Travelling
with money and medication
Traveller's
Checks
It
is wise not to carry large amounts of cash. You should take most
of your money in traveler's checks and remember to record the
serial numbers, denomination and the date and location of the
issuing bank or agency. Keep this information in a safe and separate
place so, if you lose your traveler's checks, you can quickly
get replacements.
Credit
Cards
Some
credit cards can be used worldwide, even for cash advances. Keep
track of your credit card purchases so that you do not exceed
your limit. Travellers have been arrested overseas for mistakenly
exceeding their credit limit! Leave all unnecessary credit cards
at home. Record the numbers of the credit cards that you do bring,
and keep the list separately from the cards. You should immediately
report the loss or theft of your credit cards or traveler's checks
to the credit card companies and to the local police.
Valuables
Do not bring anything on your trip that you would hate to lose,
such as expensive jewelry and objects of sentimental value. If
you bring jewelry, wear it discreetly to help prevent robbery.
Pre-Paid
Telephone Card Service
You
never know when you may wish or need to telephone home during
your trip so a telephone card is a good idea. Check with telephone
companies about pre-paid telephone card services. They should
be able to provide you with information about prices, sales locations
in the UK/United States and ordering the service by telephone.
If you decide to purchase a pre-paid telephone card, be sure that
the card you choose will work in the United States.
Charter
Flights and Airlines
There
have been occasions when airlines or companies that sell charter
flights or tour packages have gone out of business with little
warning, stranding passengers overseas. If you know from the media
or your travel agent that an airline is in financial difficulty,
ask your travel agent or the airline what recourse you would have,
if the airline ceased to operate. Some airlines may honor the
tickets of a defunct airline, but they usually do so with restrictions.
It is a good idea to purchase tours only from operators that guarantee
the safety of your money through a consumer protection plan. Before
you purchase a charter flight or tour package, read the contract
carefully. Unless it guarantees to deliver services promised or
give a full refund, you should consider purchasing travel insurance.
Documentation
for Medications
If
you go abroad with preexisting medical problems, you should carry
a letter from you doctor describing your condition, including
information on any prescription medicines that you must take.
You should also have the generic names of the drugs. Please leave
medicines in their original, labeled containers. These precautions
make customs processing easier. Travelers have innocently been
arrested for drug violations when carrying items not considered
to be narcotics in the United States. If you have allergies, reactions
to certain medicines, or other unique medical problems, you may
consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or carrying a similar
warning.
Places
to Receive Mail
If
you are traveling for an extended period, you may want to arrange
for the delivery of mail or messages to you abroad. Some banks
and international credit card companies handle mail for customers
at their overseas branches. General Delivery services at post
offices in most countries will hold mail for you.
You
should leave a detailed itinerary (with names, addresses, and
phone numbers of persons and places to be visited) with relatives
or friends in the United States so that you can be reached in
an emergency. Also, include a photocopy of your passport information
page as well as your credit card, traveler's checks, and airline
ticket numbers. Leave a copy of the list at home, and carry a
copy with you.
If
you change your travel plans, miss your return flight, or extend
your trip, be sure to notify relatives or friends at home. Should
you find yourself in an area of civil unrest or natural disaster,
please let your relatives or friends at home know as soon as you
can that you are safe.
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