Travel Scams: You Don't Get Something for Nothing Source:U.S. Department of Consumer Affairs Beware of travel companies that misrepresent information about the bookings and transportation costs. For example, a company that offers an unbelievably low airfare may make up the loss in another way such as overpriced hotel accomodations. In most cases, one should assume that “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” The following tips from the U.S. Department of Consumer Affairs can save you from a disappointing vacation. Don't be taken by solicitations by postcard, letter, or phone claiming you've won a free trip or can get discounts on hotels and airfares. These offers usually don't disclose the hidden fees involved, for example, deposits, surcharges, excessive handling fees or taxes. Some travel scams require you to purchase a product to get a trip that is “free” or “two-for-one.” You'll end up paying for the “free trip” or more for the product than the trip is worth, and the two-for-one deal might be more expensive than if you had arranged a trip yourself by watching airfare deals. Be wary of travel offers which ask you to redeem vouchers or certificates from out-of-state companies. Their offers are usually valid only for a limited time and on a space-available basis. The hotels are often budget rooms and very uncomfortable. The company charges you for the trip in advance, but will the company still be in business when you're ready to take the trip? Check the reputation of any travel service you use, especially travel clubs offering discounts on their services in exchange for an annual fee. Contact your state or local consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau. Request copies of a travel club's or agent's brochures and contracts before purchasing your ticket. Don't rely on oral promises. Find out about cancellation policies and never sign contracts that have blank or incomplete spaces. Never give out your credit card number to a club or company with which you're unfamiliar or which requires you to call 900 numbers for information. Don't feel pressured by requests for an immediate decision or a statement that the offer is only good “if you act now.” Don't deal with companies that request payment in advance or that don't have escrow accounts where your deposit is held. Research cut-rate offers, especially when dealing with travel consolidators who might not be able to provide your tickets until close to your departure date. You can protect yourself by using a credit card to purchase travel services. If you don't get what you paid for, contact the credit card issuer and you might be able to get the charges reversed. Be aware that you have 60 days to dispute a charge.

Got a Yen...To Learn About Foreign Exchange? Source: FDIC Consumer News,Spring 1995. The value of the U.S. dollar has an impact on all our lives, not just those of us who travel abroad. So what does it mean when the dollar is “up” against the French franc or “down” against the Japanese yen? Is it better to have a “strong” or a “weak” dollar? Who determines the value of the dollar versus foreign currencies? Economic conditions in the U.S. play a big role in why the dollar fluctuates in value. An example: Large trade deficits mean dollars are flooding the world markets, causing a greater supply than demand, which creates a weak dollar. And if foreign investors think U.S. interest rates are heading down, they'll put more money outside the U.S. looking for higher rates, which lessens the demand for dollars and weakens the dollar's value. When the dollar is weak—or down—against a foreign currency, that means it takes more dollars to buy the same amount of foreign money, and items you buy while abroad will cost you more. When the dollar is strong—or up—against a foreign currency, that means it takes fewer dollars to buy the same amount of foreign money, and items you buy while abroad will cost you less (or as many like to look at it, you can buy more stuff). Let's say you're planning a trip to England and you're told a cab ride from the airport to your hotel in London costs 25 British pounds. If it takes $1.50 to buy one British pound, that cab fare will cost the equivalent of about $37.50 ($1.50 × 25). If at the time of your trip the dollar has weakened, however, it might take $1.75 to equal one British pound. That same 25 pound cab ride would end up costing you about $6.25 more ($1.75 × 25 = $43.75). Likewise, if the dollar gets stronger, that cab ride might cost you only $1.25 per British pound, or $31.25 ($1.25 × 25 = $31.25). This same principle applies to anything else you might buy—souvenirs, food and so on—while you're away. Many people planning a trip try to predict what a foreign currency will be worth in the future. If they think the dollar will be strong they may hold off converting their dollars until right before they depart. Or if they think the dollar will be weaker, they may convert their dollars several weeks before they depart. It's a tough decision to make. It's like trying to predict what a stock will be worth on a certain day. As a general rule, you shouldn't exchange all your money at one time because you could end up guessing wrong or converting too much money and losing again when you convert back to dollars or to another currency. Just because you got a good price exchanging dollars for pounds doesn't mean you'll get a good price exchanging pounds for French francs.

