Safeguarding Cash, Credit Cards & Passport

Nothing can ruin a trip faster than lose of your cash, credit/debit cards, driver's license or passport. To avoid loss, it's always wise to carry these items in a travel security pouch that can be worn under your clothing. They have ones that fit around your waist, hang around your neck or strap to your leg. While it may be slightly uncomfortable, you are much less likely to loose anything of value. You can carry a small amount of cash in your purse, pocket or pack for easy access, but the rest should be stashed safely below your clothing.

If you're traveling with another person, divide your credit cards (it's always wise to travel with two cards) so you're not both carrying the same ones. If one person's wallet gets stolen or lost, you'll still have cards you can use.

Make several photocopies of all your cards and passport to keep separately. Take a copy with you, give one to a travel companion if you have one and leave one at home with a family member or trusted friend. Be sure to include the toll-free numbers for reporting lost or stolen cards. U.S. toll-free numbers work in some but not all foreign countries, so also list a non toll-free customer service number that can be called from abroad. Don't place your photocopied list in a checked suitcase where dishonest security personnel or baggage handlers will find it. Select unlikely containers for the travel card and passport photocopies. Tuck them into an extra pair of rolled-up socks or tubular toothbrush container in your carry-on.

Weather or Not?

Chilly and raining or sunny and warm? The weather can make a big difference in how you pack for your next trip. Where do you get accurate and reliable weather information? Travel experts rely on weather.com for the latest weather forecasts for 98,000 destinations worldwide. The information is updated every 20 minutes. Get current conditions, tomorrow's forecast, the weekend outlook and the 10-day forecast. Find temperature and rainfall averages, records and a radar view. Learn about pollen counts, air quality and UV. You'll also be updated about flight delays for nearby airports as well as traffic backups. This site offers a wealth of valuable information for the traveler.

Travel With Patience

I traveled this week for the first time since the airlines began charging for checked bags. In an attempt to avoid bag charges, people are bringing onboard everything but the kitchen sink (or maybe that was what was inside the large bag that woman kept trying to force under my seat). It seems to take longer than ever to board the airplane as folks are looking for places to stow their bags. Be sure you're at the gate at boarding time if you want to find space in the overhead bins. Those who board last can expect to find the bins full with only the option of shoving bags beneath the seat in front of them. Expect airplanes to be jam packed as the airlines have reduced the number of daily flights. Combine full flights with passengers carrying on lots of luggage and it can take 15+ minutes to deplane. That was my experience on a flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to Portland, Ore. While you're packing shampoo and tennis shoes, also be sure to pack some patience. Air travel seems to require more of that than ever.

The Perfect Seat on Your Next Flight

Preview detailed seat maps, including where to find the power outlets as well as that extra inch of legroom, for 73 models of aircraft on 39 different airlines at seatguru.com. Like most airlines these days, the site is no frills, but you'll never get stuck next to the bathroom again. Use, the site's color coding, to determine which seats are considered superior and substandard. Know the width of your seat and whether to expect a personal TV, overhead TV or nothing at all. In-depth seat specific comments denote seats with limited recline, reduced legroom and misaligned windows. Before you board, know where to find the galley, lavatory, exit row and closets. Visit seatguru.com before selecting your seat on your next flight.

More Airfare Bargain Tips

Travelers often can get a better deal with a vacation package instead of purchasing air and hotel separately. Airlines and hotels are often more willing to provide deeper discounts when airfares are packaged together. That way, their competitors can't determine how much they are reducing rates. Orbitz estimates that you can save as much as $228 by booking a five-night package instead of purchasing the components separately. Also, look for flights at alternative airports. Depending on the distance from your home or destination, check pricing at smaller regional airports. For example, it can be cheaper to fly to Midway Airport (outside Chicago) than O'Hare. Or consider adjusting your travel dates by a day or two. Travelocity, Zuji.com and other sites offer flexible date searches that show the lowest airfare for your route as long as four months in advance. To evaluate prices, Kayak.com offers a trend chart that shows whether prices for a particular flight have been going up or down. Farecompare.com displays the lowest published fare over the next 11 monthsto more than 200,000 destinations. Another site, Farecast.com, predicts whether prices will go up or down in the next week. Finally, if you see a good deal on an airfare, don't hesitate. Buy it now. Even another 30 minutes of checking other Web sites for a better deal can cost you.

