- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Gadgets, tips, tricks, services, or anything that can help fellow travelers
Posted on 1/30/17 at 9:43 pm
Posted on 1/30/17 at 9:43 pm
Mine will be mostly for foreign travel since that is where I am focused for the last couple of years:
- never check a bag if you can avoid it
- in addition to photo copies of your passport take a picture of your IDs, medical cards, and the back of credit cards (for phone numbers) with your phone
- in queues always go to the line opposite the side of the street you drive on (ie in America always go left)
- always have a pen. helps with paperwork but also allows you to write what is on your mind
- buy a travel steamer... they are cheap and make you look much better than hanging your clothes while in the shower
- Travel with a backpack, I used it on flights and when touring around.
- Pack some clothes and toiletries and in your carry on (assuming you are checking a bag too) in case your luggage doesn't make it, or you can buy them if it happens your call on this.
- Take about $100 of local currency with you because sometimes you have to pay Visa fees to get in.
- Use ATMs overseas when you need currency, they offer the best exchange rates.
- Let your debit and credit card company know when and were you will be going (including layovers.)
- Check the voltage where you are going, laptops are mostly universal but will still need an adapter. This site will help LINK
- Take a converter if you are going to a 220V country, I have used this one and it works great LINK, but I wish I had more plugins I am trying this one out on my trip to Iceland LINK.
- Get TSA Pre-Check if you don't travel overseas LINK
- Get Global Entry if you do travel overseas, it's only $15 more than pre-check and it includes Pre-Check, you never know so I would opt for this. LINK
I know I will think of more, but I am sure the people that add things will be more helpful than the little I have said.
- never check a bag if you can avoid it
- in addition to photo copies of your passport take a picture of your IDs, medical cards, and the back of credit cards (for phone numbers) with your phone
- in queues always go to the line opposite the side of the street you drive on (ie in America always go left)
- always have a pen. helps with paperwork but also allows you to write what is on your mind
- buy a travel steamer... they are cheap and make you look much better than hanging your clothes while in the shower
- Travel with a backpack, I used it on flights and when touring around.
- Pack some clothes and toiletries and in your carry on (assuming you are checking a bag too) in case your luggage doesn't make it, or you can buy them if it happens your call on this.
- Take about $100 of local currency with you because sometimes you have to pay Visa fees to get in.
- Use ATMs overseas when you need currency, they offer the best exchange rates.
- Let your debit and credit card company know when and were you will be going (including layovers.)
- Check the voltage where you are going, laptops are mostly universal but will still need an adapter. This site will help LINK
- Take a converter if you are going to a 220V country, I have used this one and it works great LINK, but I wish I had more plugins I am trying this one out on my trip to Iceland LINK.
- Get TSA Pre-Check if you don't travel overseas LINK
- Get Global Entry if you do travel overseas, it's only $15 more than pre-check and it includes Pre-Check, you never know so I would opt for this. LINK
I know I will think of more, but I am sure the people that add things will be more helpful than the little I have said.
This post was edited on 2/15/17 at 11:21 pm
9
Posted on 1/30/17 at 10:11 pm to DoUrden
quote:Get foreign currency BEFORE you leave from your US bank. You have to order it several days ahead of time and pick it up at your bank.
Use ATMs overseas when you need currency, they offer the best exchange rates.
If you need extra currency when you are in a foreign country, make sure the US bank that issued your card does not charge an additional foreign exchange fee. All Capital One foreign ATM transactions do not have this charge on them. There is only a charge from the local ATM for the transaction because it's out of network.
quote:For a tiny bit more get Global Entry, it includes Pre-Check US Customs Link
Get TSA Pre-Check
Posted on 1/30/17 at 10:16 pm to soccerfüt
Good call, I got screwed from BofA on my Thai currency, but it's nice to have when you land for a taxi and such, DO research on where you are going though, in Iceland even taxi drivers take credit cards, on guy spent two weeks there and never exchanged currency, but this is contingent on staying in cites vs venturing out.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 2:44 am to DoUrden
Exp deals hotels app
Shows unlisted rates
Shows unlisted rates
Posted on 1/31/17 at 5:06 am to Coater
quote:
Exp deals hotels app
What this is?
Posted on 1/31/17 at 5:50 am to Panny Crickets
If you have a Visa Signature or Visa Infinite card you can book through their hotel program and get things like free room upgrades.
However you won't be staying at cheap hotels so if you're traveling on a budget this may not work for you.
However you won't be staying at cheap hotels so if you're traveling on a budget this may not work for you.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 6:45 am to DoUrden
Pack some clothes and toiletries and in your carry on (assuming you are checking a bag too) in case your luggage doesn't make it.
Make photocopies of your passport, put one in your checked bag and keep the other on you at all times. This way you can leave your actual passport in a safe at the room.
Make photocopies of your passport, put one in your checked bag and keep the other on you at all times. This way you can leave your actual passport in a safe at the room.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 7:14 am to VABuckeye
quote:
If you have a Visa Signature or Visa Infinite card you can book through their hotel program and get things like free room upgrades.
Thanks, may need to look into that.
I use the plat Amex for similar; however, similar issue in that its a finite number of hotels and cities. Though, the perks are pretty great:
4p check out
early check in
$100 hotel credit (usually bar/food/spa)
Free breakfast
Upgrades (which we seem to always get...pretty crazy)
Resort destinations offer things like 4th night free
A few other things I may be forgetting.
Well worth the annual fee ($400 or so?).
Posted on 1/31/17 at 2:23 pm to soccerfüt
Just applied for global entry, how long does it usually take? They say to check the site every few days.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 5:05 pm to DoUrden
I had my number when I left. The card took another week or two.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 5:16 pm to VABuckeye
I applied online.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 5:50 pm to DoUrden
You still have to do the interview then.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 6:14 pm to VABuckeye
When I applied it said the interview would be needed if there were any "flags", sounding like it's pretty much required, and I am fricked there,there wasn't any place in OK listed. I will have to drive a few hours just to get to an interview location. 
This post was edited on 1/31/17 at 6:15 pm
Posted on 1/31/17 at 6:40 pm to DoUrden
I will add this at the very top of the sticky....kick arse idea sir.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 7:44 pm to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
I will consolidate in main post when we get more stuff.
This post was edited on 1/31/17 at 8:23 pm
Posted on 1/31/17 at 8:16 pm to DoUrden
Surprised no one has mentioned a portable charging port. I know my phone because I was using it for GPS, reservations, pictures, tickets, etc it was dying quick. I had two which saved me since we were usually put 8am to 10pm every single day. Then I would just charge everything at night for the next day.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 9:26 pm to DoUrden
--don't bother packing simple toiletries, it's easier just to buy stuff on the other end.
--stop dragging half of your house along....checking bags sux. Fit everything you need for two weeks into a 19" carry on, practically every place has either laundromats or affordable laundry services.
--stop dragging half of your house along....checking bags sux. Fit everything you need for two weeks into a 19" carry on, practically every place has either laundromats or affordable laundry services.
Posted on 2/15/17 at 9:21 pm to hungryone
Got my TSA Pre-Check and got conditionally approved for Global Entry. The first Global Entry interview appointment I could get is in June and the closest office is three hours away in Kansas City.
I applied for Pre-Check before I knew about Global entry that's why I applied for both.
I applied for Pre-Check before I knew about Global entry that's why I applied for both.
Posted on 2/15/17 at 10:03 pm to DoUrden
Download maps to your phone before you get there so you don't have to rely on international data or Wi-Fi.
Bring your old-school GPS (like your Garmin from 2008) with updated maps in case you don't have a rental with GPS (though most in Europe do).
Bring your old-school GPS (like your Garmin from 2008) with updated maps in case you don't have a rental with GPS (though most in Europe do).
This post was edited on 2/15/17 at 10:27 pm
Posted on 2/15/17 at 10:19 pm to soccerfüt
quote:
Get foreign currency BEFORE you leave from your US bank.
Depends on where you are going I suppose, but I have never needed foreign currency upon landing in Europe. Every place at an international airport takes CC and AtMs are plentiful.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News