We embark on our travels with optimism, but even the best-laid plans can occasionally go awry. Travel insurance is the best way to make sure that you are covered for the unexpected, but it can be expensive. In particular, seniors or travelers with pre-existing medical conditions, can find it tricky to source an affordable policy. As such, it might be tempting not to take out travel insurance in order to save money. Wondering if you really need to buy travel insurance? We weigh the pros and cons and offer tips for buying travel insurance on your next getaway.

What Are the Main Benefits of Travel Insurance?

Perhaps the greatest benefit of travel insurance is peace of mind on a vacation. On most basic trip cancellation travel insurance policies, you’re covered for events such as canceled trips, flight delays, lost baggage, or damaged personal items. More comprehensive options cover things like necessary emergency medical treatment abroad, medical evacuation, and accidental death. 

If you’ve been traveling for a while and never had to make a claim on your travel insurance, you might be tempted to save the cost of the premium. But if things go wrong, the costs incurred can soon rack up. Unforeseen medical treatment is perhaps the biggest bill you potentially face while traveling. Even if you receive emergency treatment after an accident, you may need to be transported to another hospital. The cost of medical evacuation services varies considerably, depending on distance and the level of medical care required, but can run over $50,000 internationally. And many regular health insurance plans don’t cover that cost. 

When You Probably Don’t Need It

When planning your travels, it’s a good idea to consider the worst-case scenario. If you’re traveling within the U.S. and your domestic flight is canceled, you might simply be able to toss your luggage in the car and drive to your destination instead. And it’s helpful to know your rights as a traveler in case of delays and cancellations — in these cases, the airline is almost always responsible for putting you on the next available flight. Yet, if a delayed international flight might cause you to miss an expensive cruise or a prepaid international guided tour, chances are you’d feel differently — and find yourself considerably out of pocket. 

Instead of buying basic trip cancelation travel insurance, you can also look for other options that will help increase your flexibility for a potentially lower cost. For example, you could book a refundable airfare (or one without change fees) or hotel rate that would offer similar peace of mind. When considering comprehensive travel insurance, remember that most health insurance policies will cover reasonable medical costs, even abroad, but if you have a more serious issue, there’s a risk it won’t be covered.

Watch Out for Common Exclusions

Like standard health insurance plans, travel insurance policies vary widely in the amount and scope of coverage they provide, and any pre-existing medical conditions need to be declared. Most standard travel insurance policies won’t cover adventurous sports ,unless you increase your premium — something to think about before signing up for activities like zip lining, rock climbing, white water rafting, or horseback riding while on vacation. However, some providers also class activities such as hiking or cycling in that category, so you might need to upgrade your policy to ensure you’re covered. 

Additionally, specialized travel policies can give you the option to tailor your cover to the destination for different circumstances, such as cancelation in the event of a natural disaster or for costs incurred if you contract illnesses such as coronavirus. It’s a way of achieving peace of mind, leaving you free to enjoy your vacation without worrying about what might go wrong.

Are You Covered in Some Other Way While Traveling?

Before you purchase a travel insurance policy, check that you’re not already covered in some other way. For instance, your existing home insurance policy might already cover lost valuables such as portable electronic devices while you’re traveling. Some credit cards offer travel insurance and other travel protection perks as part of their benefits. You might also be covered in many circumstances through your pre-existing health plan through work, which sometimes covers an employee’s leisure travel as well as business trips. If you think that might be the case, dig out the policy and check the small print, as deductibles vary widely. 

Check Government Advice

The Department of State recommends U.S. citizens buy travel insurance for overseas travel, offering a reminder on their website that “the U.S. government does not provide insurance for U.S. citizens overseas. We do not pay medical bills or unexpected costs.” Some countries may require you to have adequate insurance as a condition of entry. If you require a Schengen visa, for instance, it stipulates that insurance to the value of at least 30,000 euros for medical treatment is mandatory. However, rules and requirements change frequently, so plan to keep abreast of the current situation.

