Stay stress free during holiday travel

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The holidays are a great time for families to come together and create great memories. Holiday travel is sometimes no so great. Being prepared and planning ahead can help travelers avoid the holiday stress.

Many airlines offer great deals for purchasing tickets in advance. A typical advanced purchase is typically 90 days.

Many times during the holidays, trips must be planned last minute. Many online travel sites offer last minute deals as well. While there may be huge discounts with last minute deals, there are always restrictions that come with the savings; no refunds, cancellations, or transfers to a different person.

To counter balance these restrictions, it might be a good idea to purchase traveling insurance. Most travel insurance covers illness or family emergency and can be bought for as little as $10 per person. Even if tickets are purchased four or five days in advance, it might be a safe bet to cover any unexpected delays.

It’s also important to look at check-in procedures for individual airlines. Since security measures have increased over the last few years, knowing about an early check-in or online check-in can save hours of waiting in line. Even if tickets are purchase through a third party site like Travelocity or Expedia, once you know the name of the airline go directly to the airline’s sight to know about check-in procedures.

If travel plans only include a few days, try and keep baggage to carry-on only. Checking in bags can be a hassle and take a lot of extra time, not to include fees. Many airlines allow the first checked in bag free, but many are starting to charge for additional bags, even it’s just two bags. Keeping it to one bag skips baggage check in, waiting with everyone else around the carousel, and the possibility of losing luggage.

Another great thing to look into is alternative forms of travel. Instead of taking a plane look into train travel or rental cars for shorter distances. Even though the travel time is longer, they can be cheaper to purchase and provide some good Kodak moments. Depending on the size of the rental car, they charge anywhere from $20 a day up to $100.

Word of advice: Buy the additional insurance when renting a car. Even if you think your insurance covers rental cars, it’s better just to pay for the additional coverage from the rental company. Then there is no question about who pays what if an accident occurs.

The most important thing to remember is to stay calm. Traveling during the holidays will always be crazy, nerve racking, and will likely cause you to lose your patience. Everything may not always go as planned or on schedule, so make sure to be prepared for such delays. Bring your laptop, cell phone, and ipod along with all chargers. The holidays are supposed to be about being together with loved one, not stressing over travel bumps.

The health-care gap that traps travelers

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Ahem. Are we forgetting something?

The debate about health-care reform seems to be ignoring a significant group of Americans: international travelers.

People like Aphrodite Tsairis, who said she fell "violently ill" on a visit to Bermuda last month. After a CAT scan, a diagnosis of bowel obstruction, a night at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and a medical evacuation by private jet back to the States, Tsairis got a bill for $23,785.

Traditional health insurance plans typically limit out-of-country coverage to emergency expenses, at most. They also have high deductibles and co-pays for treatment abroad and don't cover evacuations such as Tsairis'.

About one in five Americans buys travel insurance, according to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, a trade group. But a new survey by the organization found that only a fraction of the policies bought — about 5 percent — are primarily medical in nature.

That means a lot of Americans might be traveling without adequate coverage. The Joint Commission International, which accredits hospitals, estimates that 6 million Americans will be treated in overseas hospitals next year. Some, of course, will be medical tourists, but others will just be tourists like Tsairis, who had the misfortune of getting sick while on vacation.

Tsairis, the director of a nonprofit foundation in Bloomingdale, N.J., wasn't covered under her American health insurance policy and would have been liable for the entire hospital bill and evacuation costs were it not for the coverage on her American Express card (about $216 a year) and by MedjetAssist, a medical evacuation service ($250 a year).

"It's a good thing we had that," she told me.

Amex paid the $9,885 hospital bill. MedjetAssist covered her $13,900 in evacuation-related expenses.

Not everyone is so fortunate. As a reader advocate, I often hear from travelers who forgot to take out travel insurance only to find themselves in a postoperative daze in a Mexican hospital, clutching a five-figure bill. One bad trip like that can clean out your bank account.

Shouldn't health insurance cover you no matter where you go?

I asked some of the folks who were working on health-care reform, and they agreed that it should — kind of. An aide to the Senate Finance Committee said that its version of the bill creates an insurance exchange that would increase competition and force insurance companies to offer the best plan at the best price. As they do today, health plans will have the flexibility to cover overseas health-care expenses, the aide said.

Actually, that sounds like a "maybe."

"I'm told there is nothing specific with regard to requiring overseas coverage," said Brendan Daly, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "But there could be an added benefit at premium-plus level."

