Whether you’re heading away for the holiday of a lifetime, travelling for business or just popping an hour or two up the road to visit family, there’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination and realising you’ve forgotten something important.
Depending on what it is you’ve forgotten, it can mean a slight inconvenience or turning around completely and having to head home. Having a list of the important stuff to organise, (we’re sure you’ll remember to pack your undies) can ensure your travel plans aren’t waylaid by something preventable, and you can get on with enjoying your trip.
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Sharing Plans
Make sure you let us know you’re travelling so we don’t block your card when we see overseas transactions; and also leave your travel itinerary with a trusted person at home. It’s also a good idea to register your plans on the Australian Government Smart Traveller website so you can be contacted or found easily during an emergency or disaster.
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Know how to contact us
Even though we hope it will never happen, losing your card on holiday can really be upsetting. To plan for the unforeseeable, make sure you sign up for internet banking and/or the banking app so you can report your card lost or stolen at any hour of the day. Be aware that you may need to enable the VIP Access App in internet banking prior to your trip to allow you to operate your accounts while overseas and away from your SMS code service.
If you don’t have access to the internet, save our number in your phone so you know how to contact us if you lose your card. We offer a ‘Click-to-Call’ service on our website that enables us to pay for your overseas call. Speak to us before you leave to get a rundown on your options.
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Money/Cards
It’s always a good idea to have more than one card when you travel, even travelling domestically. Our Visa card works everywhere Visa is accepted and we also offer Mastercard Cash Passports, allowing you to load your card in the currency of the country you are heading to and being able to start using it straight away once you arrive.
It’s also a good idea to have some of the local currency on hand before you arrive so you can buy a drink, tip the driver or pay for your entry visa. Some destinations will require your visa to be paid for on arrival using US dollars, so having the right change, in the right currency can help you clear customs a lot faster!
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Insurance
Even when you’re travelling within Australia, travel insurance is essential! From covering cancellation and hire-car excesses to major medical expenses overseas, this is one thing you should never travel without. We can arrange your travel insurance through our insurance partner, CGU in just a few minutes.
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Tickets
Plane, bus, boat or show tickets; make sure you have any hard copy tickets with you before leaving home and allow your electronic tickets to be accessible without an internet connection on your device.
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Passport
Most countries will require your passport to have at least six months validity past your trip date, so make sure you’ve got enough time left on your passport. It’s also a good idea to have a photocopy of your passport stashed in your suitcase in case you lose it; or leave a copy with a trusted person at home.
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Visas
Best to check visa requirements before booking tickets, as some can take months to come through. Others can be a ‘visa on arrival’ arrangement you can get when you land at your destination; best not to mix the two up! It’s also handy to have currency ready, in the correct change to pay for a visa on arrival.
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Luggage allowance
It’s tempting to try and cram all your luggage into your carry-on, but airlines are wising up and often your bag will be weighed in the departure lounge, with those too heavy incurring a large fee. Don’t risk it, keep your bags under the weight allowance and save the fee for a nice dinner at your destination. A luggage scale is a great investment. You can pick them up for as little as $9.00 and it will give you peace of mind at the airport that you’re within the limit.
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Health/Vaccinations
Make sure any medication travels with you in your hand luggage. You don't want to arrive at your destination to find out your suitcase and medicine is in Hawaii without you. Also check the vaccination requirements of your destination well before your departure date, as some vaccinations require multiple shots over a period of months to become effective.
Check out more useful tips and advice before you head abroad by visiting our dedicated travel and international page
