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Half the fun of the travel is the esthetic of lostness. ~ Ray Bradbury Call (800) 315-8073 or (310) 281-1957 |
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Know The Facts
Open your U.S passport to page two and you may be surprised by the following warning:
HEALTH INSURANCE. Persons considering foreign travel should determine what health insurance coverage, if any, they require while outside the United States. Medicare does not cover health care costs outside the United States and its territories, except under limited circumstances in Canada and Mexico.
The simple fact is that many international travelers do not have appropriate insurance protection. Government sponsored health programs such as Medicare almost never cover care received in a foreign country. Employer-sponsored plans often limit overseas coverage to emergency care only (and the burden will be on you to prove it's an emergency). |
Higher Prices Change The Business Travel Paradigm
Submitted by sfti on Sat, 06/28/2008 - 15:23.Higher airfare, new luggage fees, fuller flights and what seems like more cancellations all add up to a litany of added stress.
"It's really tough right now because overall it's very expensive," said a well-known business executive, noting that 45% of her business' expense now goes toward travel, up from 32% a year ago. She isn't the only business executive feeling the pinch of higher prices and trying to adjust her employees behavior accordingly.
In the past three reporting months, businesses increased their air travel spending by 12% from a year ago while the number of tickets purchased decreased by 1%, according to a cross sample of more than 80 clients with Ovation Corporate Travel, an independently owned travel management company. The trends make a lot of sense considering that recent airfare increases have come hand-in-hand with an overall economic downturn.
Michael Steiner, Ovation's executive vice president, said "We're seeing our clients' policies tightening around certain criteria such as approvals for trips, class of service, etcetera."
TSA's 3-1-1 For Carry-Ons Rules
Submitted by sfti on Wed, 05/21/2008 - 14:34.
Make Your Trip Better Using 3-1-1
3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3 ounce bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin.
One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3 oz. container size is a security measure.
Consolidate bottles into one bag and X-ray separately to speed screening.
Be prepared.
Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing
3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience.
3-1-1 is for short trips. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.
Declare larger liquids.
Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed
in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to
be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the
checkpoint.
Come early and be patient. Heavy travel volumes and the enhanced security process may mean longer lines at security checkpoints.
TSA working with our partners. TSA works with airlines and airports to anticipate peak traffic and be ready for the traveling public.
Travel Gourmet, R.W. Apple
Submitted by sfti on Thu, 09/02/2010 - 18:14.Travel writer R.W. Apple knew the secret of traveling: travel to eat.
Mr. Apple’s last book, “Far Flung and Well Fed,” is an indispensable guide for pre-travel research. Mr. Apple’s career spanning over 40 years was like no other. His political writings such as “The Boys on the Bus” were only one side of this incredible writer who wrote just as extensively in later years about food around the world. In fact, journalist colleagues from the world’s most read newspapers would often seek his advice about the best places to eat and drink. Apple’s philosophy was that food, more than anything, offers a true sense of a country and enhances the travel experiences.
SafetyFirst Travel Insurance is saddened by his passing at age 71.
Hey, Big Spender
Submitted by sfti on Fri, 07/09/2010 - 18:27.SafetyFirst’s roundtable of savy frequent fliers have had the most success with gratituties by following these simple suggestions:
Suggestion #1: Befriend the desk clerk for advice on local tipping customs. These professionals are usually more than happy to explain current gratuities, including tips for hotel staff, restaurant workers, and taxi drivers.
Suggestion #2: Whether touring the Mandela museum in Johannesburg, floating on a hot air balloon over Kenya, kayaking in Tahiti, or on surfing safari in Bali, when in doubt, use the US dollar. Keep in reserve a stash of small US bills to award good service.
Suggestion #3: Err on the side of generosity. Keep in mind that you are the ambassador of your country. Fodor's recommends acquiring a stash of small denominations in the country’s currency immediately upon arrival.
Suggestion #4: Always keep you tipping cash segregated from your other cash.
You Should Know• Even if you are already enrolled in a health plan, your coverage is limited when you travel abroad. In fact, your plan may not pay to have you safely evacuated if you are critically ill. • Where do you turn to learn which hospitals and doctors meet your standards? Keep up with breaking news about health and safety threats? Translate key medical terms and brand-name drugs? • How do you find a western-trained, English-speaking doctor with the appropriate skills? How do you arrange a convenient appointment and avoid claim forms? • Outside the United States, most hospitals won't provide any treatment until the hospital has received a guarantee of payment, which is rarely issued by a u.s. based health carrier. Without travel insurance, you'll likely pay in advance--as much as tens of thousands of dollars, if your credit card limit allows.
Travel insurance that includes online and telephone assistance services helping you develop contingency plans and manage the unexpected. |
