Traveling Thursday

Traveling Thursday – Airport Guides

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While I’m not a big fan of the ads and pop-ups, I find the airport guides at iFly to be very useful. With a few exceptions (including TRI, the airport closest to my parents) you can find information on almost any airport in the world. The guides typically include information on when the airport opens, security, parking (locations and rates), maps, and listings of services and amenities. There are also suggestions for activities should you chose to leave the airport during a particularly long layover.

In addition to the airport guides, the site also has links to flight trackers and a section devoted to travel advice including a special section for inexperienced flyers. More seasoned travelers can benefit from reviewing other sections on getting bumped, customs/VAT, and EU travel regulations.

Again, it’s not the most visually appealing site and the ads are a nuisance but it’s a great (free) resource for travelers.

Traveling Thursday – Handy dandy notebook

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Great travelers are committed to lifelong learning. For me, the best souvenirs are the lessons and interesting facts that I learn while traveling. That’s why I always carry a small notebook and pen while I’m on the road. I keep it tucked just inside my camera bag or purse.

It’s a great way to capture the facts that I want to remember and share – especially those that I might want to use to caption photos. Often I’ll jot down the photo’s number from my digital camera and make a note beside it. It’s also a good place to record topics I want to research more when I get home.

I love going through my old notebooks. They provide great memories of the many trips I’ve enjoyed.

Traveling Thursday – Credit cards

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Credit cards are a very popular form of payment for both international and domestic travels. Cards allow us to spend money without the risks associated with carrying loads of cash around and they often provide some protection from theft and subsequent fraud.

Here are a few tips on using credit cards on your next trip.

Make a call to your credit card company before you start your trip. Good credit card companies are constantly monitoring for signs of fraud. Imagine your card has been used only in Topeka and the surrounding area for the last decade and suddenly, there are charges in Buenos Aires or a string of charges at gas stations along the Pacific Coast Highway. These charges could trigger a hold on your account. This can easily be prevented by calling the customer service line for your card before you leave. In order to put the travel notice on your account, you’ll need to answer a few questions about your travel dates and itinerary.

Some may brush this off as overkill for domestic trips and in many cases it might not be necessary, but why take the chance? I know from experience that fraud departments are very sensitive to gas purchases made in multiple states during the same day. It’s easy for card thieves to check the validity of a card by trying to run it at a gas station so these charges are particularly suspicious. Make a proactive call and don’t cause yourself grief by having your card declined during your trip.

Check into a pin-and-chip card for international travels. Americans like to be different. You know how we use the standard system versus the metric? Well, our magnet strip credit cards are also not widely used in other countries these days. Many countries, particularly those in Europe, are changing to the pin-and-chip cards. These super secure cards have an embedded microchip that authorizes the charge if the correct pin is entered. Some vendors have machines that will only accept pin-and-chip cards. I didn’t run into a problem with this during my travels to Switzerland or Greece last summer but I know others who had problems in France and Belgium. Generally, large hotels, shops, and restaurants will be able to run your magnetic strip card but gas stations, train station kiosks, and smaller shops may not have the capability. When in doubt, ask. Of course most merchants will do whatever they can to help you pay because they do want your money.

While there is news of more American card companies issuing these cards upon request, it’s still not the norm. I tried to obtain one last summer and learned that I would have to change my account type and wait two months. If you’re worried about this, and again I had no trouble using my card, plan ahead. Call your card company early and ask about a pin-and-chip option. They’ll be able to give you information on the specific countries you are visiting and other tips on how to ensure that your card will be accepted.

Don’t lose the customer service number for your card. If your card is stolen during your vacation, you’ll want to contact the card company ASAP. Keep the customer service number in your phone or with other important paperwork.

Ask about the fees. Learn what your card company is charging in fees on international transactions. Some of these companies charge obscene amounts. If that’s the case with your company, consider getting a new one. You can do a little research at Bankrate.

Don’t convert. A kindly shopkeeper may ask if you’d like to have your purchases converted to US dollars. It sounds like a nice offer but say no to dynamic currency conversion. You’ll get the least favorable conversion rates and wind up paying more than you’d hoped.

 

Traveling Thursday – Behaving in church

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St. Louis CathedralWhile visiting St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, I witnessed a fella jackass making a business call inside the church. He was angry and cursing. He was oblivious and disrespectful. Every visitor in the cathedral gave him a dirty look but it didn’t bother him. He was indignant when a volunteer asked him to leave. It’s an extreme, but true, example of how not to behave when visiting a church.

Churches and other houses of worship are a popular stop on both domestic and international itineraries. Those who aren’t visiting for religious purposes are often interested in the art, architecture, or historical significance of the building. Whenever you enter a scared space, it’s important to behave in a respectful manner.

– Silence your cell phone before entering a church. If you are waiting on an important call, tour the church later.

– Inquire about the photography policy and honor it.

