Running List of Things All Travelers Should Know
The friendly skies aren’t always very friendly.
As a travel professional, there are so many things I wish travelers were more aware of. Here are just a few of them!
Airlines
It is normal for airlines to change the time of your flight after booking, sometimes multiple times.
It is normal for airlines to charge for seat assignments, even business class seat assignments.
It is normal for airlines to move your seats around, even after you’ve booked.
If you miss your outbound flight, your return flight is usually canceled too. No, they don’t hold it for you
Airlines owe you nothing for delays due to weather, even if it ruins your entire trip. That’s where insurance might help—but not always.
Please book a minimum 2 hour transfer time when booking connecting flights. I prefer 2.5 hours myself.
Booking a Basic Economy fare? You may not be allowed a carry-on. You also probably can’t select seats or make changes—at all. Buyer beware!
Your bag can be lost or delayed even on a direct flight. Always carry essentials (meds, one change of clothes, chargers) in your carry-on.
Put Air Tags in all your checked bags.
Passports
Your passport must match your airline ticket exactly. Middle names, extra hyphens, misspellings—any discrepancy can mean denied boarding.
Airlines will not let you board if you have less than six months left on your passport.
Many countries require two to four blank pages in your passport—not just valid passport dates.
If you are transiting in the UK, even if you are not staying in the UK, you should apply for the UK entry visa. This way, if your flight is delayed or something happens, you can leave the airport. There are no hotels airside in London Heathrow so without a UK ETA, if your flight is changed or cancelled and you get stuck in London for the night, you will be sleeping on the floor of the airport.
Hotels
Hotel check-in time is check-in time. (Generally 3 pm or 4 pm.) If you arrive to your destination at 9 am, do not be surprised if you cannot check in to your hotel room. If you want to go straight to bed, please book your hotel for the night before. (I can help with this.)
Hotel rooms in Europe are small. Always check the square footage. Don’t book rooms smaller than 20 sqm if you are two or more people.
Not all hotels in Europe have air conditioning. It is important to check this. Also, many hotels have set dates for turning on the air conditioning and turning off the heat. I know this seems odd to Americans but this is how European hotels work.
Insurance
If you have pre-existing conditions, insurance generally needs to be purchased within 14 days of the first payment towards your trip to get coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Credit card travel protections are not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance. Read the fine print (and then re-read it). Most credit card travel protection does not include medical coverage.
“Cancel For Any Reason” coverage doesn’t mean full reimbursement—it's usually up to 75% .
If you say no to travel insurance, when something goes wrong, the airline/hotel will not “just refund you.” Make sure you carefully review all cancellation policies.
Money & Payments
Not all credit cards waive foreign transaction fees. Check before you go.
You’ll get a better exchange rate at an ATM than at a currency exchange kiosk or a cash machine run by a currency exchange company.
Beware of “Dynamic Currency Conversion” (aka the scam where you’re charged in USD at a much worse rate). Always pay in local currency!
Many small businesses, especially in Europe and Asia, are cash-only—or add a surcharge for credit cards.
Many luxury hotels in Europe place large holds on your credit card at check-in. This can tie up thousands of dollars of your credit limit.
Got any other tips? Let me know!
