Disembarking

Passengers are always eager to disembark once the plane has landed, but you are reminded to remain seated and buckled until the aircraft is stationary. Furthermore, the further back you are down the aisle, the longer it will take to leave the plane, so you’re better off relaxing in your seat than waiting around in the congested aisles, battling with weighty overhead hand luggage.

Luggage collection

Generally, the later you check in the sooner your luggage will appear on the conveyers (last in, first out). Be patient and courteous with other passengers, luggage often takes up-to 20 minutes to arrive. If you are sure your luggage has not arrived do not panic. If the airline has misplaced it (occurring occasionally if you have ‘checked-through’ your luggage from a previous connecting flight), they are usually quite efficient at locating it, delivering it to your address and often gifting you some form of compensation. Being affirmative, but not aggressive, returns the best results.

Immigration

Airlines usually distribute entry cards before landing; ensure you have completed it in full beforehand, to avoid delays.If you have the correct visas or entitlement to enter the destination country then the process of passing immigration should be hassle free. However, be aware that immigration officers are typically bureaucratic in some developing and former-Soviet countries and will quiz you thoroughly, expecting you to provide an address where you will be staying. They act tough and are notoriously unfriendly but if you answer patiently and correctly they will let you through. They will also expect to see an onward or return ticket before allowing you entry. Countries that have problems with an influx of illegal workers, such the US and EU countries tend to ask probing questions to determine your real intentions, so be alert. Several people entering these countries have been issued ‘hot cross buns’ where your initial entry visa is denied due to suspicious circumstances, such as insufficient funds. This means they place a red cross through the visa in your passport (for all future immigration officers to see!) and deny you entry or allow you entry for only 48 hours.

Customs: red or green route?

If you have goods to declare then you shouldn’t chance it, and always opt for the red route. Goods to declare include: excessive amounts of alcohol and cigarettes, brand new electronic items, new high-value items which you may be bringing home and could be subject to import duty and controlled items (varies according to each country), or high-value items which need to be declared (the latter will need a certificate issued and recorded in your passport so that they can demand to see it on your departure, failure to leave the country without the said goods may result in a penalty).

All other passengers should follow the green route, where customs officers usually stop people at random and ask probing questions before requesting to search your luggage and person. Undeclared goods may be confiscated and countries that are particularly tough on banned drugs can be quite thorough in their search, even resorting to ‘rubber glove treatment’. It’s best to assume the persona of a ‘regular tourist’ if you don’t wish to attract attention. Although a well-trained officer will not be fooled, they do tend to pick out scruffy backpackers and single young adult men with limited luggage.Some countries also prohibit the importation of certain items, such as pornography or ‘copied’ software so it’s worth checking if in doubt. Singapore, for example, does not allow chewing gum.Casual users of mild banned substances (such as marijuana) are advised to thoroughly check all luggage (especially pockets) before packing, as some people have in ended up being arrested and convicted for unwittingly ‘trafficking’ even small amounts of any kind of banned drug.

Currency exchange

Most international airports that receive significant numbers will have at least one currency exchange bureau open to receive all flights. Singapore travel usually their commission is slightly higher to accommodate the inconvenience.

Avoid being a victim

Try to be as alert as you can; weary travellers make easy prey for pickpockets and thieves. Make sure any taxi you get into is legitimate to avoid any shady goings on, and be wary of touts and people recommending hotels, tours, bars, etc. Carry a second ‘dummy’ wallet with a small amount of cash in case you are mugged.

After a long journey it seems convenient to succumb to the offers of a tout or taxi driver, and they can become quite aggressive. Lookout instead for an official tourist desk and simply brush off unwanted solicitors by explaining that a ‘friend or relative’ is collecting you. If you do take a taxi, always insist on a meter. The fewer passengers there are behind you the more ‘negotiable’ the taxi driver or tout becomes.

There’s much to do before your next vacation. After you’ve picked a destination and purchased your ticket, make sure you’re up to date on all the latest travel advisories and regulations. Whether you’re planning a trip in the U.S. or heading to an international destination, the airline industry and the Federal Aviation Administration enforce tough rules for travelers. Before you fly, make sure you’re up to speed on the travel requirements in your next destination.

Tickets

Beginning in June 2008, paper airline tickets will be curbed and travelers will be required to use electronic tickets for travel. This means shorter lines at the airport ticket desks and one less thing to remember before you leave the house. But, with paper tickets going away travelers will need to be cognizant of necessary information needed to check bags and board the plane.

No matter how you bought your tickets – online, on the phone or at a travel agency – be sure to check the airline requirements when you book your flights.

* With e-tickets, you will need to provide a reservation number or credit card at check-in. Make sure you have one or both items with you when you arrive at the airport.
* Always have a photo ID with you. A copy of your ticket and a photo ID is required at the security gate.
* Remember to reconfirm your ticket before you fly. You can access your flight information on the airlines Web site by using your confirmation code from your e-ticket. Any flight changes will be listed here and you can also check in for your flight 24 hours before departure for domestic flights and 72 hours before for international flights.

Passports and IDs

It’s not as easy to cross the border as it once was. Today’s passport laws have changed and make travel to other countries more complicated. Passport requirements have changed. Beginning in 2005, the U.S. government introduced a new policy called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which changed passport requirements for U.S. travelers booking flights to Canada, Mexico, Panama, Bermuda, and many Caribbean countries. Today, a passport is required for all U.S. citizens traveling outside of the United States.

For domestic air travel, all adult passengers must present some form of government-issued photo identification. A valid driver’s license or passport will work. For international air travel, all passengers (including children) must have a valid passport.
Visas

When traveling internationally, it’s important to determine whether or not you will need a visa to enter your destination. To get you started, check out this quick overview of visa requirements for U.S. citizens.

