Table of Contents

A. General Travel Tips

1. Taking an International Flight3

2. Airport Security3 ~ 4

3. Luggage Identification4 ~ 5

4. Entry/Exit Requirements5

5. Tips for Driving Internationally5 ~ 6

B. Travel Safe

1. Avoid Problems6 ~ 7

2. Protecting Yourself While In A Taxi7 ~ 8

3. Protecting Yourself During A Hotel Fire8 ~ 10

4. Protecting Yourself During Acts of Violence10 ~ 11

5. Surviving a Hostage Situation11 ~ 12

C. Natural Disasters

1. What You Need To Know13

2. Before, During, And After a Hurricane / Tropical Cyclone / Typhoon14

3. Surviving A Tornado15

4. What To Do If Faced With A Flood16

5. Flash Flooding16 ~ 17

6. Once the Storm Has Subsided17 ~ 18

7. What To Do During An Earthquake18 ~ 19

D. Health Tips

1. Eating and Drinking While You Travel – Do It Safely20

2. Traveling With Diarrhea20 ~ 21

E. How to Obtain a VAT Tax Refund 22

Content Disclaimer:

This document is provided by Professional Travel, Inc. (PTI) for information purposes only and does not constitute a legal contract between PTI and any person or entity unless otherwise specified. Information is subject to change without prior notice. Although every reasonable effort is made to present current and accurate information, PTI makes no guarantees of any kind. In no event shall PTI be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of this document.

Health-Related Content Disclaimer:

Health related topics found in this document should not be used for diagnosing purposes or be substituted for medical advice. As with any new or ongoing treatment, always consult your professional healthcare providers. It is the reader’s responsibility to research the accuracy, completeness, and usefulness of all opinions, services, and other information found in this document, and to consult with your professional health care provider as to whether the information can benefit you. PTI assumes no responsibility or liability for any consequence resulting directly or indirectly for any action or inaction you take based on or made in reliance on the information, services, or material on or linked to this document.

A. General Travel Tips

In an effort to make travel a more enjoyable experience, the following are some suggested travel tips:

