FEW REMINDERS BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR VACATION checklist (short)
- Zigmund
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
A Few Important Reminders Before You Travel
Even if you’re a seasoned traveler, it’s always worth reviewing a few key safety tips. These simple precautions can help you avoid costly mistakes or serious trouble while on the road.
⚠️ Avoid Charging Devices at Airport USB Ports
The FBI and FAA both warn against plugging your phone or laptop into public USB charging stations at airports. Criminals can use these ports to steal passwords, install malware, or access your sensitive data.
✅ Instead, use your own power cord plugged directly into an electrical outlet or a trusted power bank.
🌐 Be Extremely Cautious with Public Wi-Fi
That "free" Wi-Fi at the airport, hotel, or coffee shop may be convenient — but it’s also risky. Hackers can intercept your activity, access bank information, and even send you fake itinerary updates.
✔️ Use your mobile phone as a hotspot when possible.
✔️ Never connect automatically to public networks.
✔️ Only use trusted, paid VPN services — never free ones.
✔️ Double-check that the Wi-Fi name is authentic and not a look-alike.
✔️ Avoid shopping, entering passwords, or downloading apps/software on public networks.
🧾 Print Your Boarding Pass
Having a digital boarding pass is handy—until your phone dies or the airline app glitches. Printed boarding passes are a valuable backup, especially when ticket numbers are required or your phone won’t load.
🖨️ Print your boarding pass just in case.
💱 Don’t Exchange Currency at the Airport
Airport exchange booths and even U.S. banks often charge high commissions.
💳 Use a bank ATM at your destination instead, ideally during daylight and in visible, secure locations.
📸 Never Share Boarding Pass Photos Online
Posting your boarding pass on social media may seem harmless—but the QR code or barcode can be scanned and used by cybercriminals.
🚫 Keep your travel info private.
🛂 Check Your Passport Expiration Date
Some countries require your passport to be valid for at least 3–6 months beyond your return date.
🗓️ Make sure your passport has at least 6 months of validity remaining before your trip.
📞 Set Up an International Phone Plan
If you don’t have a local SIM or international plan, roaming charges can skyrocket.
📱 Call your provider to choose the best international option—or order a destination-specific SIM in advance (Amazon is great for this).
🔋 Bring Extra Batteries & Memory Cards
Electronics accessories are often overpriced abroad and sometimes hard to find.
🔌 Pack what you’ll need — especially batteries, memory cards, and charging cables.
These are just a few helpful reminders to get you ready for a safe and smooth vacation.
More tips and a downloadable checklist are coming later this week.
Safe travels!
— Z if you’re a seasoned traveler, it’s always worth reviewing a few key safety tips. These simple precautions can help you avoid costly mistakes or serious trouble while on the road.
⚠️ Avoid Charging Devices at Airport USB Ports
The FBI and FAA both warn against plugging your phone or laptop into public USB charging stations at airports. Criminals can use these ports to steal passwords, install malware, or access your sensitive data.✅ Instead, use your own power cord plugged directly into an electrical outlet or a trusted power bank that you charged up before your vacation
🌐 Be Extremely Cautious with Public Wi-Fi
That "free" Wi-Fi at the airport, hotel, or coffee shop may be convenient — but it’s also risky. Hackers can intercept your activity, access bank information, and even send you fake itinerary updates.✔️ Use your mobile phone as a hotspot when possible.✔️ Never connect automatically to public networks.✔️ Only use trusted, paid VPN services — never free ones.✔️ Double-check that the Wi-Fi name is authentic and not a look-alike.✔️ Avoid shopping, entering passwords, or downloading apps/software on public networks.
🧾 Print Your Boarding Pass
Having a digital boarding pass is handy—until your phone dies or the airline app glitches. Printed boarding passes are a valuable backup, especially when ticket numbers are required or your phone won’t load.🖨️ Print your boarding pass just in case.
💱 Don’t Exchange Currency at the Airport
Airport exchange booths and even U.S. banks often charge high commissions.💳 Use a bank ATM at your destination instead, ideally during daylight and in visible, secure locations.
📸 Never Share Boarding Pass Photos Online
Posting your boarding pass on social media may seem harmless—but the QR code or barcode can be scanned and used by cybercriminals.🚫 Keep your travel info private.
🛂 Check Your Passport Expiration Date, a vacation checklist VIP
Some countries require your passport to be valid for at least 3–6 months beyond your return date.🗓️ Make sure your passport has at least 6 months of validity remaining before your trip. I know of several people who were stopped at the airport because this vacation checklist item was not there.
📞 Set Up an International Phone Plan
If you don’t have a local SIM or international plan, roaming charges can skyrocket.📱 Call your provider to choose the best international option—or order a destination-specific SIM in advance (Amazon is great for this). Very important vacation checklist reminder.
🔋 Bring Extra Batteries & Memory Cards
Electronics accessories are often overpriced abroad and sometimes hard to find.🔌 Pack what you’ll need — especially batteries, memory cards, and charging cables.
These are just a few helpful vacation checklist reminders to get you ready for a safe and smooth vacation. More tips and a downloadable vacation checklist are coming later this week.
Safe travels!— Z
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