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Travelling to or via the USA
Very strict security measures are in place. Do not lock you luggage unless with an
approved lock.
Read the official details at
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1254.xml
Before the Airport
Do not pack or bring Prohibited Items to the airport. Read the Permitted and Prohibited Items list.
Place valuables such as jewelry, cash and laptop computers in carry-on baggage only. Tape your business card to the bottom of your laptop.
Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry and accessories that contain metal. Metal items may set off the alarm on the metal detector.
Avoid wearing shoes that contain metal or have thick soles or heels. Many types of footwear will require additional screening even if the metal detector does not alarm.
Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film.
Declare firearms & ammunition to your airline and place them in your checked baggage.
If you wish to lock your baggage, use a TSA-recognized lock
Do not bring lighters or prohibited matches to the airport.
Do not pack wrapped gifts and do not bring wrapped gifts to the checkpoint. Wrap on arrival or ship your gifts prior to your departure.
TSA may have to unwrap packages for security reasons.
What does your Travel Insurance really
cover?
Our staff has spent considerable time researching the "fine
print" of Travel Insurance Policies and recommend "Cover
More Insurance" for Australian Residents. Their past
history of handling our clients' claims is excellent.
Read, read and study the fine print yourself. There may be
clauses in there that sound perfectly acceptable to us, but
may not suit your individual circumstances.
Do not write your home address on the outside of your
baggage
For security do not place your home address on baggage.
Criminals often work in groups, sometimes in interstate or
even international groups. Anyone can see your baggage on
the carousel and advise their counterparts in your home city.
Only use addresses where places are occupied, maybe address
at work, or just write a phone or fax number of someone who
could give information in case your luggage gets lost. Write
your full address on the inside of your bags.
Take your own medicine
Some Australian medicine cannot be purchased overseas. Buy
appropriate quantities here to take with you.
Always obtain and keep medication in their original sealed
containers and take copies of the prescriptions.
The Department of Foreign Affairs
Publishes and frequently updates travel advice and keep a
list of embassies, consulates and other useful information.
The phone number of the relevant embassy is very handy when
you loose your passport or get into difficulties with the
local authorities.
The Euro €
The introduction of the € has made the decision which
currency to take very easy.
Taking € cash would be the first option of foreign currency,
but also the most dangerous one. The alternative are €
travellers cheques, but there are some pitfalls. It is very
time consuming and can be costly to convert cheques to cash.
Some banks convert travellers cheques at no or reduced fees
- find out which ones in what country before you depart.
All credit card companies charge you for the privilege and
you have no way to check or question the exchange rate they
use.
Get Landmark Travel to organise your cash and travellers cheques
for you before you go. We will also advise where you can cash
your American Express® travellers cheques for free or
at reduced rates.
Vegetable Peeler Saves Stomach Pains
Especially in South America and Asia, a small vegetable peeler
for peeling apples etc might save you from falling ill.
Peel the fruit/vegetable, and dispose the residue and dispose
thoughtfully.
Clean Notes Please
Clients must take clear, clean, flat, unmarked US dollar notes
to Lebanon and Syria, as banks are fussy about non-acceptance
if they are not.
Ask Landmark Travel staff to assist.
Comments
Many credit cards charge an extra 2-4% when you do an international
transaction. These fees are levied by a multitude of banks
overseas, before you are sent an account. You also have no
control over the exchange rate used. Using cash, traveller's
cheques will reduce the chances of high charges.
Landmark Travel staff can assist with foreign currency.
Visa And Passport Copies
When entering a country with a paper visa, always keep a hard
copy in your pocket - you may need to produce this on entry.
Always keep copies of your passport in your suitcase or carry
bag, and with someone at home.
Glad To Be Glad
Re-sealable plastic bags are an excellent invention. When
travelling - use them for coins, toiletries, bottles, soiled
clothes, receipts, and other small articles.
Also, take Blue-tack to keep things together.
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