1. Taking an International Flight

  • Before You Depart - Check to make sure you reservation is correct and that your name is correctly spelled on your ticket. Make sure your name on your ticket matches your name on your passport. Verify whether or not you need a visa to enter the country you are visiting. Make sure your airlines have an emergency contact number for your family or friends.
  • Check to see what your airlines’ rules are for checked baggage and carry on baggage as rules may vary. Some airlines may also place an excess baggage embargo on certain routes and during certain times of the year when travel is the heaviest. You will want to take the time to advise the airlines if you have any special needs, i.e., wheelchair requests, special meals, etc.
  • Plan to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to check-in for your international flight. You are not permitted to use the curbside check-in due to the airlines’ requirements to verify that you have the proper documents to travel to your destinations.
  • Make sure you get up often on long flights to move about the aircraft as this will help promote circulation and help to prevent flight thrombosis. It is also a very good idea to drink lots of water to maintain hydration.
  • Understand all the rules and restrictions regarding your airfare just in case you need to make changes to your flight plans. It is important to reconfirm your flight at least 72 hours prior to flight departure, and make sure you have provided the airlines with your local contact information.
  • Understand under what conditions some airlines will not guarantee a seat on a flight. There are several foreign carriers that will not confirm advance seat assignments on the airplane even with a confirmed ticket.
  • Its very important to make sure you have enough cash to pay the departure taxes when you are leaving a country. Most countries require that you pay in cash and some require this cash to be in local currency.
  • If your flight is forced to make an emergency landing, you will not be allowed to take your personnel belongings off the aircraft. Make sure you take your passport, cash, credit cards and cell phone and put them in your pocket. This will ensure you are able to make calls, leave the customs area, and take care of your needs until you are able to get the rest of your belongings from the aircraft.
  1. Airport Security
  • Shoes and Security - Random shoe checks are being conducted, so consider wearing slip-on shoes when flying.
  • The typical traveler has pockets bulging with metal coins, money clips, keys and key chains, pens, glasses, wireless phones, pagers, etc. Consider placing some of these items in a resealable plastic bag rather than putting everything in the plastic container or placing them inside of your carry-on luggage. This will help expedite your time in security trying to retrieve all your items.
  • “Carry-on baggage” is a single, small piece of luggage you take on board the airplane with you. You are allowed one carry-on in addition to one personal item such as a laptop computer, purse, small backpack, briefcase, or camera case.
  • Do not put undeveloped film or cameras containing film in your checked luggage. Hand carry these items because you can request hand inspection to prevent damage. Wait to wrap your gifts. You may be asked to unwrap any item so it can be inspected. This applies to items in both carry-on and checked baggage.
  • Don’t over pack. Most carriers have changed their weight regulations regarding checked baggage on commercial flights. Ask your travel consultant to ensure you have the most current information.
  • Any piece over the free baggage allowance or baggage that exceeds the size and weight limitations will be subject to additional charges. Excess baggage is transported on a space available basis and will only be carried subject to load capacities of the aircraft. The airlines measure a bag by adding together the height + width + length (these dimensions are added together to compute the total number of linear inches of a bag).
  • The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) suggests that you either leave your checked bags unlocked or use a TSA approved lock. In some cases during the screening process the inspectors will need to open your bags and the locks will have to be broken. The TSA is not liable for damage caused to locked bags that must be opened for security purposes. If your bag has been opened by the TSA, they will lock the bag with a tamper evident seal and place a notice in your bag alerting you to the fact that the TSA screeners opened your bag for inspection. You may want to consider purchasing cable ties. These generally work best since they are the easiest to remove at your destination and can be used to close almost every type of bag with zippers. If the TSA needs to inspect your bag, the screeners will cut off the seal and replace it with another seal. This will allow you to secure your personal items from baggage handlers or other airport personnel.
  1. Luggage Identification
  • Always put your name and address on the outside of all baggage, both checked and carry-on. Consider using your office address and phone number rather than your home information. We also recommend placing your name and address on the inside of each bag as well. Also be sure to remove all previous old destination tags from your luggage before you check them.
  • Luggage hooks and straps also need to be removed before checking. They can easily be caught in the baggage handling machinery which can cause extensive damage.
  • When checking in luggage, allow sufficient time for it to be placed on your flight. Baggage checked less than 30 minutes before your scheduled departure at curbside or at the ticket counter could be tagged with a “late check-in tag”. Although every effort will be made to get late checked baggage on your flight, in the event your baggage does not arrive at your destination, most carriers will not assume delivery charges to get your baggage to you.
  • When you’ve checked your luggage, make sure you receive separate claim checks and make sure that the city shown on the claim checks matches your final destination.
  • Never pack anything considered a hazardous material. Seemingly harmless materials can be dangerous on board an aircraft. Leave at home any flammable liquids, household items that contain chemicals, matches or lighters, and other flammable or potentially toxic materials. Variations in temperature and pressure can cause such goods to leak or ignite. Consult the “Prohibited Items to Check or Carry-on List” with any commercial carrier.
  • If your luggage is damaged or does not arrive as scheduled, notify the arriving carrier immediately. Claims must be filed, in person, within four (4) hours of your flight arrival.
  1. Entry/Exit Requirements

Following are some important customs requirements and other information to help while you are traveling. Just because you are stopped by customs does not mean you have done anything wrong, so do not over react or panic. Customs agents do look for and search certain prototypes of possible lawbreakers, but agents also select travelers at random for customs searches. Agents do enforce hundreds of laws for other government agencies dealing with narcotics, plant and animal trade rules, import/export regulations, taxes, and prohibited and restricted items.

  • Make sure you are aware of all import and export restrictions before you appear in front of the customs agent. For example, some countries have limits on the amount of cold medicine you are able to bring into the country because it will exceed personal use. In some Islamic countries, sexually explicit materials are prohibited and what constitutes “explicit” varies from one customs agent to another.
  • Other than prohibited items, the biggest entry/exit issues most travelers face are import/export duties and other taxes, many of which may come as a complete surprise.

US customs officers may demand to see proof of purchases you made prior to departure from the US, especially for expensive items like laptop computers, cameras, necklaces, etc. They could require you to pay to get the items back into the country if they suspect you may have purchased them on your trip. To prevent these types of problems, you can register these types of items before you leave home.

  • When you return to the US, you will be asked to fill out a custom’s declaration form on which you should list all major items purchased or obtained during your trip. This includes any gifts or other items even if you did not have to pay for them. The first $800.00 in purchases are exempt from duty along with a certain number of bottles of alcoholic beverages. You will, however, be required to pay duties on items that exceed the duty-free limits.
  • Complete information is available in the Government information packet entitled “Know Before You Go”.

5. Tips for Driving Internationally

Determine the minimum and maximum driving age for your specific country. Confirm that you are allowed to drive the car you rented to your intended destination. Consider obtaining additional insurance, especially liability coverage, if the car rental company’s coverage is minimal.

