After going to Thailand and meeting a handful of people with friends who had contracted malaria on their trips, I vowed to start making a visit to the travel clinic part of my pre-trip prep work before going to at-risk countries. So, when my next trip to Colombia came up, I decided to follow through on this promise. When I researched online and checked out the CDC website, I found mixed opinions on whether to get certain vaccines for certain locations. I knew what to do next: get a professional opinion on what exactly I needed for the areas I was headed.

I contacted my primary care doctor, who referred me back to the CDC website, and after explaining that I’d already done the initial research, they decided to schedule me for a yellow fever vaccine. However, the yellow fever vaccine at the time was on national backorder (which it usually is), and my primary care doctor would not have it in enough time to administer it before my trip. The wild-goose chase to find a yellow fever vaccine led me to the Harvard Vanguard Travel Medicine Department (Editor’s Note: Harvard Vanguard Medical Clinic is now part of Atrius Health and operates under that name).

I made an appointment a little over a week before my trip. (Which is a big mistake, keep reading to see why). When I arrived, I met with a nurse who asked which areas I was traveling to and went over my immunization chart they had from my primary care office. Shortly after, the doctor came in and handed me a thick folder with information I didn’t even know I needed. She went over the Travax Traveler Health Report for Colombia, which included health concerns, requirements for entry (i.e. necessary visas, immunization requirements—some countries require proof of a yellow fever vaccine for reentry within a certain time period of entering their country if you’ve been to areas with yellow fever cases), recommended immunizations, travel advisories, general information (i.e. entry and exit fees, currency, unusual laws, driving laws, civil unrest warnings), embassy contact information, basic preventative measures, and finally a pre-travel checklist.

Access to Shoreland Travax reports are restricted to licensed professionals only, so you can only receive this information at a clinical visit.

We also went over a detailed map of the country with at-risk areas for yellow fever and malaria and determined I should take malaria pills and get the yellow fever vaccine since I was going to a national park. She also recommended I get the typhoid vaccine since mine was outdated and gave me a prescription for traveler’s diarrhea medicine since most areas in the country are at high risk.

She also helped me register in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) and verified my travel insurance coverage through work with GeoBlue. I also got a handy over-the-counter travel medicine/product list to keep for future travels.

Overall, I had a surprisingly pleasant experience and will make sure to visit the clinic before any travels to destinations where I am unsure of what health and safety precautions I should take.

Things to Consider Before You Go to a Travel Clinic

The CDC website is a good place to start; however, the amount of information can be overwhelming and sometimes vague or conflicting. If your primary care office has its own travel medicine department, call them first and see what they recommend. In some cases (like mine) you may end up needing additional vaccines or prescriptions, so having an appointment or consultation is best in person so the doctor can order everything you need at the time of your visit. If your primary care office does not have a travel medicine department, call around and find a clinic covered by insurance in your area, as consultations and vaccines can be pricey if not covered.

Keep in mind that some vaccines can take up to six weeks to be active, so you will need to make your visit well in advance (something I will make note of for my next trip). Also, some vaccines cannot be given at the same time, or need to be given in doses, so it’s extra important to give yourself plenty of time in advance for the necessary vaccinations.

What to Bring With You to a Travel Clinic

A copy of your itinerary or at least a list of places you are going to as well as an updated immunization list if you are visiting a clinic outside of your primary care office. Also make sure to notify the clinic of any allergies, especially to medications.

What to Expect at a Travel Clinic

My visit was short and sweet. I got all of the information (and more) that I needed. My two shots were administered at the time of my visit and I filled out a card to keep with my passport verifying I had the yellow fever immunization.

Can I Get a COVID-19 Test at a Travel Clinic?

The answer is: it depends. Certain locations, such as PassportHealth in the Boston area, are offering COVID testing but not every clinic will provide this service. You can filter your search on the International Society of Travel Medicine’s website for clinics that will perform and document the necessary COVID tests for travel or any other specific services you require. To make an appointment to get a COVID vaccine before your next trip, you can use the Vaccine Finder tool linked from the CDC’s website to find a location near you.

Preparing for Your Trip

In addition to any prescriptions needed, this basic list for health and safety comes in handy for international travel:

• Antihistamines: Benadryl, Zyrtec, or Claritin
• Pain/Fever Relief: Asprin, Ibuprofen, or Tylenol
• Insect Repellent: 30 percent DEET spray, and permethrin clothing spray
• Anti-Diarrhea and Rehydration: Loperamide, Pepto Bismol, Pedialyte powder packets, Gatorade powder packets
• Probiotics: Culturelle
• Motion Sickness: Meclizine
• Other Supplies: Hydrocortisone cream, flight compression socks, digital thermometer, bed net for mosquitos

We also have a handy first-aid packing list that you can download, as well as nine over-the-counter medicines you should always pack.

After Your Trip

Make sure you take all of the recommended doses of your prescriptions, as oftentimes it’s necessary to take them for a few weeks after travel. Watch for any signs of diseases, as symptoms can have delayed onset.

Editor’s note: This story was originally written in 2015, it has been updated with the latest information.

The post Everything You Need to Know About Visiting a Travel Clinic appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Focus on Safety First

One of the easiest and most important items on an overseas travel checklist is also arguably the most ignored. Travel insurance and State Department alerts can be incredibly important in emergencies abroad, but many tourists bet they won’t become part of the small percentage of travelers who require evacuation assistance or protection from hotel or flight cancellations.

Subscribing to the State Department’s STEP alerts for your destination can help you stay up to date on upcoming and current travel restrictions, strikes, and areas of political unrest. Any alerts you receive will let you know whether or not to plan for some unexpected obstacles in advance.

Travel insurance can cost as little as a few dollars per travel day and cover anything from lost luggage to emergency medical attention, potentially saving you hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars.

Get Your Travel Documents and Credit Cards in Order

Make sure your passport and any necessary travel visas are up to date. Some countries require a passport to be valid for at least six months after your scheduled return, so make sure you won’t be turned away or delayed at customs because of an old passport. Not sure if you need a visa? Check the State Department’s travel page for your destination.

Keep physical and digital copies of your passport and all your paperwork in case anything is lost. Share copies of your passport, itinerary, and contact numbers with family and friends whom you can contact in case of an emergency.

Notify your bank and credit card companies about your travel dates so they don’t deny your purchases, and ask about international ATM fees so you can find out which ones won’t charge you. It’s always a good idea to bring multiple cards in case one stops working.

