Trust me – you can’t afford to travel without these five things

Travelled internationally lately? It’s a different experience to 10 years ago – or even five.

Connectivity is key – and also a security concern. Accessing money can be cheaper – but is more apt to fail. And moving between countries takes more admin – and expense – than ever.

Planning a getaway? Don’t leave home without these five things.Credit:

For those setting off overseas this break, and thanks to my recent holiday successes and a few stresses, here is your new travel essentials checklist.

1. Get your electronic travel authorisation: It seems that, soon, few countries will allow you in without previously arranging “electronic travel authorisation” or some such.

Aussies have needed this for the United Kingdom, for example, since January 8 and are expected to need it for Schengen-area European countries within months.

Entry authorisation can take a while to go through the online motions – particularly if it’s the United States you want to visit.

It can also require three or more days for approval, so get onto this in advance. (And maybe check you are likely to be allowed into the country ahead of buying any tickets or making accommodation bookings.)

The cost is usually between $15 and $50, so not nothing, and bear in mind this is different from a visa, which – when required – can be far more.

2. Order a travel money card: I made the mistake in February – after reading all the “instant access” marketing puff – of signing up at the last minute.

Don’t do this – my US hotel would not accept the digital card, so I ended up having to put it on my credit card, while the cash was frustratingly stuck on my travel card.

If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

However, just this month I had the opposite experience: for some reason my physical card often wasn’t accepted in the UK but my digital one was.

So long as you have both the physical and digital versions, I like the Wise debit card. It is foreign transaction fee-free and the exchange rates are good. You pay a low fee on ATM withdrawals after the first $350.

Just try and transfer only enough to each currency – double movements will cost you double the conversion fee – and don’t leave money dormant on there, as that’s how travel cards make their real money.

3. Buy an eSIM: True, international roaming fees have come down (Optus offers it as a $5-a-day add-on while Telstra is $10 for three days), but there are usually significant call, text or data caps.

Meanwhile, some international eSIMs – so internet calling and messaging – are no-restriction and dirt cheap. I have had good experiences and coverage with Holafly’s unlimited data at a cost of, say, $8 a day.

Having heard too many stories of people being scammed over public Wi-Fi, I also like an eSIM from a security perspective. Activate it before you leave to skip that palaver at airports – plus it’s far easier with another device on hand, as you’ll be able to scan a QR code.

4. Trigger or organise travel insurance: Any regular reader will know I’m “stinge-spired” and a huge fan of getting something for nothing – but there are two caveats when it comes to the travel insurance many have bundled with their credit cards.

First, it always has some sort of qualification criteria, such as $500 of travel costs or flights purchased on the card. Check this like your life depends on it – because it might.

Second, complimentary travel insurance is rarely top-of-the-range. There are sometimes blanket exclusions – read the fine print about skiing or other dangerous activities, and cruising, in particular.

Also know the limits for each insurance component. For example, travel-delay accommodation claims might be capped at $1000 and food at $400.

I was left out-of-pocket when my children and I were struck in California as Cyclone Alfred hit Queensland in March. That same trip, I also wore a $500 excess for a small medical issue in Canada.

But as someone who has just made it home via Dubai, it may work out virtually priceless to have top-notch cover. It’s not expensive these days, and remember, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

5. Take your new travel besties: Start by throwing away any old-school, possibly now-dangerous power adaptor and pick up a new multi-country, combo-port companion.

Enough power, USB and USB-C ports, as required by your devices, makes life on the road a ton easier, and you might be able to get it all-in-one. (Note most planes now have both USB ports and some type of power point, often matching your origin or arrival destination.)

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon and her bum bag.Credit:

Getting even more practical, packing cubes are worth their (albeit minuscule) weight in gold. Whether you group by clothes-type (shorts, underwear, etc) or intention for the attire (say, London restaurant/theatre outfits), you’ll get enjoying yourself sooner.

But on a serious note, I also recommend picking up an inexpensive contraption to add a loop and neck cord to your phone (Officeworks has a good one). And guess what? I’ve reprised the bum bag … or at least a cross-body version.

Because keeping your phone, cards and passport safe – from dropping and pick-pocketing – is paramount to a great holiday.

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon is the author of How to Get Mortgage-Free Like Me, available at www.nicolessmartmoney.com. Follow Nicole on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

• Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers’ decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.

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