Airline Coupons

Like clothing chains and catalog companies that offer discounts to employees, repeat customers and those who sign on to their electronic newsletters, airlines quietly offer coupon codes to travelers who sign up for their weekly e-newsletters and frequent flier programs. The downside to this strategy will be that your inbox will be overwhelming. But Airfarewatchdog.com monitors such coupon specials and posts them on its Web site. Savings can be as much as 20 percent. Airfarewatchdog.com is the only airfare alert and comparison site that includes fares on all airlines, including Southwest.

Health Insurance Abroad

Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive, and medical evacuation to the United States can cost more than $10,000. U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the country. Likewise, Medicare and Medicaid do not provide coverage for hospital or medical costs in foreign countries. Before going abroad, learn what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas. If your health insurance policy provides coverage outside the United States, REMEMBER to carry both your insurance policy identity card as proof of such insurance and a claim form. Although some health insurance companies will pay "customary and reasonable" hospital costs abroad, very few pay for your medical evacuation back to the United States.

I strongly recommend that travelers purchase travel insurance, which is designed to cover medical expenses and evacuation as well as offer reimbursement for trip cancellation, interruption, delay and baggage loss/delay. The Alumni Association recommends USI Travel Insurance Services, a leader in the in the alumni travel industry. They offer three levels of benefits designed to meet your budget and needs. In the five years that I have run our Wolf Treks Travel Program, I have never had an alum have any problems in filing claims with Travel Insurances Services.

To facilitate identification in case of an accident, complete the information page on the inside of your passport providing the name, address and telephone number of someone to be contacted in an emergency.

A traveler going abroad with any pre-existing medical problems should carry a letter from the attending physician, describing the medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic name of prescribed drugs. Any medications being carried overseas should be left in their original containers and be clearly labeled. Travelers should check with the foreign embassy of the country they are visiting to make sure any required medications are not considered to be illegal narcotics.

Speedy Passport Processing

The processing time for passports have been significantly reduced since last summer when I waited 10 weeks to get my renewal request processed. Amidst a flood of angry letters and calls to members of Congress, the U.S. Department of State increased the staff of the Passport Services Office to handle the increased volume that came when laws were looming to require passports for all international travel, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The date for the implementation of that requirement was pushed ahead to 2009, and the state department hired more staff. An alumni staff member recently received his passport in five days with normal service. This was not a renewal, and he did not pay for expedited service. The U.S. Post Office is not encouraging expedited service for passport applications or renewals unless you need the passport in less than a month. But if our staff member's experience is any indication, you can expect even faster service.

An Ounce of Prevention

If you're planning a trip abroad, don't forget to call your bank and credit card company before boarding the plane. Sudden changes in your account activity, such as frequent withdrawals or charges in a foreign country, can trigger a fraud alert and cause your bank or credit card company to freeze your account. To prevent being stranded without funds, be sure to make that important call before traveling. With my bank, I send an e-mail message to the customer service department alerting them of my travels. I tell them specifically where I am going and the dates of travel. If you have never before used your ATM card outside of the country, call your bank to ensure that your card is part of an international network such as PLUS or Cirrus. International ATMs only use a four-digit pin. If you have a longer pin, call the bank and convert it. And, if your pin is based on letters rather than numbers, convert the letters to numbers before you leave. Many foreign ATMs only have numbers on the keypad. Keep in mind that most ATM's abroad will only let you access the primary account on your card. My credit card company now has an option on its automated directory for leaving vacation information. Using the phone keypad, I entered by credit card number, security code and dates of travel in addition to speaking my name and countries of travel. The process took about three minutes. Finally, don't forget to get your credit card's international number for reporting a lost or stolen credit card.

