Travel Hacks/Tips

[cove]

This trip I have spent $24.59 in cash for a taxi and bread as I credit card everything else.

 

[Foreigner]

Sensible travel tips from a former CIA operative:

http://www.news.com.au/travel/trave...r/news-story/9f3f2438a4cf116e068075b5774cd3fd

Does anyone use doorstop alarm?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Sensible travel tips from a former CIA operative:

10 ultimate travel safety tips from a former CIA officer

Does anyone use doorstop alarm?

Not sure CIA agents are competent to talk on travel issues. I though it hilarious that CIA undercover agents in Italy a number of years ago, while using assumed identifies, after the kidnapping of an Italian citizen, checked in at the airport and presented their 'real' FF cards in order today earn points for their flights.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The only thing I'm not sure I agree with is to carry your passport 24/7. I think the chances of loss/theft/damage of said passport are far more likely than being stopped by police/government. Carrying a photocopy of the info page is easier.

Door alarm... most hotel rooms these days have those sliding lock things as protection.

 

[puppysparkes]

Not sure CIA agents are competent to talk on travel issues. I though it hilarious that CIA undercover agents in Italy a number of years ago, while using assumed identifies, after the kidnapping of an Italian citizen, checked in at the airport and presented their 'real' FF cards in order today earn points for their flights.

This is s classic case of it's all about the points grind.

 

[serfty]

+ 1.

I've no hesitation carrying large sums of cash.

In a week in the USA I may use as much as $40 cash on tips ... using very little cash on anything else - it almost all goes on cards tgat earn points

 

[cove]

Nothing much has changed from 6 months ago...I still use almost zero cash in either the UK or the US. The best answers were to get a Bankwest World card for England as you get about 1.9 QF points per £1 spend. I think that works for us.

 

[marki]

So cove what is a BankWest world card? I like the fact one can earn QF points.

 

[cove]

You have to start with a Bankwest Platinum which earns 0.75 points per dollar to a cap of 200,000 points and you may be eligible for a sign on bonus. Then you ask for an upgrade to World after a good period of time and voila.
You may have to wait for an invitation but if you can get the upgrade form just fill it out.
In recent times Bankwest is doing mostly $12,000 credit limits for new applicants.

 

[Foreigner]

The only thing I'm not sure I agree with is to carry your passport 24/7. I think the chances of loss/theft/damage of said passport are far more likely than being stopped by police/government. Carrying a photocopy of the info page is easier.

Door alarm... most hotel rooms these days have those sliding lock things as protection.

Depending on destination I'm likely to keep passport on me when going out.

 

[Chicken]

Then you ask for an upgrade to World after a good period of time and voila.

The guy who called me for income check told me it's 6 months before I can ask for upgrade.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

The only thing I'm not sure I agree with is to carry your passport 24/7.

Agree 100% on the Passport MEL - I have never ever carried a passport with me in any country - I do take laminated colour copy of Passport data page with me in China but that is only reqd for accessing HSR trains.

 

[cove]

That sounds right. Six months go by quickly especially if you get a sign on bonus.

 

[get me outta here]

I don't carry my passport unless I know I need it to enter certain buildings. Generally carry a colour copy of relevant page tucked away on my person in case of accident etc.

 

[Pleb Status]

I think I would have more chance of losing/damaging my passport if I carried it around with me at all times. I only carry it when required for access (eg. SIN casinos require it for access) or for tax free purchases etc.

Always carry the Bankwest World MC however. I can easily save my AUD99 annual fee in one OS trip.

 

[Boca68]

I don't carry my passport unless I know I need it to enter certain buildings. Generally carry a colour copy of relevant page tucked away on my person in case of accident etc.

Ditto, I don't carry the passport on me. Just the photo page copy.

Also, its handy to have the photo page copy if you do happen to lose your pasport or it gets seriously damaged. It happened to me many years ago in L.A. Wonderful staff at consulate in L.A. were great and they stated that having the copy, speeds up the issue of the temporary passport by a day or 2. I got the temporary passport and then, of course, the next day my missing passport reappeared. Left it in a taxi , the driver only found it a couple of days later when cleaning.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I do take laminated colour copy of Passport data page with me in China but that is only reqd for accessing HSR trains.

I'm not quite that technological My passport copy in China is black and white and I additionally carry a copy of my police registration (states where I live and how long I'm 'legal' for). The latter is not required for visitors (tourists or on business) if you are staying at a hotel.

 

[Happy Trails]

I just keep passport images etc stored in the phone.

 

[donovan301]

I just keep passport images etc stored in the phone.

Also wise to email yourself a copy of all documents, itinery, bookings etc...... you'd hate to lose your phone with the only available copy on it ;-)

 

[TheRealTMA]

Also wise to email yourself a copy of all documents, itinery, bookings etc...... you'd hate to lose your phone with the only available copy on it ;-)

We keep all important travel documents , bookings, car hire and passports, CCs etc as colour scans in PDF in Google Drive so accessible from phone, tablet or computer. Also important to keep copies of TI T&C plus copies of last CC statement showing purchase in case of TI claim.