6 Common Travel Mistakes & How to Avoid them

The next time you’re traveling and some setback threatens to annoy you, try applying one of these insider travel tips to help make sure you keep moving forward. In this informative blog post, our travel experts share some easy steps to ensure your expeditions remain incident-free, and you’re able to focus on making lifelong memories… (that don’t involve trips to the U.S. Embassy!)

Turn Travel Woes into Wins with these Expert Tips:

1. Expired Passports.

Always check ahead of time to make sure your passport is valid and won’t expire before you return. You’ll also want to confirm the passport requirements of specific countries. For instance, more than two dozen European nations require a valid passport for three months after your return. Israel requires your passport be valid a minimum of six months after your return date of travel. This is what we at Inspiration require as well—just to be on the safe side. Insider tip: When traveling with us, we will advise and remind you of these types of details, but you can always visit the website of the State Department to determine the entry and exit requirements of your destination.

2. Lost Valuables.

You probably know to keep your most valuable items—jewelry, laptops, medications—with you at all times. But sometimes, the flight crew asks you to check your carry-on bag at the last minute. Once the overhead bins start filling up, they need to “gate-check” as many carry-ons as possible. Prepare ahead for this by packing a ‘bag within a bag’ for your medications and valuables, which can be quickly removed and transferred into your purse or smaller, hand-held item. (Remember: this item should be able to fit beneath your seat.) Insider tip: Be sure to leave precious gems or items of sentimental value safe at home. There’s no need to drag along your diamonds, when a cubic zirconia will suffice.

3. Inefficient Credit Cards.

Turn a loss into a win by making sure to use a travel-rewards credit card—especially one that waives international surcharges on transactions outside the United States. A number of these cards also come with travel perks like airline mileage points. (Here’s a great list of travel-rewards cards.) Insider Tip: Remember to call your credit card companies before leaving the country to let them know where you’re going, and the dates you’ll be gone. This will guard against your cards being suspended due to suspicious activity.

4. Unrequested Hotel Upgrades.

These travel perks make our list because they’re often missed out on, which equals a big mistake. Are you traveling in celebration of a special event, like a college graduation, milestone birthday or anniversary? Inform your hotel or resort staff as soon as possible. In many cases, personnel have the authority to grant upgrades or otherwise bring your experience to the next level. Insider Tip: If bringing along a gift or card to give to someone while traveling, be sure to comply with TSA regulations by leaving it unwrapped and unsealed until you arrive.

5. Unnecessary Worry.

It’s normal to have questions or even concerns before embarking on a big trip. However, it’s sad to see people needlessly worry about the isolated incidents they hear about on the news, which very rarely affect travel and tourism. At Inspiration, we design each of our tours with safety in mind. Over and over, our passengers return home safely and share not only how secure they felt while on their journey, but the incredible sense of God’s presence they encountered every step of the way. Insider Tip: Maintain an attitude of trust by praying through Psalm 91 and other Scriptures in the months prior to your trip. This will focus you on the goodness of God and send you off with joyful expectation.

6. Not Traveling Enough.

With more than 30 years experience in getting to know travelers’ wants and needs, we’ve noticed that the more time people spend on the earth, the more of it they wish they had seen. Almost everyone longs to travel more, which is a great reminder for us all to seize the day and see as much of the world as we can, while we can. Have you always wanted to take an Alaskan cruise? Make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land? Then prioritize, don’t procrastinate! If you’re already in retirement years, use that free time to embark on a new experience. Insider Tip: For strategies on how to start saving now, spend some more time on our blog for inspiration and ideas.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these helpful hints that will assist you in sidestepping the most common pitfalls of travel. What about you? What travel complications have you learned to minimize? We’d love to hear your tips!