  • Driving internationally can be somewhat of a challenge due to driving on the opposite side of the road, sitting on the opposite side in the car, and all road signs being in a foreign language. Additionally, your driver’s license may not be recognized in other countries.
  • Know what route to take. Get a good road map. Many accidents in developing countries involve pedestrians, motorcycles, bicycles, and occupants of vehicles other than cars.
  • Beware of roads that are closed. In some areas, roads are closed during certain seasons of the year.
  • Make sure you check your car insurance or your insurance carrier at work to ensure you are covered when you are driving out of the country. In some cases, your coverage will not meet the minimum requirements of the country to which you are traveling and where you are planning to drive. Consider obtaining auto insurance coverage that is at least equivalent to the insurance you carry for your own vehicle, especially for liability coverage.
  • The international driver’s permit (IDP) is not a driver’s license. Its only intent is to provide a supplement to your national or state driver’s license by providing the information in 11 languages. There are about 150 countries that recognize the IDP in accordance with the United Nation’s Conventions on Road Safety. Keep in mind that not all countries require you to have an international driver’s permit to rent or drive a car, but it is recommended that you carry both your local drivers license and the IDP at all times.

B. Don’t Be A Victim Of Theft While Traveling

Thieves look to attack travelers because they usually travel with large amounts of cash, jewelry, cameras and laptops. It is even easier for the thief if you appear to be lost, confused, or overtired and in an unfamiliar setting.

1. Avoid Problems

  • Do not carry large sums of cash. Use travelers’ checks or credit cards.
  • Avoid carrying an oversized handbag. In a crowded area, this makes it all the likelier you may become the victim of a pickpocket.
  • If you carry a wallet, place a rubber band around it as this helps create friction making it harder for a pickpocket to prey on you. Or you can use a wallet chain which attaches to a belt loop securing your wallet.
  • While carrying a purse keep it close. Even place the strap over your shoulder, keeping it in front of you with your hand on it.
  • Deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money, buy airline tickets or make purchases. Keep copies of your receipts to ensure the correct charges are made to your credit cards.
  • Always keep your credit card in sight during purchases. Do not allow the clerk to leave with your card. This will help to ensure the numbers are not written down and the card is returned to you.
  • Keep copies of receipts for all purchases. In the signature box, write the amount of the purchase or charge in your own handwriting. This will help prevent over billing on your credit card.
  • Always take all carbons with you and destroy them at a later time. This will also help prevent your credit card number from being used at a later time. Carbons are still being used in many foreign countries.
  • A common ploy is to distract you by bumping into you, dropping items, or spilling things on you when you are paying and your wallet is out of your pocket or purse. Some may even go as far as to ask you to hold their child or infant. Do not be distracted by this ploy.
  • Do not become lost or isolated in an unfamiliar area, especially after dark.
  • Leave your spare cash, jewelry, passport, tickets and personal papers in the hotel safe or in a locked suitcase out of view in the hotel.
  • Do not leave your briefcase, laptops or purse in plain view. Put them in a locked trunk prior to your arrival at the location.
  • Report lost or stolen possessions immediately to the local police.
  • Keep copies of the police report for future insurance claims and as explanation of your loss.
  • In case of a loss or theft, call your credit card companies and/or travelers’ check issuing company immediately. If your airline tickets are missing, contact Professional Travel or the airline directly. If your passport is missing, contact the nearest Consulate or US Embassy.
  • Keep the door locked at all times in your hotel room. Consider carrying portable doorstops, but always keep the chain locked and use any deadbolts or privacy latches that are available.
  • When you are asleep or out of the room, do not leave your valuables out in the open. Put your laptop, watches, phones, wallets, purses, cameras, etc. in the bureau drawers, in a suitcase or in the hotel room safe.
  • Keep a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your outside door at all times. This will give the impression that someone is in the room. If you place the “Maid Service” sign on the door, it gives the impression that the room is now empty. Call housekeeping when you are in the room and ready to have it cleaned and remain in the room while they clean.
  • When you are out of the room, try leaving the radio or television and lights on. This also provides the illusion that someone is inside.
  • Carry your key with you instead of leaving it at the front desk. If possible, remove any hotel identification tags or pockets displaying the hotel name and room number from the key just in case you lose it.
  • When returning to your room, do not unlock the door if a stranger is standing nearby; keep walking and return when the hall is clear. Do not enter if the door is ajar or not locked. Call the front desk and ask to have the hotel security or front desk personnel assist you.
  • Do not open your door to anyone unless the person is expected or known to you. If you question the authenticity of any hotel employee, call the front desk and ask them if they are a service employee before letting them into your room.

2. Protecting Yourself While In a Taxi