Posted by on June 2, 2017

A few simple steps can help you save money

Most overseas travel is expensive and can be intimidating for some, but there are strategies for saving money and staying safe.

International travel by Americans rose about 8 per cent last year and is likely to rise again this year, helped by relatively low airfares and the strong dollar.

Deals abound

In recent days, discount sites such as airfarewatchdog.com have highlighted round trips including San Francisco-Copenhagen, Los Angeles-Stockholm and New York-Barcelona for less than US$400 ($560) and New York-Tel Aviv, Chicago-Bangkok and Los Angeles-Manila for less than US$650 ($925) for travellers who can avoid the peak summer season.

Insurance

Get travel insurance, and check before you go to see what your health insurance will cover if you get sick in a foreign country.

Medicare does not cover health expenses overseas, but some Medigap policies and short-term travel medical insurance do. Consider evacuation insurance – an air ambulance can cost thousands of dollars.

Cash or credit?

Cash is convenient for small purchases, but many frequent travellers stick to plastic. If a clerk swipes your card and asks if you would like to pay in dollars, decline. The store probably charges a less favourable exchange rate than your card issuer.

Matt Kepnes, author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day, says any commercial bank should offer a decent exchange rate. He stays away from the exchange bureau Travelex and warns that airport ATMs and ATMs in stores like 7-Elevens give a less favourable rate and charge higher fees.

Staying connected

Bring your own phone.

Pauline Frommer, editorial director of the Frommer’s travel-information company, and John DiScala, a travel writer who goes by JohnnyJet on Twitter, favour T-Mobile, which has a plan that allows free roaming and unlimited data in more than 100 countries.

DiScala says he can upload pictures and posts to Facebook and get his emails at no extra charge. Of course, always keep the phone charged in case of an emergency.

Staying safe

Tourists are frequently targets for pickpockets and scammers of all kinds. You can lower your risk by looking less like a tourist.

“I always try to dress local,” DiScala says. Americans should ditch the shorts, white sneakers and baseball caps and buy clothes that help them blend in. And remember comfortable shoes.

Evelyn Hannon, who edits the Journeywoman.com website, suggests buying something at a local grocer. The bag will help you look like you belong.

Travel experts are divided over whether President Donald Trump’s proposed travel bans and anti-immigrant rhetoric will put Americans in more danger overseas.

The Global Business Travel Association said it surveyed 176 US corporate travel managers this month, and 41 per cent were worried about increased threats against US travellers abroad.

Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst in San Francisco, says most foreigners don’t hold individual American travellers responsible for US government policies. But Americans should be aware of local sensitivities when travelling abroad – and don’t start a conversation about politics, he says.

Stay on the right side of the law

Customs vary greatly by country – that’s part of the appeal of travel, after all – and so do laws. That sometimes lands travelers in trouble.

Alcohol is banned in part of the United Arab Emirates, although tourists in Dubai can drink at hotel bars and clubs. Signs at shopping malls encourage dressing modestly and avoiding public displays of affection, but holding hands or a peck on the cheek are usually accepted. Tourists who wind up getting arrested for indecency typically ignored repeated warnings.

Taking someone’s picture and putting it online without permission is a crime in the UAE, and people have been arrested for taking pictures of military installations or planes taking off and landing.

Gay or lesbian sex is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia and Iran and is frowned on in other countries. Carrying drugs carries the death penalty in many countries.

Embassies may be helpful if you get in trouble. They can’t get you out of jail but will contact family members and provide names of local lawyers who speak English.

Posted in: GayTravelNews

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close