Travel Tips: Emergency Prep
by Stephanie Koathes Oct 14, 2019
With your bags packed, itinerary set and plane ticket in hand, the last thing on your mind is: “what if something goes wrong?”
Unfortunately, plans go awry and emergencies happen. Here are some tips to help get you through in case you find yourself dealing with an emergency abroad.
– Have copies of your passport and any valid visa pages. In the event of losing your passport, having copies can be a lifesaver and helps speed up the process of getting a replacement. Also keep a letter with emergency contact details in your passport or passport case. If someone does find your passport and this will help them figure out how to get it back to you.
– Make note of the contact information for your country’s embassy or consulate. If you have to deal with the loss of a passport or trouble with the authorities in the country you’re visiting, the embassy or consulate is in important resource.
– Don’t go with the bare minimum. Plan to have some money set aside to deal with challenging situations. Always have emergency cash. While credit and debit cards might be the preferred way to pay, sometimes they can let you down. An emergency stash of cash comes in handy in case your card doesn’t work for whatever reason.
– Know the 24-hour customer care number for your bank. If your card is stolen, blocked, or there is some other issue, being able to contact your bank is essential.
– Keep your less-used debit or credit card somewhere safe so that if your regular card is lost or stolen you still have access to some funds.
– Always let someone know where you’ll be going and when and how you’re getting there. Keep a small notebook with important contact information so if you lose your phone or it’s stolen, you still have the essential numbers.
– If you think that you’re likely to miss your flight, contact the airline immediately. Giving the airline a heads up will make it more likely that you’ll be able to reschedule your flight for a fee and fare adjustment.
– Luggage unfortunately does get lost sometimes so carry your most important or expensive items in your carry-on.
Hopefully your travels go off without a hitch!