How to Save on the Cost of Travel Insurance

Travel insurance policies can be expensive, and the average cost of plans varies considerably. However, the good news is that there are ways of saving money without compromising on coverage. An annual policy could work out to be a better value than single-trip insurance if you’re a frequent traveler. Shop around using comparison sites to compare what you get for your money and tailor your policy so that you don’t pay for what you don’t need. For instance, you could choose to reduce the amount of baggage coverage if you usually travel light or ditch coverage for electronic items already covered on your home insurance policy. 

For many travelers, choosing the perfect souvenir is a highlight of any vacation. They can be a heartwarming reminder of fond vacation memories or a gift for loved ones to show them the new cultures and experiences encountered along your journey. The choice of which souvenir to buy is highly subjective and personal, but the process isn’t always simple. Do you go for a cheap magnet or splurge on an expensive piece of artwork? And what can you realistically bring home on the plane? Keep these eight helpful tips to keep in mind when looking for the best souvenirs to bring home from vacation. 

Take Note of Local Specialties

The value of a souvenir is to remind you of a place you visited, but if it offers a connection to a local culture, all the better. You can research local crafts or specialty items ahead of your trip and plan where to buy them — or learn about them as you go. Either way, they will be a great reminder of a destination you visited and the culture you experienced. Often, the best places to find local handmade crafts are markets and street stands, where you also get a chance to interact with locals and find out more about the goods they are selling. As an added bonus, you can feel good about supporting local businesses or families who rely on tourism for their income.

Consider Starting a Collection

As they make their way around the world, many travelers like to collect souvenirs with a particular style or theme. Whether you’re into snow globes or painted pottery, adding to the collection as you visit each new city or a country can be an enjoyable way to document years of traveling and showcase all the different destinations you’ve visited. 

Follow Your Passions

Some of the best souvenirs connect to our personal passions. If you’re an art lover, you might cherish a painting purchased near the Eiffel Tour. Enjoy cooking? Consider bringing home an apron from Spain to wear in your kitchen at home. And if you’re a sports fan, local team jerseys can also be a cherished keepsake. The more personal the souvenir, the more you’ll appreciate it.

Shoot for Something Useful

Souvenirs don’t just have to sit on a shelf collecting dust. It’s even better if you can actually make use of them when you return home. Espresso cups from Italy, chopsticks from Japan, a bottle of perfume from France, a handmade wool sweater from Peru or a sarong from Thailand are all practical souvenirs that have long lasting value, in addition to being an instant reminder of our past travels.

Consider an Edible Souvenir

This type of souvenir won’t be long-lasting, but foodies or those who love to cook will appreciate lingering on memories of local tastes for weeks after they have unpacked their bags. A morning cup of coffee from the beans you brought back from Colombia, honey from a local farm in Slovenia, fleur du sel from France, wine from Italy, or spices purchased at a Moroccan medina can all bring back great travel memories every time you use them in your kitchen. 

Snap a Great Photo

Souvenirs don’t always have to be something you purchase. Travel photos are some of the best reminders and connections to our past travels. To make them more souvenir-like, consider printing out the most special photo from each new place you visit and create an ever-expanding travel wall at home. Or start a travel photo collection by capturing the same pose or a fun selfie in different places around the world you visit. 

Be Practical

It might go without saying, but it’s important to consider how you will get your souvenir home. That’s especially true if the item happens to be bulky, heavy, or highly breakable — or if you plan on traveling to several other countries before your flight home. You can also choose to have your purchases shipped home, but make sure you’re aware of the total cost (shipping, packaging, and insurance) and any regulations before doing so.

Make Sure It’s Legal

Fridge magnets or coffee mugs won’t be a problem, but taking certain items out of a country and bringing them into another could be a problem. A shell you took from a protected beach in Costa Rica to remind you of your perfect vacation might be confiscated at the airport as you go through security, since it is considered a national treasure. Reptile skins, tortoise shells, plants, seeds, or coral are other examples. Another thing to consider is quantity. For instance, wine lovers should double check the regulations on how many bottles they’re allowed to bring home before purchasing their favorite vintages.

