It’s a good idea to let your card company or bank know when and where you’ll be traveling.  Identity theft is such a problem these days, that if your card company sees unusual spending patterns they may grow suspicious.  They might block charges on your card to protect you from fraud…  You know, like a lot of charges from London when you live in Des Moines.  Notifying your card company isn’t required, but it’s a good idea to protect yourself and ensure that you can use your card on your trip. 

Travel with only a couple of charge cards in addition to your ATM card. You don’t want to have a whole pocket full of cards at risk, but you do want to have more than one type of card.  It’s a good idea because if something happens and one card can’t be used, you’ll have a backup. 

Some places only take Visa; some only take MasterCard.  Pick one or two of each and leave the rest at home.  American Express may say “Don’t leave home without it,” but there are many places that won’t take their card.  It’s a good card to have, but it’s also good to know the limitations.

If two of you are traveling as a couple, consider carrying different credit cards.  This will give you even more options. 

If you rent a car, sometimes car rental companies will put a large charge on your card at the beginning as a deposit, leaving you less on your credit line.  Your back up cards will make sure you always can use a card.  You do want to charge the car on a card that will cover collision damage waiver… that’ll save you money.

Credit card companies have started adding international transaction fees.  Visa and MasterCard have charged a 1 percent fee for years, but now some banks that issue the card also tack on a 1-2 percent foreign transaction fee in addition to that.  Quiz your bank or card company.  There are a handful of cards which don’t charge any fees at all.  As of this writing, Capital One Card charges no fees, so you might want to carry one of those.

Don’t let foreign vendors charge that bill for you in dollars.  It seems nice, but you’ll probably end up paying more.  The dollar amount you’re charged may be at a crummy exchange rate (way worse than you’d get with your credit card or ATM), and you’re card company will still likely charge you a foreign transaction fee.

Credit cards are accepted in more places all the time…. most now in fact.  But there are still many little B&Bs that take only cash, some small restaurants too.  And in some less developed countries you may find you need to pay in cash.  If you want to pay with your card, they may add 3-5 percent onto your bill to make up for the fees that they’re charged.  So take those credit cards traveling, but change plenty of money and be prepared to pay cash in many places too.

If you’re wondering what we’re talking about, you’re not a black diamond traveler…. and if you see color coded signs at the airport TSA checkpoints in the U.S., you should choose the blue square or the green circle.  WHAT???

In the last year or so, the U.S. Transportation Security Agency, the TSA, has implemented a plan that they hope will speed up the screening lines at U.S. airports.

Instead of having just one security line for everyone, there are three lanes.  They are color coded, and the TSA has chosen to model them after signs on ski runs that tell skiers where the hill is difficult and for experts, or where it’s moderate, or easy.

The Black Diamond Lane is for “Expert Travelers”.  This is where frequent flyers go.  People who know the routine and can get through the checkpoint quickly.  They are familiar with the rules and procedures, have their plastic bag of liquids packed correctly and out of their carry-on, and they are prepared and ready to go through.

The Blue Square Lane is for “Casual Travelers”.  This would apply to travelers who are familiar with the rules and regulations, but they may take a bit longer to sort out the plastic bag, the computer, the shoes… and they just don’t want to feel rushed at the checkpoint.

The Green Circle Lane is for “Families and Passengers with Medical Liquids”.  If you’re really not sure what you need to do as you go through security, this lane is for you.  It’s for families with small children, strollers, and liquids for children.  Passengers with special needs should use this lane if they need assistance or extra time.  

You are allowed to take more than 3 ounces/100ml of “medically necessary liquids” outside of the one quart plastic bag, but these must be declared to a TSA Officer.  If this applies to you, you should use the Green Circle Lane where possible.

Though it’s up to individuals to choose the appropriate lane, the TSA says the honor system seems to be working.  According to them, the black-diamond lanes are 21 percent faster on average.  So far 50 airports have the new lanes in place. 

The self-selecting lanes seems to be lowering the stress and anxiety levels of all passengers.  Expert travelers don’t feel that they are being slowed down, and families are able to take their time with all the things they have to carry for the kids.  The TSA officers are happier when you aren’t so stressed so everyone wins.

So no matter what level of traveler you are, if you see those Black, Blue and Green signs at the start of the security line, choose the level that suits you best, and everyone will be on their way with fewer problems.