A premium-plus level, in the context of international coverage, would be an option for policyholders, but not a mandate. In other words, insurance companies would be able to continue refusing to cover their customers when they leave the country.

Hey, I know health-care reform is hard work, but I don't understand why our coverage must end at the border. Considering that medical care is less expensive almost anywhere outside our country, shouldn't it be a no-brainer to cover American policyholders regardless of where they are?

Until that happens, says Michael Ambrose, president of the Travel Insurance Association, you might want to consider buying separate insurance for your international trip. He recommends a policy that includes trip interruption because of a medical emergency and that covers emergency services required in any country, including doctor expenses, ambulatory services and hospital fees, plus medical evacuation coverage.

"You would need to review some of the top health insurance plans in order to analyze what they would and would not cover," he says.

Under such a policy, if you get sick while you're on vacation, at least you'll be covered. Whether you'll actually file a claim is a different question.

Gwen McLean, an information designer for a financial software company in San Jose, Calif., says she'd be thrilled if health insurance covered more Americans who travel internationally. But after being treated for a painful urinary tract infection on her last vacation to Scotland, she decided not to bother with a claim on her American policy.

McLean was charged a total of 11.50 pounds (about $19 today) for prescription drugs and a doctor's visit, less than it would have cost under her American insurance plan. She was also, much to her surprise, allowed to see a doctor without the customary one-hour wait at the hospital back home.

"National Health," she says, "saved my vacation."

How Travelers Can Steer Clear Of Swine Flu

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For some travelers, such as those on business or with pre-paid vacations, "non-essential travel" is not part of the vocabulary.

But H1N1 is. At last count, so-called swine flu has spread to 199 countries and caused 6,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. With news of otherwise healthy youngsters and pregnant women catching the virus, it likely makes parents want to keep their kids from school and professionals telecommute. Still, for those who have to fly, there are best practices to minimize exposure to the pandemic.

Before any trip, research is essential. "The first priority is information," says Dr. Myles Druckman, a vice president for International SOS, a medical consulting firm. "You have to do a local analysis of what's going on in that country."

A traveler should learn about the prevalence of H1N1 in the region and the state of the country's health care system, including what kind of resources might be available in the event of a health emergency. For executives visiting developing nations, where health care might be inadequate, one should consider bringing anti-viral medication like Tamiflu, which may be provided by a company's medical coordinator or personal doctor. Tamiflu is no magic bullet for H1N1, but when taken within 48 hours of developing symptoms it can reduce the severity and duration of the illness.

With swine flu paranoia sweeping airports, travelers should also be prepared for unexpected inconveniences. If a passenger exhibits signs of illness, the airline could prevent the person from boarding the plane, or authorities at the destination could quarantine the passenger. According to the U.S. State Department, China quarantined thousands of U.S. citizens from May to August of this year -- some, who merely sat close to passengers with flu-like symptoms, were forced to stay in "specially designated" hotels for roughly seven days.

Since September, quarantines have been less frequent, but it remains a major concern for travelers, especially those who need chronic medication. Make sure you bring an extra supply of your personal medications in case your stay is elongated.

Traveling in the midst of a pandemic might make add-on insurance a compelling option. Dr. Jerome Levine, of Hackensack University Medical Center, warns of the cottage industry that is making money off swine flu fears.

"A lot of the travel agents are pushing people to get traveler's protection,” he says. “My only worry is: Be careful and read the fine print because many of those protection plans specifically exclude illness due to pandemic or epidemic."

Even if a provider accepts H1N1 claims, coverage varies dramatically. Some will accept claims if you or your traveling companions contract the flu, while others may not reimburse you for losses related to quarantines.

Of course, if you are feeling ill, the obvious rule is: Don't fly. "At what point do you say uh-oh I better stay home? Certainly at the onset of a fever," says Dr. Levine. "If you're already abroad, don't go out, stay in the hotel room."

Whether you're feeling healthy or ill, good hygiene is an obvious but fundamental rule. Avoid rubbing mucus membranes like eyelids or nostrils; wash hands frequently, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers; and if you have to sneeze or cough, use a tissue. If you suspect that someone has H1N1, Dr. Druckman advises staying at least three to six feet away. While your options may be limited on a plane, it is acceptable to politely ask your fellow passengers to use tissues or to discretely ask a flight attendant for a new seat. Airplanes may seen like terrifying Petri dishes for germs, but the risk of contracting swine flu on a short flight is low and many of the newer aircrafts are equipped with filter systems.

