Over the years we have seen a number of negative travel outcomes that could easily have been avoided. Asking these really basic questions could have eliminated problems along the way.
- What Is My Booking Number? It’s the first question asked when you want information about your cruise, hotel, car rental or flight reservation. Have those numbers handy, perhaps by using a digital wallet. Not sure what a digital wallet is? Click here to find out.
- What Is My Next Flight Number And Gate? – Travel may require a number of flights. You will have the most current information on your flight schedule before the first flight. After that, assume nothing. Flight times, departure gates and even planes can change before your first flight ends. Which begs the next question…
- How Much Time Is There Between Flights?– Easy answer: enough time to get you there before the boarding process ends. After that, once the cabin door has been closed, you’re not getting on that flight. Generally speaking, allow 2 hours between domestic flights and three or four between international flights. Connections can be tight for a number of reasons including weather, air traffic and the layout of the connecting airport itself. Save a bit more time by traveling with carry-on luggage only.
- What Time Does The Ship Leave? – It’s posted on most ships as you disembark at a port of call. If the ship has a daily newsletter, it’s on there too.
- Will Your Card Work Where I Am Going? U.S. card holders buying in any U.S. state or Canada have no problem. Going anywhere else? Make the call. This answer is part of the information that came with the card. Still, past the interest rate %, few cardholders pay much attention to the rest. Now you need to know.
- What If Something Happens? – Travel insurance companies provide a toll-free number to use before, during and after travel. Add that to your list. If you have travel insurance which you should have.
- Can My Dietary Needs Be Met? – Personal dietary needs are of the utmost importance to travelers who might die if they consume the wrong thing. The cruise line does not want you to die but does not read minds. Let them know.
- Can I bring my Medications? – This one sounds more like a question that does not need to be asked than any of them. Still, would you be ok not taking any prescription medications for the duration of your cruise? I didn’t think so. Don’t ask your travel agent, ask the cruise line.
- Do I have to book tours in advance? – You probably don’t but it’s not a bad idea. Tours do fill up. I just think it would be a shame if seeing the sites that attracted you to a particular itinerary did not happen.
- What travel benefits are available if I use your card to buy travel? Call the number on the back of your credit card to go direct to the card issuer. If travel insurance comes as part of having the card, what are the details of the coverage. If those numbers work you might not need to have separate travel insurance.
