Travel Insurance - Do you need it?

When you Need Travel Insurance

• When your Travel arrangements must be being paid for months in advance. If your airline, tour operator or cruise line should default your insurance company will reimburse you for your lost funds so you can rebook or assist you to get back home if you are stranded abroad. You cannot allways count on your credit card for that coverage.

• To protect in case of a major illness or accident which prevents you from travelling, forces you to curtail your trip or requires emergency evacuation to get you to a hospital.

• To protect you in case a loved one suddenly has a heart attack or is rushed to the hospital for some other emergency requiring the cancellation of your trip, or an immediate return from your your destination.

• To assist you in case a major storm or accident prevents you from reaching the airport in time for your flight.

• To help you when a delayed flight results in a lost day at your hotel or the inability to reach a port in time for your cruise.

• To assist should you be robbed or loose their wallet and passport while travelling abroad. A quick call to the insurance company will result in assistance with cancellation of credit cards, cash advances and help with getting your passport replaced.

• Travel insurance also covers repatriation of remains.

When you Might Wish to Skip Insurance
• If you are using frequent flyer miles or staying at a hotel that that will refund your money.

• If you know you can cancel your trip without losing the money you invested.

• Your credit card may offer some travel insurance, so check with your issuer. Companies such as Amex and Visa offer some protection to their customers, but it varies with the type of card you have. Be sure to read the fine print. Credit Cards do not offer the same protection that a travel insurance policy offers and it is sometimes extremely difficult to file a claim with them. http://travelharmony.com/travel_insurance.html

Holiday Travel Tips

Heading out of town for the Holidays? The Number one point to remember is to plan ahead and be prepared.

1-Get to the airport early - minimum 3 hours before international flights and 2 for domestic.
2-Parking will be scarse this time of year and you need to allow a lot more time for finding a space. Better idea: take a taxi, airport shuttle, metro or ask a friend to drive you. If you live far from airport and have an early morning flight, stay at an airport motel the night before and leave the car there. Their van will shuttle you to and from the terminal.
3-Do not throw your loose change and small items from your pocket into the airport tray. Too easy to forget in the rush of security. Have a small plastic bag inside your carryon or purse, and put everything in there. Same goes for your wallet and boarding pass.
4-Check your airline's website for dimensions and weight of bags. Flights are crowded at this time of year and lots of bags are pulled at the gate.
5-If you like to read on overnight flights, get a small reading light that attaches to your book. It's hard to put on the overhead light when others around you are trying to sleep.
6-Never pack your money, passport, credit cards, medicine, trip insurance policy or important contact information in your checked bags. Keep these and a spare set of underwear in your carryon.
7-Remember, Things Happen! If a problem arises with your flight or missing luggage, ask to speak with a supervisor and try to remain calm when speaking with the airline personnel.

Have a Good Time and Happy Holidays!

Oprah Visits Australia

See the Aussies reaction and what Oprah has to say about the Land Downunder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC1ToCeSnNo

Holiday Time

While everyone is busy preparing for the holidays, I am busy getting last minute travelers off to their destinations, searching for warm weather vacations for those who want to get away in January or February, and helping young couples plan the upcoming honeymoons.  Its fun and its what I love doing.

How is your season going?