If you want extra protection, you could purchase a face mask, but choose wisely. The common surgical mask may be popular, but it offers little protection.

"It will prevent some material coming in; if you're coughing it may have some prevention … but the fact is the virus is so small that it goes through the pores in that surgical mask," says Dr. Levine. The most effective and accessible option, according to many health professionals, is the N95 Respirator mask. It should fit snugly across yoru face and is supposed to filter out 95% of small particles when used properly. Both Drs. Druckman and Levine recommend it, but the CDC warns on its Web site that “limited data is available on their effectiveness.”

Be prepared, be hygienic, but don't panic. The swine flu is a legitimate pandemic, but, according to the CDC, seasonal influenza kills 36,000 people in the country every year, while H1N1 is still a fraction of that.

60% of travellers withhold medical information

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AllClear, the medical travel insurance specialist, has warned that 60% of travellers are invalidating their insurance by refusing to reveal pre-existing medical conditions.

Sometimes information is simply not volunteered as the traveller does not recognise its importance, but it is also the case that some travellers deliberately withhold relevant information from their insurer.

It is thought that fear about losing coverage or the increasing cost of premiums are the primary causes of information being withheld.

AllClear’s Chris Blackman warns that travellers are unaware that by not being accurate when taking out insurance they could risk paying a hefty bill should they become ill overseas.

The firm has calculated that the average cost of repatriation due to illness is more than £25,000.

Last month Check Safety First revealed its research showed that one in ten travellers were failing to take out any travel insurance at all, suggesting that there is a significant problem regarding the public’s attitude to the importance of insurance.

Flu outbreak alters travelers' playbook

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Last spring thousands of travelers canceled trips to Mexico after a swine flu outbreak there emptied beaches and resorts.

Staying home won't protect you from swine flu now: Most states have reported widespread flu activity.

"The thought that the virus was just a Mexico problem is gone," said Sondra Wilson, owner of several Travel Leaders travel agency locations in Washington. "We know it's here and all around us." She said her clients are booking travel to Mexico, but trips there and elsewhere are being booked closer to departure dates than in the past.

Here are some questions and answers about travel insurance, basic hygiene and other aspects of traveling during the swine flu outbreak.

Is it OK to travel during the swine flu outbreak?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say travelers at increased risk of complications from flu may want to consider postponing travel. The agency identifies those in the high-risk categories as pregnant women, adults older than 65, babies and children younger than 5, and those with chronic illnesses. If you are in a high-risk category and must travel, the CDC recommends that you talk to a doctor about whether to take flu medications with you in case you can't get medical care right away. If you are sick, stay home.

For more information from the CDC: cdc.gov/travel

Will I face a health screening if I fly?

The U.S. is not screening air travelers, according to the CDC. But you may face screening in
other countries, including having your temperature taken by a walk-by thermal scanner, or with an oral or ear thermometer. Last spring and summer, the U.S. State Department received many reports of U.S. citizens who were quarantined in China during the swine flu outbreak. In some cases, they had no symptoms but had merely been on flights that stopped in Mexico en route to Asia. For more information from the State Department: travel.state.gov.

Even in the U.S., airlines have the right to deny boarding to passengers for any number of reasons, including sobriety, hygiene and illness, according to Wayne Harvey, president of the Airport Facilities Council of the International Facilities Management Association.

How can I protect myself against swine flu? Should I wear a face mask?

The CDC says little information is available on the effectiveness of disposable paper face masks. They are not recommended in most settings.

The most important thing you can do is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. To protect others, use a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your sleeve.

Frequent travelers have other rituals, too. Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com, says she cleans airplane tray tables with sanitizing wipes before using them, and she avoids putting items in the seatback pocket, where previous passengers may have stored dirty tissues.

The CDC says studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for two to eight hours after being deposited there.

Bill Miller, who handles business development for CheapOAir.com, avoids drinking out of glasses in hotel rooms; he instead uses disposable cups and bottled water. He also tries to stay away from breakfast bars and other buffet meals where germs can spread.

If I cancel a planned trip because of swine flu, will I get a refund?

Travel suppliers are not obligated to help but it's worth asking. Last spring, when the outbreak was at its worst in Mexico, some travel suppliers offered credits toward future trips. Some resort chains with hotels in Mexico and other locations allowed travelers to switch destinations if they had availability at hotels elsewhere, but travelers had to book new airfare.

