1. Money on the Go

Everyone needs some money when they head out on a trip, whether it be across the state or across the Atlantic Ocean. Especially when it comes to credit cards, there are several things to make sure of when preparing for your trip.

Take your major credit cards along, MasterCard, Visa, and American Express. Make sure they are all credit cards, and not just debit cards. Many locations are more likely to require a credit card as opposed to a debit card. Also, you will want to leave all your local store credit cards at home, which will just weigh your wallet down.

You may want to notify your credit card company or companies before a trip if you will be gone for an extended period or if you are traveling a long distance. They may delay you if they are unaware of your travel. The unfamiliar spending patterns might cause them to suspect that there is fraudulent activity on the card. Additionally, they will be able to explain the services they can provide to you while you are on your trip.

You would be surprised at how your credit card company can help you prepare for a trip…

• You can arrange to pay bills that will come due while you are gone.
• They will be aware that you will be making charges from another country.
• They will be able to give you an idea of how acceptable their credit card is in that particular country.
• They can verify acceptance at certain foreign locations.
• They'll be able to see if your PIN number will work in the countries you are visiting. They can also issue you another PIN number if your current PIN is unacceptable to the foreign bank's system.
• They can explain cash advance, ATM, foreign purchase and foreign exchange rate policies and fees.

Use your credit card when traveling, and you will probably get a better exchange rate than changing the currency on your own. Additionally, you wont risk your safety by carrying and displaying large amounts of cash. Just be sure to keep track of how much you spend…it is easy to lose track with the exchange rates.

2. Packing

We've all had some luggage mishap before. Shampoo leaking all over your new suit, suitcases opening en route, or simply having your luggage not show up at the airport. Here are a few ideas to help avoid these problems, and ensure that you and your luggage arrive in tip-top shape.

To avoid liquid-covered clothing and shoes, use plastic bottles when packing. Only fill them to the 3/4 mark in case they are crushed or the contents freeze and expand. Another good idea is to pack them in freezer bags to keep any spills contained.

When it comes to valuables, leave them at home if at all possible. Use locks on your luggage if you have them. Always put your valuables in carry-on luggage, not in checked baggage, which will be a safer option. If you do put valuables in your suitcase, place them in the bottom or hidden compartments so that a quick look in the suitcase won't reveal them.

Some airports offer a shrink-wrap service for a small fee. This is a good idea to protect both the outside of your suitcase and the contents inside.

All travelers face the possibility of losing luggage. The best way to defend yourself from serious problems is to have a well-packed carry-on bag. This is the ideal place to store your travel documents, itinerary, and coupons. Also, keep valuables, such as jewelry and electronics in your carry-on. Keep a small booklet including addresses and phone numbers of friends, relatives, and your doctor, a copy of your credit card numbers and contact information, and a copy of your travelers checks.

A must in your carry-on is a one-night stay package, just in case you experience cancellations, delays, or your bags are lost. This may include a toothbrush, underwear, contact lens supplies, moist towelettes, etc. Also, make sure that you put your medication in your carry-on. In the case of a problem, you will absolutely want your medication on hand, especially necessary medication. When it comes to medication, be sure to keep them in the original containers to avoid any security problems. A final item to put in is some one dollar bills in your wallet, which will be convenient for tipping the taxi driver and porters.

3. Safety when Traveling

Every traveler wants to have a safe and healthy trip. There are a few things every traveler can do to ensure an injury-free, harmless vacation.

To protect your health, protect yourself against food allergies by learning the names of the foods in the native language. Find out what diseases are common and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases. Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications to be take before, during or after the trip. Take caution about what you eat and drink. Avoid vendors selling unwrapped food on the streets in most countries.

