Here is my “never list” for traveling.
- Never book air with any entity that will not assume responsibility for getting you home in the event of an “event.”
- Never purchase a travel insurance policy that provides less than $500,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.
- Never assume that a hotel booking site is truly the actual hotel or can legitimately represent the hotel. Fake hotel sites number in the thousands and remain largely unchallenged by law enforcement.
- Never offer your credit card details and personal information to anyone at toll-free number or an unverified company website (look for “https” and the “lock” on the left side of the URL that indicates the site is secure, though that alone doesn’t guarantee legitimacy, security and authenticity).
- Never use public WiFi in an airport or elsewhere without activating a VPN. It is an invitation to steal your information and your identity.
- Never attempt to save money on an airport transfer.
- Never book an airline ticket with a third-party vendor online. They operate out of cubicles, often in countries abroad where it is difficult to resolve conflicts to a consumer’s satisfaction, and you will frequently find the task impossible if you need to make changes or request a refund. Not all online seller-issued tickets will be accepted by other airlines, so if your flight is canceled, they cannot put you on another carrier. Book exclusively with the airlines directly or with a certified air expert in the U.S. who provides world-class flight-monitoring services.
- Never travel abroad wearing hats, shorts or jackets that feature names or logos of teams or companies that would easily identify you as an American tourist. Also never wear camouflage clothing. Assume that your country of residency is no one’s business unless you choose to tell them. And as a corollary, never reject the concept of just “blending in” when traveling abroad.
- Never forget that all hotel, tour, cruise and travel package pricing includes a travel advisor commission. You are always paying this commission even when you do not use a travel agent.
- Never travel without making sure that you have baggage tags that show exactly where you will be during the first several nights of your stay and the number where you can be reached. Keep a business card or tag inside of the baggage in case the one on the outside falls off.
- Never check luggage unless you have photographed its contents on your phone as well as the exterior of the luggage.
- Never sit down in your aircraft seat without first using bacterial wipes on the seatbelts, tray tables, armrests and the back and side of your seat near the head.
- Never travel without a photo of your driver’s license and passport (if traveling internationally) on your phone. Also have a paper copy with you and leave a copy at home with an emergency contact in case you also lose your phone.
- Never travel without at least one change of clothing in your carry-on.
