Keep up with new airport policies.   For example, effective 01/01/2008, no loose lithium batteries are allowed in checked luggage.   

Tag your bag with bright colors to make it easier to find.  Make sure all of your luggage has address tags.  

Register your travel plans with the State Department at https://travelregistration.state.gov  This allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that can be used to assist you in case of an emergency.   

Use the Internet to print your boarding passes to skip lines at the the airport and save time.   

Contact your credit card company to let them know where you’ll be travelling abroad to ensure that card purchases in other countries will not be declined.    

Use only TSA approved locks to avoid delays and prevent the destruction of the locks during inspections.  

Leave gifts unwrapped until you arrive at your final destination for security purposes.       

Keep a copy of your itinerary in each piece of checked luggage.  In case of loss, the airline will be able to easily identify which pieces are yours and where they should be sent.   

Stay at an airport hotel the night before your early flight.  This will save time and frustration the morning of travel.  Many hotels offer complementary shuttles and a few offer “Park and Fly” packages where parking while on your trip is included.  Contact Liccardo Travel to learn more about this service.   

Beware of short connection times when booking your flights, especially in winter months, as delays and missed connections are more likely.  Note from LBD:  Flying through Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago in the summer is not always much better!   

Check your airline’s luggage requirements.  Many airlines have begun to charge extra for more than one checked bag.   

Be aware of policies for size and amount of carry-on luggage as requirements differ between airports and countries.   

Keep medicines (both prescription and OTC) in their original labeled containers to avoid holdups at security checkpoints.   

Charge your cell phone and pack your charger.  Take important numbers with you.   

Avoid wearing heavy jewelry, large belt buckles or clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs.  Put metallic items into your packed luggage to prevent delays getting through security at the airport.   

Use ATMs rather than travellers checks when in a foreign cournty to get cash faster and at a better exchange rate.   

Leave copies of your travel itinerary and PASSPORT with friends or family at home in case documents are lost or stolen or in case someone needs to reach you while you are traveling.   

Reconfirm flights gefore departing for the airport and check weather conditions ahead of time to be prepared for last minute delays and cancellations.   

Bring ziplock bags in a variety of sizes.  They are useful for packing snacks, wet laundry, trash, organizing film, keeping electronics dry, etc.   

Purchase travel insurance before your trip, to cover everything from trip cancellation to lost baggage and medical expenses while travelling, and making sure you have access to 24/7 travel assistance.   

Kathy Liccardo is the owner of Liccardo Travel in Saratoga.  She can be reached at 408-867-4088 or found online at www.liccardotravel.com.  

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