Business | Investment
The final checklist
Go over each item to make sure nothing is left out before you pick up your suitcases.
- By Cleofe Maceda, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:04 July 10, 2009
Almost everything is set. Your flight, accommodation, itinerary and travel insurance are all in place. So you think you are ready to go? Before you leave, there's another can't-miss checklist.
Cash or card?
Cash lost can no longer be recovered, so it would do you well to keep your paper bills tucked away somewhere safe while travelling. However, using a credit card can mean extra charges and late payment can be disastrous to your wallet.
Steve Gregory of Holborn Assets recommends a payment card that has the Visa symbol. This can be used globally without using credit. "You can only spend what is available in your account.
Banks usually call you after your first transaction in a country, to prove that you are actually there, rather than your card being there without you. Debit cards work in ATMs too, with much lower charges than credit cards," he says.
Also consider using travellers' cheques. They can be easily exchanged and replaced, if you get robbed or when you lose them, says Premjit Bangara, travel manager of Sharaf Travel.
Currency
If, for some reason, you need to bring cash, it is practical to exchange a small portion into the local currency of the country you're travelling to. This will help you meet incidental expenses on arrival, Bangara says.
You can then exchange the rest of your money in a registered exchange when you reach your destination. However, Bangara notes that dollars and euros are the currencies that command the best exchange rates in most parts of the world.
Car insurance
If you opt for a car rental service, "make doubly sure" that the vehicle you are renting is fit for its purpose and is properly insured, advises Gregory.
"Deals can be found on web-based booking with major rental companies. Cheap offers are cheap for a reason. Please don't take risks with car insurance," he says.
Clothes
So you don't spend your money on new summer dresses or sweaters and coats, check the weather of the country you're intending to visit before packing. "Ideally, (you should bring) warm sweaters and gloves with good waterproof footwear for colder climates and cottons with lighter footwear for the warmer ones," Bangara says.
Passport
One of the annoying things that could happen is to have your trip cancelled due to an invalid passport. As a general rule, your passport should be valid for at least six months while you're travelling.
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