Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

Prepaid Visa Travel Card

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Prepaid visa travel card has come as handy to many travelers recently. The fast and easy collection of money using prepaid visa travel card is attracting many travelers and many have already started using this new financial tool. This replaces the traveler’s checks, which many people found is difficult to convert in many places. But this present tool has the feature of easy use and world wide acceptance. One need not even go to a bank, and can be just use an ATM to collect the money. It is so simple. This card has got the credibility with its name Visa, the most effective and secured money transaction symbol.

The prepaid visa travel card can be taken for any amount of money. You can load your card with any amount from $250 to $10,000. Also it is very easy to reload by any amount; the facility is just a phone call way using a credit or debit card. Or you can straight go into a financial institution or bank and transfer the amount from a bank account to the prepaid visa travel card. For safety it is advised to load only small sums of money and you can reload at any time from anywhere. The risk of losing the card can be taken care with this plan.

Being an international card, the protection against this card against theft or loss is very high. It is a must that you know the credit card number so that you can inform the authority about the loss of the card. Immediately the executives will stop all the transactions of the lost card and issue you with brand new card. Also one can get the local currency by simply using this prepaid visa card in any of the local ATM. The card bears all the facilities available for the usual credit or debit cards. The card can be used extensively for online purchases, shopping, for booking air travel tickets, to pay travel expenses like call taxi charge, restaurant bills and for all such things.

Since it is a prepaid visa travel card, you will get up-to-date information of the balance withdrawn or used and also the balance left. So you can be very vigilant of the amount you spent. It will in turn help you to mange your account. Hence you will have no surprise about the amount you spent. Usually with the usual credit cards you will get a terrible shock by the end of the trip, seeing your credit balance and the interest charged on the credit.

The prepaid visa travel card is very cheap all through the state; mostly the charge is less than $10. The reloading charge is about $2.5 and there are some other charges also. But when you consider the safety and easy conversion facility, you will surely appreciate the benefits of prepaid visa travel card.

Robert Grazian is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about prepaid visa travel card [http://australianvacationssite.info/prepaid-visa-travel-card] visit Australian Vacations Site [http://australianvacationssite.info] for current articles and discussions.

Foreign Travel – More Foods to Be Wary of When Traveling Abroad

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Travel to Try New Foods

We said in the previous companion article, “Foods That Can Make You Sick When You Travel Abroad”, that foreign travel and teaching English as a foreign language abroad are some of the most interesting and mind-altering experiences we can have. We travel to meet new people, to experience new cultures, to see bold new sights and to try new foods. We need to be wary of some “exotic” foods though. You want to avoid turning your dream trip into a nightmare. Truly the quantities of bacteria, protozoa, molds, fungi and parasites that can be ingested through food and drink are mind-boggling.

Here Are Three More Foods to Be Wary of When Traveling Abroad

o Raw, Uncooked Foods

Here we go again. Guess what one of the reasons for cooking foods is? Yup, you’re right. One of them is to kill germs, protozoa, bacteria and other unwanted micro-organisms that are in the things we eat for food. Unless you’re sure of the source and treatment of what you’re about to eat, be very wary of seviches, escabiches, sushis, sushimis and other raw, uncooked or partially cooked foods while abroad. And don’t think that just because it’s “pricey” or served in a “good” restaurant or hotel, that it can’t “get you”. One of my worst cases of shellfish poisoning was when I ate from a seafood bar at a well-known Atlantic City Resort.

o Stale Foods and Condiments

How old is the “salsa” that you’re about to pour on your food? Has it been sitting there since it was made yesterday, last week or even, gulp, before…? If condiments are sitting out they are subject to insects, bacteria and molds. The longer they’re “out” the “deadlier” they can become. Bread, rolls, jellies, marmalades and jams, among other condiments are always suspect in my book. This is especially true when abroad where health and food standards may be “compromised”.

o Local “Delicacies”

We’re all tempted to try some local “delicacies” while abroad. Never mind how they tease you, insist on knowing what it is you’re going to be eating. How it’s prepared and how “fresh” it is or how recently it was prepared. I’m also extremely prejudiced against any dish made with blood or with blood products in or on it. In the Holy Bible books of Genesis 9:4 and Leviticus 7:26, Jehovah God distinctly says, “And you must not eat any blood in any places where you dwell, whether that of fowl or that of beast”.