A Safe Trip Abroad The U.S. Department of State offers the following tips for safe travel abroad: Dress conservatively. Thieves often target tourists, so avoid wearing anything that will make you stand out, and leave your expensive jewelry at home. Travel light. You will be able to move more quickly and will be more likely to have a free hand. Also, you will be less tired and less likely to set your luggage down and leave it unattended. Conceal your valuables. Leave your passport, cash, and credit cards locked in a hotel safe if possible. When you carry them on you, conceal them in several different places rather than all in one wallet, pocket, or bag. Avoid using handbags, fanny packs, and outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves. If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair. Pack your glasses and any medicines you need in your carry-on luggage. Keep medicines in their original labeled containers. This will help you to avoid problems when passing through customs. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs. If a medication contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need to take the drug. If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into a foreign country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country first. Bring travelers' checks and a major credit card instead of cash. Leave a copy of the serial numbers of your travelers' checks with a friend or relative at home. Carry your copy with you in a separate place, and as you cash the checks, cross them off the list. Bring an extra set of passport photos and a photocopy of your passport information page. This will make it easier to get a replacement if your passport is lost or stolen. Put your name, address, and telephone number inside each piece of luggage. Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your name, address, and nationality. Always lock your luggage. Consider getting a telephone calling card that can be used from overseas locations. Access numbers to U.S. operators are published in many international papers, but find out your access number before you go. Source:U.S. Dept. of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. Web: http://travel.state.gov.

Current Travel Warnings for U.S. Citizens1 Travel warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country. The countries listed below are currently on that list. In addition to this list, the State Department issues Consular Information Sheets for every country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, or any areas of instability. CountryMost recent warning issued Israel, the West Bank and Gaza 6/22/2011 Sudan 6/22/2011 Cote d'Ivoire 6/16/2011 Philippines 6/14/2011 Burundi 6/1/2011 Yemen 5/25/2011 Syria 4/25/2011 Uzbekistan 4/25/2011 Mexico 4/22/2011 Burkina Faso 4/19/2011 Nigeria 4/15/2011 Iraq 4/12/2011 Lebanon 4/4/2011 Algeria 3/16/2011 Mauritania 3/11/2011 Afghanistan 3/8/2011 Mali 3/2/2011 Eritrea 2/27/2011 Libya 2/25/2011 Pakistan 2/2/2011 Haiti 1/20/2011 Central African Republic 1/14/2011 Niger 1/12/2011 Nepal 1/12/2011 Kenya 12/28/2010 Somalia 12/27/2010 Saudi Arabia 12/23/2010 Colombia 12/8/2010 Guinea 12/3/2010 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 11/25/2010 Chad 11/10/2010 Iran 10/8/2010 Korea, Democratic People's Republic of 8/27/2010 NOTE: In the wake of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, the State Department issued a worldwide caution for U.S. citizens traveling abroad. 1. As of July 2011. Source:U.S. Department of State. Web: http://travel.state.gov.

Vaccine Recommendations for International Travelers (Two Years of Age and Older) Source:Centers for Disease Control, July 10, 2000 ( http://www.cdc.gov) The following vaccines should be reviewed with a physician at least ten weeks before departure to ensure the proper scheduling of the various appropriate vaccines and dosages. Primary Vaccine Series.For travelers over two years of age the following immunizations normally given during childhood should be up to date: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTP or DTaP) Vaccine until age 7, then Td Vaccine Polio (OPV) Vaccine Haemophilus Influenza B (HbCV) Vaccine Hepatitis B (HBV) Vaccine Varicella vaccine (for persons who have never had chickenpox) Children over two should be “on schedule” with each vaccine's primary-series schedule, while adults should have completed the primary series. If you are unsure about your vaccine history, consult with your physician. In addition, adult travelers may want to consider: Influenza (Flu) Vaccine—(Recommended for adults 65 years or older, or other high risk individuals) Pneumococcal Vaccine—(Recommended for adults 65 years or older, or other high risk individuals) Booster or Additional Doses: Tetanus and diphtheria: A booster dose of adult Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) is recommended every ten years. Polio: An additional single dose of vaccine should be received by adult travelers going to the developing countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Indian Subcontinent, and the majority of the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union. This additional dose of polio vaccine should be received only once during the adult years. Enhanced Inactivated Polio Vaccine (eIPV) is recommended for this dose. Measles: Persons born in or after 1957 should consider a second dose of measles vaccine before traveling abroad. Additional Vaccines.Yellow fevervaccine is recommended if traveling to certain parts of Africa and South America.Hepatitis Bvaccine should be considered for those who will live six months or more in areas of developing countries where Hepatitis B is prevalent (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the islands of the South and Western Pacific, and the Amazon region of South America), and who will have frequent close contact with the local population.Hepatitis AVaccine and/orImmune Globulin(IG) is recommended for travelers to all areasexceptJapan, Australia, New Zealand, Northern and Western Europe and North America (except Mexico).Typhoidvaccine is recommended for travelers spending four weeks or more in areas where food and water precautions are recommended—many parts of the world, especially developing countries.Meningococcalvaccine is recommended for travelers to sub-Saharan Africa, especially if close contact with the locals is anticipated, or if travel occurs during the dry season from December through June.Japanese EncephalitisorTick-borne Encephalitisvaccines should be considered for long-term travelers to geographic areas of risk.Choleravaccine is of questionable benefit to travelers of any age.