China’s “Golden Week” Travelers Seek Medical Insurance Abroad.

National Day is celebrated on the 1st of October every year in China.  Traditionally, the holiday is attached to the weekend before and after to create a week-long holiday for rest or travel. The Paper reports that China’s outbound travel will increase 11% this year accounting for nearly 4,000,000 passengers.

 

With China’s strong economy, many Chinese are deciding to plan vacations abroad instead of just using this year’s Golden Week to visit family members in other parts of mainland China. Chinese tourists will look to travel to Europe in order to take advantage of the weaker Euro, as well as the United States, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and more. A surge in visitors from China is expected at major landmarks, national parks, theme parks, and other tourist attractions this week.

With such a large number of travelers, you can be certain that many of them are unaware they need international medical insurance. These uninsured travelers can leave other countries with the unpaid medical bills if they decide not to pay for unexpected medical treatment. As stated by the International Medical Travel Journal, the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan implemented mandatory visitor medical insurance for mainland travelers entering Taiwan to cover unexpected illness, injuries or death after reportedly assuming a total of about $4 million unpaid medical expenses in 2014.

We are seeing a trend in countries requiring international travelers to have travel health insurance to avoid costly unpaid medical bills. For more information on how to obtain the appropriate international medical insurance plan, visit TravelersAlly for plan options.

 

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20 Things You Must Know Before Traveling Internationally

20 tips for international travelers

 

Suitcase…check. Passport…check. What else am I forgetting? This is the question every traveler has in the minutes or hours leading up to their trip. If you are traveling in your home country, you might be okay if you suddenly realize that you forgot your toothbrush or your high-blood pressure medication, but we are talking about international travel here people.  You don’t want to be caught off guard in a foriegn country, with foreign policies and a foreign language, when something goes wrong.

This is why we have come up with these 20 important checklist items for you to consider before traveling internationally.

Topics:

Security & Health
Money
Research
Electronics
Packing

 

Security & Health

1. Check Prescription Drug and Vaccination Requirements

Make sure that you have all of the proper vaccinations, and that you have refilled all essential prescriptions. Check with the airline to determine if you can take the medications you need in your carry-on bag. Call your destination country’s consulate to verify if your medications are legal or illegal in their country. Different countries have different laws on what you may possess.

The Food and Drug Administration has further instructions on this here.

2. Call your Domestic Insurance Provider

Ask your medical insurance provider if your policy covers overseas for emergencies. If it doesn’t, you should consider a supplement policy so that you can add options such as medical, emergency evacuation, or sports coverage. Luckily, TravelersAllyhas many plan options for every type of travel situation.

3. Bring Copies of Your Passport

If your passport is lost or stolen, be sure that you can still get back into your home country or be able to prove your citizenship.

4. Leave a Copy of Your Passport

For extra backup, leave a copy of your passport and travel itinerary at home with an emergency contact. Consider making an electronic copy you can store in your email account as well.

5. Register With Your Embassy

If there’s any problem, natural disaster, or if family needs to contact you, this will make it easier for your government to locate you and get you to safety. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trips with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Money

6. Check the Currency Conversion Rate

This will help to plan a budget and eliminate stressful surprises. Do your math before you travel to get a sense of the conversion rate. Make a cheat sheet. Download a currency converter app such as XE Currency.

7. Make Sure Your Credit Card Will Work

European banks have switched almost completely to the more secure chip-and-PIN technology, and fewer businesses abroad accept the outdated magnetic-strip cards.  Some countries such as Cuba are not set up to accept credit cards, so check with your credit card company before you go.

8. Find a Bank or ATM in Your Destination

The conversion centers in the airport or around the city tend to be huge rip-offs. Even though it might not be as convenient, visit a bank or ATM; you won’t be charged as many fees and the conversion will be exact. Some banks in your domestic country have international debit cards that have lesser fees as well.

9. Plan on Using Local Currency

Important needs like trains, buses, airport tipping, and hotels will probably not take credit cards.

10. Notify Your Bank or Credit Card Company About Your Travel Plans

The bank issuing your credit card can turn off your charging privileges if they are suspicious of fraud because transactions are suddenly occurring outside your normal area.  Before you leave, call your credit card provider and let them know where you will be traveling; sometimes they can flag your account.

11. Check for Entrance/Exit Fees

Some countries require travelers to pay in order to enter or leave the country. These fees are not normally included in the price of your airline ticket. You can view those guidelines here. Being prepared ahead of time can help you get in and out of the airport more quickly.

 

Research

12. Get Guidebooks

Obtaining guidebooks that include maps, key words or phrases, and give you enough detail on certain sites will eliminate the need to purchase the information at the venue. Research and download apps that might apply before you travel. This will help to avoid download charges from your wireless carrier and eliminate problems with weak wireless access.

13. Research the Culture and Special Events

This will help you make sure that you’re not missing special events going on in the city. Be sure to focus on fun things like festivals, ceremonies, and natural events. Also, be sure to research the local cuisine and decide on some new interesting options to try. You don’t want to leave the country without experiencing what it’s known for.

 

Electronics

 

 

14. Bring a Charger Adapter

You can often forget that most of your electronic devices will need a power adaptor to function properly depending on the country you are visiting. Most American-made devices operate at a voltage of 110 volts, while the majority of the world uses voltages between 220 and 240. Check here for specific country voltage information.

15. Check the Voltage of Your Electronics

Most electronic devices today are dual voltage, but be sure that you check the manufacturer’s guidelines.  Don’t fry the most important hair straighter or electric razor right before the big night out!

