Tips for Securing your Home Before Travel

Posted on Sunday, January 31, 2010

As you get ready to travel?

Here are some tips to give you peace of mind while you are away and make sure you do not make your house as a target of opportunity. These are some simple precautions from the experts.

• Be mindful of who is around when you are discussing your trip - there is no need to let too many people know or draw attention to the fact your house might be empty for a period.
• The best deterrent is to have someone housesit. If that is not possible, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to take in the newspaper, mail, and any other deliveries and keep an eye on the house. Give them your trip plans and an emergency phone number so they can reach you in case of an emergency. You can also arrange with the post office and newspaper to suspend delivery for the time you are away.
• Lock doors, windows and secure sliding doors (a metal rod or a broomstick in the sliding door track is an inexpensive lock), as well as the garage, the basement, and the attic. Some people even disconnect the power to motorized garage door openers.
• Move any valuables from plain sight.
• Check on your appliances, unplug anything that doesn't need to be on while you're away. Lower air conditioning/heating units to energy-saving levels.
• Set timers to turn on lights if you do not have someone staying at the house.

Travel Tips

Posted on Friday, December 04, 2009

General Travel Tips

• Make sure your passport does not expire within six months of your date of travel. Some countries insist that your passport be valid for at least a six-month time period.
• Place an envelope in one of your checked bags containing copies of your passport, birth certificate and a back up form of photo I.D. in case your passport is lost or stolen.
• Place a copy of the detailed itinerary of your trip inside each piece of luggage. If your luggage is lost, this will help the airline locate you while you're traveling.
• If you are on Medicare and traveling outside the United States, be aware that Medicare does not cover any of your medical bills abroad. It's a good idea to get a travel protection policy that will cover these costs.
• Plan at least a day or two after your return home before scheduling any commitments; you may be tired after your journey.

Don't Forget

• Stow away some antibacterial wipes-they're a convenient way to clean up on the go.
• Bring a voltage converter with you, along with an adapter (to fit electrical plugs into foreign outlets). Note that some adapter kits don't include converters.
• Pack an extra pair of prescription glasses or contacts in case they are lost or broken.
• Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are a must. Never pack new shoes.
• Wrap a long strip of duct tape around a pencil and bring it along for the ride. Duct tape is the magic fix for everything from torn suitcases to a broken sandal strap.

Click here for over 50 posts with helpful travel tips and advice.

Travel Advice: Read the Fine Print!

Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009

I just read an article on CNN written by Christopher Elliott regarding a family that has asked for help in waiving an airline/consolidator penalty of $535 each ($2,675 total for 5).

The story had a nice ending, as Mr. Elliott was able to get the client a full refund, but not all stories end this way, and clients lose thousands of dollars for not asking the right questions prior to making a reservation.

Be aware of penalties! At Atlas, when we book reservations for our clients, not only do we provide them with a confirmation, but also the Terms and Conditions for each supplier, as cancellation penalties vary for each company. At times, there are 3 to 5 pages of "conditions" for the client to read over, but all of this is done prior to booking the reservation, so you have no surprises down the road.

Furthermore as the article mentions, if there is any chance you may have to cancel your trip, a consolidator is not the way to go when booking airline tickets, as their penalties are usually higher than booking with the airline or suppliers directly.

Final thoughts...no one can anticipate or predict the future. Be prepared and have piece of mind, by purchasing travel insurance for every trip! Suppliers such as Travel Guard & Access America offer add-ons to several of their plans that allow you to cancel for work reasons or even cancel for any reason, and receive up to 75% of your penalties back. Many cruise lines and tour operators offer their own version of cancel for any reason policies, but in some cases rather than money, you receive vouchers for future travel.

It can all be a bit confusing, so make sure to consult a travel professional to help you select the best coverage to protect your investment.

Click here to read the article published on CNN.

For more information on the pros & cons of booking airfare separately from a vacation, click here.

Travel Tips: Packing

Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Common question asked by clients:

How can they possibly travel for a length of time with just one suitcase not to exceed 50 lbs & one carry-on?

Answer:

You would be surprised how many things can be packed and not exceed 50 lbs. There are some wonderful no wrinkle, light weight fabrics for traveling and you don't need a pair of shoes for each outfit. When staying in the same hotel for more than 1 night, you can take advantage of the laundry facilities they have to offer.

Make a list before packing and make sure to mix and match outfits. Always pack tightly. Scarf or jewelry can change the look or a blouse. Packing loosely will waste space and cause clothes to wrinkle from moving around. Use all the space you have available to you, such as putting socks & under garments inside of shoes.

You can get a great packing list from Frommers.

Keep in mind that the airlines are changing their restrictions and charges often these days. Make sure and go to their web site or call a couple of weeks before travel to get the latest information.

What day does my tour start ?

Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Just thought of another confusing question among clients. What day does the tour begin?

Day 1 with the budget and first class tours is "always" the overnight flight to Europe, arriving on Day 2 - this means Day 2 is your first hotel night.

Day 1 with the Deluxe & Luxury Tours is the day you arrive in Europe to start your tour.

With US and Canada tours, day 1 is the day your tour begins.

With other exotic destinations such as South America, Asia and Australia, please check with you agent, as there could be as many as 1 to 2 days for the flight over.