believe that a no will eventually lead to a yes. Be clear in your interactions when traveling so that there is no question about your meaning or intent.

Remember that being kind and being nice are not the same. Being kind involves being considerate and respectful to others while being nice usually means giving more consideration to others than ourselves. Often, being nice crosses your personal boundary, be kind and say no.

Finally, keep in mind the role of stereotyping in our interactions, especially for women of color who are often seen as exotic and more sexually permissive than other women.

Have you experienced any issues in keeping your personal boundary when you’ve traveled? I’d like to know.

Pin It on Pinterest