• Check on travel insurance.

• Plan as much as you can ahead of time. Your time at your destination is precious.

• Use your ATM for cash. Try and withdraw the most money that you will need.

• Use your credit card for purchases.

• Look into travel cards that will save money on public transportation.

• Avoid touristy restaurants - eat where locals eat.

• Split meals at restaurants.

• Ask about what is included in the meal.

• Stock your hotel room with drinks and snacks.

• Eat a larger lunch and a smaller dinner.

• Eat at restaurants near markets or buy food from the market.

• Go to a grocery store and buy supplies for picnics instead of only eating in restaurants.

• Buy water from a grocery store. Refill water bottles.

• Check on free attractions and walking tours offered by visitor bureaus.

•       You will need your government-issued photo I.D. for check-in for domestic travel and a passport that is valid for six months with at least 3 empty pages in it for    international travel.

•          With an E-ticket, you will only need your I.D./passport and the confirmation number for check-in. There is no paper ticket.

•       Your checked bag must be no larger than 62 linear inches (length+width+height) each and must weigh no more than 50 pounds.  If a bag exceeds these requirements you will be charged.  Do not lock your bag unless you use an approved TSA lock. 

•          Make your own list

•        Add to your list as you remember things

•          Check off your list as you pack

•         Keep track of what the weather will be at your destination and choose your clothing accordingly

•          Choose lightweight clothing that is wrinkle resistant

•          Choose coordinating clothes that can be mixed and matched. All tops should go with all the bottoms.  Choose one basic color

•          Plan on wearing all your items at least twice

        •          Choose clothing that will dry in a short time

 •         Plan on layering your clothes with a sweater or jacket that goes with all your pieces

•          Choose your shoes carefully.  They must be durable, waterproof and comfortable. Choose shoes that you have worn for several weeks.  Good brands are     Merrell,  Rockport, Naturalizer, Ecco, Dansko, Sofft

•          For women, scarves and costume jewelry are easy ways to dress up outfits

•          A lightweight wrap for women is a versatile piece for cooler weather

•          Choose clothing in new fabrics such as Coolmax or Gore-tex

•          Good sources for clothing:  http://www.travelsmith.com/, http://www.exofficio.com/, LL Bean, REI

•          Don’t forget a rain jacket with a hood or an umbrella

•          An emergency set of clothing

•          Reading materials, games, writing materials

•          Snacks

•          Prescription medications & prescription

•          Photocopies of passport, driver’s license, health-insurance card, vaccination certificate, credit cards, eyeglass prescription

•          Emergency kit: band aids, Pepto Bismol tablets, Imodium, ibuprofen, antibiotic cream

•          Items for the airplane or coach: antibacterial wipes, travel pillow, ear plugs, compression socks

•          Coat or jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, umbrella

•          Cosmetics and toiletries

•          Calculator

•          Printouts of reservations

•          Passport and vaccination certificate (if needed), driver’s license

•          Health record

•          Prescription medicines, vitamins

•          Cash, ATM & credit cards, frequent flyer card or #

•          Photocopies of passport, driver’s license, health-insurance card, vaccination certificate, credit cards, eyeglass prescription

•          Photograph of luggage contents (in case of loss)

•          Contact-lens solution, extra contact lenses or eyeglasses

•          Sunscreen and sunglasses

•          Camera & extra batteries

•          Binoculars

•          Compass, maps, guidebooks, translation dictionary

•          Travel journal & writing materials

•          Addresses of friends and family for postcards

•          Emergency kit: band aids, Pepto Bismol, Imodium, ibuprofen, antibiotic cream

•          Sewing Kit

•          Compression socks for airplane flight

•          Calculator

•          Stain stick

•          Snacks for the trip

•          Antibacterial wipes

•          Travel packs of tissues

•          Travel pillow

•         

Reading materials

•          Headphones, IPod, games, sudoku, crossword puzzles, cards

•        Ear plugs, eye mask

•         Travel alarm clock

•          Cosmetics & toiletries, personal items

•          Toothpaste, floss, toothbrush

•          Razor

•          Hair management equipment and products

•          Nail items: emery board, clippers

•          Clothing: tops, bottoms, underwear, socks, belt

•          Sleepwear

•          Coat or jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, umbrella

•          Insect repellent

•          Travel-size detergent

•          Wallet or money belt

•          Small backpack or tote bag for touring

If you have access to the internet you can check in on line ahead of time within 24 hours of the flight.  Go to airline site and click on Itineraries and check-in.  Click on Check-in on line. You may check in as a mileage member or as a guest.  Enter the confirmation number and your last name.  Print your boarding pass. At the airport go to the .com check-in. Follow directions there to check in your bag and have your I.D. or passport ready for inspection.

You can do curbside check-in with the skycap for domestic travel for a small charge plus a tip. For skycap check-in your itinerary will be accessed from your I.D. and you will be given your boarding pass.  Your checked luggage will be taken care of by the skycap. 

For self-service check-in at a computer access your itinerary using the confirmation number #.  Follow the prompts on the screen.  You may be asked if you are checking in as a group.  Enter no.  Your boarding pass will be printed.  Give your boarding pass and I.D. to an airline representative and place your bag to be checked on the scale.