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Over the past weeks, we have talked about getting or renewing your passport and ensuring that you know whether or not a visa is required. You have a list of all of the important documents. If you missed either of these emails, you could find this information at: https://www.seymourassociatestravel.com/our-articles
Now that you have a big pile of papers, emails, itineraries, what do you do with them? Here are some tips on organizing everything:
When you’ve assembled all the essential documents/copies, the first thing you should do is check to make sure your name appears the same on all documents. This may seem like a small thing, but it can be a big hassle during travel if your names don’t match.
Next, scan the papers and send them in an email to yourself and your emergency contact(s).
Also, you may want to make sure that you can access all of these documents in the “cloud” while you are traveling. If you are unsure that you will have constant access to the internet, it may be a good idea to carry a USB card with encrypted copies of all these images — so even if it gets stolen, no one could access the documents without the master password. You can keep this USB card in a tiny, discreet pocket, along with some extra cash — an absolute last resort in the extremely rare event that you lose everything.
Choose a family member or close friend who will be your representative while you’re away and who can have access to significant accounts if needed. This way, you have a trustworthy contact available any time, and there is someone who always knows where you are.
Store copies of your most important travel documents (passports, tickets, reservations, etc.) in a waterproof plastic zip bag and a separate piece of luggage from the originals. It’s stressful enough to have your passport stolen — but having it stolen from the same bag where all the copies are is even worse. When you’re out sightseeing, always carry the essential documents on your person, ideally in a waterproof carrier that you can wear under your clothing.
Once you get all this info in order, you can travel with confidence, knowing you’re covered in the event of the unexpected. And — bonus! — you’ll have laid the groundwork for future trips.
To start planning your trip today, contact me by clicking here. We would love to help you “Seymour of the World with Us!”.
Lisa