Don’t underestimate how helpful a cell phone photo of your passport can be. Whether you have to go to the consulate and report it lost, or are just filling out a customs card and need your passport number, it will likely come in handy. Email the image to yourself to have an extra digital copy in case your phone runs out of batteries or goes missing. You may also want to bring a spare copy of your passport photo on your trip; having it handy will speed the processing of a new document.

Get Vaccinated

It’s best to get the necessary vaccinations out of the way as soon as possible since it can take a few weeks to build full immunity. Some also require multiple doses, which may need to be administered over days, weeks, or even months. Talk to your doctor about getting the CDC-recommended shots, as the protocol for vaccines varies by country. For example, dozens of countries require proof of a yellow fever vaccination if you’ve been to at-risk areas. A travel clinic can help you sort out which vaccinations and medications you might need.

Keep your vaccination certificate in your carry-on in case customs requires you to present it when entering the country.

Study Up on Your Destination

Whether you’re a travel app connoisseur or more of a paperback guidebook person, having some source of knowledge about your destination is invaluable. Read about the region you’re traveling to in advance to gain insight into important information such as currency exchange rates, useful phrases, tipping norms, appropriate clothing, and cultural/legal customs. It’s best to be prepared so you don’t land yourself in a compromising situation.

Make Sure Your Home Is Cared For

There’s nothing worse than realizing once you’re six time zones away that you forgot to stop your mail delivery or ask someone to water your expertly cultivated house plants. Make sure your daily tasks are covered before you leave, or appoint a trusty friend to do them for you.

You can find a house or pet sitter to do your chores if you’re willing to list your home on TrustedHouseSitters.com. Plus, you could find lodging through the site for your trip abroad if you can do the same for someone else.

Stay Connected

Want to stay in touch while traveling abroad? If you haven’t taken your phone overseas before, call your mobile provider to ask about international phone plans that might be available. If your carrier’s plans are expensive, an international SIM card can be a good alternative.

Download the Necessities

Sometimes, the most important thing you’ll pack is in your smartphone rather than your suitcase. Offline maps are your best friend when traveling with limited data or battery. You can find Wi-Fi in many places, but downloading offline maps through Google Maps will allow you to follow your GPS without using up data.

Downloading in-flight entertainment could also save you if your TV malfunctions on a long-haul flight. Streaming won’t be available without consistent in-flight Wi-Fi (which you shouldn’t ever depend on) but you can pre-download movies and TV shows through most platforms.

Don’t forget a portable backup charger. Watching hours of your favorite TV show is sure to drain your battery life, and there’s nothing worse than finally finding a Wi-Fi spot only to have your phone die.

Pack These Essentials

While the contents of your checked bag will largely depend on the climate you’re visiting, you’ll want most of your trip’s essentials easily accessible in your carry-on. Start with this international travel checklist of items to pack:

• Passport and visa
• Medications
• Insurance and ID cards
• Cash, debit cards, and credit cards
• Pen to fill out customs forms
• Portable charger
• Earplugs, eye mask, and sleeping pills
• Electrical converters and adapters specific to your destination
• Headphones
• Antibacterial wipes
• Sweater/scarf in case the plane is chilly
• Cell phone and charger

For more ideas, check out our ultimate packing list.

Consider taking photos of your packed suitcase (both inside and out) in case it gets lost. That way, airline employees will know what to look for, and you’ll know what was inside if you don’t get it back and need to file a claim.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2016. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post The Ultimate Checklist for Traveling Abroad appeared first on SmarterTravel.

For example, whether there’s a pandemic or a natural disaster out of your control, trip cancellation insurance doesn’t cover cancellation under every possible circumstance: To qualify for those, you must purchase a “cancel for any reason” add-on.

If there’s ever a time to read the fine print, purchasing travel insurance is it. Don’t take my word for any of the following, or the word of the person selling you the policy, or the sales page of the insurance company’s website—read the contract for yourself. It will be an enlightening experience.

The old adage “you get what you pay for” tends to apply here. Less expensive insurance packages typically include less comprehensive coverage.

Below are 18 things travel insurance coverage usually doesn’t include. For purposes of clarity, most apply to the highest tiers offered by most insurance companies; that is, most of these travel insurance exclusions apply to even the most comprehensive policies. In some cases you can purchase special add-ons to cover these exclusions. Ask when purchasing.

Health Crises (Like Pandemics) That Begin Before You Purchase

As with natural disasters, trip insurance may generally cover losses due to global health emergencies, but you must make the purchase before the crisis is a “known event.” The date from which the event is “known” varies depending on the insurance company; for example in 2020 with COVID-19 it was largely January 21 through 27. Most travel insurance policies won’t cover cancellation due to fear of a pandemic, so if you want to use insurance to protect your payments—particularly nonrefundable airfares—make sure it’s a “cancel for any reason” policy.

With nonrefundable air tickets, your recourse is either to rely on the airline’s generosity (some do waive fees in times of emergency) or buying cancel-for-any-reason insurance. Most policies exclude “foreseeable” contingencies, or existing threats like already-known pandemics.

Losses Due to Pre-Existing Conditions

Travel insurance coverage does not extend to most pre-existing medical conditions, and the definition of “pre-existing” often depends on the timing of when you are diagnosed and when you purchase your travel insurance—with a so-called “look-back period” that is usually 60, 90, or 180 days prior to the day you purchase your insurance.

In short, your travel insurance does not cover losses due to conditions for which there were either symptoms or treatment during the look-back period. You will be covered for losses due to so-called “stable” conditions for which no change in treatment or symptoms has occurred.

Say you’ve had arthritis for several years, with no major flare-ups or medication changes in the past six months. In this case you would likely be covered if you had an intense, debilitating flare-up during your trip. But if you had been having trouble with the condition in the months leading up to your vacation, your trip insurance would be unlikely to cover any losses related to your arthritis unless you purchased a specific add-on.

Natural Disasters That Begin Before You Purchase Insurance

Trip insurance generally covers losses due to hurricanes or tropical storms, but you must make the purchase before the storm is named. Similar conditions typically apply to other natural disasters; if you buy a policy after a volcano starts erupting, for example, you won’t be covered for any losses related to that volcano’s activity.

Dental Care

Routine dental care is not included in travel insurance coverage, although dental trauma may be under some circumstances. One policy I reviewed provides coverage only for damage to “sound natural teeth,” for example.

Losses Due to Mental or Emotional Disorders

Most travel insurance policies do not cover claims involving psychiatric or emotional disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression. (In rare cases policies may cover these conditions if hospitalization is required.)

Travel for Medical Procedures

Most trip insurance will not cover issues that arise for those traveling specifically to get medical treatment (such as procedures available overseas that are not available or are too expensive at home).

