HOTEL TIPS

Ask your hotel manager for advice on ‘safe’ versus ‘unsafe’ local areas, as well as safety and security policies.

If possible, choose accommodation that has unmarked ‘swipe cards’ rather than numbered keys for each room. If you lose your swipe card or if it is stolen, the thief won’t know which room to rob.

Take note of emergency exits, stairwells, fire escapes and emergency plans, just in case.

Keep your hotel room door locked at all times, especially when retiring for the night. If there is a chain included, use it.

Make sure your room has an indoor viewer and a dead bolt lock. Always verify who’s at your door. Don’t open the door to someone you don’t know. If an unexpected visitor claims to be a hotel employee, call the front desk to make sure.

If you lose the plastic key card to your room, insist on a new-keyed card. Insist that hotel personnel write down your assigned room number so others can’t see or hear it.

Don’t display room keys in public or leave them on the restaurant tables, at the swimming pool, or in other places where they can easily be stolen.

Keep valuables-jewelry, cash, etc. in the hotel safe. Better still; leave jewelry in a safe at home.

When arranging to meet people you’ve never met before (such as business associates), wait for them in the lobby. Don’t ask them to come up to your room.

Don’t get into an elevator alone with suspicious strangers.

Never leave luggage unattended.

Before taking a cab, ask the staff about directions and estimated costs.

TIPS FOR BEING OUT AND ABOUT

Consult with your hotel manager or tourist information center about the public transport in your area. Make sure you know what official taxi cabs look like. A thief may pose as a taxi driver to lure you into their car.

Don’t share taxis with strangers.

Don’t accept rides from strangers.

Pay attention to your surroundings.

Don’t take more cash, travelers’ checks, or credit cards than you need. Don’t “flash” your cash or other valuables.

Avoid large crowds, demonstrations, or public confrontations.

Keep a low profile.

Don’t have too much alcohol to drink.

Stay in well-lit and well-traveled places.

Don’t discuss travel plans with strangers.

Find the location of the nearest police station, hospital, and other safe places.

Report any suspicious activities to the police.

If you are robbed, don’t resist.

Crime can be random, but there’s a lot you can do to limit your chances of becoming a victim. Often simply being aware of the threat of crime—and alert to what you can do to prevent it—will go a long way to making your business trip both safe and successful.

AIRPORT TIPS

At the airport, watch your suitcase as it appears on the carousel. Don’t hang back and wait for the crowds to disperse – you might find that someone else has already taken your bag in the meantime.

Don’t leave your baggage unattended. Stay especially alert and watch your bags and laptop computer carefully at all times.

Don’t let anyone other than airport staff members handle your luggage.

Don’t accept any packages from strangers.

Report any suspicious activities.

Follow all safety and security rules and instructions.

Avoid changing money at airports, as thieves could be watching you.

Watch out for staged mishaps, like someone bumping into you or spilling a drink. Often it’s a ploy to divert your attention.

Keep a separate record of the contents of checked luggage. And keep anything of value in a carry-on that stays with you.

Avoid displaying expensive cameras, jewelry, and luggage that might draw attention. Your aim should be to blend in with the crowd.

TIPS FOR ON THE ROAD

Become familiar with your travel route before you start. Get a map and study it.

Have car keys ready when approaching your car. Check the back seat and floors before you get in.

Make sure your rental car is in good operating condition. Learn how to operate all windows, door locks, and other equipment before you leave the lot.

Keep your maps and rental agreement concealed, not lying on the seat or the dashboard.

Don’t place your baggage or other valuables in a place where criminals can easily see them.

Carjacking is a problem in some cities. When driving, keep all doors locked and windows up. Make sure your trunk is locked too.

Wear your seat belt.

Make sure that your children are in approved child safety seats.

Don’t use cell phones or other electronic devices while driving.

Don’t drink and drive, and don’t ride with anyone who has been drinking

Don’t drive if you feel drowsy.

Be aware of road conditions and your surroundings.

Don’t hitch hike, and don’t pick up hitch hikers.

Park in well-lit and well-traveled areas only, close to building entrances and walkways.

Keep your car’s doors locked.

If you are bumped by another car, think before you get out. If you are in doubt or uncomfortable, signal the other driver to follow you to a nearby police station or a busy, well-lit area where it’s safe to get out.

If you are having car trouble, only accept help from police or other authorized personnel.

PACKING TIPS

If you need any prescription medication, bring enough to last you the duration of your trip. Also, if you wear glasses, bring an extra pair.

Keep medicines in their original containers. You may also need a letter from your doctor explaining why you need certain medicines.

Don’t pack or bring any prohibited items, such as weapons, sharp objects, or dangerous substances. Visit the Transportation Security Administration web site to learn more about these rules.

Don’t bring a lot of cash or credit cards. Instead, bring travelers’ checks, one or two credit cards, and only a small amount of cash.

Don’t pack or bring valuables, such as a jot of jewelry.

Make sure your baggage is labeled with your name and phone number, but use a luggage tag. You may also consider using your work address and phone number on your luggage tags.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TIPS

If you are traveling anywhere outside of the U.S., including Canada and Mexico, you need a current, valid passport. If you don’t have a current, valid passport, visit the U.S. State Department’s Web site to apply for or renew your passport. In addition to a passport, you may also need a visa to visit some countries.

Keep photocopies of your passport, airline tickets, visa, and all other important documents in a safe place. Carry one set of copies in a safe place and leave another set of copies at home with a trusted family member or friend.