16. Activate your Phone’s Global Capabilities

There’s usually a charge for adding this, but it is much less than the roaming charges, and much easier than phone cards.

 

 

Packing

17. Be Sure That You Know Local Customs Regarding Dress

It is always best to dress so that you don’t stand out; this makes you less likely to attract thieves.

18. Pack an Extra Set of Clothes in Your Carry-on Bag

If the airline loses your luggage, or if your baggage is delayed, you will still have something to wear and be comfortable.

19. Decide Whether or Not to Check Your Bags

Each airline has its own set of guidelines as to how many bags can be checked or carried on your flight for free. Also, most airlines have a weight limit for those bags. Make sure to look up your airline’s rules in order to avoid any incremental fees.

20. Bring Snacks

Traveling abroad is fun, but eating along the way can sometimes become a task. Bring small snacks to have on the plane, in the airport in case of a delay, and for a refresher when you arrive at your destination. This will help to tide you over until you find that perfect restaurant or food cart.

Lastly, enjoy your trip. If we at TravelersAlly can help you in any way, please let us know.  We have fun enjoying your experiences, and would love to answer any questions you have regarding international travel.

 

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14 Must Have Gadgets for International Travel

Image: http://expertvagabond.com/gopro-accessories/

Traveling is one of the most exciting things that we can do in today’s world.  There are, however, many things that can add stress to your trip planning and travel process.  Here are fourteen must have gadgets to put the ease back in traveling.

Amazon is celebrating its 20th anniversary with special PRIME deals on all sorts of products.  Submit your favorite travel picture and gadget from around the globe and you might win their $10,000 prize.

1. Spy Hat Camera

This tool can be a great way to not only capture everything you do while traveling, but to do it secretly as well! (Details & Reviews)

2. QR Smart Tags

The perfect way to insure that if a bag is lost, it can be traced back and returned to you. These smart tags are waterproof and weatherproof and can be scanned by any smart phone. This affordable accessory is a must! (Details & Reviews)

 

3. Go Girl

Although we can’t say we recommend this product, we can say this is definitly one of the craziest gadgets that we have ever come across and is certainly worth looking at for the price! (Details & Reviews)

4. Travel Pillow

Although international travel is frequently equated with luxury, you never know when you will find yourself on a bumpy aircraft or uncomfortable train. This plush pillow was the British invention of the year in 2013. (Details & Reviews)

5. International Power Outlet Converter

What many travelers forget when they are embarking on their first international trip is that even the simplest of things are not all created equal. In fact the outlets throughout the world can vary by country or by region. This outlet converter works in over 150 countries, including the US, Canada, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Japan. (Details & Reviews)

 

6. Phone Battery Backup

These days, a traveler’s worst nightmare can be getting caught with a dead phone. Just plug this battery backup into your phone, and it charges back up when an outlet is nowhere in sight. (Details & Reviews)

 

7. Wine Skin

With airline policies forbidding travelers from bringing beverages on the plane, a wine skin allows you to be sure that fine bottle of wine stays safe in your checked luggage for the duration of the trip. (Details & Reviews)

 

8. Portable Digital Luggage Scale

One of the best ways to save money while traveling is to eliminate unnecessary expenses, and one of the most common for international travelers is the additional fines for heavy baggage. This lightweight, portable scale can help you pack accordingly and avoid those unwanted fees. (Details & Reviews)

9. Portable Hotspot

You never know what the wireless internet and cellular reception will be like, but with this portable gadget your worries will be gone. Connect to the internet from anywhere regardless of reception with thisportable Wifi hotspot. (Details & Reviews)

 

10. Anti-Theft Card Holders

As technology improves, crime grows. These card holders are the perfect way to protect personal information stored in your passport and credit cards from RFID enables thieves. (Details & Reviews)

 

11. iPad Hanger

When traveling with kids, it is no secret that keeping them entertained on long trips can be a challenged. This iPad hanger can turn almost any seatback into a miniature movie theater and entertain the kids for hours! (Details & Reviews)

 

12. Portable Waterproof Speaker

Wherever you find yourself traveling, this speaker allows you to take fantastic sound quality with you. Through water, wind, ice or snow, this portable speaker is ready to brave it all with you. (Details & Reviews)

 

13. Luggage Lock

This TSA approved lock for your luggage can take a lot of worry out of traveling. Depending on your method of travel, bags can be left unattended for long periods of time, however a lock can deter thieves of all kinds from trying to run off with your valuables. (Details & Reviews)

 

14. Solar Charging Travel Backpack

Every traveler needs a good backpack to keep with them for those long flights and train rides. Why not have one that happens to be solar powered and can also charge all of your electronics? (Details & Reviews)

Let us know what your favorite travel gadget is!  Post a link to it in the comments section below.

 

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Jawsome Staff Favorites for Shark Week

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Adventure travel takes on a whole new meaning each year when the Discovery Channel’s shark week kicks off.  Check out the TravelersAlly staff picks for favorite Shark Video and Shark Prank!

Shark_Attack_Prank_-_spring_break

 

Staff Favorite Shark Prank Video

Spring Break Shark Attack  – Fins up for the practical jokers at SuperHollyward and “Shark Boy” Geoff Ward for their scare tactics (until the police arrived) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  How would you have reacted?

 

 

Staff Favorite Shark Video

Sometimes the sharks BITE back and get the better of the photographers and videographers who are filming the sharks.  Great video from our friends at Animal Max who clearly had to spend some money to repair the boat!

 

 

Want More Jawsome Shark Reccomendations

Check out the Top Seven Internatiaonl Shark Encounters Blog Post.

Click Here to Visit the Blog

We promise they won’t bite!

 

 

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