Things to do before going overseas

cpho on 26/11/2013 - 14:25

Hi guys,
Just making a list of things to do before I go holidays in Jan. Not like "pack your clothes" but more along the lines of things that might slip your mind like telling your banks. This is that period of time after buying plane tickets, and the day you hop onto the plane.

Was wondering if some of you guys could see if I've missed anything, and might be helpful for other people going away as well.

  • Check your passport's not expired
  • Bring extra prints of your passport photo if you're travelling between countries and need to get a visa
  • Buy travel insurance (if it's not covered by your CC)
  • Load money onto Citibank card
  • Tell your banks you're going away
  • Register at smartraveller.gov.au
  • Turn off your appliances (especially computers) at the power point
  • Check your fridge for perishable foods like leftovers (Forgot this once. Smelt baaddddd!)

What else have you guys got?

Travel

Comments

  • wicklow on 26/11/2013 - 14:45
    +9

    I like to scan documents for my whole family (e.g. passport) and store in dropbox/gmail/similar, and email copies to my next of kin (who I'm not travelling with). I also give them my itinerary and house keys.

    Check phone is not network locked (if planning on getting an overseas SIM) and/or global roaming enabled.

    Download apps if they exist for places you'll be visiting (e.g. "Visit Singapore" etc)

    Vaccinations if applicable.

    Bit random and maybe not applicable, but I leave a signed letter with a copy of my license for my next of kin to give them permission to pick up my mail (e.g. packages).

    Cancel/suspend any services at home like cleaning.

  • geek001 on 26/11/2013 - 14:46
    +9

    I usually bring a 4 point powerboard with me for all my device chargers and just bring one multi adapter. Useful if you live in a hotel while travelling, which has limited power points for you to plug in chargers.

    Other things I bring along for my trip:
    My trusty portable luggage scales,
    Headphone to airplane adapter so I can use my own earphones on the plane.
    An empty water bottle, so that I can fill it up from the water cooler once I am inside the terminal.
    Inflatable neck pillow

    • Eivad on 26/11/2013 - 15:23
      +1

      My trusty portable luggage scales,
      Headphone to airplane adapter so I can use my own earphones on the plane.
      An empty water bottle, so that I can fill it up from the water cooler once I am inside the terminal.
      Inflatable neck pillow

      +1 to all of these great suggestions!

      If you're going to multiple places, I would also recommend finding a cheap route between the airport and the place you are staying before you depart for your trip. You don't know when you'll be caught out for a couple of days without wifi.

  • Almost Banned on 26/11/2013 - 15:19

    Make a will? :-p

  • 11112007 on 26/11/2013 - 16:21

    Forgot the most important thing to do?

    Get immunised if you need to….

  • jinroh on 26/11/2013 - 17:41

    I have this kind of 'ritual' before leaving to the airport, I have to visually see in the docs bag that everyone's passport is there, usually right before I jump in the car/taxi to the airport.

    Also tops of my list: research on internet access availability in the destination. (eg. Is it common for free wifi throughout the hotel, or free wifi in starbucks, or how much is the local prepaid sim card + data plan, etc).

    Also, I always keep 2 separate wallets. On the plane, I just move my Driving License and 2 credit/debit cards (1 for backup) into the 'overseas wallet'. Then I put my everyday wallet in a small travelling bag along with other important docs. After checking in the hotel, I put this bag straight away in the deposit box.

  • retiredfeline on 26/11/2013 - 18:06
    +3

    Tell the CC companies where and when you are going. Your banks don't care.

    Arrange to pay your bills if they fall due while you are away.

    Check if you will need some local currency to tide you over until you get to an ATM, and if so, where to get it, could be here or there. Also related, find out the location of the most suitable ATM after you arrive.

    Turn on roaming if you expect to need to receive SMSes e.g for two factor logins. Receiving is free, sending costs more, and voice heaps more so turn off the mobile when you are not expecting SMSes.

  • neil on 26/11/2013 - 18:17
    +1

    Great tips.