Pregnancy and Childbirth

If you are pregnant and give birth while traveling, your travel insurance coverage generally will not include childbirth expenses. You might, however, have coverage for complications associated with pregnancy or childbirth. This is one to check carefully in advance if you’re planning to travel while pregnant.

Risky Activities and Sports

Active travelers, take note: Many travel insurance policies exclude losses due to adventure sports such as bungee jumping, backcountry skiing, snowboarding, rafting, caving, sky diving, scuba diving … you get the idea. Some policies take this even further, applying exemptions for any sports involving bodily contact. (That means your kid’s football tournament might not be covered.) If you’re planning an active vacation, carefully check the terms of your policy before committing.

Some of Your Favorite Stuff

Baggage delay, damage, and loss policies don’t cover everything in your bags. Common travel insurance exclusions include glasses, hearing aids, dental bridges, tickets, passports, keys, cash, and cell phones. In some cases these items are covered but only up to a certain dollar limit, so if you have multiple expensive electronic items (such as a laptop, a tablet, and a cell phone), you might not have enough coverage to pay for the loss of all such items.

Bad Weather

Travel insurance tends not to cover weather that limits your activities on a trip. For example, you’re covered if the weather is bad enough to delay or cancel your flight, but not if it pours during a jungle hike. And unless you bought a “cancel for any reason” rider, you can’t call off your beach vacation just because the forecast calls for rain and clouds.

Flights Purchased with Miles

Most policies do not cover flights purchased with miles or points. They may cover associated fees if you decide to cancel or change an award fare, however.

Security Delays or Overbooked Flights

According to travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth, your policy typically won’t protect you if you miss a flight due to long airport security lines, or if you’re bumped from an overbooked flight and miss a subsequent connection or cruise departure.

Lost Reservations or Double-Booked Accommodations

It’s also important to note that travel insurance coverage doesn’t include certain lodging snafus. A lost hotel reservation will have to be taken up with the company or travel agent that lost it. And if you find someone else in the vacation rental you reserved, you’ll have to take it up with the site through which you booked.

Accommodations That Aren’t as Expected

An accommodation that’s a lot less desirable when you arrive than it looked to be online generally isn’t covered by travel insurance. Researching accommodations on review sites like Tripadvisor falls on you. The exception is if your hotel or vacation rental is uninhabitable due to a natural disaster, structural damage, or the like.

Ticket Scams

If you find your event or sightseeing excursion ticket turns out to be fake, typical travel insurance won’t cover you, says Squaremouth. Make sure you’re using a trusted ticket or tour outlet.

Last-Minute Changes

If your cruise line or tour operator makes a last-minute itinerary or excursion change, travel insurance typically won’t cover any travel issues caused by it, unless it involves complete curtailment. You can try contacting the operator responsible for the changes about compensation.

Anything for Which You Lack Documentation

If you don’t have a solid paper trail for all causes and costs involved in your claim, your chances of reimbursement plummet. Keep records like your wallet depends on it.

Anything NOT in the List of Covered Items

Travel insurance works largely by inclusion of items specifically noted to be covered, and anything not mentioned is likely not covered. If you have a concern that you don’t see listed in the fine print, contact the travel insurance company to see if you can purchase an appropriate add-on.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Ed Perkins contributed to this story.

The post Travel Insurance Coverage: 18 Things Your Policy Won’t Cover appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The last federal government shutdown began in late 2018 and lasted for 34 days before ending in early 2019. During this time, a significant impact on travel was seen. 

Here’s what travelers should be prepared for if the government shuts down again.

Air Travel

Air Traffic Controllers and TSA agents are considered “essential” government employees and will still be required to work during a shutdown. However, these essential workers will not be getting paid until the shutdown ends—during the last shutdown, many employees called out of work (some to work other jobs to make ends meet). This resulted in air travel issues, including a ground stop at New York’s LaGuardia Airport after 10 air traffic controllers called out for the day.

At one point during the last shutdown, 10 percent of TSA agents nationwide didn’t show up to work, leading to long security lines at many airports.

The shutdown could have lingering effects on the air travel industry long after it ends, as the hiring and training of air traffic controllers would be halted during the shutdown. 

National Parks

National Parks will likely be officially closed during a government shutdown. However, gates may remain open at some parks so travelers can enter at their own risk. Park rangers will probably not be available to help if needed, and all services inside parks, including restrooms and visitor centers, will be locked and inaccessible. 

According to the National Parks Conservation Association, about a third of national parks closed completely during the last shutdown. Many parks that stayed open reported vandalism, overflowing trashcans and restrooms, and damage due to unsupervised visitors. 

Does Travel Insurance Cover a Government Shutdown?

If you’re dreading long airport lines and want to cancel your trip, you’ll need to have purchased a Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance policy for it to be covered due to a government shutdown. 

According to travel insurance site Squaremouth, even Travel Delay coverage won’t apply during a government shutdown, explaining, “The most common covered reason under Travel Delay is a delay of a common carrier due to inclement weather or a mechanical breakdown. Other covered reasons include being involved in a traffic accident on the way to the airport, lost or stolen passports or travel documents, or an injury or sickness that causes you to be late. However, delays in line for a security checkpoint are not covered.” This also means that if you encounter an unexpectedly long security line due to the shutdown and miss your flight, you won’t be able to get compensation. 

The post How a Government Shutdown Would Impact Travel appeared first on SmarterTravel.

“I’m interested in finding a complete bumper-to-bumper, ‘drop off the keys at the counter’ car rental coverage when I travel. I recently thought I had complete coverage though a credit card, but when my car suffered a small dent, the car rental company flat-out refused to document that it actually lost income from having the car rental in the shop (which took three weeks to repair a small dent). I was left with responsibility.”

This experience is uncommon, but not unique. Car rental companies desperately want you to buy their collision damage waiver, or CDW (sometimes also known as loss damage waiver, or LDW), and will go to great lengths to make you pay for even the smallest damages if you don’t. Here’s what you need to know before you shell out for car rental insurance on your next vacation.

Car Rental Insurance: What You Need to Know

The One Way to ‘Drop the Keys and Forget It’

When you buy a CDW, the rental company surrenders its rights to charge you for damage to a car rental—with a few exceptions, such as tire damage or gross negligence. (CDW terms and conditions vary by car rental company, so you’ll want to read them carefully before committing.) But otherwise, no matter how banged up the car could be, you’re off the hook: Just turn it in and be on your way. No other approach—your own insurance, your credit card, or a third-party policy—is as comprehensive or convenient. If you want that full flexibility and peace of mind, pay for CDW.

