Travel Tips from AIG Travel Guard

1. Keep up with new airport policies. For example, effective January 1, 2008, no loose lithium batteries are allowed in checked luggage.



2. Tag your bag with bright colors to make it easier to find and to prevent other travelers from mistaking it for their own, and make sure ALL of your pieces of luggage have address tags.



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



4. Use the Internet to save time. Check in and print your boarding passes online to bypass lines at the airport.



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



6. Use only TSA-approved locks. Not using them can cause delays, and your non-approved locks may end up being destroyed.



7. If you’re traveling with gifts, leave gifts unwrapped until you arrive at your final destination for security purposes.



8. Keep a copy of your itinerary in each piece of your checked luggage in case it is lost. Airlines will be able to easily identify which pieces are yours and where they should be sent to.



9. Stay at an airport hotel the night before your early flight. This way you won’t need to deal with traffic or parking, and most airport hotels offer complimentary shuttle service to the terminal.



10. Beware of short connection times when booking your flights, especially in the winter months, as delays and missed connections are more likely.



11. Check your airline's luggage requirements. Some airlines are beginning to charge extra for more than one checked bag.



12. Check policies for the size and amount of carry-on luggage requirements in other countries before traveling overseas – requirements differ between countries and airports.



13. Keep medicines (both prescription and OTC) in their original, labeled containers to avoid any hold-ups at security check points.



14. Make sure your cell phone is charged, and make sure to pack your charger. Take important phone numbers with you.



15. Avoid wearing heavy jewelry, large belt buckles and clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs, and put other metallic items into your carry-on luggage to prevent delays getting through security at the airport.



16. Use ATMs rather than travelers checks when in a foreign country, to get cash faster and for a better exchange rate.



17. Leave copies of your travel itinerary and passport with friends or family at home in case your documents are lost or stolen, or if anyone at home needs to reach you while traveling.



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



19. Bring ziplock bags in a variety of sizes. They’re useful for packing snacks, wet laundry, trash, organizing film, keeping a camera dry, etc.



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