    I'd add

    • Check to see you have the proper visa for the country you are traveling to.
    • In regards to the above, make sure your passport has more than 6 months until it expires (applies to Malaysia & perhaps other countries)
    • If traveling to the US, make sure you fill out ESTA prior to flight.
    • If you rent, call your real estate agent & tell them you are going away. Mostly as I don't want them doing inspections when I'm not around.
    • Stop mail or better, get someone to collect it who can pass on anything important.
    • Turn voicemail on phone OFF as this will incur roaming charges.
    • Tricky one but perhaps turn off 2 factor authentication as the roaming charges for SMSs will add up.
    • retiredfeline on 26/11/2013 - 19:05

      Receiving SMSes is free.

      • neil on 26/11/2013 - 19:12
        +2

        Ah yeah. Just had a look and it seems all carriers allow free SMS. Hmmm, has that always been the case because I think I recall getting charged back when I was with 3?

        • zerocritical on 27/11/2013 - 07:56
          +2

          If you are planning to activate international roaming make sure you turn off data roaming on your handset. Charges for data overseas are ridiculous.

  • grasstown on 26/11/2013 - 19:02
    +3

    Some of these are less important

    Take some American cash, eg in some countries atms dont take MasterCard, only visa. ATMs aren't refilled on weekends and can be empty on Sunday's - bad if you land on weekends

    Do a cheat sheet - bank phone numbers account numbers etc, insurance emergency phone numbers, Logins like roaming sim etc ( no big loss if lose), passport number, Etc. Saves you pulling out documents and you can leave a copy with someone else

    Have all accomodation address details on hand for when clearing customs, you need to put it on forms and show proof

    Empty wallet - work prox cards, etc. I leave my keys at home but maybe just take the house key

    Make list of anything you'll be using night before you fly- chargers, glasses case, electric toothbrush, personal care etc so you don't forget them

    I Take about 10 sandwich zip lock bags. Keep my passport sweat proof. Put my shampoo and other bottles in them in case they leak in toiletry bag

  • [Deactivated] on 26/11/2013 - 21:17
    +1

    Make sure that you have an up to date EPOA with a trusted party. That way if you get stuck somewhere they can manage your affairs for you (ie. send you money from your bank account, deal with bank/landlord on your behalf etc).

    Take a picture on your camera with your contact details (just an email address would be good) asking to contact if they find this card/camera. Lock the photo. If you lose your camera or it gets stolen you may at least have a slim chance of getting photos back.

    Double check any visa requirements well ahead of time - some can take months to get.

    Check the expiry date on any credit/debit cards you are planning to use.

    Plan your back-up money sources…don't assume your main one will work everywhere, or not have an issue at some point.

  • retiredfeline on 26/11/2013 - 21:31
    +2

    If you carry a netbook or a laptop, take along a large capacity USB stick and backup your photos regularly to both the computer and the USB stick, then keep it separate from the camera. That way you stand a chance of having some photos if you lose the camera.

    • danield on 28/11/2013 - 11:11

      This works, even without having a netbook. A larger USB key is always handy to have for those times you get limited access time on a computer. eg friends or family you are visiting. I always make constant backups of the camera SD cards, every chance I get on a trip.

  • altomic on 26/11/2013 - 22:53

    immunisations (depending on the countries you are going to)

