Many Americans who have avoided travel over the past few years are showing more willingness to travel this year. If you haven’t traveled in some time, take a few minutes to update yourself on what’s changed in travel lately.
Check the rules – they’ve changed
Travel between the U.S. and our border countries – Canada and Mexico – is different since changes were enacted due to concerns over homeland security. For decades, travelers needed only their driver’s license to cross the borders, but this is no longer true. U.S. citizens will need a valid passport to re-enter the U.S.
Of course, if boarding a plane this summer, it’s always a good idea to check the What to Know Before you Go provided by the Transportation Security Administration as well.
Have a plan for problems that can occur
Travel experts have long recommended having a copy of vital documents, such as your passport, driver’s license, credit cards, and health insurance cards even when traveling inside the U.S. If your wallet or purse is stolen, you can refer to those copies to cancel and re-issue bank cards and make a useful police report. These copies should be kept in a safe place that is separate from the originals (i.e., not in your purse or wallet). Ideally, having them scanned and available digitally, in the form of an e-mail is the best.
Of course, having a plan and having some backup is best. All good travel insurance plans come with a multi-lingual support hot-line that can help travelers locate medical care, arrange alternative or emergency transportation, track lost luggage, and more.
Know your routes before you leave
A common taxi scam is taking the ‘scenic route’ to drive up the fare. One of the best ways to protect yourself from common scams like this is having a map and knowing the route before you leave. Call the hotel concierge for information about the trip as well, so you know how much it should cost and how long it should take.
