Thursday, November 17, 2011

Foreign Travel Checklist: What To Know Before You Go!

If you're fortunate enough to have the privilege of traveling abroad during the holidays, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before you go. Depending on the specific destination, particular pointers for politeness and easier navigability are always going to be different. But as far as some basics are concerned, there's a few things everyone ought to take into consideration before planning an international trip:

Passport processing take time.
-Don't book a flight only to submit your passport paperwork two weeks from your schedule departure. The process almost always takes longer than a month, and any mistake found on the forms will result in an immediate rejection with little leeway. Have all necessary passports ready long before you book your flight.

Outlets change!
-Your hair dryer, iPad charger, and anything else that requires an outlet will not get the energy they need unless you buy an outlet adapter for your specific destination. Whether you're going to Asia, Europe, South America, Africa, or Oceania – outlets vary widely. Be prepared if you wish to stay powered.

Not every charge card includes a fee for foreign transactions.
- One of the many spending issues that those traveling to foreign destinations often simply accept is the fact that if they use their credit card to make purchases in a foreign currency, then they'll pay a fee for it. But offers such as Chase Freedom rewards lets card users forgo such fees. No foreign transaction fee credit cards do exist – you just need to know where to look.

A little courtesy goes a long way!
-Remembering to always commit to memory the native way to say “Do you speak English?” and other gestures can have a profound impact on your foreign travel experience. Locals will be much more friendly, which means you're much more likely to be shown a good time, as opposed to being forced to find the good times on your own. Be respectful, and you're sure to see respect paid to you and yours in return.

There's no shortage of advice on how to manage your way through just about any foreign destination as a greenhorn world traveler. But most of the time, these sources tend to skip over the aforementioned basics. Keep in mind how important your travel documents are, remember that outlets change, find foreign transaction fee-free cards, and always be a respectful traveler. Do this and you're sure to embark on an adventure you'll remember for the rest of your life.

Disclosure: This has been a Featured Guest Post. Please see disclaimer/disclosure for more info.



Related Posts with Thumbnails