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Charter Flights. Before you pay for
a charter flight or travel package, read your contract carefully
and see what guarantee it gives that the company will deliver
the services that it is trying to sell you. Tour operators sometimes
go out of business in the middle of a season, leaving passengers
stranded, holding unusable return tickets and unable to obtain
a refund for the unused portion of their trip. Unless you are
certain a company is reputable, check its credentials with your
local Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB maintains complaint
files for a year. You can also check with the consumer affairs
office of the American Society of Travel Agents, 1101 King Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314, tel. (703) 739-2782 to learn if a travel
company has a complaint record.
MONEY AND VALUABLES
Don't Take Your Money in Cash. Bring most of your
money in traveler's checks. Have a reasonable amount of cash with
you, but not more than you will need for a day or two. Convert
your traveler's checks to local currency as you use them rather
than all at once.
You may also wish to bring at least one internationally-recognized
credit card. Before you leave, find out what your credit card
limit is and do not exceed it. In some countries, travelers who
have innocently exceeded their limit have been arrested for fraud.
Leave unneeded credit cards at home.
ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) are becoming increasingly popular
in some of the more modern countries abroad. Often these ATMs
can be accessed by your local bank card depending on which service
is available. The exchange rates are comparable to the going rate
of exchange. Check with your local bank to find out which ATM
service is available in the country you plan to visit. Because
ATMs may not always be available, this should be used as only
a backup method and not depended on solely for all your financial
transactions abroad.
If you must take jewelry or other valuables, use hotel security
vaults to store them. It is wise to register such items with U.S.
Customs before leaving the United States to make customs processing
easier when you return.
It is a violation of law in some countries to enter or exit
with that countrys currency. Check with a travel agent or the
embassy or consulate of the countries you plan to visit to learn
their currency restrictions. Before departing from the U.S., you
may wish, if allowed, to purchase small amounts of foreign currency
and coins to use for buses, taxis, telephone calls, and other
incidentals when you first arrive in a country. You may purchase
foreign currency from some banks or from foreign exchange dealers.
Most international airports also have money exchange facilities.
Once you are abroad, local banks generally give more favorable
rates of exchange than hotels, restaurants, or stores for converting
your U.S. dollars and traveler's checks into foreign currency.
YOUR TRIP
Driving. U.S. auto insurance is usually not valid
outside of the United States and Canada. When you drive in any
other country, be sure to buy adequate auto insurance in that
country. When renting a car abroad, make certain that adequate
insurance is part of your contract; otherwise, purchase additional
coverage in an amount similar to that which you carry at home.
Also, prior to driving in a foreign country, familiarize yourself
with the metric system since countries abroad display speed limits
in kilometers per hour. REMEMBER: If you plan to rent a
car, keep in mind which side of the road traffic moves. Unlike
the U.S., many countries drive on the left hand side of the road.
Flying. On overseas flights, break up long periods
of sitting. Leave your seat from time to time and also do in-place
exercises. This will help prevent you from arriving tired and
stiff-jointed. Also, get some exercise after a long flight. For
example, take a walk or use your hotel's exercise room.
Reconfirm. Upon arrival at each stopover, reconfirm
your onward reservations. When possible, obtain a written confirmation.
International flights generally require confirmation 72 hours
in advance. If your name does not appear on the reservation list,
you could find yourself stranded.
Register. If you plan to be in a location for
2 weeks or more or in an area where there is civil unrest or any
other emergency situation, register with the nearest U.S. embassy
or consulate. This will help in locating you, should someone in
the United States wish to confirm your safety and welfare or need
to contact you urgently.
PRACTICAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Respect the Local Laws and Customs. While abroad,
you are subject to the laws and regulations of your host country
and are not protected by the U.S. Constitution. If you should
be detained by local authorities, ask them to notify a U.S. consular
officer. Under international agreements and practice, you have
a right to contact an American consul. Although U.S. consuls cannot
act as your attorney or get you out of jail, they can provide
you with a list of local attorneys and inform you of your rights
under local laws. They will also monitor the status of detained
Americans and make sure they are treated fairly under local laws.
Guard Your Passport. Your passport is the most
valuable document you carry abroad. It confirms that you are an
American citizen. Do not carry your passport in the same place
as your money or pack it in your luggage. Remember to keep your
passport number in a separate location in case it is lost or stolen.
In some countries, you may be required to leave your passport
overnight or for several days with the hotel management. This
may be local practice--do not be concerned unless the passport
is not returned as promised. If your passport is lost or stolen
abroad, immediately report it to the local police, obtain a copy
of the report, and contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate
to apply for a new passport.
Be Alert. Move purposefully and confidently. If
you should find yourself in a crowded area, such as in an elevator,
subway, marketplace, or in busy tourist areas, exercise special
caution to avoid theft.
Robbery. Help prevent theft by carrying your belongings
securely. Carry purses tucked under an arm and not dangling by
a strap. Carry valuables hidden in an inside front pocket or in
a money belt, not in a hip pocket. You may wish to wrap your wallet
with rubber bands to make it more difficult for someone to slip
it from your pocket unnoticed. Money belts or pouches that fit
around your shoulder, waist or under clothing are available through
some luggage shops and department stores.
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