You may have to plan your time around when the kids are out of school.  If you’re an American, you might only have two weeks of vacation.  No matter what limiting factors you might have to work with, it’s good to think about the best time to go to enjoy the activities or sites for your destination.  If your vacation time is short, this is especially important!

Sometimes it’s pretty obvious when you should go.  If you want a ski vacation, you want to schedule it in the winter… Of course you COULD schedule it in the northern hemisphere summer and head south to Argentina or Chile.

Beaches?  Beach vacations can be almost anytime.  Summer would be best on both east and west U.S. coasts, but you can be a beach bum in the winter by heading for Hawaii, Mexico or any of the Caribbean Islands.  Shoulder seasons in the Caribbean can be nice, a little cheaper and sometimes less crowded, but you do take a chance with hurricanes.

Shoulder season in other areas can be a great time to go.  Shoulder season in Europe gives you a pretty good chance for nice weather, and you can avoid the crowds that stream there in the summer.

If you’re planning a little more exotic vacation, you have to start taking into account different weather patterns around the world.  In India, you might want to avoid the monsoon.  In Africa, it’s best to plan your trip during the dry season… and Africa is a big continent, so dry season can vary from one coast to the other.

Rainy season can do more than make you uncomfortable.  In many countries roads become impassible in the wet season.  Hiking trails are slippery and treacherous.  And leeches LOVE the wet season! 

If you’re after wildlife, you want to make sure that they have migrated TO the National Park you’re planning to visit.  If all the herds have moved to the other end of their migratory route, you won’t see them, and you may not see many predators either.

There’s a great website called, go figure, “Best Time To Go” that will tell you the best time of year to go, rainfall and temperature, approximately how much it will cost you per day, when the holidays are, and it even gives you some hotels.

So decide where you want to go, then before you start making your reservations, check the best time to go so you won’t be disappointed.

Independent travel is a great way to go.  There are several ways to approach it.  You can rent a villa for a week or a month… or make hotel reservations for every day.  You can just arrive and find accommodations as you go… or you can make reservations for the first night or two then start finding your accommodations for the rest of the trip. 

It takes less advance trip planning if you decide to find accommodations as you go, but some people don’t like the stress of finding a hotel every night.  Part of the process is deciding what works best for you.

As an independent traveler, you can stay in small economical places that groups won’t fit into.  It may cost more to stay in larger hotels… group tour operators tend to get good breaks on those rooms.  But you’ll probably rub elbows with more locals in that small local place than you would in that big hotel.  (Though sometimes that big hotel isolation can give you a little respite if you’re traveling in a rugged or third world area.)

You can use the internet to make reservations at museums and popular spots before you leave on your trip.  This means you’ll be sure to get into those museums or other venues, but it also locks you in to a timetable.  If you’re feeling a bit more independent, consider making phone calls or using the internet to make those reservations on the road. 

You’ll get English speakers on the phone; you’ll probably still get the reservations you want and still have the flexibility of changing your timetable as you travel.  (Getting those reservations can help you avoid lines just like the tour groups do.)

Independent travel allows for more adventure and spontaneity.  If you end up in a village that looked charming in the pictures… but there really isn’t anything there for you… you can just move on.  On the other hand, if you stumble on a great local festival, you can linger and enjoy it.  You’ll miss what a tour guide might teach you, but if you feel you need it, you can always hire a local guide… or talk to a friendly local….  You never know what you might find out, and you could end up with a new friend!

If you decide you’d like to rent a car, it will be expensive if you’re traveling all by yourself…. It’s easier for a couple and better still if you travel with friends to share the expense.  But traveling with friends and family takes some planning of it’s own!

So weigh you options, tour group or independent travel.  Make all your reservations ahead or wing it?  A large part of the joy of travel is the trip planning and anticipation.

The potential negative effects of tourism are both local and global… but if we practice sustainable tourism, we can keep the negative effects to a minimum.  

If we’re not careful, we’ll degrade the environment and the cultures we travel to see.  Where ever we travel, we need to keep in mind that the local people have to profit from our visit.  If you go someplace because there are wonderful native handicrafts, you need to buy some of those handicrafts from locals, so they get the money. 

If you’re visiting a national park, you need to employ locals as guides so they will continue to value and protect the park.  Those are the kinds of things that make for sustainable tourism.

Here are some more things to think about when choosing a hotel, a tour group or activity…..