CDW Insurance Is Ridiculously Overpriced

Typically, a CDW starts at around $30 per day and can go higher. The actuarial cost to the rental company—the amount it would allocate toward a damage pool based on risk experience—is probably just a few dollars a day; the rest is theirs to keep. No wonder the agents push it so hard: It’s clearly a lot more profitable than the car rental alone.

You’ll Pay Up Front for All Damage

You can cover your major damage responsibility by relying on your own insurance, a credit card with insurance, or a third-party policy. But in all of those cases you have to pay a damage claim up front, then recover as much as you can (all of it, you hope) by filing a claim afterward. That means signing a credit card bill for hundreds or even thousands of dollars when you return the damaged car, and not knowing if you’ll get that money back.

That’s why some rental companies won’t accept rentals via debit card, or a credit card with a small limit. If you can pay the initial rental fee with a debit card, you may still need to provide a credit card to cover a possible damage claim, which would be filed before you can leave the return counter.

‘Damage’ Is More than Fixing a Dent

If you don’t buy CDW, rental companies can charge for more than just fixing the damage. They may also charge for:

• “Loss of use,” meaning the potential revenue lost while the car is out of service being fixed, even if the company had lots of other cars available. And they generally figure that daily loss at the full retail rate.
• Towing charges, if you are unable to drive the car back to the return station.
• “Diminished value,” or the potential loss of the car’s resale value (because of your damage) when the rental company disposes of it, usually within two years.
• Administrative fees associated with the claims process.

Most non-CDW car rental insurance will cover those extras. But, in some cases, coverage depends on cooperation from the rental company—and it may not be forthcoming, as our reader’s above wasn’t.

You Need General Liability Protection

You should never get behind the wheel of a car—or lawnmower, for that matter—without liability protection. But you don’t buy that from a car rental company: It usually comes with household, homeowner, or tenant insurance, and it covers far more than a car rental. And if your net worth is in six figures, you probably need an “umbrella” liability policy that covers a million dollars or more.

Car rental companies in most countries are required by law to include liability insurance. In the U.S., required coverage can be ludicrously small (usually only the minimum required by the state)—it’s usually much better in Europe. If you don’t have substantial liability insurance, you might consider buying the rental company’s offering. Still, your best bet is to make sure you’re covered 24/7 with your own insurance so you can forget about the rental company’s overpriced insurance.

Alternatives to Rental Company Collision Damage Waivers

Alternative #1: Pay with Your Existing Car Insurance

In many cases, if your regular auto insurance covers collision damage to your insured car, it also covers damage to a short-term rental. But this coverage is generally limited to driving in the U.S. and maybe Canada, and won’t cover car rentals in Mexico, Europe, or anywhere else. So, before you plan on using your own insurance, check its coverage. If it does cover rentals, you can place a claim on it. Still, you must typically pay your policy’s deductible, and any claims may cause your rates to go up.

Alternative #2: Use Credit Card Benefits

These days, most credit cards provide “free” collision coverage for car rentals, provided you use the card to secure the rental. A sample credit card benefits statement describes coverage as:

“Physical damage and/or theft of the covered rental vehicle. Valid loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company while the damaged vehicle is being repaired and is not available for use, as substantiated in the company’s fleet utilization log. Reasonable and customary towing charges related to a covered loss to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility.”

Note that this typical Visa card’s benefits do not cover diminished value or administrative costs. A few premium credit cards offer primary collision coverage, meaning the card takes full responsibility for the payment. But coverage on most cards is secondary, meaning the card picks up only what you can’t first recover from your own insurance. And you still have to pay the rental company up front, then file for reimbursement from your card issuer.

Another gotcha in the above fine print: This card (and many others) pays for loss of use only if verified by the rental company’s log. Unfortunately, some rental companies don’t cooperate with credit card issuers in providing this type of documentation in a timely manner.

Alternative #3: Third-Party Car Rental Insurance

If you rent a car through one of the big online travel agencies (OTA) such as Expedia or Priceline, the agency normally offers you the option to buy collision coverage for around $10 a day. That coverage is provided by a third-party insurance company such as Allianz. The cost is a lot less than the rental company’s CDW, but, as with credit card coverage, if you damage the car, you have to pay up front and claim later.

Typical third-party collision coverage includes about the same contingencies as credit card coverage, but because it’s grouped with the booking you won’t have to make any other claims. You can also buy collision coverage independently: Bonzah, for example, sells coverage at around $10-$20 per day.

You should never get behind the wheel of a car—or lawnmower, for that matter—without liability protection. But you don’t buy that from a car rental company: It usually comes with household, homeowner, or tenant insurance, and it covers far more than a car rental. And if your net worth is in six figures, you probably need an “umbrella” liability policy that covers a million dollars or more.

Car rental companies in most countries are required by law to include liability insurance. In the U.S., required coverage can be ludicrously small (usually only the minimum required by the state)—it’s usually much better in Europe. If you don’t have substantial liability insurance, you might consider buying the rental company’s offering. Still, your best bet is to make sure you’re covered 24/7 with your own insurance so you can forget about the rental company’s overpriced insurance.

The Uncertainty Principle

The takeaway from all this: No alternative source of collision damage coverage—your auto insurance, your credit card, or a third party—completely isolates you from risk. Lots of travelers successfully rely on lower-cost alternatives to CDW without encountering any problems, sure. Occasionally, however, your own insurance, credit card, or third-party policy may not cover an unusual charge a rental company might impose.

If you’re unwilling to accept any risk at all, you might want to buy that overpriced CDW. For most travelers and circumstances, credit card or third-party coverage is sufficient, and primary coverage is a lot better than secondary.

Consumer advocate Ed Perkins, the founding editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, has been writing about travel for more than three decades.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post The Truth About Car Rental Insurance You Need to Know appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Booking a tropical Caribbean or seaside vacation during hurricane season is always something of a gamble. The statistical chances of a hurricane impacting your trip are rather slim, but certainly not zero. And while some years are quiet, with only a handful of named storms threatening tourism areas, overall the trend appears to be heading toward an increase in hurricane intensity.

Understandably, this might have you considering hurricane travel insurance for your next trip to a hurricane-vulnerable area. But there are a few things you should know before buying coverage.

You Have to Buy Well in Advance

As with all forms of insurance, hurricane travel insurance typically protects you against hurricanes that could happen. If you wait to buy coverage until a hurricane appears imminent, has formed, or has been named, insurance companies can claim the storm in question was a “foreseeable event,” which is ineligible for coverage. Every insurance policy is different—some stipulate that you must purchase coverage 24 hours prior to the storm being named, while some require you to purchase even sooner.