Traveler's Checks or Debit cards?

Wolf Trekkers frequently ask me about purchasing traveler's checks for use during their adventures. While traveler's checks were once a necessity for international travel, the prevalence of ATMs throughout the world have almost eliminated the need for them. I urge travelers to carry a debit card (with a four-digit pin) and one to two credit cards. Notify the bank and credit card company that you will be traveling abroad, providing them the specific country or countries of destination. Use your credit card as much as possible for purchases in stores and restaurants. Use your ATM to get currency for smaller purchases from street vendors, taxi cabs or drug stores. There will be a charge for using the ATM, so don't make daily withdrawals. Anticipate your needs and withdraw $100 to $200 in local currency to see you through most of the trip. During your travels, do not keep your credit card and debit card together. You don't want to have both lost or stolen at the same time. I also urge travelers to take at least $50 per person in one-dollar bills (U.S. currency). Despite its current lower value, many foreigners like to be tipped or even paid in U.S. dollars. If you do choose to purchase traveler's checks, be sure to get smaller denominations. Restaurants and shops often will not or cannot cash larger denominations.

Walking Shoes

When Wolf Trekkers seek my advice about what to pack, the first thing I always mention is comfortable shoes. No matter what the destination, you're likely to do lots of walking, whether it's in a museum or down cobblestone streets. You're often climbing on and off buses and walking on uneven terrain. Comfortable shoes with fexible soles are paramount. Nothing can ruin a trip faster than blisters on your feet. Men accept this advice readily, but women sometimes balk, favoring fashion over comfort. With a little effort, women can find shoes that offer both comfort and fashion. Several shoe companies make stylish mary janes that are attractive, lightweight and versatile. They can be worn with khakis during the day and a skirt in the evening. For women, check out Born, Clark, Birkenstock, Merrel, Finn or a good brand of athletic shoes. Kelby Carr of France Travel suggests these shoes. For men, Hush Puppies, Rockport, Timberland, Ecco, Clark and Born are often mentioned. Of course, Crocs, as ugly as many people consider them, are always comfortable. But to keep yourself from standing out in crowd, choose a more subdued color. Rick Steves has a Graffiti Wall devoted to the topic of comfortable shoes with more than 75 postings from seasoned travelers. Whatever the shoe, be sure to buy them and break them in several weeks before your trip. Even good shoes can cause blisters the first time they are worn. Provide your own comments about good brands of walking shoes.

Traveling With Food Allergies

The March issue of National Geographic Traveler outlined some important points about traveling with food allergies. Several Wolf Trekkers with allergies or food intolerances have traveled with us. For them, we need to take extra care. Be sure to inform me and the tour company of your allergies. First and foremost, if you use an allergy medication, carry it with you at all times. Never place needed medications in your checked baggage, and do not remove medications from prescription containers. As an extra precaution, carry a note from your doctor in case you are questioned by airport security. For restaurants, carry a wallet-sized card that outlines what foods you cannot eat in English and, if possible, in the language of the country you are visiting. For translations of your dietary restrictions, visit Allergyfreepassport.com to create translations in six languages (Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian and Greek). At meal time, be sure your server understands your needs, and don't hesitate to ask to speak to the chef if you are not sure that you're being understood. Large and small, family-owned restaurants are equally capable of accommodating you. When your food arrives at the table, double check that your requests have been met. For air travel, request special meals and pack snacks in case of delays. To see what type of meals international carriers can accommodate, click here. Also remember that airlines need advance notice of special meals, preferably at the time of booking. If your allergies are contact based, ask to preboard to wipe down your seat and the one next to it. And keep in mind that the earlier in the day you travel, the cleaner the plane will be. I hope these tips will make your trip safer.