– Use your inside voice and keep your language clean.

– Be respectful of those who are praying or worshiping in another way. Do not disturb them.

– Do a little research on the best time to visit the facility. You don’t want to be a distraction during services or mandated prayer times.

– If you want to light a candle, pay for it. When touring a mission in San Antonio, McB and I saw a man who used his own lighter to avoid paying to light a candle. Don’t be that guy.

– Dress modestly. In the US we’re a bit more lenient about what can be worn inside a church but tank tops and other sleeveless shirts, bare knees, bare midriffs, and cleavage aren’t likely to make it inside a church in other parts of the world. For the ladies, if you must go sleeveless, take a shawl to cover your shoulders. Keep the shawl on for the duration of your visit.

– Gentlemen, the dress codes apply to you too. One of my passengers was once turned away from a church because his walking shorts fell just above the knee. It’s best to wear pants when visiting a church. You’ll want to have your shoulders covered by your shirtsleeves. Be sure to remove your hat.

– When visiting a temple/synagogue, both men and women may be asked to cover their heads. Yarmulkes would be provided for men and pieces of lace or another fabric would be offered to women. Men who visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem should be prepared to cover their heads with a cap of any kind.

– When visiting a mosque, be prepared to remove your shoes. Modest dress is also very important here. Women should wear a skirt and blouse (3/4 sleeve) or a dress. The length should fall below the knees. Headscarves or hoods should also be worn. Men should wear pants and long-sleeved shirts.

– If a church/temple/mosque official asks you to leave, just do it. Leave quickly and quietly without making a scene.

By following these fairly simple rules, you show respect and ensure that you’ll have a meaningful visit.

Traveling Thursday – Keep your luggage off TV

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There’s a new reality TV show that focuses on people who buy unclaimed luggage that was lost by the airlines. These folks bid on bags containing trash and treasures that used to belong to travelers like you and me. As long as there is air travel, there will be lost bags but these tips might keep your luggage from becoming a reality TV star.

Keep it in the carry-on Minimize the pain of a lost bag by not putting medicines, passports, IDs, expensive jewelry, eye glasses or any other must-have valuables in your checked bag.

Tag that bag Make sure your bag tag displays your name and current contact information. Select a permanent tag with a strap/band that will stay attached to your luggage. If you want, double up with the paper tags available at the airline check-in counter.

Out with the old Remove any old airline routing tags from previous flights.

Demand attention Whether it’s a bright ribbon tied around the handle or a strip of neon duct tape bearing your name, mark your luggage in some way. This will help by making your bag stand out from the others and reducing the possibility that someone take your item by mistake. Luggage straps are also a great way to mark your bag. I like the fact that those straps can also help cinch your bag shut if the zipper breaks or there’s some other bag-related catastrophe during your journey.

Don’t forget the inside Your name, address and phone number should also be found on the inside of your bag. It’s also a great idea to have contact information for your lodging spot(s).

Take notice and maybe a photo You’ll need to describe your bag to the representative if it’s necessary to file a missing bag report so be sure you can describe your bag in detail. If it helps, take a photo of your luggage with your digital camera before checking your bag.

If your bag is lost, work with the airlines. They’ll do their best to get your bag back to you as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea to contact your travel insurance company if you’ve purchased a policy that covers bag loss or delay.

Traveling Thursday – forget Mom’s warning, just this once

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For whatever reason, many moms worry about the state of their children’s underwear and what others (particularly EMTs and ER nurses) will think if of those ratty undies. With all due respect to the moms of the world, those are just the kinds of panties and bras I encourage you to pack for your next big trip. When you have finished wearing the undergarments, just toss them in the trash. It’s where they should have been in the first place. Now you have an incentive (more luggage space) to throw them away.

I’ve applied the same philosophy to other garments as well. I often pack those things that have been worn frequently and are now a little too worn/faded/shapeless/snagged… to donate. Some of my favorite pieces have been pulled out for a grand final wearing before they end up in the hotel’s trash bin. It’s a great tactic for freeing up space in the suitcase and getting rid of clothes that you’ve worn too much to donate.

Traveling Thursday – Seat guru

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Aisle? Center? Window? If only the chore of selecting an airline seat was this simple. Before selecting a seat for your next flight, visit SeatGuru. The site offers hundreds of plane diagrams and detailed information on which seats you should book and which you should try to avoid based on legroom, proximity to the lavatories, and other factors.

Trying to decide between business and coach? The site gives you information on seat width and pitch in each class.

The site also shows information on the amenities found on the plane. When comparing long-haul flights, it might be worth a bit more to you if you have your own seat-back entertainment unit instead of the overhead projectors/monitors found on some flights.

Using the site isn’t a guarantee that the seat you want will be available but at least if you find yourself in a “red” seat you can prepare yourself for what lies ahead.

