Even the most seasoned travelers can forget a thing or two when they travel abroad. On a trip that’s supposed to be fun and full of adventure, the last thing anybody wants to deal with is problems that could have been avoided with better preparation and planning. So, here are four things travelers tend to forget, along with pro tips from some travel experts to help avoid these common travel blunders.
Forgetting about the home
Travel plans begin at home, literally. It’s easy to focus on packing and planning an itinerary and forget to make sure everything is taken care of at home before leaving. The last thing any person wants is to come back from a relaxing trip to a major cleanup job, or worse, discover that their home wasn’t properly secured while they were away.
Many homeowners keep an eye on things through CCTV, while others ask a close relative to drop by every now and then. It’s also important to unplug all electronics and appliances that don’t need to be running. It may seem obvious, but taking care of these things before leaving can give travelers one less thing to worry about while they’re on vacation.
Overlooking important travel documents
There’s nothing worse than getting to the airport and realizing an important document was either left unfinished or not brought at all. To avoid these moments, it’s important to have a checklist of everything that needs to be completed – such as the eTravel pass – ahead of time. These are easy to put off at the last minute, but doing so often leaves travelers scrambling once at the airport.
Another pro tip is to keep photocopies of a valid ID, your passport, the destination’s visa (if needed), and hotel bookings stored in both your hand carry and check-in luggage. If you lose your luggage, have it swapped, or your passport goes missing, you’ll have proof they’re yours.
Not getting travel insurance
Travel insurance is one of those things that’s easy to put off because travelers are hoping they won’t actually need it. But when something unexpected happens on a trip, having coverage can make a big difference.
For content creator Maki Santos, travel insurance is among her non-negotiables before heading out on her travels. “Sadly, getting travel insurance is still not top of mind for Filipinos, when in fact, it is a need especially during trips where you do so many different activities that are out of the ordinary,” she shares.
According to her, travelers tend to assume that getting insurance means dealing with a complicated process or having to spend a lot of money on an already expensive trip. But what they don’t realize is that there are many accessible options that make it easier to get covered these days.
GCash offers GInsure Travel starting at only PHP 299, with protection covering medical emergencies, flight delays, trip cancellations, lost baggage, personal accidents, based on their chosen coverage plan. Policies can cover up to PHP 2.5 million, and travelers can avail of coverage for themselves or family members in as fast as 5 minutes, even at the airport, up to 2 hours before their flight.
Not mixing it up with payment options
The way people pay in different countries can be very different. Some destinations are almost completely cashless, while others still rely heavily on cash especially for transportation and night markets. It’s this extra step of research that travel creator Marvin Samaco makes sure to never miss.
According to him, “Some destinations especially in Southeast Asia are still very cash-heavy, so I make sure to carry enough cash when I visit there. Others are mostly cashless, so when I’m there, I use my cards. Then there are places like China, where digital wallets are essential. That’s why I always research the payment culture of a destination before I travel. I usually end up using a mix of cash, cards, and digital wallets depending on where I am.”
GCash allows travelers to manage different payments through a single e-wallet, get access to 0% forex rates, and have real-time spend tracking on the app to make sure they stay within their budgets.
For everyday expenses like dining at restaurants or at the convenience store, users can Scan to Pay via Alipay+ for safe and seamless transactions. For instant, on-the-go payments, especially in high-volume areas or pasalubong shops, users can also Tap to Pay with their NFC-enabled Android phone, so they don’t need to pull out their wallets in the crowd.
Meanwhile, the GCash Card offers 0% Forex fees that one can enjoy on shopping purchases abroad. It can also be used to withdraw cash 24/7 from ATMs worldwide.
The ultimate travel pro tip: Be ready for the unexpected
The goal isn’t to plan for everything that could go wrong, but to be ready when the unexpected happens. With GCash as a travel partner, travelers can stay ready for any payment moment, wherever their travels take them.