Take heed. Be safe.

Watch what you eat and drink while traveling on business or for pleasure or when teaching English as a foreign language abroad.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, prolific writer, expert author and public speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 120 countries. Get your FREE E-books, English language teaching and learning information at: http://bettereflteacher.blogspot.com
Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Contact the author at the above blog address for more information.

Travel Insurance – Maximize Your Benefits

Saturday, August 28th, 2010

The benefit of having travel insurance is so important. This insurance offers health benefits, weather benefits and accident benefits. It offers everything that is needed when traveling.  Whether it be in your country or traveling abroad.

One benefit of purchasing travel insurance is the health benefit. This would cover everything from a broken ankle to a serious illness. This is important if traveling out of the US. Most US health care insurance companies do not cover when out of the country.  When choosing a package include the 24 hour hot line for emergency in case the doctor or hospital does not speak the language. The travel insurance will also cover emergency evacuation. This means if something happens to the traveler and they must return to their country this insurance covers that as well.

Another benefit is the weather benefit.  There might be a time that unforeseen bad weather approaches.  Such as a hurricane.  This travel insurance will cover the traveler if they need to evacuate the state or country immediately. It will reimburse if the trip was delay due to bad weather.  It will also cover accommodation that is within reason. 

Also if plans have been made prior to the incident, for example the hurricane damaged  the hotel that the traveler had planned to stay in, this would also be reimbursed.  Also, if a trip has been planned and paid for and it has to be canceled due the severe weather this will also be reimbursed.

Another benefit of having  travel insurance is it also covers a traveler if going on a cruise. A lot could happen on a cruise that would require insurance. For example if the luggage was lost  and is not returned within 12-24 hours, they will reimburse the traveller for any items that were lost. The same applies if flying and bad weather occurs and a trip is canceled or delayed they reimburse the costs incurred.

It assures the traveler that no matter what happens they are covered.Whether it be an illness, unforeseen bad weather, having an accident, having to cancel trip due to an emergency in the family, even if luggage is lost. Everything is reimbursed or accommodations will be made.

If an emergency happens and the traveler has to return to their country it’s included.  It’s cost effective.  Without this travel insurance it could cost the traveler more money and cause more stress than one could imagine. 

Don’t take unnecessary chances with your Health Care Needs Compare Free Quotes from over 175 Health Insurance Companies  Today.

Roderick Powers reviews and writes many business and health related articles.

There are many Health Insurance and Health Plans to choose from. Get your FREE Quote from the Top 175 Health Plan Providers Today at: http://4health-insurance.blogspot.com

Travels Accident Insurance FAQ

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Most people that have seen a travel accident insurance FAQ before will have ignored it. Those things that happen to others when they are on holiday will never happen to me… but they do. Lost luggage, stolen money and documents, accidents requiring medical attention – they all happen regardless of where we are at the time. It is essential, in this era where absolutely anything could go wrong, that an individual wanting to travel looks into the possibility of getting some form of travel insurance.

Travel insurance has traditionally been perceived as a waste of time and money, but that is most definitely not the case. The benefits of travel accident insurance policies are immense if you need to call on them. However, if you are lucky enough not to have to call on them then you always have that peace of mind that it is there in the background.

Like any form of insurance though, travel insurance can be confusing if you are looking for the right policy for you but are struggling to work out the benefits of each individual policy, so here is a comprehensive travel accident insurance FAQ to help answer any question that you may have!

FAQ 1 – What sort of travel accident insurance will I need?

There are two types of that are commonly used – single trip and annual. The latter can save you money if you are planning to visit several countries or take several trips in one year, whereas the single trip travel accident insurance policy just covers the one trip. They both have the same conditions and thus provide similar cover, so all is really dependent on how often you travel.

FAQ 2 – How much should I expect to pay?

The cost of largely depends on the provider, the amount covered, the duration of your trip and how old you are. A child would be cheaper to cover than an adult, and a weekend trip would be cheaper to cover than a week long vacation. There are family travel accident insurance policies that cover all of the individuals travelling and are cheaper than covering each individual separately. If you do travel more than once a year though, the annual travel insurance policies can save you a lot of money.