Bottom line: Don’t wait until the storm is barreling toward your destination. If you’re traveling to a potential strike area during peak hurricane season, buy insurance well in advance.

A Flood of Fine Print

It’s no secret that insurance companies load their policies with fine print. Hurricane travel insurance is no different. Travel insurance providers have very particular parameters for what “counts” as a hurricane, at least in terms of covering customers. The threat of a hurricane usually isn’t enough to qualify—the hurricane has to directly impact your travel.

Insurance provider Travel Guard explains that if the hurricane “prevents your travel or directly affects your accommodations, you may be entitled to Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption benefits.” However, making an independent choice to cancel in anticipation of inclement weather is not covered. For example, unforeseen storm damage to your accommodations prior to departure may be covered by your plan (“subject to the terms of the insurance policy”), but a choice to cancel your reservation in anticipation of potential damage would not qualify.

Cancellation vs. Interruption vs. Delay

Hurricane travel insurance plans (and most travel insurance plans) typically cover three primary scenarios, with different levels of coverage: Advance cancellation, trip interruption, and delay. Each is fairly self-explanatory, but cancellation covers the full cancelling of your trip prior to departure. Trip interruption covers your losses for the unused portions of a trip cut short by a hurricane, plus transportation expenses to get you home. Trip delay coverage takes care of meals, lodging, and other expenses incurred when a trip is delayed by weather.

The bar for cancellation coverage is fairly high. In most cases, your provider, such as an airline or tour company, must completely cease services for at least 24 hours as a result of the hurricane. This can include a resort shutting down due to damage from a hurricane prior to your trip. The point is, you can’t typically elect to cancel your trip due to a hurricane (except for those who purchased one specific type of insurance; more on that below). Your trip has to be cancelled by your providers for the insurance to take effect.

The same goes for trip interruption and trip delay coverage. If you choose to leave because you’re worried about an actual hurricane heading roughly in your direction, your policy will likely not take effect. Your provider must postpone all services for a short period of time for coverage to apply.

Bottom line: You don’t get to decide when your insurance kicks in, so you need to understand exactly how your policy defines your coverage threshold.

Cancel for Any Reason

One way to avoid all these rules and stipulations is a policy that lets you cancel for any reason (CFAR). These policies are exactly what they sound like: They let you cancel for any reason, including if you’re worried about a hurricane that could affect your trip, but they cover only cancellation; interruption coverage remains separate. CFAR coverage is usually pricey, and comes as an optional add-on to regular insurance. It doesn’t always offer the same level of reimbursement, but it generally provides the most reassurance that you’ll get something if and when you’re worried about a hurricane.

Where to Compare

There are dozens of sites that let you shop for hurricane travel insurance. The best place to start is a comparison site that lists options from multiple insurance providers, such as SquareMouth, InsureMyTrip, QuoteWright, or TravelInsurance.com. From there, make sure you evaluate your policy closely on the actual insurance provider’s site. NerdWallet also maintains a very comprehensive list of insurance providers and comparison sites if you’d like a longer list of options.

The post How to Buy Hurricane Travel Insurance appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Here’s everything you need to know about travel insurance before you plan your next adventure.

Does Travel Insurance Cover COVID-19?

There are different types of travel insurance that come with various coverage amounts, additional endorsements that can be added to your policy, and things that are not covered altogether. 

Here are some examples of things that are typically covered under a travel insurance policy:

• Sickness, injury or death
• Cancellations or delays
• Auto accident
• Hijacking
• Quarantine
• Labor strike
• Jury Duty
• Uninhabitable accommodations
• Theft of travel documents
• Medical evaluation
• Military obligations
• Terrorist attack
• Civil disorder
• Job loss
• New vaccine requirements

While some of these might apply to a COVID-related event that could affect your tickets and other reservations, it’s important to know what the fine print entails when you are buying travel insurance under the current health advisory. 

Standard travel insurance policies usually only cover an event if the purchaser is the one who contracts COVID-19. Things like family members getting sick, flight cancellations, and their quarantine requirements may not be covered if you’ve got the bare minimum amount of coverage.

How to Ensure Coverage in Case Covid-19 Disrupts Travel

It’s worth paying attention to some of the following terms when you are shopping around for travel insurance. It could mean the difference between getting a refund or having to say goodbye to your hard-earned cash. 

Foreseen events

Foreseen events is insurance-speak for events that you could have probably seen coming. Since there is widespread awareness of the dangers of traveling during the pandemic, some insurance companies see certain COVID-related events as foreseeable events, and they will not be covered. However, they will typically offer an endorsement such as Allianz’s epidemic endorsement that can be added to cover COVID-related delays and cancellations. 

Cancel for any reason

Because the rules can be a bit muddy and often not seem favorable for insureds, there has been a significant increase in popularity of plans that include “cancellation for any reason” in their coverage. Two of the most popular providers of travel insurance, Squaremouth and Seven Corners, both saw an increase of 165% and 180% respectively in the sales of plans that give you a percentage back on your refund if you cancel. Watch out for the fine print, as these policies do not always cover 100 percent of your trip (you can usually recover about 70 percent of your costs) and often require you to cancel at least three days before the trip was scheduled to depart.

Fear of Travel

Most travel insurance companies have a fear of travel clauses that will not pay out a refund if you cancel because you are afraid to travel for any reason. For example, although AIG’s travel policies will cover your trip cancellation and medical expenses if you test positive before or during your trip, they will not cover cancellations due to fear of travel because of the coronavirus.

COVID-19 Insurance Travel Checklist

As you’re packing your bags, you may be wondering if traveling with all these rules and restrictions will be worth the trouble. Not only are you probably in need of a break to clear your head and go somewhere new, but the travel industry needs it, too. The leisure, tourism, and hospitality industry represents 47% of all jobs lost during the pandemic. We are all ready to get back to normal. Before you go, make sure that you check these boxes off your list:

1. Know the COVID-19 travel restrictions both in your area and at your destination. Some countries require that you buy a certain minimum amount of travel insurance, or will require travel insurance that covers quarantining, medical evacuation, or other eventualities. 
2. Buy travel insurance at least 14 days in advance of your trip, and make sure that you are aware of what’s covered and what isn’t. You don’t want to be unprepared in case the worst happens. 
3. Print out (or save to your phone) copies of your insurance card, insurance contact information, and policy details so it’s easily accessible if you need it on your trip.

The post Travel Insurance That Covers COVID-19: 3 Important Things to Know appeared first on SmarterTravel.

