Seven days from now I'll be on a plane, somewhere between San Francisco and London. Hopefully, I'll get be getting some sleep - although getting quality sleep on a plane is always difficult. Between now and then, during this final week before a trip, I'll be going through my last minute trip planning.
What do you do to get ready to travel? I travel a lot — it's part of my job description as a travel consultant — and I find it helpful to have a plan. Here are some things you should do seven days out:
1. Reconfirm your flights. Sometimes reservations mysteriously drop out of an airline's computer system or flight schedules change. Call the airline with your confirmation number in hand, make sure your frequent flyer number is in the record, and get seat assignments.
2. Do your connections make sense? If schedules have changed, make sure you still have enough time for any connecting flights. If you don't because of a schedule change, this is one time you can get the airline to change your flights without penalty.
3. How are you getting to the airport? Now's the time to make your limo reservations, not the night before. What time do you want to be picked up? I always build extra time into my schedule so that even if rush hour traffic is terrible, I can arrive at the airport in plenty of time to check in for my flight.
4. Get your itinerary in shape. Include your flights, your airport transfers, your hotel confirmations with confirmation number and room rate clearly indicated. Make a day-by-day schedule with any tours you've planned, any trains or busses or rental cars you'll be taking.
5. Find your passport and put it in your carryon. Make sure the expiration date is at least 6 months beyond your date of return, and ensure that you have empty pages. Find out if you need any visas for foreign destinations.
6. Call your credit card company and let them know where you'll be traveling. That way, you're much less likely to have charges rejected while you're a continent away.
7. Put out your suitcase. While you don't need to be packed a week ahead of time, a suitcase on your bedroom floor will remind you of things you'll want to bring along. Whenever you think of something, stick it in the suitcase.
8. Develop a personal packing list. List everything you want in your carryon and accessories you'll need for your computer, cell phone, and camera. What toilet articles will you want to bring? Why invent the wheel every time you have to pack for a trip? Develop your own packing list and keep it on your computer.
9. What details do you need to take care of while you're away? Someone to watch your kids? bring in your mail? take care of your pets? Make sure they remember. Any bills you need to pay? Need to stop the paper? You can schedule all of that now!
10. Remember to have fun! It's been said that only two things are absolutely necessary in life: to breath in ... and breath out. With that in mind, get your final plans in place, and then enjoy your trip!
last minute planning for my trip (search here on Google)
copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment