Travel Checklist
2 months to go...
• Check your passports are valid, click here for more information from the Identity & Passport Service website.
• Check you and your party all have your European Health Insurance Cards and the details are correct. Click here for more information from the Department of Health.
• Check to see if you need any vaccinations or medication before travelling to your chosen destination. Click here to view more information on the NHS website about vaccinations needed whilst travelling abroad.
2 weeks to go...
• Concerned about your luggage safety? Click here for more information on keeping your luggage safe with BaggagePIN.
• Do you need to re-order any prescription medication which you may need whilst you are away?
1 week to go...
• Have you received your tickets or have the relevant documents?
• Have you confirmed hotel and holiday arrangements?
• Have you booked your airport parking? For more information on our products click here.
• Do you need Travel Insurance? For more information on our competitively priced travel insurance click here.
• Have you told your credit card company that you will be going away? This may also make you aware of any insurance/protection you have on your credit card and potentially on other items whilst you are away.
• Will you require a hotel near the airport before you fly? For more information on our exclusive airport hotel offers click here.
• Do you need to make arrangements for pets to be cared for?
• Have you cancelled your papers, milk and any other deliveries for the duration of your trip?
2 days to go...
• Have you exchanged your holiday money to the currency you will need for your trip?
• Do you have the correct baggage requirements for all luggage for the airline you are travelling with i.e. size and weight? Visit your airlines website or contact them directly to find out more information.
• Do you have any sharp objects or liquids in your hand luggage which are not allowed through the security checks? To check the objects and amounts of liquid which are not allowed through to the departure lounge click here.
• Have you got a First Aid kit containing basic medical supplies such as plasters and antiseptic cream and any further medication such as headache tablets?
Day of travel!
• Have you got all passports, tickets and other documentation you may need?
• Check to see if all windows and doors are securely locked.
• Check all electrical appliances are switched off and unplugged from the wall.
• If you are required to leave your keys with the car park, take a note of your mileage, take any valuable out of your car and perhaps take a pictures of your car before you go away, to protect yourself in the unlikely case of any misuse. Only Meet and Greet and Valet services require you to leave your keys with them.
• Try to wear sensible shoes which can be taken on and off easily for security checks.
• Try to refrain from wearing a belt as you may be required to remove it when going through security.
• Remove all change and objects from your pockets as this will need to be removed before going through security.
• Do you have your camera and MP3 player packed?
• Remember to bring travel sweets with you.
On arrival to your destination
When you arrive in any country, you are very vulnerable because you have all your cash, cards, documents and anything else valuable on you right at that moment. Remember there are always people ready to ‘Help’, so it is important that you take every precaution to avoid any potential hazards, after all you do not want someone to help themselves to your belongings. Here are a few tips to ensure you have a safe trip:
• Try to get information on the layout of the airport which you will be landing at; this should give you an idea of where you should be heading and where the taxis are located. If you have not been able to get this information, it is advisable to ask one of the airline staff, or if they have one, the government tourism booth situated at the airport, for advice on the best way to travel.
• We recommend you avoid taxis which seem to be ‘hanging around’ and not part of a queue, where possible use an official airport taxi or a hotel pick up.
• Try to keep valuables such as your money, credit cards and passport safely secured in a handbag or in your hand luggage.
• Keep a very small amount of the local currency, in an inside pocket or somewhere easily accessible, for use on purchases such as a bottle of water or to pay the taxi before you get to the hotel.
• Most countries are really very safe, but for the few that are not we strongly recommend that you take as many precautions as possible to have a great holiday. Click here for more information on the country you are travelling to.
During your trip
Most hotels are normally extremely secure with a safe in the room, security guards around the place, and cameras. However things still disappear on occasions, so try not to leave any valuables out on show in your hotel room.
Having a good time on your trip is very important, whether it is for business or pleasure, you must not be constantly thinking about what you should or should not be doing. Instead the tips below are meant as a guide.
• Try to look as if you know where you are going or try to look confident in your knowledge of the place. Looking perplexed and constantly looking at maps may attract the wrong type of attention.
• By using credit cards and travellers cheques will stop you from carrying around large sums of cash and a credit card also insures you against any theft or misuse of your card.
• Do NOT accept drinks from anybody that you have just met, especially if in dubious or unknown surroundings. Accepting drinks in certain countries can mean that you have agreed to buy something from them and by not following through with this it can cause offence and potential hostile behaviour.
• There are a lot of excursions on offer when you are on holiday, but some can be a big con and work out a lot more expensive than getting a taxi and doing it yourself but this could also compromise your safety and you could end up anywhere. Ask your hotel for a list of trips which are from reputable and well established companies.
• Do not carry your passport around; leave it in the safe in your hotel. If you are required to by local law, a photocopy may suffice but check the Directgov website to find out more information on the specific country you are visiting.
Money and travel
Which credit cards do I need to take with me?
• It is best to take major credit cards such as Visa, Master Card and American Express. These usually give you protection and insurance on purchases using the card and are often much more widely accepted than a debit card, so a debit card may not be of much use whilst you are away.
• Leave all un-needed cards such as store cards in a safe place at home as there will be no need to carry them with you.
Why should I contact my credit card companies before I leave?
• If you want to use your credit card abroad with out any delays, you should contact your credit card company before you leave the country to ensure you have no problems such as your card being suspected of fraudulent use.
How can my credit card company help prepare me for my trip?
• They will know that you will be using the card abroad.
• 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 can explain to you cash advance, ATM, foreign purchase and foreign exchange rate policies and fees.
• They can tell you about and explain any services they may offer, such as, extra insurance for your rental car, luggage and purchases.
• Their phone number may not work from some foreign locations, so they may give you another number to contact them on if need be.
• They may charge a currency conversion fee, so it may be worth doing a comparison of your cards to find out which one will be the most economical to place your foreign purchases on.