FAQ 3 – Should I inform the company of my state of health?

The answer to this is a resounding yes! If you fail to let insurance companies know about pre-existing conditions then the policy will be void if you ever needed to claim on it. Disclosing chronic and ongoing illnesses will increase your premiums but they will then pay out if you need to call on them so it is never a good idea to keep quiet about your health!

FAQ 4 – Are extreme sports covered?

Under normal travel accident insurance policies extreme sports are not covered as standard because they may endanger your health far more than simply going on a beach or city trip. However, most insurers will happily add extreme or winter sports coverage to your policy for an extra fee. The extreme sports add-on is highly recommended if you are planning to do something out of the ordinary!

Regardless of the travel accident insurance policy you eventually choose, you should always read the terms and conditions to make sure that you are fully aware of what you are covered for and what you are not, as well as the exceptions and exclusions. It is essential to have a travel accident insurance policy these days, and for that little peace of mind, it is well worth it!

Sam Serio is a passionate advocate for Chincoteague Island Tourism. Chincoteague Island, Va. is the home of the Chincoteague ponies and the site of the world famous Pony Swim. To learn more about this amazing family oriented, eco-friendly vacation destination please visit http://www.chincoteagueislandvacations.com and http://www.chincoteagueoutlook.com Fascinating videos, informative articles, interviews and blogs reveal Chincoteague Island as a premier choice for your family vacation.

Trip Cancellation Travel Insurance

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Looking for a trip cancellation only plan?

Stop looking. Trip cancellation only plans are not available. Neither are trip interruption only plans. All trip cancellation / interruption travel insurance plans are package plans that include some (or a lot more) medical, emergency evacuation, luggage, travel delay and other common coverages.

Here are the 2 parts of a trip cancellation travel insurance plan:

  • Trip cancellation coverage (before you leave on your trip): you, a close family member or a traveling companion gets hurt or sick before you leave (and your doctor advises you against traveling). Travel insurance reimburses you the money you lose. This is especially important if you’re concerned about a pre-existing medical condition.
  • Trip interruption coverage (after you leave on your trip): you, a close family member including a non-traveling family member, or a traveling companion gets hurt or sick while you’re on your trip and you have to return home early. Travel insurance reimburses you the unused value of your trip plus pays the cost of one-way airfare up to its limit.

How does trip cancellation travel insurance work?

You book a cruise, tour or other trip that requires you to pay money up front. Sometime before the trip, the money you paid becomes all or partially nonrefundable. What I mean by nonrefundable is, that if you were to cancel your trip, you will not get any cash refunds.

How the trip cancellation benefit works:

Let’s say, you and your spouse paid $5,000 each for a trip to the Galapagos Islands. Two days before you’re supposed to leave you’re going out to get the mail and you get hit by a cement truck. In my examples, no one ever dies, but if you are hit by a cement truck i’m sure your doctor would advise you against traveling.

The fact that your cancel your trip just two days before you were supposed to leave, means that it’s highly unlikely you’re going to receive any refund on the $10,000 ($5,000 each) you paid for your trip. However, if you had bought a trip cancellation travel insurance plan some time in the days or weeks or months prior to being hit by a cement truck, and had insured your $5,000 per person trip cost, your trip cancellation travel insurance plan will reimburse you 100% of the money you lost on the trip, or in this case the full $10,000.

However, let’s say you only insured $3500 each of your $5,000 per person trip cost. In this case, the maximum amount of money you will receive from your trip cancellation travel insurance plan is $7,000 ($3,500 each), which is the maximum cost you had insured.

How the trip interruption benefit works:

You get to South America safely and this time, your brother-in-law (who you’ve never really cared for), is going out to get the mail and he gets hit by a cement truck. Even though you’re sure he deserved it, out of respect you and your spouse cut your trip short and return home early.

Returning home means your interrupted trip will have some unused value as will your return plane tickets. Plus, you’ll have to buy an expensive one-way last minute ticket home.