Is the hotel locally owned and operated so that the profits stay in the community?  If not, is it at least staffed by local employees?

How does the hotel contribute to the local community?  Do they buy local produce for their restaurant?  Do they sell local handicrafts in their gift shop?

If you’re taking a tour, travel with a tour operator who is environmentally responsible.  Smaller group sizes make less of an impact… and make for a more enjoyable tour for you!

Is the group lead by a local guide?  Does the tour company contribute to the local community in some way?  To have sustainable tourism, the local community needs to benefit; not just some global tour company.

When hiking, stay on marked trails.  Maintain safe distances from any wildlife you encounter… for your safety AND for theirs.  “Leave only footprints”… carry your trash out or use trash bins.

If you’re snorkeling or diving, don’t touch the coral.  Be careful with your fins, it’s easy to kick the coral if you’re not paying attention or to stir up sediment.  Either way you can damage the reef’s fragile ecosystem… and most reefs are in trouble now, so they need all of our help.

Try to buy local products…  You’ll support the local economy… and we all need that now no matter what country you’re visiting.  Foods will be fresher, give you a taste of local cuisine and save fuel because they haven’t traveled half way around the world… only YOU have!  Fewer imported products will be needed. 

Don’t buy souvenirs or other products made from endangered animals or plants.  You probably can’t get it through customs, and if you believe in sustainable tourism, you don’t want to contribute to the extinction of another species! 

Treat locals with respect.  You went there to learn about their culture!  Learn a few words… at least hello, good-bye and thank you.  Be open to our cultural differences.  Read up on the area you’ll be visiting so you’ll know how to dress so you don’t offend anyone.  Check to see if there are any behaviors or gestures that will offend your hosts.

Rejoice in our positive differences.  Support them, and you’ll be contributing to sustainable tourism.

There are more and more of us traveling every year.  With so many of us out there, it’s more important than ever to think about how travelers impact the environment.

Making your travel “green travel” is a great way to protect the environment for people who visit after you do and for our children.  You don’t necessarily have to pay more to travel this way.  You might even find that your travel will be more rewarding, more authentic… let you get closer to the people and places you travel to…. and cheaper!

So let’s list some green travel tips….

Try to choose a green hotel.  See if you can find out what kind of recycling program they have.  Do they use energy efficient lighting?  Low flow toilets?  Water saving shower heads?

Check to see if guests have the option to reuse hotel towels and sheets instead of having them laundered everyday… then reuse them!  Keep your showers short.

Turn off air-conditioning, lights, heat, television, etc. when you leave the room.

Bring your own toiletries rather than using the prepackaged ones at the hotel.  Leave theirs behind.  All those little bottles use lots of plastic, and who needs a whole drawer full of these once you get home?

Pack a water bottle that you can reuse.  (Don’t keep buying them.  Most plastic water bottles don’t get recycled.)

When renting a car, get the smallest most fuel-efficient car that you can be comfortable with.  (Even consider a hybrid… it’s more and more possible to rent hybrids these days.)  And try driving slower.  If you go 60 mph (100 Kilometers per hour-KPH) or less, you’ll use less fuel… and just maybe you’ll see more.  Get maps and directions for the most direct route.  No reason do drive around lost and waste gas.

Walk to use public transportation when you can.  Stay at a centrally located hotel.  Walk around to see the sights; in the countryside, hike or bike if possible.

If you’re walking a beach, consider picking up trash along the way.  If all visitors did this, all of our beaches would be so much cleaner.

You don’t even need to follow all of these suggestions for green travel.  If you just choose one or two during your trip, the earth will thank you.

It may seem obvious, but when you’re traveling, you want to get there on time. So why do we need to discuss this? Because so many people don’t! When you’re planing your flights for your trip, there are several things to keep in mind so this doesn’t happen to you.

The tendency is to book flights to get you to the ship, or the tour, or the wedding just exactly when you need to be there. That’s really not the best option. In order to be sure you get there, it’s a better idea to plan on flights that will get you there early.

Why? Because if you plan it that way, you won’t have to worry if problems arise…. you’ll still get there on time.

What if your flight is delayed or cancelled? With fewer flights, it’ll be harder to get on the next plane out if this happens to you. Delays and cancellations are risks in snow-and-sleet season, but there can be problems in summer too… think thunderstorms on the East Coast of the U.S. or Europe. They delay flights every summer. You can check on-time performance records of flights you’re considering, but this won’t help with weather problems.

