Most business travelers head to places that are politically stable. Even
so, preparing for an overseas trip involves much more than packing a bag,
leaving an out-of-office message and e-mailing itineraries to family members.
As international business travel begins to rebound, more
travelers are dealing with ever-lengthening to-do lists that include
international cellphone coverage, credit card notifications, car rental
insurance and security.
So travelers who do not do their homework may end up in a situation like Ewa
Asmar, founder of Bionée, a skin care company. After meeting a supplier in Paris
for dinner, she pulled out her credit card to pay, but was told it had been
suspended because of the foreign charges she had made earlier that day. She was
chagrined when her colleague had to pay the bill.
“I’ve learned to let my credit card companies and bank know where I am going,
so charges or A.T.M. withdrawals don’t look suspicious,” she said. Ms. Asmar
also takes plenty of cash for taxi rides, incidentals and any unforeseen
problems.
Dhiren Fonseca, president of the
Expedia
Partner Services Group, spends 50 to 60 percent of his time traveling all over
the world. To stay connected on the road, he said travelers also needed to check
in with their mobile phone providers before leaving the country. Otherwise, they
may find their phones do not work abroad, or are racking up large charges.
Overseas travelers could temporarily switch to an international calling plan
or rent a phone from their carrier in the United States that works
internationally. Different countries may require different solutions.
Another option for international calling is to buy a local prepaid SIM card
to plug into an existing mobile phone. Mr. Fonseca keeps about seven of these
cards with him for different countries, so he can put a local one into his phone
when he lands overseas. The calling rates for local SIM cards are generally less
expensive than American plans, but any problems that crop up need to be solved
locally with the provider there.
Also, the local SIM card ties the phone to a local phone number, so
colleagues need to be notified. And SIM card users still need to tell their
carriers about their plans, in case their phone needs to be unlocked.
Many hotels have Wi-Fi capabilities, and as an entrepreneur on a budget, Ms.
Asmar has found using
Skype
from her personal computer to be a low-cost solution for international calls.
Most laptop computers now come with a microphone, speakers and a camera built in
for easy video chatting. Skype can also be downloaded onto some smartphones.
Travelers also need to check the texting and data charges associated with
traveling abroad and to make sure those services are either included in their
international plan or turned off when they’re out of the country. “A co-worker
surfed the Web, used his GPS to find his way around and didn’t turn off his
sports team notifications while we were traveling,” Mr. Fonseca said. “He got
hit with a multithousand-dollar data bill when he got home.”
Minimizing risk is another important aspect of traveling, Mr. Fonseca said.
His laptop and phone are password-protected, encrypted and, of course, backed
up.
Antitheft
software is available to track the whereabouts of a stolen phone or monitor
the online activities of a computer thief.
Other travelers recommend emptying wallets of all unnecessary identification
cards and credit cards, in case of theft. In areas with political unrest, they
eschew company logos on any of their luggage and do not spend time in places
frequented by foreigners.
Frequent fliers say they photograph images of their passports, driver’s
licenses and critical prescriptions and e-mail the images to themselves in case
their wallet and laptop are stolen. Travelers with medical needs say they take
extra prescription drugs in case of a snowstorm, a volcanic eruption or some
other flight-delaying event.
International travelers often pack an electrical outlet adapter for the
computer, a small flashlight and a first aid kit for stomach upsets and jet lag
headaches. Many travelers speak to their doctors about carrying a wide-spectrum
antibiotic when they go abroad, and even their own syringes if they are
traveling in less developed countries. In many cases, learning a few crucial
phrases in the local language, like “Do you speak English?” and “I need a
doctor,” can come in quite handy.
And then there is the flight itself. Airlines have different carry-on size
restrictions, so look on the carrier’s Web site or call beforehand. Web sites
like
SeatGuru.com can help in
choosing a comfortable seat for the long haul.
Other items for the preflight checklist include applying for any visas to
enter the country or receiving the recommended immunizations. Check on health
insurance coverage for any medical needs abroad and whether the
car
insurance company or corporate credit card cover car rental insurance.
To avoid spending time in line at customs after a long flight home, sign up
for the
Department
of Homeland Security’s
Global Entry program, which is available
at 20 airports in the United States. “Low-risk travelers” can apply for the
program, which lets them match their passport and fingerprints at an entry
kiosk. The department can also issue Nexus cards to travelers who often go to
Canada and Sentri cards to those who frequently travel to Mexico.
Source: The New York Times
on a
product can be an effective strategy for retailers, but only if they’re
guaranteeing to make up a difference in price, not go overboard by reimbursing
the consumer much more than the price difference.
Posts