Of course there’s always the chance you’ll get the seat of your dreams only to find yourself sitting by someone who just came down with the flu. Unfortunately, there’s now way to predict that.

Traveling Thursday – State Department Resources

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Most of us do a great deal of research before traveling, especially when international destinations are involved. The State Department’s website offers useful resources to aid those traveling abroad.

You can find fact sheets on every country in the world on the State Department’s site. These pages offer valuable information about destinations including brief descriptions of the country, consulate locations, entry requirements for US citizens, safety tips, accessibility guides for disabled travelers, health information and even information on how the FAA views the country’s aviation safety. Whether you are still deciding on your destination or studying up before you leave, these pages are very helpful for travelers. In addition, there is information concerning current travel warnings.

In another section, the State Department seeks to answer all of the gnawing, negative “what if’s” in this section about emergencies abroad. It’s great to know that there is help if you lose your passport, fall victim to a crime, get arrested or face another crisis. While it’s not necessary to memorize all of this information, it’s not a bad idea to take down the emergency numbers that are listed on the page. For assistance for US Citizens traveling abroad, dial 1-888-407-4747 (from within the US) or 1–202-501-4444 (from outside the US).

There are also general tips for staying safe and healthy during your travels and even a specific section for those making the Hajj.

Finally, the best resource on this site is the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. STEP is the system that allows you to register details about your international travels with the government. Why would you want to do that? In the event of a natural disaster or uprising, you want the U.S. embassy/consulate to have your information so they can help you and/or communicate with your loved ones. This is a great service and one that everyone should take advantage of. If you are traveling on a group tour, ask your operator if they have already registered you for STEP or if you should do it on your own.

I hope you’ll take advantage of the State Department’s site before planning your next international journey.

Traveling Thursday – Rental Car Insurance

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Even before my time as a travel professional, I loved taking trips. Traveling is the perfect passion for someone who loves learning and exploration along with planning and organization. I’ve learned some lessons during my adventures and I’ve decided to start a series of travel posts so I can share them with you.

I don’t claim to have all the answers. I do have some good information that I look forward to sharing.

I’m starting things off with a post about rental car insurance and why you should think twice about turning it down.

For years, Mr. McB and I always took insurance directly from the rental car company. While this insurance was expensive, it always made us feel better. That changed after I attended a travel conference in 2010 and sat in on a session about travel costs. The speaker went on a tirade about rental car insurance. He explained that those drivers with good insurance coverage would be covered by their own private insurer; he shared stats about the amount of money we spend on rental car insurance annually. I decided that we were never buying rental car insurance again.

Flash forward a month to a trip to visit family in Virginia. We did not take the insurance from our rental car company. I did have a momentary panic and bought the cheap coverage that was mentioned on the third-party site that I used to book the car. I’m so thankful I made that choice.

After always buying the expensive insurance and never having a problem with the car, we had a mishap. While we were enjoying an afternoon in Yorktown, someone broke the window out in our car. While nothing was taken, we had a car that was full of glass and missing the all important passenger-side window.

We called the cops and filed a report. This is a very important step – no matter where your insurance comes from. If the car is damaged, even in something other than a wreck, you really need to file a police report.

I contacted State Farm, our wonderful insurer. They told me that our coverage would pick up everything but fees and “loss of use” charges assessed by the rental car company. The representative explained the fees are charged by many car rental companies for each day they can’t rent the car and for their employee’s work on the paperwork related to the repair.  I saw dollar signs and started to get a sick feeling.

I then remembered the other coverage. After a few calls, I learned that the other company (called Access America at that time) would pick up the fees and charges levied for “loss of use.” I felt so relieved. They also acted as the primary insurance so other than doing a lot of legwork and coordination, State Farm didn’t have to worry with the claim.

We did have a few more hoops to jump through including getting a copy of the police report for the insurance company. You see, since we didn’t own the car, we weren’t the injured party so we had to wait for the car rental company to agree to release the report to us. After a few weeks the whole thing was settled and we didn’t pay a cent of the $142 fees. I was so thankful that we had the $28 coverage on the car.

Before you turn down the insurance, think about all the possible charges and talk to your own insurer about what they cover. According to this article, some states require your insurer to cover loss of use. It’s still worth a call to confirm even if you live in one of the state’s mentioned. If you have a credit card that offers free rental insurance, ask them about “loss of use” fees. The article mentioned above indicates that this varies by company.

It’s a gamble with any kind of insurance is but before you place your bet, consider what fees you might be responsible for if your rental car is out of commission for a few days. Our clown car Accent was out of service for one day and the fees were $142. Imagine if the SVU you’ve rented has to be out of service for a few days and consider the costs. Most of all, just think about the possible risks and be comfortable with the gamble you’re taking, or not.

Please note that the insurers mentioned in this post have not provided any services in exchange for the mention. These companies simply came through for us in the past.