For the purposes of this example, your unused trip will be worth $3,000 for each of you. If you had insured your full $5,000 per person trip cost, your trip cancellation travel insurance plan will reimburse you up to $5,000 (and on some plans, a maximum of $7,500) of the money you lost on the trip plus the cost of the one-way last minute ticket home.

The maximum reimbursement depends on the percentage of trip cost you plan covers for trip interruption. Some plans state it as 100% of trip cost, while others cover as much as 150% of trip cost.

I hope this makes sense to you. If not, post a comment here or contact me and I’ll do my best to help you understand trip cancellation travel insurance.

Steve Dasseos is the CEO of TripInsuranceStore.com, the world’s most informative travel insurance comparison website. You can compare reputable travel insurance plans, get person-to-person service & advice. Contact Steve here.

Why You Should Buy Travel Insurance

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Travel insurance should be uppermost in your mind now that you have made your decision to travel. Even with the extra security that travel today demands, you’re going to have a great time! Before you go, though give yourself extra peace of mind with travel insurance. There are plenty of very good reasons to buy it!

Most people travel for all kinds of new experiences that are out there; however it also exposes you to some risks that you should be prepared for. Some of these occurrences may be no more than minor irritations, but others can be more devastating.

What would you do if you find your luggage lost or your flight canceled? You could find that your reservations have been canceled or your car rental not available. Some regions are notorious for theft or you may run into pick-pockets. These are a few of the situations that can occur and that travel insurance can help with.

Planning your vacation can be stressful enough; remove some of the stress and stop worrying about what might go wrong; purchase travel insurance and know that you are covered for those unforeseen problems.

Of course, there are many different types of travel insurance. Once you understand the differences you can more easily choose the right type of insurance for your holiday or business trip.

Most travel insurance policies offer combined insurance to cover all risks but individual cover is also possible. Medical insurance covers medical emergencies and will provide you with financial resources to seek medical treatment for injury or illness while you are traveling. Different policies offer additional coverage on top of direct medical payments. Be sure to read the policy carefully.

Cancellation or delay insurance will cover you if your trip is canceled or delayed for any reason that is beyond your control. It will provide you with financial reimbursement or an alternative flight if your airline goes out of business, important if you run the risk of being stranded otherwise. It will also provide you with a full refund if you are unable to complete your trip for some unforeseen reason.

Theft, particularly on holiday can be devastating, but at least with travel insurance coverage you will receive monetary reimbursement for the total value of your loss. If the items are a necessity during your trip your agent will work to have them replaced as quickly as possible.

Lost or damaged luggage happens more than you might think. You head off to Spain while your luggage heads off to Greece. Suddenly you find yourself at your destination without even a toothbrush to your name and only the clothes you stand up in. Your travel insurance can help you get you the necessities quickly and ultimately reimburse you for your lost luggage so your holiday isn’t totally ruined.

With ever changing weather patterns and more widespread political upheaval, if you find yourself in a situation where an emergency evacuation has been ordered your travel insurance will ensure that you are safely removed from the affected area. Although it may not be used that frequently it’s one of the best protections your policy offers.

Your insurance broker will provide a 24 hour world wide emergency assistance number which you call if you need to initiate a claim. The process is very simple and the operator will guide you through the process of making your claim quickly.

Travel insurance rates vary considerably so it pays to shop around and check online for the best rates around. It’s the easiest and most effective way to compare rates and coverage.

Your travel insurance will protect your health, your personal property, and your financial investment. Whether you are traveling for pleasure or business you’ll have peace of mind that you’ll be covered should something go find a way of going wrong.

Peter Fisher is an expert Author and webmaster for TheMoneyWorldOnline.com where you will find lots of good reasons why you should buy travel insurance.

Travel Insurance and Pregnancy

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

Unless you’ve already had children, you know that once you have one, your life is forever changed from that point. At least for a couple of years, you can forget about many of the things you’ve done frequently in the past. This is one reason why many pregnant women like to travel during their pregnancy, knowing it will be much harder (and probably impossible) to do so after the baby has been born.