You’ve done hours of research, polished your travel itinerary, and put together a comprehensive packing list, but your trip could still go wrong—very wrong. Don’t let any of the following bad travel decisions ruin your next vacation.

Forgoing Travel Insurance on Expensive International Trips

It’s legit to skip trip insurance on certain types of vacations, such as inexpensive weekend getaways or domestic trips where you’ll have ready access to medical care if you need it. But on longer international trips, travel insurance is almost always a wise idea.

To determine whether you need trip insurance, consider the following questions: Have you spent a significant sum on nonrefundable airfare, rail passes, and/or trip deposits—i.e., money you would lose if your plans changed? Will you be traveling to a place where high-quality medical care isn’t readily available? (Medical evacuation is extremely expensive.) Are you traveling under circumstances in which weather could disrupt your plans, such as a trip to the Caribbean during hurricane season?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then you should seriously consider travel insurance. It usually only costs a few hundred dollars, but it could save you thousands if your trip goes awry. Reputable companies include Allianz Travel and Seven Corners.

Risking Your Life to Take a Selfie

Everyone wants to get the perfect shot for their Instagram, but would you sacrifice your life to do it? A recent study discovered that 259 people died while taking selfies between October 2011 and November 2017. Among the most common causes of death: being washed away by waves on the beach and snapping photos “in front of a running train.” More recently, two tourists fell to their deaths while attempting to take a selfie on a ledge at Yosemite National Park.

This should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: Use common sense when snapping vacation photos. Risky places like windy ledges, rough seas, and oncoming trains aren’t worth the photograph. Maintain a safe distance, and live to travel another day.

Not Checking Passport and Visa Requirements

Imagine planning your trip for months, flying 12 hours across the ocean, and then discovering once you arrive that you don’t have the visa you need to enter the country. It’s every traveler’s worst nightmare.

Way before the first day of your trip—and I’m talking months here, not days or weeks—check the document requirements for your destination. Do you need a visa? If so, can you get one on arrival, or do you need to obtain it in advance? Does your destination require that passports be valid for at least six months after your trip? Asking these questions early will give you time to renew your passport or apply for a visa.

If you’re in a pinch, a passport/visa expeditor such as Travel Visa Pro can help you get your documents in a hurry.

Arriving for a Cruise or Tour on the Day It Departs

Whether it’s to conserve vacation days or to save money on an extra hotel night, some travelers are tempted to schedule their flight to arrive the same day their cruise ship or bus tour departs. But you’ll regret that decision if your flight is delayed and you don’t arrive in time to meet your group.

If your ship leaves without you, you’ll probably have to buy an expensive last-minute flight to meet up with the vessel in its next port of call. For a bus tour, you might need to take a cab or public transportation to catch up with the group. Do you really need the extra stress? Schedule your flight to arrive at least one day early. This will give you some wiggle room and allow you time to explore your departure city if your flight does arrive as planned.

Not Checking for Bedbugs

As anyone who has ever attempted to rid their homes of bedbugs can tell you, it’s much better never to catch them in the first place. These creepy-crawlies are notorious hitchhikers. They move quickly and can crawl onto your clothing or suitcase from an infested hotel and crawl off right into your home.

To spot bedbugs in your hotel room, carefully examine the mattress, box spring, and headboard for bugs or their droppings as soon as you arrive. During your inspection, leave your bags on a tile surface where it would be difficult for the bugs to hide. If you see any sign of bedbugs, immediately request a different room.

Once you get home, you can also wash your clothes with a laundry additive that kills bedbugs, just to be safe.

Not Getting Your Shots

The one thing you never want to bring home from a trip is a potentially fatal disease like typhoid or malaria. Fortunately, there are vaccines and medications available to prevent many diseases that are common in other parts of the world.

Start by researching your destination on the CDC website, which will offer a list of recommended vaccines as well as general health information. Depending on what you find, you may want to schedule an appointment at a travel clinic; the professionals there can administer vaccines, prescribe anti-malarial drugs or other medications, and offer advice on other items you might want to bring along (such as antihistamines or bug spray).

Overscheduling

Your vacation should feel like a vacation—not a forced march from one museum to the next. So why schedule it that way? Many travelers understandably want to see as much as possible, but that often results in feeling constantly rushed, without enough time to savor and reflect on what you’re seeing.

If that sounds familiar, consider adopting a slow travel approach. This means identifying a small number of attractions and seeing them thoroughly instead of racing from one to the next. You can also commit to getting around by slower (and often more affordable) means of transportation, such as walking, biking, or public transportation. Or try blocking out free time in each day’s schedule that can be used for whatever sounds appealing when you’re there—like a long lunch or a stroll down an intriguing side street.

Booking a Tight Connection

When searching for airfare, you might think, “Wow, this flight is so cheap! Surely 45 minutes is enough time to connect between flights. The booking site wouldn’t show me this itinerary if it weren’t feasible, right?” Wrong.

Although flight search sites sometimes show connections as tight as 30 minutes, it’s not a good idea to book one of these itineraries. At best, you’ll find yourself sprinting between terminals to make it to your gate. At worst, even a relatively minor delay on your first flight could mean you miss your connection entirely. You’re much better off allowing 60 to 90 minutes for a domestic connection and at least two hours for an international one, even if it means paying a little more.

Sacrificing Safety to Save Money

There are places where it makes sense to trim expenses on vacation, like packing lighter so you don’t have to pay checked baggage fees or booking a vacation rental with a kitchen so you can make your own meals instead of eating out. And then there are parts of your trip where scrimping isn’t the smartest thing to do—especially when it comes to your personal safety.

Walking back to your hotel late at night to avoid paying for a Lyft ride, staying in a sketchy neighborhood because it’s cheaper, or hitchhiking to spare yourself the cost of a rental car might save you a few bucks, but these activities pose real risks. Safety comes first, so save the penny pinching for other parts of your trip.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 7 Things That Will Ruin Your Trip If You Forget to Pack Them
• The 8 Worst Fashion Mistakes You Make While Traveling
• 12 Ways to Ruin Travel for Other People

Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

The post The 8 Worst Travel Decisions You Can Make on Vacation appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The incredibly cheap deals on airfare, vacations, and hotels are tempting—but don’t book a trip for 2021 without reading this first. Making these five simple mistakes could cost you big (like the entire price of a vacation). If you want your trip to go smoothly, don’t do these things:

Skip Reading the Cancellation Policy

You may have heard that most airlines are offering free flight changes, or that many hotels are letting you cancel for free. However, there’s no blanket rule around travel cancelations or changes, so always read the entire cancelation policy before booking anything. Be sure to check both the change and cancelation policy—some providers are allowing free changes, but not a cancelation. Don’t forget to check if you will receive a refund or a credit, and if you get a credit, how long you’ll have to use that credit before it expires.

