So youve finally booked that overseas vacation thats been marked on your calendar for months now.
What kind of hitches, exactly?
Heres a list of everything you oughta accomplish before your flight finally takes off.
Its simpleso they wont interpret any foreign transactions as fraudulent and block your card from making purchases.
Some banks will also let you set this up online if youre phone shy.
choose Set Travel Notice in the drop-down menu.
Share any other travel details you think are relevant.
hit Profile & parameters.
Scroll down to the bottom under More configs and choose Travel.
punch Update at the far-right side of the credit card section.
List your departure and return dates and your destination.
you’ve got the option to do so through the banks mobile app or through your online account.
Start by logging into your account.
Hover over the Accounts drop-down menu at the top of the screen.
choose Manage Travel Plans, which is under the Manage Cards section.
put in your travel dates and destination(s).
Some banks charge aforeign transaction feearound one to three percent of your purchaseanytime you use a credit card.
Worse, banks may charge international service assessment fees for ATM withdrawalsanywhere from one to five dollars.
Save yourself from the foreign-fee headaches by bringing cold, hard cash.
If youre carrying several hundred dollars on you, dont put it in your wallet, Hart said.
Get a quality money belt, tuck it under your clothes, and carry the bulk of it there.
Id also squirrel away a few bills in another spot like inside the zippered lining of your suitcase.
Dont make it easy for pickpockets to nab your vacation funds.
As a service to customers, most banks offer to exchange money into international currencies.
For example, Bank of America participates in whats called the Global ATM Alliance.
And what about the whole paying in U.S. dollars or local currency question you might get from vendors overseas?
Well, avoid paying in U.S. dollars at all costs, Kaplan said.
How much should you be prepared to budget for an entire vacation?
Well, that depends on a number of factors.
(Calls abroad still cost a buck a minute, so talk quickly).
How much data you need depends upon how active you plan to be online.
Posting 30 photos to social media costs about 10 MB; each web page you visit costs about one.
The true trick to beating those pesky fees is using WhatsApp.
Youcouldalso buy a local SIM card or prepaid phone at your destination.
Find your countrys outlets by consultingConAirorInternational Electrotechnicals Commissionslists and check for voltage.
Consult your hotel or do an online search to find out which outlet is most commonly used.
For the most part, the worlds outlets run on two voltage prefs: 110/125V or 220/240V.
Look at your equipment (usually on a tag) and compare it to your countrys voltage controls.
If the destinations setting is too high for your equipment, your equipment might burn out.
If its too low, it wont perform as well or will cause damage.
you’ve got the option to find a bunch of joint adapter/converter plugs onAmazon.
On something like a hairdryer, youll see this noted with something like 110-220" on its tag.
Wondering if your equipment might have trouble?
Older devices will likely need both the adapter and a converter.
For Ireland and the United Kingdom, newer devices likely need only the pop in-G three-pronged adapter.
Older devices will likely need both the adapter and a converter.
The voltage is slightly lower than that of the U.S. (100 instead of 120 volts).
check that your passport is valid
Is your passport valid for at leastsix months?
And to be safe, you should always confirm to get a photocopy of your passport whenever possible.
you might even apply for aduplicate passportif youre someone who regularly travels abroad and tends to lose things.
At the Consular Section, youll be asked to fill out a passport system and take a new photo.
you’re able to usually obtain an emergency passport within24 hoursfor travel purposes.
CheckVisalistto see if your destination requires one and how to sign up for one.
Its usually a painless process, Kaplan said, but you often have to complete itbeforeyour trip.
To see what you might owe, check theU.S.
State Departments websiteand search for your destination (and bring sufficient cash in your wallet).
Purchasing basic insurance is pretty easy and you could usually add it while you buy your flight.
you might compare different policies usingInsure My Tripto be sure.
Youmightwant to consider health insurance abroad to cover you in case of an emergency.
Often times, you may already have comprehensive medical coverage as provided by your healthcare provider.
Also, fill any prescription medications before your trip, in the event you run out.
You might have better luck seeing a doctorlocallywho can prescribe you the necessary medications.
If you choose to bring the medication back, be sure to declare them upon arrival toU.S.
Customsand have a copy of your prescription and doctors note for good measure.
Get a driving permit if youre planning a road trip
Planning an international road trip?
Its recognized in 150 countries and translates your identity information in a number of languages.
Youll need two passport photos, your drivers license, and money for a $20 fee.
For one, pre-pay any bills that might come your way while youre on a trip, Hart said.
Youll protect them from power surges and save on energy costs.
Take out the garbage and recycling.
confirm there isnt any lingering food in the garbage disposal.
Bonus points for adding a bit of lemon juice or vinegar to destroy odors.
Put your mail and newspaper subscriptions on hold.
Id add that if youre going overseas for alongtime, consider freezing your gym membership.
Check everything
About to head out for the airport?
Or just check the airlines website.
Do you have a confirmed seat?
Do you have a food allergy?
Do you have a snack or entertainment for the flight?
Buy a book or snack before you get to the airport (its oftencheaper).
Do you have a smart bag like anAway?
Remove the battery pack and place it in your carry-on.
Bags with unremovable battery packs arebannedand airline attendants will ask you to remove it upon check-in.
Is your hotel confirmed?
Find your emailed confirmation.
Better yet, print it in case you dont have access to wifi and need an address.
Theyll want to know this so they can anticipate when to exchange keys.
Have you learned any basic language skills for the country youre headed to?
Might be good to know some simple conversational expressions, like hello or thank you.
A good guidebook should incorporate this, as well as the basics of tourist hotspots.
Whats the weather like?
Are there any safety alerts?
Check your destination for and travel advisories from theU.S.
Phone, keys, wallet!
The trifecta of necessities.
Have a good time and dont forget to send a postcard!
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