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Wedding Planning


| TRAVEL TIPS
TIPS for Safe Travel
by Anthony Verombeck


Travelling for a destination wedding or honeymoon can be an exciting undertaking and an invaluable experience with fond memories lasting a lifetime

Cell phone charges
The absolute worst is realizing that your phone’s getting a signal in a foreign country, then remembering you forgot to turn its data off. Keep in mind when you cross the border, by land or by sea, your cell is using data internationally – and you’re getting charged.

Give your mobile service provider a call before you leave the country to review your terms and, if you’re interested in a raised flat fee, possibly switch to an international plan. Or see if a travel plan is available through your mobile company.

If you’ve found yourself in the worst-case scenario of accruing charges without realizing it, call customer service to see if they’ll – very kindly – retroactively give you an international deal.

ATM charges
Touch base with your bank always before you travel, but especially if you’re heading overseas. Taking money out at ATMs abroad sometimes means getting slammed with fees from your own bank, the bank you’re getting money from, and – the best of them – an international fee.

Know your bank’s restrictions before setting out for a vacation away. Though you’ll get the best conversion rate using an ATM rather than a currency converter at the airport, take out larger sums of money each time. Fewer stops at the ATM mean fewer fees.

Rental cars
Never assume when you make your rental car reservation that the estimated cost you’re quoted is what you’ll spend in the end. Make sure you budget for extra costs like fuel, insurance, upsells, parking, tolls, and putting an extra driver on your plan. Know the gas rates of the city you’re going to and decide whether the additional outlays of car transport are affordable – or necessary.

Green cities like San Francisco and Vancouver, British Columbia, are appealing more and more to eco-conscious travellers, thanks to walkability, bike options and sustainable initiatives.

Tips courtesy www.cheapflights.ca
Safety tips for car travel
If you are travelling by car anytime when the traffic is high here are some trouble-free travel tips to help crime prevention.
1. Pay attention to your surroundings.
2. Pick gas stations that are well-lighted and always remove your keys and lock the car doors while you are pumping gas.
3. Keep valuables (GPS, MP3 players, cell phones) out of plain view in your vehicle and lock the doors even if you are stepping away from the vehicle for just a moment.
4. Use motion-detection lights outside and trim hedges to reduce potential hiding places for burglars.
5. Set automatic timers on a few interior lights to give the impression that someone is home.
6. Ask the post office to hold your mail or ask a trusted friend or neighbour to collect it while you are away. Do the same with home delivery of newspapers.
7. Never leave your hotel room unlocked, even to go to the ice or vending machine.
8. Check all the locks in your room. Each door and window should have a sturdy key lock and a well-constructed deadbolt.
9. Never open the door to someone you don’t know well or trust.
10. Take only the credit and other cards you will need. Leave the others at home, stored securely.

Source: National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) the non-profit leader in crime prevention in the U.S. Visit www.ncpc.org
Travelling in a foreign country
Depending on the amount of time you will be in a foreign country, preparing for a trip overseas can take anywhere from a couple days to many months. Like many couples, your primary thoughts probably consist of what clothing to pack, buying extra memory cards for your digital camera and figuring out if your cell phone will work in the country you’re going to be in. 

Most importantly, you want to prepare as much as possible in advance to ensure a pleasant and safe trip as you will likely be in unfamiliar surroundings and amongst people that may not speak your language.

Here are some safe travel tips:
• DO safeguard your valuables. Use a fanny pack or something with a zipper, instead of an open pocket or purse. Check for safety deposit boxes at the hotel. Before departure, alert your bank and credit card companies of dates and locations of travel. Pack as few credit cards as possible and keep a separate quick reference sheet with International numbers to report a theft.

• DO become conversationally proficient if you are travelling to a place where their native language is different from yours. Learn some key phrases and practice the local language before taking a trip to a foreign country. You can buy a language book or software instruction programs or visit a site like www.livemocha.com to get free instructions and practice with native speakers through online chats.

• DO make sure someone (friends or family) has a copy of your itinerary and appropriate contact details. Check in with that person once you arrive and provide them with a general guideline on how often you will be checking in.

• DO familiarize yourself with the local customs and laws, as a tourist, you are still responsible for following the laws of that country.

