Smart International Traveler’s Tips

Study these travel safety tips from the U.S. Department of State for the next time you travel: ·       Start early. Passports are required to enter and/or depart most countries around the world. Apply for a passport as soon as possible. Some countries also require U.S. citizens to obtain visas before entering.  Check with the embassy of the foreign country that you How Much Will Your Flight Really Cost? One major travel concern about Flights and Air Travel is the rising cost. You are a smart traveler, so you know what to do….you book early and you book online thru GoPalmTree.com and save money! But there are risks that can run your costs up to more than the original ticket price! Here are some cautions to keep your flying costs low, no matter which airline you choose. 1. Count your luggage. Some airlines charge for every bag now, and this means starting with the first checked suitcase. Take only what you absolutely need to take. This may be more important on your return trip, since you will have bought items to bring back. Excess humidity can make your clothes damp and heavier on the return trip also, especially if you have been to the tropics. TIP: We often travel out of the country with only a rolling carry-on bag and a small briefcase or purse. No checked bags speeds connecting flights, gets you out of the airport quicker, and guarantees no lost luggage. 2. Weigh your luggage. Check your airline’s specific policies for weight of each type of bag (carry-on, checked bag). This varies by airline and exceeding the weight limit even by a few pounds can cost $100.00 or more. Weigh your suitcase EMPTY so you know the starting weight, and again when you have finished packing. There are great little scales that you can buy, or just set your bag, corner down, on your bathroom scale (so you can read the dial) and add 5 pounds to that total to make sure your bag is under, not over or even near the limit at check-in. This may be more important on your return trip, since you will have bought items to bring back. Excess humidity can make your clothes damp and heavier on the return trip also, especially if you have been to the tropics. 3. Measure your luggage. There are very specific measurements for bags now..do not exceed these! This is especially true if you are only carrying one carry-on. Older bags are sometimes over-sized. Make sure that your bag fits the dimensions required by your airline. This will ensure that you can get it in an overhead bin or under your seat. Saving money by booking on GoPalmTree.com is great…just don’t end up paying $100-$150 more for luggage and eating up all your savings. Remember to check the requirements for any foreign airline you may be connecting with, since their requirements could be different; plan this part of your trip as carefully as you do the rest - it will pay off $$$. Steps to Protect Your Flight From the Airline Crisis! No doubt you have watched the growing Airline Crisis and wondered if flying right now is worth it. Whether you fly on business or for vacation, flying in today’s market can be unnerving, unless you play if safe. Here are some steps to take to protect your flight plans,  even in the “troubled skies”. The first step that we recommend: 1. Verify your flight frequently with your airline. Starting 30 days prior to your scheduled flight, verify at least weekly that your flight is still valid as originally scheduled. This is very important in today’s market. Airlines are scheduling fewer flights, cutting out flights altogether in some markets, and even going bankrupt. 2. Consider Travel Insurance. Travel insurance will pay for travel delays, travel interruptions, lost baggage and more. Plane tickets cost more every day, and you do not want your travel investment to disappear. An airline that goes bankrupt offers no recourse, and you could be out tons of $$$. We recommend AIG Travel Insurance because whenever we compare rates, theirs is the best price, they are rated A+, and they offer excellent customer service.  We use travel insurance more when there are doubts - about the weather, or like now, concerns about unexpected changes. 3.  Be informed before booking your flight. Many times simply reading the news will give you an idea of which airline to choose for your flight. Some airlines are rumored to be merging. Some airlines have recently had FAA issues, others may still be due for FAA inspections. The age of fleets vaires by the airline. (In a future article, we will review age of plane fleets by airline.) If you ever need to track a flight or check flight delays, check our TRAVEL TOOLS tab at the top of this page.   4. Book Smart. Book your travel with a reliable, recommended source. You may prefer to book online, or you may have a friend in the travel industry. Don’t just book with anyone. We recommend CheapTickets most often, since twice recently we have saved 50% or more with them on flights. Just click the link to go and check the price for your upcoming flight. They have a good deal for you too! Remember, the squeeze is on for the airlines. Profits are low, fuel prices are high, and to a degree the economy is reducing travel spending, resulting in fewer passengers at  least in the short run. Don’t get caught squeezed along with them. Use these tips and tell your friends about this article. Safe Travels!  Next Page » Blogroll American Express Caribbean Vacation Deals Cruise Deals Flight Deals Hotel Deals Our Travel Map Palm Tree Travel Palm Tree Travel Store Passport Update RUSH MY PASSPORT Travel Insurance TRAVEL MALL Travel Tips WordPress.com   August 2008 M T W T F S S « Jul       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Blog at WordPress.com. Theme: Digg 3 Column by WP Designer