Pre-Trip Tips You need to Know.
Globetrotting is not always as easy as it seems. More often than not, many little things need to be considered and done before you even begin your travels. Rather than trying to figure it all out on your own, I have made a quick list of tips for you to use in the planning stage of your next vacation.
Keep your passport up to date.
Nothing is worse than finding a great travel deal only to realize your passport has expired. A great rule of thumb is to have a valid passport ready at all times. You never know when you may need it. It takes roughly between 4-6 weeks for the passport application to be received and have a new passport issued. Remember that passports and passport cards arrive via snail mail. Although, you can also pay extra to have it expedited.
Try to travel during shoulder season.
Traveling right after the main season and right before the low season tends to leave travelers with the best conditions. Not only will the crowds be almost nonexistent, the discounted fares for hotels/resorts and airfare will also reflect the off-season. Depending upon which part of the world you decide to globetrot to, it is highly probable that the weather will still be similar to the hotspot times. An example of this will be going to Europe at the end of the summer. Where you still get the warm sun while also having the beginning of the fall crispness. Taking the same trip during the peak season will require a budget of double if not triple the amount.
Visa lead times matter.
Pay attention to which countries need visas for travel. Having a valid visa is just as important as having a valid passport. Without it, you will be denied entry. In some countries, you have to renew visas sooner than others, and the lead times for them to be issued are all different. There is the possibility to pay to have them expedited which will range from a few hundred dollars.
Fly midweek.
If ever possible, try to fly in and out of your destinations mid-week. Why? Simply because everyone prefers weekends and worst-case Mondays and Fridays thus it significantly increases the prices for those flights. To leave on a day mid-week, like leave a Thursday and come back a Tuesday, not only means a chance to have any extra day or two for your trip, but it can also be the difference of a few hundred dollars. Another thing to consider is taking red-eye on a big holiday like Christmas or New Year can be slightly cheaper than leaving the day before or the following day. Flexibility is key with this one. Whatever it takes to save a few dollars. Let’s be honest we all love a good deal.
Keep your eyes on the prize when it comes to booking your flights.
This is not the first time and will defiantly not be the last time I talk about this. It is so easy to snag up great deals on flights you need to be diligent. Refresh your memory with this other blog post…
Early bird gets the worm? Is that the same when it comes to booking your hotels?.
The sooner you can lock down your accommodations, the better off you will be! Not only will the price go up the longer you wait, but the best views and dope rooms will book first. Check out what accommodations are available in your area and then price-stalk them for about two weeks. Although it can be tedious, check them out daily to see the price trends. It usually pays off. Also, I look directly on their website (not through a third-party company) to see if there are any “early-bird” specials or “last minute travel” deals.
Do ample research of the expected weather during the time of year you are looking to travel to your destination.
I can not stress this enough. You need to know what the weather looks like during the specific time of the year you are planning on traveling. Try to avoid traveling to places during peak tornado/hurricane/blizzard season. Severe weather will limit what you can do and make for a horrible experience.
For example, if Florida is your destination, it is critical to know tornado season is from January to March while hurricane season is from the beginning of June till the end of November, with September historically being the most active month. In this instance, I would choose to spend my birthday, which is at the beginning of September, elsewhere, as it would likely be ruined by the hurricanes. Be sure to check the specific area you are going to as well. It is common for the northern part of a country or state to have different weather than the southern part.
Call banks to inform them of travel plans.
Call your bank(s) in advance to inform them of your travel plans. Tell them where you will be and the dates you will be there, so they can notate that on your account. This will prevent the embarrassing decline of your card, which is being flagged for fraud while you’re traveling. Deal with the automated systems before you begin your travels.
Lastly, Book directly.
Eliminate the middle man. Although you might see a few extra dollars savings initially, once all the fees get added in, I often see the price come out the same as if I had just booked directly. And unfortunately, when booking through a third party, it becomes more complicated to take advantage of room upgrades upon check-in.
Catch up on what you may have missed.
