INTERNATIONAL TRAVELER CHECKLIST

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1. DOCUMENT STORAGE - Be sure you have all your documents in your carry-on luggage.
2. MAKE COPIES OF - 
   - Your passport. Two copies; leave one at home and keep the other copy with you.
   - Your credit cards, driver’s license, etc. – whatever is in your wallet.
   - Copies of prescriptions for any medications
   - All confirmations. Hotels, tours, travel insurance, transfers, etc.
3. CLIMATE-SPECIFIC TOILETRIES - If applicable for the trip, bring sunblock, bug repellent and a hat.
4. GLASSES - If you wear or use glasses for vision, pack an extra pair. You don’t want to have your trip ruined because you lost or broke your glasses.
5. PHOTOS + LIST OF BELONGINGS - Take a picture of, or make a list of, everything in your suitcase. If your bag is lost, you will be able to list the contents when filling out forms more easily. Take a picture of the bag itself. This will help should your bag be lost, and you need to provide a description. I also always take a photo of the checked luggage receipt. They are easy to lose!
6. PACKING CUBES - Packing cubes will help you pack more efficiently and save space.
7. SPLIT YOUR BELONGINGS - If practical, consider packing half of your clothing in your suitcase and the other half in your traveling companion’s suitcase, and vice versa. Then if one bag is delayed you will still have some clothing items.
8. CARRY ON ESSENTIALS - In your carry-on bag, take what you would need to “get by” for a couple of days in case your checked bag is delayed.
9. CELL SERVICE - Check with your cell phone company for international service and download WhatsAPP to text and make international calls for free.
10. CREDIT CARDS - Travel with two to three credit cards. If there is an “issue” with one, you will have a back-up.
11. TRAVEL ADAPTERS - Universal travel adapter that supports USB and USB-C and outlet. Keep in carry on for use at the airport if delayed.
12. MEDICATIONS - All medications should be in their original containers – For International Travel
13. BANKING PINS - If you plan to use a credit and/or debit card for cash advances, make sure your pins have four numeric digits. Keypads on ATM machines in many countries do not have letters of the alphabet on their keys, and many of the machines will not accept a pin that is longer than four digits.
14. CURRENCY - Order foreign currency from your bank 10 days prior to travel. Using an ATM card while traveling? Yes, with the ability to draw out small amounts of cash as needed; you can avoid the risk of traveling with large amounts of cash. Using your ATM card can also be a good way to get cash in foreign countries. The ATM will issue money in local currency. Don't wait until you're out of money to go to an ATM, the machines can run out of money or break down. Also try to visit the ATM early in the day and before the weekend – machines can and do run out of money. Call your bank to make sure your PIN number will work in foreign countries. Find out your daily limits and plan ahead. You may need to take out money little by little or ask to have your daily limit increased. Use your ATM card before you go, to make sure it is still good. If you go through many airport security checks, remember that some security scans can demagnetize your cards. You might want to ask for a visual inspection.
15. CREDIT CARD TRAVEL NOTICES - For travel outside of the U.S., call the credit card company of the card(s) that you plan to use on your trip to alert them that you will be using your card while out of the country.
16. FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEES - If you don’t already have one, consider signing up for a credit card that does NOT charge a foreign transaction fee on purchases made in other countries or in foreign currencies.
17. RECEIPT ENVELOPE - Bring along a special envelope that will be just for receipts. Keep all of the various receipts that will inevitably begin to accumulate. (or you can use one of your travel wallets). You will be very glad you did this should you have an event requiring you to file an insurance claim.
18. PRICELESS ITEMS - If you can’t afford (monetarily or emotionally) to lose it, don’t put it in your checked luggage. Pack it instead in your carry-on.
19. PACKING TIP - To keep bag weight down, consider using plastic zip bags instead of cloth. Use grocery store vegetable bags for your shoes.
20. LIQUIDS - Don’t take full bottles of products. Full bottles can leak due to flight pressure changes. Ask your hairstylist for samples of your shampoo and conditioner.
21. IDENTIFICATION INFO - In addition to your luggage tag with your contact information, place this information inside your bags as well. If you take a jacket on the airplane, you could also put a business card (or your ID on a 3x5 card cut to size) in the pocket. Also a good idea to have identification on any electronic devices that you take along.
22. STEP PROGRAM - When traveling outside of the U.S., consider enrolling in the STEP Program provided by the U.S. State Department. Go here to read about this program and enroll.
23. CHECK IN - Be sure to check in for ALL your flights, 24 hours in advance! Get the airline app on your phone and laptop if applicable.