If you intend to travel while pregnant, here are some important considerations to keep in mind:

First, even though people normally tend not to look at the terms offered by the travel insurance (“the fine print”) when going on vacation, now might be a good time to start doing so. The reason being, insurance companies consider pregnant women to be ‘high risk’. This is understandable, as there may be circumstances where the woman delivers her baby in a foreign country where she does not have medical insurance. Furthermore, there may be complications with the pregnancy while abroad which will require immediate medical attention.

Consequently, often pregnant women are not covered unless they return 8 weeks before their due date. In order to prevent aggravation and real risks to you and your baby, make sure you check this clause in your travel insurance. Make sure this applies both for your departure and your return dates – better safe than sorry!

Furthermore, the risk of complications greatly increases if travel is in the second half of the final trimester – so regardless of insurance policies – think hard whether you want to endanger yourself and your baby in such an advanced stage of pregnancy.

Second, if you are unable to find a company that will offer you travel insurance and you absolutely must travel (and these circumstances do occur), contact an insurance broker directly and see whether they are able to create a specific policy for you. Be warned, this will be more expensive than a standard policy, but this price is well worth it in case something does occur while you are away from home.

Third, most airlines have some type of restrictions with regards to pregnant women. Thus, before you purchase a ticket, check the specific restrictions placed by the airline you chose. Also, as you are probably aware, most airlines do not allow pregnant women to travel once their pregnancy is past a certain stage. Be sure to find the specific conditions before you leave. Note that the safest period to travel – from a statistical point of view – is the second trimester of the pregnancy. Keep this in mind!

Fourth, before going on any trip, it is a good idea to go see your doctor and have a checkup. The last thing one needs on a vacation in a foreign country is to discover she had a problem that needs urgent care. This can be avoided! Furthermore, in the final stages of pregnancy this is actually a necessary requirement in order to demonstrate you are eligible to fly, both for the insurance companies and the airlines who aim to minimize their risks, so obtain a letter from your physician that assures them you are in good health.

In conclusion: if you are pregnant and have decided to embark on a vacation, please follow the above advice as it would help you avoid certain unnecessary risks. If all is well, have a safe – and enjoyable – trip! And be sure to send us pictures!

Our website, the Guide to Health is a resource for health insurance advice. In particular we aim to make it a resource for pregnant women. This article, which discusses Travel Insurance and Pregnancy is one example, but we also have articles that help uninsured pregnant women obtain health insurance even if they’re late into pregnancy.

Travel Agents – Are They Worth it?

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

It is no secret that the travel industry has not exactly been thriving for some time. And in the era of Internet travel booking, many of us may be wondering whether a travel agent is useful at all any more. Like other such subjects, there are pros and cons to each side of the issue.

Travel Agents: The Pros

The major benefit of using a travel agent is that you can sit back, relax, and not worry about your vacation planning. Plus, an agent will typically have advanced knowledge about your destination and can advise you on everything from your hotel stay to how to get around and where to eat. In short, the job of your travel agent is to make sure that you enjoy the best possible vacation with the least amount of work on your part.

In addition to these helpful qualities of a professional agent, many people prefer to stick with an agent instead of trying to figure out their trip online. For example, when you plan your trip online, you may not be aware of some additional fees or travel requirements that a knowledgeable agent can easily take care of for you.

The best travel agents will also keep up on the travel industry and be able to help you find the vacation of your dreams, even if you aren’t yet sure where that is or what it will include. A agent can sit down with you in person and help you plan – that’s something that your computer simply cannot do.

When you rely on a quality travel agent, you can book every aspect of your vacation with that person, as opposed to trying to navigate multiple websites and keep track of all of your reservations. More than just booking airfare and hotel reservations, an agent can help you secure dinner reservations, theater tickets, tee times, spa appointments, sightseeing, car rentals, accessibility arrangements, cruises, directions, traveler’s checks, passport/visa processing, frequent flyer miles, and traveler’s insurance.

Travel Agents: The Cons

Of course the major con of hiring a travel agent is that if you are trying to travel on a budget, an agent’s fee probably doesn’t fit into that budget. So if you are willing to dedicate the time it takes, you can make your own travel arrangements entirely online and won’t ever need the services of a agent.

Online websites are very advanced and some even offer you online services similar to those of a travel agent. Most of the travel booking sites online have gone to great lengths to make sure that all of your travel needs are taken care of without the help of an actual agent.