All too often, travelers encounter unexpected and unwanted costs. These range from airline baggage fees to Wi-Fi fees and — when it comes to staying in hotels — the dreaded resort fee. Many hotels offer a low nightly rate to catch the buyer’s eye, only to add those costly fees at checkout. Resort fees often range between $20 and $50 a night. They are charged to cover the cost of amenities that were once included in the price of a nightly stay, such as Wi-Fi, gym access, and pool usage. In many cases, these fees are mandatory even if you don’t plan to use those amenities, but it’s also possible to avoid paying these fees altogether if you prepare ahead. Here are a few helpful tips on how to avoid paying resort fees.

Shop Around Online

When shopping for hotels on booking sites such as Expedia or Booking.com, resort fees are not usually reflected in the prices on the initial results page. If a hotel charges these fees, you typically won’t see them until you click through several pages to book. The price will also rise due to local taxes.

These mandatory extra fees, which are often hidden in initial price results, have not only drawn the ire of travelers but have also attracted attention from politicians in recent years. As of 2023, however, at least one major hotel chain is finally making some customer-friendly changes. Marriott is now showing travelers the all-in pricing when booking directly on the hotel chain’s website (thanks to a 2021 settlement).

At the end of the day, remember that not every hotel charges a resort fee — by some estimates, only 6% of hotels in the U.S. levy them. And certain properties may even waive the fee upfront in order to incentivize travelers to choose their location. But it can be difficult to find those more attractive listings, especially if you’re not particularly tech-savvy.  

Fortunately, websites like ResortFeeChecker.com compile a list of which hotels do and don’t charge resort fees. Just enter the name of the city that you’re planning to visit, and the site will compile a list of your options, allowing you to avoid the hotels that are charging these extra fees. Just take the time to do some online research before making your booking.

Book With Hotel Loyalty Points or Credit Card Points

One easy way to save on resort fees is to use the points you’ve earned at your preferred hotel chain. If you’ve accrued enough points for a free night, certain loyalty programs such as Hilton Honors and World of Hyatt will waive the resort fees. That’s not the case for all programs, though, so be sure to comb the checkout page carefully. Earning points also requires signing up for a hotel’s loyalty program and staying at one of their properties enough times to rack up the rewards. Alternatively, you can open up a new credit card such as the Hilton Honors American Express Card and World of Hyatt Credit Card, both of which offer attractive welcome bonuses for new members. 

Other travel rewards credit cards — such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X — offer travelers points or even statement credits that can be redeemed to help cover the cost of resort fees and their hotel stays in full. Though these cards require an annual fee, it can be a small price to pay for savings on hotel stays. Many credit cards are also transfer partners with major hotel chains, allowing you to instead transfer your credit card rewards points to book an award stay.

Unlike other major hotel resort chains, Hyatt will also waive resort fees for paid stays — as long as you’ve earned top elite status in their loyalty program, which is known as the Globalist tier. While lower tiers such as Discoverist and Explorist offer perks of their own, Globalist members won’t have to worry about resort fees, even on hotel nights that are in high demand. If you end up earning a total of 1 million points with Hyatt, then you’re granted Globalist status for life. This is no easy feat, but those who achieve lifetime Globalist membership will never have to worry about paying resort fees again.

Speak Directly With Hotel Employees

Politeness can go a long way in life, and that includes when you arrive for your hotel stay. During check-in, you may want to speak to an employee and request that the hotel fees be waived. There’s no guarantee that they’ll have the power to waive the fees, but you may get lucky in certain cases — especially if you tell them that you don’t plan on using any of the hotel’s amenities. Just be prepared to pay the resort fee if necessary, and hope that you encounter a generous employee along the way.

If All Else Fails, You Can Always Dispute the Charges

In extreme circumstances, you can always dispute resort fees with the hotel or even your credit card company. In some cases, such as inoperable Wi-Fi or other amenities being unavailable during your stay, you can speak with the front desk at check out to ask if they can waive or reduce the resort fees. 