In terms of carry health information with you, complete and take with you a personal medical history. You doctor should be able to help you complete that. It will include information such as:

• Your Insurance Company's name and address.
• Trip Insurance contact information.
• Contact person in case of emergency.
• Your blood type.
• A copy of your eyeglass prescription.
• A list of current medications with their generic names, brand names can vary in foreign countries.
• A list of allergies, including any known food or drug allergies.
• A list of immunizations with their dates.
• A basic description of your past and present medical condition, including past hospitalizations and any current problems.
• To protect yourself from non-medical problems, here are a few ideas.
• Do the research so you'll know the particular risks you face.
• Know the local laws and abide by them.
• Register your whereabouts with the U.S. Embassy if you are staying longer than two weeks or are in a particularly dangerous area.
• Dress conservatively and try to blend in. If you are in an area with groups of people hostile to the United States, and there are many, avoid clothing or other items that openly label you as a U.S. citizen. You might be safer if they think you are a Canadian.
• Take care when choosing your hotel and transportation providers.
• If you haven't left your valuables at home, leave them in your hotel's safe.
• Don't draw attention to yourself, avoid wearing flashy jewelry and don't display large amounts of cash. Carry only enough cash to make it through the day and leave the rest in the hotel's safe.
• Avoid traveling alone.

4. Road Trips

Whether you are a college student or retired, we have all had spontaneous desires to jump in the car for a road trip. But you might want to put on the brakes before you leave the driveway to prepare yourself and make your road trip worthwhile.

The most important thing to do before leaving is to look at maps and to plan your route. Check out maps and directions online, and research any construction that may get in your way. From these, make estimates of travel times so you can have an idea of when you will need to stop for rest and meals. Additionally, you will know when to avoid traveling through major cities during rush hour.

In terms of car maintenance, there are several things you will want to check out. Get a full service oil change, which will include a check of the filters, belts, fluid levels, etc. Check the condition of your wiper blades along with the operation of turn signals, brake lights, and high/low beams. Depending on the time of year and your route, you may need weather-oriented products such as anti-freeze and an ice scraper and examine the treads on your tires.

Pack an emergency kit including motion sickness medication, bottled water, emergency flashers, jumper cables, etc. Remove any items from your car that you will not need on your trip.

Check plates, registration, and insurance information to make sure they are all valid. Also, insure that all drivers in your party are licensed and insured on the policy. Be sure to place your insurance company's emergency contact number in your car. Fill the car with gas before you pack the car so all the fumes won't bother passengers.

To make the trip enjoyable for everyone try some of the following ideas:

• Buy some new music or interesting audio books to listen to while on the trip.
• If your music interests are vastly different than your children's, you might consider getting them a portable CD or tape player and bring lots of batteries. But, agree in advance about its usage times.
• Bring along games or toys to help shorten the ride. Avoid items with lots of small pieces. You might also consider small prizes or presents at regular intervals along the trip. New toys often receive the most interest and will help keep your child occupied.
• If your children are old enough, give them a map of their own. Have them keep track of your progress by making them the navigator.

5. Airline Travel

It seems as though every time you hop online to book a flight, the prices have jumped significantly. However, with gas prices soaring, oftentimes flying is cheaper than driving. Here are a few things to check out when booking flights to get the most for your money.
To get a better rate, make your reservations as soon as you have concrete travel plans. Airlines will often give discounts for early bookings at least 21 days in advance.

The best rates are often those that include a Saturday night stay and have travel days during the week. Try shopping the internet to find quickly and easily the rates of several different airlines. If you have traveling flexibility, look for several different days or times of departure. Some websites will offer to give you flight possibilities for two or three days within your original choice date to show you cheaper flights. Often early morning or late night flights will have lower rates.

Check into splitting your trip into two roundtrip sections. A stopover at a midpoint could save you over flying a direct route. However, make sure the savings is significant enough to warrant the extra hassle. Try booking your travel in a package including flights, car rentals, and hotels, which will often merit more savings. Check out sites such as cheaptickets.com, Travelocity.com, and priceline.com for these deals.

There are several discount programs available to frequent travelers. Apply for memberships in premium or loyalty clubs and frequent flyer programs. Some credit cards also have special discount agreements with certain airlines. Oftentimes a credit card will partner with an airline to offer rewards in the form of flight tickets. When you make your first purchase you receive for example, 10,000 miles, then as you use your credit card, you accumulate more miles, and over time, free or discounted flights. Additionally, discounts may be available for government, military or corporate employees. Some airlines will extend these discounts to leisure travel.

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