Last-Minute Trip Tips

Your bags are packed, tickets are purchased and your liquids are perfectly proportioned into their respective plastic bags. As the final moments before your big vacation approach, there may be a few tasks overlooked in the throes of the excitement and planning. Before you jet off on your long-awaited holiday, be sure to check off the items below.

Notify Your Bank

Banks keep track of your spending, which is great for security reasons. But before you leave the state or country, make sure your bank knows you´re going and where you are going. If they notice activity in an unusual place, a hold may be placed on your card until you call to resolve the issue. Many banks let you list your travel plans on their websites without having to call and sit on hold for hours. While you´re on your bank´s website, check to see if they partner with overseas banks that allow ATM withdrawals without an additional charge.

Check the Forecast

Weather forecasts are not always reliable, but looking up the temperatures the day before you leave may be a fairly decent indicator of what you should wear the day you arrive. Unexpected rain in the forecast may prompt you to toss an umbrella into your carry-on bag.

Double-Check Transit Maps

Train and bus schedules can change daily and without notice. Although timetables appear on transit websites, the best real-time data can be viewed on Google Maps. To make sure you know how to travel from the airport to your hotel, double-check the route and the times on Google Maps in the case of any unpredictable roadwork or traffic.