  • branners on 27/11/2013 - 09:40
    +1

    I would add:
    Make sure your travel insurance has a high enough threshold for medical expenses if you are going somewhere that charges a lot for treatment.
    Take spare medication, particularly if it is something like an asthma inhaler. They can cost $75 in the USA!
    Some countries will rent you are car on your Aussie drivers' licence but some prefer an 'international licence' (in my experience, like the UK and France). They are available from your state's Auto Club (NRMA, RACV, etc).
    If you are going somewhere on the sub-continent (India, Pakistan etc) it may take much longer to get a visa than for other countries, so allow plenty of time.
    Look for travel apps for your smart phone. Some will provide a free walking tour of cities, tourists attractions, etc.
    I tend to stick to bigger telcos for local SIM cards — in other words, AT&T, T Mobile, etc. That way, even if you are 500km away from where you bought the SIM, you can just go into one of their retail stores in another town/city and ask for help when you need it.
    Because I use my phone less when I travel than when I am at home, I use an unlocked, el cheapo Android phone. It cost less than $50, did everything I wanted it to do and if it got lost or broken, no big deal. Smaller and more pocket-friendly than my usual phone, too.
    When I am traveling I only make cash withdrawals from an ATM in an actual bank (as opposed to one in, say, a convenience store or a deli) and then, I only use them during office hours. That way, if an ATM has a mental and keeps your card, you can get help right away inside the bank.
    I disable banking apps on my phones or tablets it before I travel. Can cause real headaches if you get robbed.
    Take pics of, or write down, the serial numbers of cameras, laptops, phones or tablets. That way, you can make a claim quickly if they get stolen.
    Take a few plastic shopping bags, very handy for packing things like dirty shoes, etc.
    Generally speaking, Local food = good. Local water = bad.

    • retiredfeline on 27/11/2013 - 11:19

      Generally speaking, Local food = good. Local water = bad.

      I think you'll find that in first world countries the tap water is just as safe as ours. You may prefer bottled water for taste reasons though.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 28/11/2013 - 11:05
      +1

      "Generally speaking, Local food = good. Local water = bad"

      This doesn't make sense. Local food is washed/boiled/diluted with local water.

      If the local water is bad, the local food could potentially be bad too.

  • MarkB4 on 27/11/2013 - 11:01
    +1

    Depends on where you're going. In major cities I carry a second purse/wallet where I would normally carry the first, for the mugger/pickpocket, $50 in 5's, throw it on the ground and run shouting … whatever comes to mind.

    There are places you should not walk after dark, even in daylight, in any city. Avoid war zones … or countries in conflict - check AusGov site for advice.

  • ethan16 on 27/11/2013 - 11:07
    +2

    Inform trustworthy neighbour your away, get them to put your bins out on collection day

    Set up timers to switch lights on and off at home to deter burglars

    Put a hold the mail (it costs)

    Shut off the water at street stopcock

    Put your home phone to silent

    Plus all the other thoughts already mentioned by other posters (especially letting your banks know your overseas)

  • anna10 on 27/11/2013 - 11:07
    +4

    " … should not walk after dark, even in daylight" - good one !

  • MementoMori on 28/11/2013 - 09:41
    +1

    I just came back from overseas so I have a good one.

    Set your voicemail greeting to something like: 'Hi, you've called XYZ. I'm currently travelling overseas at the moment, so the best way to contact me is email me at [email protected]. You may leave a voicemail but there is a chance I it will expire and I will not get it'.

    I was away for 2 weeks and I'm not sure about voicemail 'time to live' but I think I lost a few. When I came back I had 6 before (all within the last few days of the two week period), so not sure if this was the max. People emailed me saying my VM was full.

    If only I could think of a similar solution for SMS… it seems people just turn on roaming and receive them for free? My mistake!

  • Ether on 28/11/2013 - 09:47

    Get someone to pick up your mail.
    Pay off the credit card before you go in case your trip gets delayed.
    Tell your credit card company that you are going away and that you might need to use your card overseas (just so they can activate it for you in case you need it). This is also to guard against fraud or loss of credit card. Nothing you can't solve with money so having credit card at your disposal is a high priority.

  • agrum on 28/11/2013 - 09:50

    if you need to take any medication with you, carry a letter from your doctor stating your name and a list of your medications. This is especially important if you are a diabetic who needs to inject himself since the airline might not let you take needles on board without your doctor's clarification.

    And for those who are permanent residents but not citizens of Australia, you need a valid re-entry permit or they won't let you back in the country (Australia).

    When I travelled to the USA I carried a laminated copy of my passport (photo page). Whenever I checked into a hotel and they asked to see my passport I used that. Never had anyone asking me for my real passport.

    If you use a prepaid visa card like the cash passport from the post office, keep in mind that some hotels won't accept that as collateral so you need a normal credit card as backup.