Should I buy travel insurance?

"We're telling our clients: 'Don't leave home without travel insurance,'" said Mike Weingart, president and managing director of Travel Leaders in Houston.

But traditional travel insurance only offers coverage if you become too sick to travel before departure or if you become sick during the trip.

Traditional insurance will not cover your losses if you cancel a planned trip simply because you are worried about exposure to illness, even if a pandemic is declared, said Judy Sutton, director of product management for Travel Insured International.

To be covered in that case, you'd need a "cancel for any reason" policy, Sutton said.

Be aware, however, that "cancel for any reason" policies usually offer only a 75 percent reimbursement of your losses.

And as with traditional insurance, such policies typically require you to cancel two days before departure. They cost about 50 percent more than regular policies.

Traditional travel insurance typically runs about 3 to 5 percent of the price of your trip.

What about cruises?

The cruise industry requires passengers to fill out preboarding questionnaires screening for swine flu symptoms. Passengers who report symptoms or exposure to flu may face additional screening by medical personnel. They could be barred from boarding if they are ill.

Paul Motter, editor of CruiseMates.com, points out that because of past outbreaks of norovirus on cruises, "the newer ships already have hands-free lavatory facilities, with doors that open automatically and hands-free sinks and toilets, as well as procedures to isolate passengers who become sick."

Taking the Kids -- And Traveling Smart and Healthy This Holiday Season

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As if traveling with the kids over the holidays weren't tough enough, this year we must contend with airline surcharges and swine flu, as well as all the usual annoyances and delays that go along with traveling -- especially with children -- during the busiest travel weeks of the year.

There is some good news, though. Travelocity's Genevieve Brown reports that domestic airfare is down 12 percent from last Thanksgiving -- hotel rates are down even more. Good luck to those of you taking a new baby home to meet the relatives this Thanksgiving. (That was my first flight with my babies too.)

My "Taking the Kids 2009 Holiday Rules for the Skies" will hopefully keep you healthy and make your travel cheaper and easier this holiday season:

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-- Juggle your dates. Travel the Monday before Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving morning, the week of Christmas rather than the following week and you could save more than $100 a ticket, says BestFare.com's Tom Parsons. Those airline surcharges we are hearing so much about are only for the busiest travel days, like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Sunday, Nov. 29.

Airfarewatchdog.com's George Hobica adds that you are smart to consider airlines that give "fare drop" discounts like Jet Blue, Southwest and Alaska; they refund the difference if a fare goes down between the time you buy and the time you fly. Other airlines also offer refunds but deduct hefty change fees.

-- Book a direct flight, even if you have to pay more, suggests Travelocity's Brown. And if you have to connect, allow at least three hours between flights. The planes will be packed and if you miss your connection -- all it takes is one major storm somewhere -- you won't find enough seats on the next flights for your family. Make sure you get seat assignments too. It will be impossible to get seats together when you arrive at the airport for a packed flight.

-- Look for "family designated" security lanes at airports to avoid the icy glares of harried business travelers behind you and your stroller. Allow at least an hour more than you think you'll need and check in online.

-- Travel with carry-on bags not only to save fees (Jet Blue and Southwest currently are the only domestic carriers not charging baggage fees), but also to save time. You'll get to the gate -- and out of the airport at the other end -- significantly quicker. As an early holiday gift, get the kids their own rolling carry-on, monogrammed with their name in a favorite color, from www.landsend.com or www.llbean.com. (Listening, Grandma?)

If necessary, ship suitcases, snow sports gear and holiday gifts ahead. If you are staying with relatives, rent a crib (it isn't safe to use the one your mom has had in the attic for 30 years). Google a rental place near where you'll be staying or check out www.rent-baby-equipment.com or www.jetsetbabies.com. They can deliver diapers!)

-- Buy a seat for the baby and toddler and bring their safety seats onboard. Yes, they can fly free until they are two, but everyone from the FAA to the American Academy of Pediatrics reports that young children are far safer -- not to mention more comfortable -- in a safety seat, especially when a flight hits turbulence. You'll have a more comfortable flight too.

-- Stash sandwiches, snacks and reusable water bottles that you can fill when you get through security. This way you not only feed the kids healthier en route but also save considerable money and time. You don't want to have to run for the gate -- as I've had to do -- after being stuck in an interminable security line with no time to stop for food, while facing a three-hour flight with three kids, with only crushed Goldfish in your purse.

