When you are traveling abroad you will undoubtedly find yourself dealing with a large number of companies that you are unfamiliar with , and whose policies and procedures are different from what you are used to.
One of your objectives when traveling abroad should be to minimize the opportunities for screw ups that might jeapordize your enjoyment and cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than you were counting on.
Here are some tips for when you are planning your next trip abroad.
1. Whenever possible, deal with people and businesses you know
Buying a cut rate vacation package from a company you have never dealt with before may seem smart at the time. But if you have no experience with the company, you really have no guarantee that everything promised in your travel package will actually come off as expected.
Talk to friends and relatives about travel companies they have dealt with. Look for reviews on the internet. Deal with companies who have been around for a while and are members of professional associations such as the American Society of Travel Agents , the National Tour Association or the United States Tour Operators Association.