• DO use the local currency. Find an easy formula for converting numbers in your head. For accurate and timely currency conversion visit www.xe.com.

• DO map out destinations in advance. Ask your friends and family for recommendations of safe places/areas to visit, as well as areas to avoid. If you’re taking a short honeymoon, this will help to make sure you go everywhere you wanted to visit.

• DON’T look like tourists. Try to observe the styles of the locals, so you don’t become a target for people looking to prey on tourists.

• DO remember your manners and gratitude. Locals will be pleased to help you in a pinch if you smile and show your appreciation.

Source: www.livemocha.com, a language-learning website.
How to Save on Hidden Travel Fees
The best way to save is to do your homework and pay attention to unexpected costs and hidden fees that may be lurking even before you board a flight and the best way to handle them.

Extra charges and hidden fees surface from every direction when you book, pack, fly and travel whether locally or abroad. For those willing to do their due diligence in timing your trip, deals are out there to be had. Check airline websites for travel terms to pinpoint specific low-cost days to fly.

Peak travel day fees - Experts contend that every day in June, July and August, Christmas and New Year's are considered high peak days for travel, meaning yet another surcharge from many airlines and another hidden cost to flying during summer travelling.

Fuel surcharges - With the cost of fuel seemingly on the never-ending rise, it’s important to research different airlines’ gas-related charges. Major airlines have added fuel surcharges to routes where there’s less competition, avoiding the pressure to compete with low-cost airlines. Many carriers, like American Airlines, bundle fuel surcharges in with federal taxes, identifying them together as a generic fare increase. Certain Canadian airlines like Air Canada are rolling fees into advertised base fares on domestic and US-bound flights.

Read the fine print before you book and, if you’re flying domestically – when the charges apply – stick to the carriers that aren’t tacking on cloaked charges.

Travel insurance - Buying travel insurance may be the smartest decision you make on a trip, especially when hurricanes and other natural disasters are involved. Sometimes, though, travellers are covered for insurance or flight reimbursement without even knowing it.

Check with your credit card company to see if flights purchased with a particular card are reimbursed if cancelled. Also revisit your health care policy. Many insurance groups cover international accidents, whether you’ve broken a limb water skiing in the Galapagos Islands or developed malaria while exploring Southeast Asia. There’s no need to double up on expenses, so reacquaint yourself with your coverage.

Baggage fees - First rule of thumb: pack lightly. Typically for international flights, carriers permit flyers to check two pieces of luggage up to 50 lbs. each. But the game is constantly changing.

Some companies, like US based Southwest Airlines, count on their free baggage approach to lure travellers the discount route, while other companies charge for a second bag or even both at full cost. Factor baggage fees in when booking your trip. If a major airline has a better deal, but you plan to check two bags, the real deal could be finding alternatives. The right credit card could save you, too. Companies like Delta Air Lines offer a free first bag if you book using their credit card, like the Gold Delta Skymiles Credit Card.

If you’re going for an extended period of time, consider shipping your luggage – it may prove cheaper than checking it.

Seat assignments - Legroom is everything for some travellers, though now it comes at a cost. As does choice seating and other in-flight preferences. Do research before you fly and factor in what’s most important for you to travel most comfortably. If that means paying for checked baggage but having the option of an emergency exit seat, then choose accordingly.

Getting to and from the airport - Flying out of major cities like Toronto or Montreal can mean spending an extra $100 or more if you’re planning to get to or from the airport by cab. To avoid the hefty expense, leave a little earlier and opt instead for public transportation.

Plus sometimes – like during rush hour in Manhattan – subways and buses will get you to the airport quicker than by car. If you’re daunted by the idea of public transit, book an airport shuttle online ahead of time or ask your hotel what free or inexpensive transport options are available.

If you’re driving to the airport, park your car at a discounted parking lot. Short- or long-term, the savings will pay off.

Food and drink in transit - Packing snacks for your flight isn’t just healthier – it’s cheaper. Pack empty water bottles and, once through security, fill them up at a water fountain. Fill baggies with solid snacks that save at terminal restaurants and food stalls. Meal and snack options are getting pared down, and can get costly, on most airlines.

Tips courtesy: Cheapflights.ca

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WeddingsHoneymoons.com|Travel Safety Tips|January 28, 2012
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