How to Properly Prepare for an Overseas Summer Trip

Traveling can be a great experience and if you are planning on taking a vacation this summer you are probably very excited. It can sneak up on you quickly and cause you to become overwhelmed. This can lead to forgetting some little details.

While this isn’t the end of the world usually, if you are traveling overseas even forgetting the smallest thing can be a little more inconvenient. Traveling overseas can be stressful enough even when everything should be going exactly to plan, so you should take some time to be certain you aren’t forgetting anything.

Here are the essential things you have to make sure you have taken care of before traveling to another country.

Contact Your Credit Card Companies

There are a few things to do when you travel overseas with your credit cards. The first thing you want to do is call your credit card companies and tell them the dates you are traveling and where you are going. This way they notate the account and this should eliminate your cards being shut off for potential fraud.

If you don’t do this your cards might notice a charge in one country (if you have a layover) and then hours later in another country when you arrive at your destination. Calling them and letting them know your plans can save you the hassle of having charges declined and having to call them.

Have an International Cell Phone
Plan

Not all cell phone plans cover international charges so you will want to check with your provider. Some companies, like T-Mobile, offer a plan that covers international text and data but charges for phone minutes.

If you need something more than what your provider offers consider buying an international SIM card with pre-paid minutes, text and internet data. This can be much more affordable and it’s a great alternative.

Have Translation Options

If you are traveling to a country with a language barrier then you need to make sure you have an app on your phone and even a translation book for emergencies.

You can also have a professional expert an email or message away. If you were going through France and encountered something you could have a relationship with a French translation service lined up so in the event of an emergency you wouldn’t be stuck.

Check in with Your Health
Insurance Company

Are you covered in the event of an international accident? Will your health insurance cover you? This is something you need to find out, because if not you need to buy a temporary policy that covers you.

If you ever have to spend time in a foreign hospital and receive treatment it can cost a small fortune. Make sure you have insurance because you never know. it’s better to be safe than sorry! If you cannot afford this then you probably shouldn’t be going on vacation in the first place.

Create an Emergency Contact Card

You should make sure you have a contact card that includes an emergency contact back home and include their full name, email, cell phone, etc. You also want to make sure you type it out and cover it with clear tape to make sure it’s protected.

If anything ever happened you would want someone to be able to find that on you. Stick it in your wallet or purse just to be safe.