If you’re traveling abroad, you have to worry about monsoons, transiting foreign airports, or customs delays if you need to exit to connect to another airline for a longer trip.

The first flight of the day is generally your best bet for avoiding delays. Those delays have a domino effect and get worse throughout the day.

If you have a choice of connecting cities, pick the one with the warmest climate. Try to avoid airports with lots of delayed flights… though many times these will be hubs, and you won’t be able to avoid them. It’s because they are hubs that they have more delayed flights than other airports. It’s sort of the nature of hubs.

Delays may also be because of frequent weather problems as in the case of Chicago - ORD, or because of runway alignment as in the case of San Francisco - SFO.

Prepare for reality… This gets back to the “get there early” idea. Fly at least 24 hours before you need to be there (or back home). If you’re connecting, be sure your layover is at least two hours. Sure layovers are a drag, but if you have a tight connection, and that first flight is delayed an hour… your connection is BUSTED!!! Now what?

If you can’t avoid a tight connection, have a “plan B” ahead of time. If you’re delayed, knowing the alternatives will be valuable when you’re trying to rebook.

To avoid missing your flight in the first place, be sure you get to the airport in plenty of time. Most airlines now cut off check in for domestic flights 30 minutes to flight time. Show up 29 minutes to flight time… with bags to check… and you won’t be going when you thought you would. Even getting there 30 minutes ahead is dicey if there is any possibility of long lines at security. And face it, that’s always a possibility.

So to get there on time, get to the airport early… for an early morning flight… Avoid tight connections, and get there a day ahead. You can get over your jet lag, get a good nights sleep, and be ready for the start of your trip.

http://comptravelusa.com/

You’re going abroad, and you’ll be changing money.  What is the best way to do that?  The short answer is to use the ATM.  REALLY!  Almost anywhere in the world now, you’ll find ATMs.  Almost. 

Try to check ahead before you go to know whether to take cash, traveler’s checks, ATM or credit cards.  Traveler’s checks aren’t used all that much anymore, but they’re a good backup in case something goes wrong with the credit cards and ATMs. 

If you can’t get money out of a cash machine, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem with YOUR card.  Those electronic transactions have to be submitted and approved, there may be communications problems in less developed counties; their readers might not read your card; or (and this has happened) the bank ATM has run out of money! 

You may hear that changing money — at least a little — before you travel is a good idea.  That’s not necessary.  There are almost always banks or money changers at the airport, and ATMs are everywhere…. well, almost everywhere.  There are a few countries that won’t accept ATM cards from certain other countries.  You do need to check this out.  You can find out in government advisories about each country. 

If you’re going to drive across the border to a country with a different currency, you should check to see where you can change money and if they’ll take some other currency, like that of their neighbors or Euros or Dollars. 

If you think the exchange rate is going to change dramatically, and you’ll get a better deal changing money ahead… you might want to give it a try.  It’s hard to time those money markets though.

Another reason for changing money before you leave is if you want to familiarize yourself with that funny looking currency.  Even if you wait to change money on the road, do try to familiarize yourself with the local currency so you don’t fumble too much with it.  If you change your money once you get to your destination, it’s best to familiarize yourself with it in the privacy of your hotel room and not in public.

You will fumble.  Sometimes those little coins will be worth a dollar or two or five…. or that 10,000 “Whatever” note could be worth about five dollars!  So try to get a rough idea of what those coins and bills are worth. We’ve found that most people are helpful sorting out the right change, but you should always be on guard for a scam artist that might try to charge you too much because you don’t figure out how much you’re paying fast enough.

If you’re changing cash, change money only at reputable or official locations. Black market money exchanges could get you in trouble at worst or be scams where you’ll lose money. If you do change money at money exchangers, compare the exchange rates and commissions carefully.  ATMs are much more straight forward.

You should avoid buying more foreign currency than you actually need.  You will lose money if you need to convert back, and some countries restrict the amount of their currency they permit you to take out when leaving the country.

If you are traveling on a prepaid tour, you won’t be changing money as much.  Also, you may be able to pay bar bills at lodges and hotels in dollars or with your credit card.  So check ahead, take credit cards, ATMs and travelers checks and don’t worry, you’ll find plenty of places to change them.

http://www.comptravelusa.com/

Passports for children?  Yes, minors who are traveling into or out of the United States with or without their parents need a passport.  This applies for children of all ages including newborns and infants.  Each child MUST have their own passport.

