Things you should know about a trip

Looking for some tips and tricks to mastering international travel?

We have them, courtesy of Travel + Leisure.

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• Hotel business cards: You’ll most likely be spending time in a

hotel, at least at first till you can find a more permanent place.

• The six-month passport rule: The expiration date on your

passport is deceiving. In the U.S., you can use your passport

up to the date listed inside the cover. That’s because they want

to ensure you have a valid passport to get back to the United

States in case of travel snafus and unexpected issues. You should

always renew your passport nine months before the actual expiration date.

• Credit cards: The best exchange rates are usually within your credit card.

That being said, many credit cards will add foreign transaction fees of up

to three percent. Do your research on credit cards that don’t have this fee

before heading on your trip.

• Fraud alerts. Let your credit card company’s fraud department know

the country you’ll be visiting and when. This will prevent them from thinking

your card .If your cards don’t already have this technology, seek out ones

that do or upgrade your existing card.

You may not come across a 24-hour pharmacy overseas like you see on

every other block in the U.S. Fill your prescriptions before you go.

• Travel alerts: Check the State Department’s travel warnings and

alerts and always print out the address and contact information

of the local embassy.

An electric world power can make life easier. They are international and

can charge machines at the same time.

• Data roaming: To avoid international data roaming, go to settings

and ensure it is disabled. Sign up for an international calling and data

plan if you’ll be abroad for a while.

• Language learning: This one you have to prepare for before you go.

with tutors in their native countries. You’ll also find this invaluable

when learning all about the culture!

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Things you should know about a trip Cheat Sheet on Travel