  • danield on 28/11/2013 - 11:44
    +2

    I have all my travel docs required in dropbox, hotels bookings, planes etc.. as a backup only.
    Saved me from sleeping on the streets one night in Tokyo too. I was staying with girlfriends family is Nara and went for a few days to Tokyo by myself, without thinking I packed a light back-pack and jumped on the train. When arriving at my hotel around midnight to check in, the guy really got fired up and refused to check me in (despite having already paid for hotel) fortunatly using the receptions computer a quick log onto dropbox and produced a scanned copy of my passport he was become typically japanese friendly and proceeded to check me in.

    I also use a travel wallet, at home my wallet is loaded with a bunch of un-needed cards and crap etc…
    When travelling I like to go minimal.. so very basic wallet with some cash and a card for every walking around. recently I started using the phone case thats like a wallet with some spots for a card. So all I need to carry is my phone, with some cash and CC crammed into the case, that way I always have my ebook handy for the train or coffee breaks while the GF is shopping.

  • Keeegs on 28/11/2013 - 14:21
    +1
    • Tell your newspaper delivery guy/girl to stop sending you papers (nothing yells out empty house more than a pile of newspaper on your front lawn to the robbers)
    • Inform your local post office that you will be going away (same reason as above)
  • jiaoabcd on 28/11/2013 - 18:02

    be sure you have a nice mood before going overseas!

  • enforcer on 28/11/2013 - 18:34

    Get a voip service and an app for your smartphone/tablet so you can make local calls to Australia whenever you have internet access.

  • sydshopper on 28/11/2013 - 21:41
    +2

    Another one to remember is to turn off the taps for your washing machine. A friend of ours had gone on holidays and the taps had burst. Lots of damage to the house!

  • dlakers3peat on 28/11/2013 - 22:33

    universal power adapter

  • terlalu on 02/12/2013 - 08:35

    update google calendar (or similar) with my itnenery and share the calendar with family/friends so they know where and when I'll be

  • Bronnie on 09/12/2013 - 01:46

    To keep costs down on mobile roaming, before going overseas I turned on roaming but turned off data. I also put on an "unconditional diversion" which sent all calls straight to my voicemail. (Your telco can give you the keystrokes to do this) This meant that all the calls never leave Australia so you are not charged for receipt. I could still receive SMS though and I could make calls & SMS (at the roaming rate)

  • kobrien456 on 15/12/2013 - 08:03

    If away for 12 months or more, submit your tax return. I was fined years ago by the ATO!

  • JoyVee on 18/12/2013 - 23:01

    I always carry an empty water bottle on board the plane with me and ask for it to be filled as soon as I am seated.I place it in the back pocket of the seat in front of me. Sometimes it can be 45 mins before a drink is offered. Also useful when you wake up at night and need hydrating and you do not need to wait on crew.

  • kobrien456 on 19/12/2013 - 14:59

    Research and print airport maps. Some of them take 30 minutes to get around with sky trains. Don't want to miss a connection.
    Wear a hoodie on the plane. Helps you sleep if you can block out light.
    Noise cancelling headphones

  • cpho on 21/12/2013 - 19:42

    Does anyone know if centrelink needs to know?
    I'm a student and currently have to report income every fortnight. Should I inform centrelink I'm going away?

    • grasstown on 25/12/2013 - 16:18

      Yes
      "Contact us if you're planning to leave Australia so that we can let you know how your payments will be affected"
      http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/outside-au…

      Austudy
      If you leave Australia permanently your payment will stop on departure.

      If you leave Australia temporarily and you are a full-time student, you can keep your payment for:

      up to six weeks as long as you continue studying (e.g. during holidays or semester breaks)
      more than six weeks until the end of your overseas study if you are doing your study as part of a full-time Australian course, or
      the purpose of attending a Defence Force Reserves training camp.

  • After Dark on 21/12/2013 - 23:01

    A variation on the water theme - we turn off toilets - dishwasher - washing machine - water filter. Next house we plan to have a tap to turn off all in house water for when we travel

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