If you are a foreign national planning to visit the United States check with your national passport office for rules and application forms.

If you are a citizen of the United States, the best place to start is on the U.S. Department of State website.  When it comes to passports for children under the age of 16, there are special requirements.  The requirements are slightly different for minors who are 16 and 17, see the government website for the differences.

Passports for children are valid for five years instead of the adult ten year validity.  All children must apply in person whether it is a new passport or a renewal.   And both parents or guardians must be present (with certain exceptions….)

The child’s proof of citizenship must be submitted with the application.  They will keep it during the issuing process and return it to you.  This proof can be an old undamaged passport for older children.  It can be a certified birth certificate, a consular report of birth abroad, a naturalization certificate or a certificate of citizenship.

Parents must submit evidence of their relationship to the child.  For instance the birth certificate with both parent’s names or a court order establishing custody.  And the parents must submit proof of identification.  A previously issued undamaged U.S. passport can be a form of identification for the parent, but it does NOT provide evidence of relationship.  A driver’s license, government employee ID or current military ID can also provide proof of identity.

Parents must provide parental consent for the government to issue passports for children.  If you are a single parent, you must have a notarized statement of consent from the other parent, or a court order granting sole custody or a death certificate if one parent has died.  There is a list of scenarios, so as always…  these are general guidelines… check with the government.

You must pay the applicable passport fee and supply two passport photos.  Same rules as for adults… two identical photos, in color, 2×2 inches.  They should have been taken within the last 6 months.  This is especially true for children because they change so fast… the photos should show them as they look now.

It can take four to six weeks to get a passport even in slow travel times.  If you need passports for children in less than two weeks, you should make an appointment to apply in person at a regional passport agency.

This is all general advice and it all sounds very onerous….  It puts a lot of burden of proof on parents, but in today’s world, it’s important to ensure children’s safety, so passports for children take time and effort to obtain.  But look at it this way, once you have them, that trip abroad will be the best education your children can have!

http://www.comptravelusa.com/

Choosing your destination…. that’s the very first step in trip planning.  It’s obvious, and it may seem simple, but let’s take a look at the things you need to think about as you do your trip planning and make your decision. 

Some of these things will be running in the background of your head when you’re choosing your destination, but just so you don’t make any mistakes, let’s list some of the major concerns.

You have some vacation time.  Is that a set time of year that you can’t change?  The time of year will play a role in choosing your destination.  Do you want to go some place where it’s hot so you can sit on the beach?  ….Or cold so you can ski?  Are you planning it around a festival or trying to avoid crowds?  Do you want to take a cruise?

Do you want to be active… skiing or hiking?  …Or do you just want to sit and relax? Go sightseeing, explore museums or shop?  Or do you want to have the options to go either way.  Do you have kids or other family members to consider?  It’s always good to make this a family decision. 

And speaking of others… do you want to travel on your own or join a tour group where everything is planned for you?

How long is the vacation time?  If you only have a week, that will limit what you can do.  If you have two or three weeks or even more, you have far more options when choosing your destination.  You can go further, plan for more activities… or more relaxing time.  Some people say it takes a week to unwind… so even if you just want to relax for a few days, you may need more than a week to get into that relaxed zone. 

Choosing a destination that offers a relaxing venue will help… a beach, a spa, a cabin on a nice quiet lake.  For some people, shopping is relaxing… it wouldn’t be for me. 

Another factor we all have to take into account is money.  If you’re rolling in it, the sky is the limit when choosing your destination… you can go to Europe and stay in castles; go to Africa and fly from safari camp to safari camp; go to Asia or Australia or Antarctica!  You can go to all of those places on a budget too, but it takes more planning and legwork on your part. 

You can economize and go camping… or even (if they’ll invite you) stay with friends or relatives.  Do you want to go by car, train or plane?  I have a friend that will not fly and will not float… that definitely limits your options.

So where will it be?  I know I haven’t given you any destinations to choose from.  That would take some of the fun out of it.  Where would you like to go?  What would you like to do? 

Part of the fun of any vacation adventure is dreaming about your options, so give all these factors some thought, and get closer to choosing your destination.  This is the dreaming part of trip planning… next we’ll get to how you find information to flesh out these dreams.