When you are planning your next romantic getaway with your significant other or your annual family trip… losing your cash, credit cards is an incident you do not want to happen at any cost. That’s the worst nightmare for any traveller.
Losing your wallet in your own country or your town is not a bad place to be in compare to losing your passport, hotel keys, luggage key, cash, credit cards, traveller’s cheques in another unfamiliar country. It’s a hassle and with today’s new technology, you will be able to arrange all. But isn’t it good to have a plan B, to avoid the worst case scenarios?
Here are some ways to get prepared for a nightmare….
Do not take any chances when exchanging money…
Yes, you may get a better currency exchange rate if you go to one of these black market money exchange counters.. But that could also lead in to the nightmare we all want to avoid. If you are landing in the country during night time, then bring some currency from home. So you can avoid changing money at night. Good to change from a bank or an official bureau in well crowded area. Or if you can change at the hotel you stay.
Traveller’ cheques
It’s not the most popular method nowadays but it’s very safe. Stolen traveller’s cheques can be easily replaced. It’s still accepted by many banks and bureaus. Keep the issue numbers written or stored may be in the travel journal or in a note book inside the luggage. Definitely not along with the traveller’s cheques or thin the wallet. I would say the best thing to do is to have these issue numbers, the receipt email to an email account, which you can access when you travel overseas.
Do not be predictable
Where would you keep your cash? Wallet! Think out of the box. Don’t stack all your cash in the wallet. Keep some money in a hidden pocket of your luggage or bag. If the hotel provides you safe then use it and keep excess money there. Don’t take all the money with you. If you are traveling with someone then distribute the cash among them. Even if the bags get stole, money will be available.
Use your credit or your ATM card
Most of us keep these back at home. Credit cards is good way to use on purchasing. You can always withdraw money from the ATMs if your card and the bank offers the service outside your country. You may have to pay a fee for that but it’s a good back up. However like all the other valuables you need to safe guard it. Take a copy of the card, PIN and other numbers in your phone or email it.