Especially if you have traveled to a certain destination before, you probably don’t need the services that an agent provides.

To sum it all up, the services of travel agents are very valuable, but they also come with a price. If you dont mind the price, an agent is the easiest way to book your travel reservations. But if you are like many of us right now, you need to save money wherever you can, even on vacation. So don’t be afraid to book your own travel reservations online. You may be surprised at how easy it is!

Byron Smith has authored an extensive collection of travel-related information for hundreds of cities around the world. You can find his articles as well as a hotel booking area on HotelDealSite.com.

Travel Insurance Comparison For Cheaper Insurance

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Travel insurance is not something you think about when you are planning a holiday but it is none the less an essential along with the suntan lotion. If you are young and single you may think what all the fuss is about, what are the chances of something happening on your holiday.

Finding a good deal on cheaper holiday insurance does take a bit of work, maybe only fifteen minutes of your time. It could save you money and get you better travel cover at the same time.

You should consider a travel insurance comparison site that allows you to compare the prices and level of cover provided by many different policies. You can find all the information you need in one place and saves visiting several different travel insurance sites to get the best quote.

One problem with finding a cheap holiday insurance deal is that it can be difficult to find exactly what a policy covers. The main areas of cover for any sort of travel insurance is cover for loss of baggage, the cost of any medical expenses and the cost of cancellations.

With a travel insurance comparison you can see exactly what is and what is not covered. There is no point in getting insurance if it does not pay out for what you were expecting. Comparing travel holiday insurance on a single site allows you to see the cost and benefits of different policies side by side allowing you to make an informed decision.

One important factor to consider is the amount of excess that you will be liable for on any claim. Whilst a higher level of excess usually means a cheaper policy upfront it may often be a false economy. Make sure that any cover you get will not leave you out of pocket when it comes to making a claim.

There are different types of travel insurance cover. You may want a single or multi trip annual cover insurance policy, you may need cover for a longer or extended trip if you are backpacking and visiting several countries in a single trip. You may be over 70 but still want to be able to get a competitive deal.

With a travel insurance comparison site you can enter in your exact requirements and the site will search for the best matches for your needs. You will then be able to compare the cost of policies that do cover your specific travel needs.

Find out how Travel Insurance Comparison sites can save you time and money on your holiday insurance at http://www.travel-insurance-comparison.org.uk/

Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

Unfortunately, most people have neither the chance nor reason to travel frequently. They may travel during the holidays, on vacation, or because of a family emergency, but that is about it. On the other hand, there is a growing population that is forced to travel much more often, sometimes across the globe. Because they are constantly on the go, they have found annual multi trip travel insurance very helpful.

If someone travels contently, they have different needs than most travelers and annual multi trip insurance is exactly what they need. This style of insurance lets a single travel policy cover someone for an entire year.

Travelers looking to cover all of their concerns with one policy, should look into yearly travel insurance. Some of the concerns that could be covered include: rental car damage, trip cancellation, lost baggage, trip interruption, emergency medical treatment, emergency evacuations, and much more.

Insurance may also include coverage for medical events like surgery, diagnostics, and even prescription costs. Some plans will even cover pre-existing medical conditions. Comprehensive coverage will even pay for a family or friend to visit you if any of the following occurred: emergency hospitalization, accidental dismemberment or death, and even repatriation of remains.

There are multi levels of flight insurance that can be chosen from when comparing multi trip insurance. It will often cover trips in 70,90, or 180 day increments. If a trip must be canceled it is often possible to receive a full refund of your expenses.

Frequent travelers carry multi trip travel insurance for a variety of reasons. Some are concerned with protecting their finances, health, and safety. Others just want to know that they are always insured without generating a new policy every trip. People who travel often know how time consuming it can be to sign up for a new policy before every trip.

The internet has become one of the simplest places to purchase insurance. Comparison websites make it easy to get detailed information about your favorite policies. These websites make comparing multiple policies and quotes easier than every before.

As the number casual travelers continues to increase, so will the popularity of multi trip insurance. As this type of insurance continues to become easier to find, more people, who only travel a few times a year, will turn to it just in case they travel more than expected.