Buy the Cheapest Travel Insurance

If you’re worried that you might have to cancel your trip due to the pandemic (whether it’s due to getting sick yourself, travel restrictions, or anything else COVID-19 related), you might think that buying travel insurance will cover you. However, since the pandemic is now a “forseen condition” most basic travel insurance policies won’t cover cancelations related to it. 

Carefully read the terms and conditions for any policy that you’re considering purchasing to make sure it would cover any pandemic-related cancelations. You’ll likely have to upgrade to a more expensive policy or a “cancel for any reason” plan to get the coverage you’re looking for.

Pay With Anything but a Credit Card

Paid with a cheque and your airline or tour provider went out of business? You’re probably out of luck when it comes to getting your money back. Credit cards typically offer much better purchase protections than other forms of payment, and you’ll likely be able to dispute a charge and get a full refund if an operator goes out of business. 

Wait Too Long to Snag a Great Deal

Although there are plenty of great travel deals out there right now, experts are predicting that prices will rise later this year once bookings begin to increase. So if you see a fully-refundable, amazing deal to your dream destination don’t wait—book it now!

Forget About Travel Restrictions

Don’t let your excitement over traveling again distract you from reality. Keep an eye on changing travel restrictions during the time leading up to your trip, so that you can act accordingly. Does it look like the country you’re visiting might close borders again? Look into your cancelation options. 

As you prepare for your trip, make sure you stay up-to-date with the most recent quarantine guidelines and testing requirements before you go, so that you can plan ahead and have enough time to isolate (both before and after your trip, depending on rules at your home state and also your destinations) and book a COVID-19 test if required.

The post 5 Things NOT to Do When Booking a Trip in 2021 appeared first on SmarterTravel.

As experts and media spokespeople, the editors at SmarterTravel get asked a lot of travel questions. How early should you book? Which booking sites have the cheapest fares? What’s the best way to avoid bag fees?

The good news is that we have answers. From pinpointing the best day of the week for booking airfare to selecting the best destination for your next trip, here are solutions to some of your most common travel questions.

How Far in Advance Should I Book?

Truth be told, airfare prices—which fluctuate constantly—are impossible to predict. However, there are a few strategies that will guide you to a good deal and minimize your risk of overpaying.

For domestic travel, you’ll typically find the best fares one to two months before your trip. For international itineraries, you’ll often want to start searching for fares a bit further in advance, especially if your dates are firm or you’re traveling at a busy time of year. Add an extra month or two for peak travel times like holidays or major events. Some destinations, such as Disney World during spring break or popular beach spots in August, require even more advance planning, so do your homework.

To help you figure out when to jump on a fare, set up airfare alerts through sites like Airfarewatchdog (SmarterTravel’s sister site) or smartphone apps like Hopper (iOS | Android). You can put in your targeted trip dates and itinerary, and you’ll be notified when the fare drops.

How Can I Find the Best Travel Deal?

We’d love to point you definitively to a single booking site that always has the lowest possible airfares and hotel rates, but, unfortunately, that site doesn’t exist—and shopping around is always required. It’s best to check multiple types of sites before you book, including the provider’s own website as well as online travel agencies (think Expedia and Orbitz) and metasearch sites (like Kayak and SmarterTravel’s parent company, TripAdvisor).

To help you find the best sites to check, see the following lists:

• The 12 Best Flight Search Sites for Booking Cheap Airfare
• The 10 Best Hotel Booking Sites
• The 14 Best Car Rental Booking Sites
• The 10 Best Sites to Book a Cruise
• The 8 Best Travel Package Sites for Booking a Cheap Vacation
• The 9 Best Vacation Rental Sites for Travelers

One tip to keep in mind: The more flexible you are, the better the deals will be. Moving your trip a few months from a destination’s peak season to its shoulder season, for example, often means lower prices and smaller crowds. Flying out on a Tuesday or Wednesday rather than a Friday or Sunday can also save you money. For more information, see The Best and Worst Days to Fly.

How Can I Avoid Fees?

Yes, travel fees are pervasive and have wormed their way into every facet of travel, including flights, hotels, and rental cars. The good news is that many can be avoided. When it comes to flying, look for airlines that don’t charge fees for common services like baggage: For example, Southwest allows two checked bags for free, and some airlines will waive bag fees for frequent flyers or travelers who carry their branded credit cards. For more ideas, see 7 Smart Ways to Bypass Baggage Fees.

Many hotel fees can be avoided if you simply say no to certain services. In other words, don’t touch the minibar or make in-room calls (buy your own snacks and use your cell phone instead). Other charges, such as resort fees, are trickier. It’s best to find out about the charge in advance and book with another hotel, or ask the hotel manager to remove it—he or she might say no, but it never hurts to ask.

When renting a car, read the fine print. Look for easily avoidable fees like early-return and fuel charges. Also, most agents will pressure you into buying a collision damage waiver (CDW), but you might already have collision coverage through your credit card or your own auto insurance policy. Always check in advance.

What Are My Rights When Your Flight Is Delayed or Canceled?

When you find yourself faced with a flight delay or cancellation, know that your rights vary depending on whether the situation is the airline’s fault (such as a mechanical delay) or due to some uncontrollable outside force (like a hurricane or winter storm). Every airline’s policy varies, but most state that for delays or cancellations within the airline’s control, passengers are entitled to be rebooked on the next available flight, possibly transferred to another carrier, or to receive a refund for the unused portion of the trip. Some lines will also provide meal vouchers, hotel stays, and ground transportation at their discretion.

When the situation is beyond the airline’s control, a refund is all that most airlines promise. However, for major storms, airlines have set a precedent for preemptively canceling flights in advance so you’re not stranded at the airport, and they will allow you to rebook within a specific time frame without penalty.

To learn more, see Flight-Cancellation Rights: The Ultimate Guide and Flight Delays: What to Do and How to Prevent Them.

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

To buy or not to buy: That is the question when it comes to travel insurance. It all depends on risk and your tolerance for it. In general, if you’re taking a relatively short trip and haven’t paid a fortune for it, you probably don’t need it. Plus, most airlines—and hotels, for that matter—will give you a refund or allow you to rebook when there’s a widespread storm or incident.

However, if you have put down significant nonrefundable deposits, are traveling at a risky time of year (such as hurricane season), have a potential medical condition, or are traveling to remote places where hospitals are scarce, travel insurance could be a good idea.