-- Keep that hand sanitizer handy and use it often. "Parents should not be afraid to travel due to H1N1," says Dr. Gwenn O'Keeffe, a pediatrician and editor of www.pediatricsnow.com. We've just got to travel smarter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an excellent guide for parents (www.flu.gov) and you'll also find tips at the American Academy of Pediatrics' Website, www.aap.org. "Cough into a tissue or the crook of your elbow," Dr. O'Keeffe says. And stay home if you are sick. Don't go visit relatives who are sick either. Don't share drinks or food, adds Dr. Chris Tolcher, a California pediatrician, medical school professor and spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

-- Just in case someone gets sick, bring along common over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, Dr. Tolcher suggests. Ask your pediatrician to recommend a physician in the area you'll be visiting, particularly if any of your kids has a chronic condition. And consider travel insurance. According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, you'll be covered if one of you gets sick away from home or if you have to cancel for H1N1 or other illnesses, as long as you have medical documentation.

-- Make sure kids who are flying as unaccompanied minors know where they are going. (Yes, kids have been put on wrong flights.) Give them a cell phone and all of the phone numbers they might need. Teens need to know that if their flight is diverted or if they miss a connection, they've got to speak up and tell the gate agents and flight attendants they are alone. You don't want them to get lost in the shuffle.

-- Say thanks but no thanks to the relatives and opt for a hotel. Now through Dec. 30, get a second night at half price as part of Omni Hotels new Spirits and Sprinkles deal (www.omni.com). Also, check the official tourism Website for the city you'll be visiting or try www.hotels.com and www.travelzoo.com.

There is one other bright spot. A new American Express survey reports that nearly 20 percent of those who traveled last year will be staying home. Maybe that will make it easier for the rest of us. And perhaps the airlines will offer a last-minute sale.

AA warns of the need for travel insurance while travelling within UK

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AA Travel Insurance is warning travellers not to forget about travel insurance when travelling within the UK. A recent survey published in the Daily Mail suggests that 82% of Britons fail to buy travel insurance for trips within the UK, mainly in an effort to save money.

Many people assume that they do not need travel insurance for trips within the UK. While it is certainly true that they do not need the health insurance part of the typical travel insurance policy for trips within the UK, passengers can still end up hundreds or even thousands of pounds out of pocket if their luggage goes missing or if they have to unexpectedly cancel their trip.

According to the AA, many people do not realise just how affordable it is to get travel insurance for journeys within the UK. As a rule, travel insurance for journeys within the UK tends to be substantially cheaper than for foreign travel, as health insurance usually accounts for around 60-70% of the total cost of a policy.

Thrill Seeker Destination Wins Out as Travel Guide's Top Tip for 2010, Observes 1Stop Travel Insurance

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BASILDON, England, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- As Lonely Planet unveils its Best in Travel 2010 guide, 1Stop Travel Insurance are today reminding travellers of the importance of taking out travel insurance to protect themselves and their belongings.

Lonely Planet's annual publication draws on the knowledge of its staff and writers to highlight some of the best places around the world for people to visit.

This year New Zealand tops the list for its combination of spectacular scenery and wide range of adrenalin inducing activities such as hiking, kayaking, swimming with dolphins, bungee-jumping and skydiving.

Other countries appearing in the top 10 are El Salvador, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Portugal, Suriname and the United States.

A spokesperson for 1Stop Travel Insurance said, "It's great to see New Zealand coming out on top. The range of activities it offers is second to none and with the appropriate travel insurance cover to protect yourself there's no reason why you can't enjoy all the activities New Zealand, or any of the other countries, have to offer."

1Stop Travel Insurance offer medical expenses of up to pounds Sterling 10,000,000, with over 50 sports and activities covered as standard. 1Stop also gives you the option to personalise your policy by adding cover for other more extreme sports, so there's no excuse for not being properly covered.

About 1Stop Travel Insurance

1Stop has been providing cheap travel insurance to residents of the UK since 2000, and has covered over 350,000 satisfied customers since that time.

1Stop Travel Insurance offer a wide range of products including Single Trip Travel Insurance, Annual Travel Insurance, Backpacker Insurance, Ski insurance, Cruise insurance and cheap golf insurance. For more information visit http://www.1stoptravelinsurance.co.uk.

1Stop Travel Insurance is a division of Drakefield Insurance Services Limited, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Drakefield Insurance Services Limited is part of the Acromas group of companies which includes the AA and Saga.