Day 16 of the 60-day blog challengeDon't get me wrong. I only had gone to two tourist destinations abroad. I haven't been to more than ten destinations here in he country. I'm no expert but because of the nature of my work, I'm quite accustomed with all the what-to-know-when-traveling tips that will totally save you from inconvenience and delays.
With that, here's the what-about travel tips for the first time passengers, travel junkie, and frequent travelers.
- Know your necessary travel documents.
Be a smart pax. Know what documents you have to have when traveling abroad. Do not throw all the responsibility in the airline. You should be responsible and knowledgeable because it's for your own cause. Know if your destination needs visa or transit visa. If you're spouse is a holder of a resident card abroad, you still need a visa to get there. One time we had a passenger who doesn't hold any visa because she said her husband is a resident of Barcelona. She just showed their marriage certificate. Unfortunately she was refused. For visas, know its type and which one should you have. Transit visa, entry visa, working visa, etc. Some countries like Israel require an entry visa and a working visa for OFW's. While some country like Peru, requires none but official passport. For reliable information, google is the best teacher.
- Know your document's validity.
Almost everyday we encounter passengers who do not read their visa. If you have one, check the 'valid from' and 'valid until' date. Many got refused because they show up in the airport with their packed bags albeit their visa is not yet valid. Important note: you can only use your visa on the day that it is valid until it will be. Another tip, if you've booked a trip with your travel agency, make sure the period of your journey fits the allowable number of days in your visa. If your maximum stay is for 30 days, make sure you go back before the 30th day of your vacation because if not, you have to rebook your flight on the day of your departure and will have to pay for that. Also, you have to know if your visa is valid for 1-2-entries or multiple entries because if not, you can't use it anymore.
- Know your baggage allowance.
Please, please, please. After confirming your reservation, be smart enough to ask questions like for example, your baggage allowance. Everyday, I repeat, as in everyday, the line in the baggage counter gets congested because of passengers with excess baggage. Save yourself from the hassle of repacking or paying for heavy fee by simply asking the airline your baggage allowance. Some destinations are in weight concept while others are in piece concept. If your baggage allowance only allows you 30 kilograms, make it 30 or less than but not more than. For piece concept, you are only allowed 23 kgs for that and any excess weight or extra luggage will be charged for heavy fee and extra piece fee. I don't know how much it would cost you in other airlines but in us, it's 100 USD for heavy fee. Imagine how much money you can save for shopping and pasalubong rather than paying for your oversize or overweight luggage. Also, ask information regarding your carry-on luggage. Some airlines allow 7, 10, or 12 kgs. What's important is it must fit on your overhead compartment or underneath your seat. Also, keep your liquid items like perfume, shampoo, and other toiletries in a zip lock and put it in your check-in luggage, not in your hand carry bags. As one passenger told me, "We don't need everything so why bring many?" Bring only what you really need.
The other day, a passenger was asking for help because she lacks money to pay for the airport tax. What if you're very hungry and the flight was delayed? What if you have to pay for some taxes? You can't just say that you have no money because if you tell it to the immigration officers, they'll show no mercy and you might be offloaded. Save yourself travelers. For Philippine passport holders and even for resident card holders abroad, you need to pay for travel tax if your ticket is issued abroad. For the airport tax, everyone has to pay for the terminal fee. Always bring extra cash with you. All.the.time.
- Keep company outside the airport
It's best to ask your relatives to stay outside the airport until you reach the gate holding area of your airline or better until the flight departs. You just don't know that you need someone around not until in cases like you have to hand over to them your excess items that you need to pull out, or if you need some cash to pay for taxes or to buy food or worst if the flight is canceled. People is better than no people at all.
Make use of your airlines' mileage programs. It can do wonders in your future trips like upgrades or you can even use it in lieu of paying excess bags or other stuff. The longer you've been traveling with the airline of your preference, the bigger mileage points you'll earn. For example, we had passengers, sea farers to be exact, who were upgraded to business class because of their heightened miles. That's like a good steal right? Ask for your airlines' mileage program and enroll yourself in it.
So that's a wrap for my travel tips. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you are prepared for everything before your departure date. Research and inquire. These two words are your best friend for a hassle-free flight. I hope this helps somehow. Bon voyage!
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