Sometimes, however, hotels fail to make their resort fees known during the booking process and surprise you at the last moment. If this is the case, compile documentation of your booking and screenshots of the deceptive advertising. Present the evidence to your credit card company, and they may reimburse you. While it’s a drastic measure, you can also file a case with the attorney general or take the hotel to small claims court if you feel you’ve been wronged.

Featured image credit: martin-dm/ iStock

No matter how diligently you prepare ahead of time, unexpected ailments can turn any vacation upside down. A long-awaited getaway can suddenly become stressful if you get ill abroad, as potential language barriers can make navigating those unfamiliar medical systems challenging. It’s important to do some research beforehand so that you’re not caught completely flat-footed if a worst-case health scenario occurs. Here’s what to do if you get sick in another country.

Do Your Best to Prepare Before Your Trip

If you’re concerned about getting sick at any point during your upcoming trip, there are steps you can take beforehand to be as prepared as possible. Before doing anything else, contact your health insurance provider to determine if your specific health plan covers illness abroad. Notably, plans such as Medicare do not cover costly expenditures such as evacuation back to the U.S. If you’re an older individual who relies on Medicare, you can consult this guide from AARP and contact your provider to learn more about your options. 

If you don’t have medical coverage abroad, it may be worth buying short-term coverage for the duration of your vacation. Travel insurance can cover costs related to hospital visits, medication, and other medical costs incurred overseas. Contact insurance providers to learn more about each individual plan. Longer-term travel insurance is also offered to expats located abroad.

It’s also important to know your blood type before traveling internationally, as certain countries may have less reliable blood screening systems than in the U.S. You should also carry a list of the generic names for medication that you’re currently taking, as they may not sell U.S. brand-name medications overseas. The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers is a helpful source for finding English-speaking medical providers in countries where the English language is limited.

Steps to Take After Getting Sick

You did your due diligence, but just as you feared, illness strikes in the middle of your vacation. So, what do you do next? Depending on the severity of your situation, contact any local U.S. embassy or consulate if you’re able to do so — the U.S. State Department provides a list of those locations in each country. They can help direct you to local medical providers, and may also be able to help you procure wired funds from friends and family back home in the event that you need additional financial assistance to cover the impending medical bills.

If you purchased travel insurance, then contact the provider immediately to alert them about your condition and see if they have any advice on how to proceed. Some travel insurance providers won’t cover medical costs abroad unless they authorize it first, so take the time to check in and learn more about your options. You may need to pay for medical costs upfront, but you’ll be able to file an insurance claim once you return from your trip and are feeling better.

In the event of a serious situation in which your life is at risk, you may have no choice but to contact local emergency services and deal with the financial consequences later on. You may want to find out the local phone number for emergency services, so it’s handy in the event of a worst-case scenario.

Use Translation Apps to Communicate

No matter how well prepared you may be, language barriers can still pose a major hurdle for communication abroad. Consider downloading translation apps to your smart device such as iTranslate, Google Translate, and SayHi. These apps will make it easier for you to chat with a non-English-speaking doctor and tell them what’s bothering you. Many of these apps also come with both audio dictation and audio playback features, so you don’t have to worry about pronouncing unfamiliar words correctly.

Stay Hydrated and Comfortable

Short of seeking medical care, there are other ways to avoid making your condition worse. It’s essential to stay hydrated, and in order to do so, you should always drink bottled water. Some countries have unreliable tap water, so avoid potential contamination and stick to bottled water. It’s also important to avoid other agitators that may irritate the stomach, such as trigger foods like spicy dishes or anti-diarrhea medication. Drink plenty of water until you can speak with a medical professional.

And if it’s not an emergency, it’s important to stay calm and get as much rest as possible. For example, try to have food delivered to your room. Don’t push yourself to get better just to get back to your itinerary — you’ll want to make sure your body is fully healed before you hit the tourist sites again. They’ll still be there when you’re better!