Double check visa requirements by contacting the Embassy of the country you are visiting. Review a complete list of U.S. embassies worldwide.

If you do need a visa, start your application early, as it can take weeks to process depending on your destination and you may need to send them your passport.

Visit the U.S. Department of State Web site for comprehensive information regarding passports, visas, and other documents required for smooth, safe air travel no matter where you’re headed.
Money

When planning for international travel, consider spreading your funds across credit cards, travelers’ checks, and cash. Travelers’ checks may be the safest way to carry money, but getting cash overseas has become a lot easier. ATM machines will usually issue local currency to foreign cards. Here are our top money tips.
Keep your funds in several different places.

* With travelers’ checks, keep your receipts separate from your checks.
* Carry enough local currency to pay for a taxi from the airport, meals, and the first hotel night if you haven’t already paid.
* Find a secure way to carry your funds and travel documents.
* Money belts are terrific for holding the bulk of your cash.
* For more information, check out our tips on currency exchange and money.

Insurance

You might already have some insurance coverage and just don’t know about it. Check with your credit card company or auto club and see what’s covered during travel. Some travel insurance plans include overseas medical coverage; some just cover personal property and transportation expenses. Be sure to check with your current medical insurance provider to see what’s covered out of state and overseas.

For information on travel insurance, check out Travel insurance tips.
Make copies

Ever lose your passport while overseas? It’s not pretty. Avoid as much hassle as possible by making copies of all important documents before you go and store them in a safe place on your journey. Hint: do not keep the photo copies with your actual passport. Leave the copies in a safe in the hotel room, or in your locked luggage. To be extra safe, leave photocopies at home with somebody you can get in touch with in an emergency.
Immunizations

For some regions of the world, immunizations are necessary prior to travel. Proof of immunization is a requirement for entering some countries Anti-malarial medications may have to be started weeks in advance
Packing for your flight

You’ve gone through the checklist and made all of your arrangements. You’re more ready to fly than you ever thought possible, but you’re not done yet. Take a look at your luggage and make sure you’ve taken all security regulations seriously.
Checked bags

* Don’t lock your luggage – security will open them.
* Ask the airline how many bags you can check.
* Find out how much each bag can weigh.

Carry-on bags

* Ask the airline how many bags you can carry on.
* Carry everything you would need to survive if you lost your luggage. Consider: food, tickets, documents, change of clothes, medications, etc..
* Will you need a converter to use electric gadgets?

If you know you need to travel light, follow this time-honored advice: pack your bags, then take everything out, leave half of the clothes and books on your bedroom floor, and pack again.
Air travel security

There is no reason why new regulations should spoil your fun. Flying is the safest way to travel, but there are new requirements that you must adhere to. Be sure to check the latest Transportation Security Administration tips on air travel security and become informed before you fly. Review this carefully and consider some basics:

* Find out what you can take with you – and what is banned from airports and airplanes.
* Be prepared to slip off your shoes before boarding.
* Get a doctor’s note if you have metal in your body (such as pacemakers, pins from surgeries, etc.).

Moving on

Air travel has changed in the last few years, but there is no reason why anyone should be discouraged from flying. Make your lists, follow these steps, and have a great trip.

The cost of travel is going up. Plane tickets, gasoline prices, accommodation, meals and excursions are all more expensive today than a year or two ago. For families looking for ways to reduce the overall cost of a vacation with kids, travel insurance is oftentimes considered an unnecessary extra. However, travel insurance is the one thing that can reduce, or completely eliminate, unexpected and extraordinary expenses.

When considering travel insurance, emergency medical expenses and last-minute cancellations immediately spring to mind. Yet, there are many other costs that can be reimbursed through a travel policy. Many cover lost and stolen luggage and missed connections as well as natural disasters and severe-weather-related delays and impediments.

It won’t happen to me??
Travel insurance is no different than fire insurance – a decision to forego either is an assumption of risk. Without travel insurance, you stand to lose much more than cost of the trip. While the cost of a serious accident overseas may be less than the cost of rebuilding the family home, emergency medical treatment and hospitalization as well as out-of-pocket expenses such as phone calls, new clothes, medication, and penalties for changing flights can quickly add up. According to TravelSafe.com, roughly 16% of U.S. travel policy purchasers have filed a claim.

What type of coverage do I need?
The type of family vacation you take will, to a large degree, determine the type of coverage you require. A relaxing beach holiday in Hawaii will presume different risks than a trekking expedition in a remote area of Pakistan. Select a policy that covers the activity you intend to engage in.

The frequency with which you travel will also influence your choice. Families traveling once a year may prefer a policy that covers a specific trip. On the other hand, families that take to the road or the skies frequently may find that an annual policy provides a more comprehensive coverage at lower price.

The starting point for any review of travel insurance, whether for health or safety, should begin with a review of your existing medical, car and credit card coverage. In addition to determining the maximum your insurer will pay, find out if there is a minimum deductible. Read the fine print, and pay close attention to all claim procedures, requirements and deadlines. Incidents that aren’t covered will be clearly spelled out. Keep in mind that a family policy likely only covers your spouse and your children.

Buying online?
Traditionally, travelers have purchased insurance through their local broker or their neighborhood travel agent. But, thanks to the internet, an online search is both more convenient and could also lead to cheaper rates. Before you purchase a travel insurance policy on the web, do your due diligence and assess the insurer’s credentials. Their license number and membership in national or international travel associations should be readily available on their website. If you have selected an insurer domiciled in a foreign country, make sure it is a regulated by a local insurance board. Use insurance brokerage websites to review insurance company ratings online. And don’t hesitate to check references, read testimonials and pose questions on travel forums.
Always remember, in the event of a perceived risk the cost of insurance may be small.