If you do opt insurance, make sure you know what’s included in your policy; most are very specific and won’t allow coverage to kick in once a storm is predicted or if you have a preexisting medical condition. You can also buy a policy that will allow you to cancel for any reason, but those usually come with a higher premium.

How Do I Know When a Deal Is Really a Deal?

Sadly, not all travel deals are created equal. And while some are bona fide, others are nothing more than gimmicks, if not downright scams. Your best defense is to take the time to fully research a deal before handing over your credit card number.

First, make sure you’re dealing with a reputable supplier, especially when it comes to tour operators and promoters. If you haven’t heard of the company, check with the Better Business Bureau or United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) to make sure it is sound. Look for online reviews of the company on sites such as TripAdvisor or TrustPilot. Also, always compare prices across multiple suppliers. A deal might look good at first glance, but you may be able to beat the price elsewhere.

When it comes to hotel packages, price out inclusions like gift baskets or spa services separately to determine whether it’s cheaper to go a la carte. For example, many hotels offer individual room rates that are way cheaper than what you’d pay for the room plus the extras in a package. Remember: You can bring your own Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries (likely higher-quality ones, too).

Lastly, always read the fine print, with a particular eye on blackout dates and other restrictions. You don’t want to get a deal that you can’t even use.

How Do I Score an Upgrade?

Everyone wants to vault to the front of the airplane cabin or that penthouse suite in the hotel, but most of us feel that an upgrade is out of reach. Not necessarily so. The best way to get upgraded is to join a loyalty program. While it’s hard for many leisure travelers to accrue enough miles for a free first- or business-class ticket, basic upgrades usually require fewer miles. For hotels and rental cars, points generally add up more quickly and you can get additional free perks just for being a member.

Another way to land a better seat is to look for deals; some airlines will launch short-term sales on premium seats. For more information, see First Class for Free: How to Get an Airline Upgrade.

With hotels, arriving late in the day can increase your chances of a better room, since the hotel might have vacant rooms to fill (and can subsequently open up a cheaper room for another paying customer). Also, at check-in, mention if you are celebrating a special occasion like a honeymoon or an anniversary. Check out How to Get a Hotel Upgrade for Free to learn more.

At the rental car desk, asking for an upgrade might work, but make sure you’ve weighed your options: A larger car could mean higher gas costs, which can quickly negate any benefit. In any situation, even with the airlines, it never hurts to ask; when you do, dress nicely, be specific with your request, and above all, be polite.

What Can I Bring on the Plane?

This is such a complicated topic that SmarterTravel has a whole airport security FAQ to cover it. But here are the basics: In your carry-on, you can bring a single clear, quart-size plastic bag of liquid and gel items (such as shampoo, insect repellent, and sunscreen) in bottles of 3.4 ounces or less. If you need to bring larger quantities, you can put them in your checked bag—just make sure they’re well sealed to prevent messy spills. Exceptions to this rule include prescription medications, breast milk, and baby formula, which you can carry on in larger amounts.

The TSA has strict rules for items such as scissors, razors, sharp objects, and even wrapped gifts. To learn more, see the FAQ above or visit the TSA’s website.

What Should I Pack?

Speaking of complicated topics … where do we begin? Of course, the answer depends on where you’re going and for how long, but you’ll want to start with SmarterTravel’s Ultimate Packing List, which has you covered with the basics you’ll need for just about any type of trip. If you want more specific advice, consider these lists:

• The Essential Beach Packing List
• The Essential Carry-on Bag Packing List
• The Ultimate Holiday Packing List
• The Ultimate Cruise Packing List
• The Essential International Packing List
• How to Pack for an African Safari
• The Ultimate Ski Trip Packing List

You’ll also want to check out Ingenious Packing Tips Every Traveler Should Know, which includes information on how to pack for the TSA’s requirements, tips on saving space, a discussion of whether you should roll or fold your clothes, and clever tips from SmarterTravel readers. Trying to avoid overpacking? See A Traveler’s Guide to Minimalist Packing.

I’m Unhappy with My Seatmate(s) on the Plane. What Can I Do?

SmarterTravel readers often write in with travel questions about airplane seating dilemmas. “I have severe allergies to animals. What are my rights if I am sitting by someone with an animal?” asks one reader.

“I was recently seated next to a large person whose body overhung the armrest and crowded me,” writes another. “What can be done in this situation?”

Generally speaking, your best bet is to approach a flight attendant discreetly and ask if there are any available seats to which you could be moved. In the case of animal allergies, even if no seats are free, the airline staff might be able to find a non-allergic passenger who’s willing to switch with you. Bring up your concerns early—because once the plane has taken off, the flight attendants will have much less flexibility.

For more information, see the following resources:

• What You Need to Know About Flying with a Service or Emotional Support Animal
• Airline Passenger of Size Policies

What Are the Best Travel Destinations, and How Do I Know If They’re Safe?

There’s no single right answer to the first part of this question. It really depends on factors like your personal travel style and when you plan to travel. But there are a few tricks to identifying a great hot spot.

If affordability is a priority, look for destinations with new airline routes or hotels; providers will often release introductory rates at a discount, and you can be among the first to check things out. Additionally, keep an eye out for destinations making a comeback from natural disasters or political unrest; it can take time for tourists to return, even after the place is safe and open for business again, and the low demand can mean great deals for those who are willing to visit.

If you want to go where the excitement is, look for locales with big events, such as major sporting competitions, festivals, and museum openings. Check with the local tourism bureau to see what’s on; you might even stumble upon corresponding deals and packages.

SmarterTravel frequently publishes inspirational lists of places to travel for just about every interest. Check out Top Travel Destinations for 2020 or browse the site’s Destinations section to learn more.

As for safety, your first step is to research your destination on the U.S. State Department’s website. Here you’ll find important travel advisories and information about crime, health concerns, and other safety issues for every country around the world. Pay attention to the details before writing off an entire destination; it may be perfectly safe as long as you steer clear of certain problem areas. Keep an eye on news headlines in the lead-up to your trip so you’re aware of any last-minute issues.

If you have specific concerns, consider posting questions on travel forums such as TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet. Destination experts and locals can often offer up-to-the-minute updates from the ground.

More from SmarterTravel:

• Ultralight Travel: How to Pack Light Every Time
• 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking a Flight
• The Worst Seats on a Plane (and How to Avoid Them)

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2012. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Anne Banas and Sarah Schlichter contributed to this story.

The post Your 11 Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions—Answered appeared first on SmarterTravel.