These days, travelers have no shortage of options for booking flights online. While there are many tips and tricks out there for finding the cheapest fares, the pros at finding cheap flights have a single go-to site: Google Flights. The search engine is not only extremely simple to use, but it also offers a number of handy features — like telling you when’s the best time to book or offering money back if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere. Ready to book a cheap flight? Here’s everything you need to know about finding the best airfare deals using Google Flights.

The Basics of Google Flights

First thing’s first: Google Flights differs from other flight booking sites you may be familiar with such as Expedia, Orbitz, or Travelocity. Those are considered online travel agencies (OTAs), which sell you the flights themselves. Google Flights, on the other hand, is a search engine that displays dozens of flight options from nearly every airline, pointing you in the direction of the cheapest flights and completing your transaction there. (Note: In some cases, you can complete the transaction without leaving Google, but the site is only securely passing along your info to the airline.)

A key benefit of Google Flights is that it allows travelers to book directly with more than 300 airlines, which can be preferable to booking with a third-party OTA in case plans go awry on the day of travel. In those cases, it’s almost always better to deal directly with the carrier operating your flights than have to go through customer service with a third party. 

How to Search and Book on Google Flights

One of the most useful features of Google Flights is that it’s incredibly quick and easy to search for cheap flights by using the calendar feature to find the lowest fares. Start by entering your origin and destination, number of passengers, class of service, and type of trip (round-trip, one way, or multi-city). When you click into the departure date field, a calendar will automatically pop up and immediately load fares — dates with the lowest prices are shown in green.

Once you settle on a departure and return date, click “search” and you’ll be led to the results page. Shown at the top are what Google calls the “Best Departing Flights” — flights that are both attractively priced and convenient, for example itineraries with more reasonable layovers. Below those flights, you’ll see “Other Departing Flights,” which show the rest of the results. 

Be sure to take note of the extensive filter options at the top of the page. Travelers can enter their planned number of bags to factor in those extra fees, their preferred number of stops (such as one stop or fewer), or even their preferred airlines or airline alliances (such as SkyTeam or Star Alliance). You can also sort the results by lowest price, departure or arrival time, or total duration.

After selecting flights, you’ll be directed to a page that gives you booking options, and you’ll complete the transaction either with the airline directly or at an online travel agency. Helpfully, Google Flights will also display prices for airlines’ many different economy fares, such as basic economy, standard economy, or extra-legroom economy. The options describe in detail which features are included with each fare. Note that in some cases, the end checkout price may not reflect the same price on Google once you pay with the airline for additional items such as seats and bags.

Helpful Tools You Should Be Using With Google Flights

Not sure where you want to go? You don’t even need a destination to find deals with Google Flights. On the homepage, you’ll see suggested trips based on price and can click on “explore destinations” to open a map feature that will highlight specific destinations and deals. You also don’t need a specific departure date — for example, you can search for a weeklong trip anytime in the next six months or a two-week trip in October. And instead of searching for flights from your departure city to “anywhere,” you can tailor your search to specific regions like Europe.

Once you’ve settled on a destination, Google Flights also provides a handy price history and analysis on the results page. The search engine will analyze historical pricing data to tell you if prices are currently low, average, or high for your itinerary. It will also provide a recommended window for the cheapest time to book based on similar trips. You can also see a detailed price graph with prices over the past few months. 

If the site is telling you to wait to book, you don’t have to come back and check every day — just toggle on the site’s price tracking feature. Make sure you’re logged into your Google account, and you’ll automatically receive emails when the price drops. You can input specific dates or broader time windows. 

Finally, in 2023, Google Flights introduced a valuable new feature that can take the stress out of flight shopping. The free price guarantee will refund travelers up to $500 per calendar year on up to three flight bookings, should the price drop between the time they booked and the departure date. There are a few caveats, though: It’s only valid for select flights from the U.S. booked in U.S. dollars with a U.S. billing address, and you’ll need to pay through Google Pay in order to be eligible for a refund. The guarantee applies to flights with a dollar sign badge — these are the itineraries the search engine’s algorithm is most confident won’t drop in price.