Have you ever taken a trip where it seemed that everything
went wrong? What should have been a carefree, relaxing vacation or an
efficient business trip quickly turns into a stress-filled nightmare? No one
likes to dwell on the negative, but the old saying “hope for the best, and plan
for the worst” has a lot of truth to it. Many things can go wrong and planning ahead will help you avoid unwanted drama, stress and hassles. Travel delays or
accidents, hidden fees and costs, lost or delayed luggage, medical or dental
emergencies, travel accidents, rental car damage, potential terrorist attack
alerts, emergency assistance problems, identity theft and more are common
problems that can, and most likely, will occur on some occasion during a trip
taking. In hindsight could most of the hassles on that trip have been prevented
or made more bearable by planning for the unexpected? Here are some tips for
doing just that.
1. Start planning your
trip early. Four to six weeks before you depart is not too early
to start planning. If you are purchasing a comprehensive or all-inclusive
package, make sure you research the agency you are dealing with. Some offer
packages that guarantee no surprise up-charges or add-ons. If you don’t
understand their policies or package rates, make them explain it to you until
you do understand it. Asking the right questions beforehand can eliminate
disappointment over unrealized expectations. Know what you are getting for your
money. Never assume that what you think you are hearing is factual until it is
fully explained and you see it guaranteed in writing. If you are planning a
business trip on short notice, use an agency that you trust, or one that you
consider reputable. If short notice trips are normal for you, or if you know
that travel could be required on short notice due to an emergency situation,
keep a bag packed in your closet with the things you consider basic
necessities. Include at least one complete change of clothes and necessary
toiletries. Also include a small amount of your regular medication, if
applicable, and important account numbers and phone numbers. If packing space
is at a premium, purchase sample size toiletries to keep in your “short notice”
bag. Make sure it is of carry-on size for airline travel. This will take some stress
off in the event that plans must be made quickly. If your luggage is lost or
delayed, you will be glad you took the time to pack your carry-on bag in this
manner.
2. Research your trip thoroughly. The Internet
is a good choice for doing this. To get the best deals and the best
accommodations to suit your preferences, there is no substitute for being
informed and fully aware of what is available. In the information age, there
are huge amounts of travel information available on the World Wide Web. Tickets,
and even permits, in some cases, can be printed on your home computer printer
from the Internet. Rental car reservations, hotel reservations are made easy
for convenient prices and quality comparisons on-line.
3. Plan for the unexpected. Troubles can occur when you least anticipate
them, so take along some peace of mind and protect your trip investment by
purchasing travel insurance. Make sure the travel insurance you purchase covers
job loss or transfers, uninhabitable accommodations, emergency assistance,
travel accidents, delays, lost or delayed luggage, weather-affected
cancellation, medical and dental expenses, terrorism, and identity theft. In
addition, plans should offer flexible coverage periods for pre-existing medical
conditions. Choose a company that answers all calls with a live person, not an
automated attendant. Confirm all your purchases and reservations at a later
time either on the Web or by phone to ensure no glitches have occurred.
4. Make sure you will have all the arrangements and paperwork
you'll need - airline tickets, passports, visas, maps, rental car
and hotel reservations, permits as well as health and travel insurance
documentation. Some travel insurance companies provide a confirmation letter
and "traveller hotline cards" to policyholders with critical phone
numbers and contact information. Carry enough cash for emergencies, phone calls
or unexpected fees. Don’t carry large amounts of cash. Traveller’s checks and
credit cards are a better alternative. Make a list of all the pertinent numbers
of your credit card, driver’s license, visas, passport, ticket, reservation,
prescriptions and any other important documentation. Include any emergency
phone numbers to call if any of these items are lost or stolen. Put a copy of
this list in your carry-on, and carry the other one on your person. Have
someone you trust to watch your home or apartment or house-sit while you are
away. Think about the things that need to be done in your absence- watching and
feeding your pets, watering your plants, etc. If you don’t have a
house/pet-sitter, have a light left on inside your residence so it would appear
that someone is home at night. If you have someone checking up on things
periodically, have them rotate the lighting and retrieve your mail and your
newspapers. Another option to this is to have your newspaper and mail delivery
temporarily suspended. You can also put your lighting on inexpensive timers,
which can closely imitate your normal lighting routines.
5. Write out an itinerary - before you head out
the door, give someone you know and trust a written copy of your trip plans.
This should include: Your estimated time of departure, mode of transportation
(flight numbers and/or make, model and license plate numbers), the names,
addresses and phone numbers (especially cell phone numbers) of all group
members travelling, any relevant medical conditions that may affect you or your
travelling companions. Also include your travel insurance policy names, numbers
and beneficiary information, your hotels’ phone number and address and expected
time of arrival, time of return, and all pertinent return travel information.
Make arrangements to contact the person holding your itinerary at specific
intervals during the trip, and then again when your trip is over. Agree with
your contact person on a procedure for contacting the authorities if you do not
report in by a certain time. This can be especially important when travelling in
high-risk areas of the world, or even anywhere outside the United States. In
some cases, if you have a pet and choose to hire a reputable pet-sitter or
house-sitter, this can be your contact person.
In short, the quality of your trip depends largely on proper
planning for the unexpected. Most of us like to think that things will come off
without a hitch, but the truth is that even with the best of planning, things
can, and will go wrong from time to time. Planning early, thorough research,
double-checking arrangements, coverage and documentation, and writing out an
itinerary may not completely dispel unexpected problems, but it does produce a
peace of mind and assurance knowing that there is a plan in place to deal with
the unexpected if it does come about.
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