These are just a few of our favorite tips to help make international travel easy.
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SPEED UP ENTRY BACK INTO THE USA:
Global Entry and Trusted Traveler numbers can greatly decrease the time you spend in lines at the TSA and USA points of entry. But not everyone wants to pay for that privilege. Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a good alternative which allows U.S. citizens and Canadian passport holders (on B1 or B2 visas) to submit their passport information and customs declaration information via their smartphone or tablet and bypass the regular line to enter the United States. The app doesn’t require pre-approval and is free to use. This can shorten wait times and entry into the USA.
MPC is currently available at 46 sites, including 33 U.S. International Airports, 9 Preclearance locations, and 4 seaports of entry. Download in your phone’s app store and find more information here https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control
CARRY VALUABLES IN HAND LUGGAGE:
All valuables such as cash, binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras, memory cards, computers, tablets, phones and prescription medicines should be packed in your carry on luggage. Do not risk the chance of them being stolen in your checked luggage.
PLACE IDENTIFICATION INSIDE CHECKED LUGGAGE:
In addition to current contact information that should be attached to the outside of your checked luggage, we also suggest placing this information on the inside of your bags as well. Those luggage tags can easily be destroyed on the luggage conveyor belts or by baggage handlers. It is best to secure this information to the inside of the bag so it can easily be found if the bag is opened. You can print out your contact details, have the paper laminated and attach it via zip ties.
COPY IMPORTANT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
It’s always a good idea to make photocopies of important documents such as passports (photo/information page), airline itineraries and other reservations, credit cards (front & back), etc. prior to departing on an international trip. You should keep these copies in a separate location from the original documents. Another idea is to scan these and email to yourself where they could be downloaded wherever you have internet access, or you can also take photos of them and save them on your phone as long as you would have access if needed.
GUN CASE USED AS A SAFE:
When on a hunting trip, whether it be close to home or in a foreign country, use your lockable gun or bow case as a safe for keeping valuables.
CONTACT CREDIT CARD COMPANIES:
Prior to departing on your next international trip, don’t forget to phone your credit card companies to notify them of your travel plans – dates, destinations and even airline routing as you may need your card in a foreign airport along the way. This may help to avoid any frustrating charge denials when trying to make a purchase on your vacation. Some card companies now track your spending habits and it’s not necessary to notify them but better safe than sorry! This is also a good time to ask if your bank charges a foreign transaction fee and/or currency conversion fee for international charges.