Carry with you at all times the contact details of the local U.S. consulate or embassy’s address and phone number. If the city doesn’t have an U.S. embassy, find out which other country’s embassy is available to help you, such as the British embassy.

Register with the U.S. State Department to make it easier for the U.S. government to help you in an emergency abroad.

Research basic information about the country or countries you plan to visit to help you become familiar with local laws and customs. Your library or travel agents are valuable resources here. Also, check with the U.S. State Department to see if there are any warnings or advisories for special considerations for the country or countries you plan to visit.

For up-to-date information on ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ areas of the city, consult with your hotel manager or local tourist information officer.

Your health and accident insurance may not be valid outside of the U.S. Check with your insurance provider to see if you need additional travel health/accident insurance.

If you plan to drive in another country, check to see if your driver’s license is valid abroad. You may also need an International Driving Permit or a translation of your U.S. driver’s license. Visit AAA’s IDP web site to apply.

Some countries have restrictions on things you can bring with you or take home with you. Check with U.S. Customs and Border Protection for more details.

Become familiar with some basic words and phrases in the language of the country or countries you plan to visit.

Try to rely more on credit cards and travelers checks than cash.

We think everybody could use a couple of tips, and even the seasoned traveler could use a reminder every now and then.  Here are some travel safety tips we use often.  Look for more Travel Safety Tips on our site soon.

GENERAL TRAVEL TIPS

Keep valuables (such credit cards, hotel room keys, passports, boarding passes, extra cash, etc.) on a belt worn under the clothes and next to the skin.

Use ATMs during the day, when there are people around.

Consider carrying a ‘dummy’ wallet holding a small amount of cash. If you are directly confronted by a mugger, you can hand over the dummy wallet and avoid further distress.

If you are mugged, don’t fight back. It is better to lose a few dollars and a wristwatch than get injured.

Don’t make yourself an attractive target when travelling. Try not to stand out in a crowd when travelling. It’s better not to wear expensive jewelry on obvious display.

Match your dress style to that of the locals. Don’t wear an obvious ‘tourist’ outfit like a loud shirt with a camera slung around your neck.

Even if you’re not sure where you’re going, walk like you have a purpose.

Keep your travel plans, including accommodation details, to yourself.

Be discreet when map reading.

Avoid ‘seedier’ areas of the cities you visit, especially at night. As a general rule, city streets that include children and women suggest the area is safe for families.

Notice the people around you. Be wary if someone seems to be taking more than a passing interest.

Try not to travel at night.

Avoid incidents such as fights, riots or civil disturbances at all times.

Don’t hitch hike.

Beware of scams when travelling.  Thieves devise inventive ways to rob you. Some of these may include:

• Posing as a police officer and asking to check your money for counterfeit bills.
• Posing as a tour guide and offering to show you the sights of the city.
• Slipping sedative drugs into your food or drink.

Thieves in different cities tend to favor different scams. Ask your hotel manager or local tourist information officer for more information.

• Amusement parks – Put your money, keys, and phone in the belt, and you don’t have to carry a purse or wallet or backpack all day. Even better, you don’t have to have someone hold your things or leave them by the ride, so everyone can ride at once!
• Grocery store – Ever step away from the cart to look at produce and feel that anxiety of leaving your purse exposed to passersby?  Leave it someplace secure, like your car, and only bring in your method of payment, your keys, and maybe your shopping list or some coupons.
• Museums – Backpacks are often not allowed in museums.  And although most purses are allowed, who wants to carry a purse for several hours?
• Concerts – Whether you’re standing in a crowd of people, sitting on a grassy hill, or just having to walk blocks to the venue, it’s nice to have something small and concealed and secure to keep your valuables close.
• Activities – Don’t expect this little wallet to keep your things dry if you go swimming or if you’re doing some activity where the major event is sweating profusely.  But if you’re going on a hike or fishing or to a little league game or even a big league game, this is the wallet for you.  Your hands are free, allowing you to enjoy most anything you really want to do.

Airlines have strict policies about the name on your ID matching the name on your ticket, and they may deny boarding if there are discrepancies. But the good news is that in most cases, a name correction can be obtained prior to your trip, preventing headaches at the airport the day you fly.

Why does it matter if my name matches or not?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) enacted heightened security in 2009, and now airlines must collect “Secure Flight data”, meaning a passenger’s name, date of birth and gender. You provide this information at the time of booking your ticket. This information is then matched against the official no-fly list.

So, what can I do about a correction?

In general, major name changes, where it seems like the ticket might be transferred from one passenger to another, are prohibited. If you’re trying to change your ticket name from Susan to Jessica, that probably is not going to fly. Remember, most airline tickets are sold as nonrefundable and nontransferable and tend to have strict guidelines about what can be changed.

But, not all is lost. Airlines tend to allow name corrections to obvious typos like nicknames such as Liz to Elizabeth or Jim to James, or adding middle name. Most airlines—with proof, of course—may allow corrections if the name changed legally, i.e. in the case of marriage.

Things to keep in mind

The correction procedures sometimes require a reissue fee, and it can be especially stressful when multiple airlines are involved as they all need to agree on the change. Fees to change tickets can average $200-250 for domestic flights and $250-300 for international flights. Recently, ticket changes for international flights have been as high as $400. If the tickets have to be reissued, there is also the difference in airfare, which also is often significantly higher. And there are also cases where airlines will refuse name alterations altogether.

Of course, the best solution is to prevent a name change from being necessary altogether. Always carefully review the names on your itineraries prior to purchase. If you book tickets for someone else, be precise and ask how their name appears on their ID. Don’t be afraid to have them spell it out to ensure its right.

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