If you're traveling internationally for the first time you'll want to follow our "Travel Tips" check list closely. It comes from common sense and from travelers like yourself who have learned the hard way and don't want you to make the mistakes they've made. It can really make your trip a bummer if you forget all your meds; forget to check your camera battery; or, break your glasses and don't have a spare pair. Of course, if you're a seasoned traveler, you know that following these general guidelines will help make your trip a positive experience. And, prevent it from becoming a negative, expensive one.

Let's start with the basics. You've got your passport, but have you checked to see the validity date? You don't want to get caught abroad with an out-of-date passport! Need a visa? Won't know until you check the countries you are visiting. Same goes for Health documentation. Our CEO, an experienced traveler, forgot to get a visa for Australia, but thanks to that government's enlightened policy was able to get one at the the last minute at the airport! Remember, travel docs and visas are the responsibility of the traveler.

A good directive to follow when traveling in foreign lands is "don't assume anything". It's not America! It's their country and it's their laws, rules, customs and traditions. So, please be respectful too. For lots of helpful information from the US Department of State, please go to: http://www.travel.state.gov.

Worried about the political landscape where you heading? Then please check out the our US Gov't Travel advisories at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html. Please check out Public Announcements for specific terrorist threats, coups, etc. and the Consular Information Sheets which include specific info ranging from immigration to health to entry regulations to drug laws and penalties.

And, the weather too at http://www.weather.com or http://www.accuweather.com. It might end up saving you a bundle of money if you are prepared and bring your raincoat, gloves and scarf since they might not have a Wal-Mart in St. Petersburg.

Get one of our “free” city or country guides or splurge for a guidebook and study up on your destinations - even if you've been there before. The folks at Lonely Planet, for instance, really get into a destination and deliver the unbiased, up-to-date insights. Also, visit Mapquest.com or Maps.com for destination maps and directions on how to get from the airport to the city, from the train station to the hotel or to your key business or leisure stops.

Assuming you're a really savvy traveler and you've booked your air tickets with Top10Fundraising.com as well as your rental car and hotel rooms or at least know which places you want to check out when you arrive, you'll also need the following critical items: Trip cancellation and medical insurance - chances are the country you're visiting won't accept your company health plan! Then order and purchase, in advance, your drugs (carry a few extra days supply) and over the counter meds (you might not find your favorite brand in Paris) including personal and female hygiene items, general antibiotics, pain killers, vitamins and cleaner for contact lens, a back-up pair of glasses (sun glasses?) and a copy of your prescription, a mini sewing kit and travel first-aid kit.

Don't forget your digital travel alarm clock and your electrical adapter/converter. Or, you might end up looking like you had the worst hair day when you arrive late for your city tour. Last but not least, your camera, a back-up battery and film if it’s not digital.

You've got a lot of necessary stuff. Where do you keep it? You'll really need and appreciate a small, easy-to-access but secure travel bag and portfolio where you can carry your passport (keep a copy at home and take one with you), tickets, money and traveler checks, credit cards and personal ID, plus maps and guidebook, camera and film, jewelry and drugs, a good paperback, your cell phone and a small water bottle.

And, whatever you do, don't let this bag out of your sight. Because when you do, here’s what can happen!

DELAYED BAGS The good news about delayed airline luggage is that, more than 98 percent of the time, it eventually shows up (usually, within 24 hours of the initial delay). As soon as it’s obvious that no more bags are coming off the carousel in the baggage claim area, your clients should go immediately to the airline baggage office. (If they’ve flown on more than on airline that day, they should go to the airline that operated their last flight.) They should always collect a claims form or receipt from the airline with details on how to check back (via phone or the Internet) on the progress of the missing bags.

If your clients’ bags are delayed for several days, it’s increasingly unlikely these days that the airline will agree to reimburse them for new clothing or other interim expenses -- at least, not without a fight. (Remember: Travel insurance makes perfect sense to avoid these problems!)

DAMAGED BAGS
Remind your clients that they should always inspect their luggage when it comes off the baggage carousels. If they spot any significant damage, they should file a claim immediately with the airline baggage office inside the airport. (The airline rep will usually insist on seeing the damage firsthand.)

LOST BAGS
If the airline declares that your clients’ luggage is lost, they must file a written claim for damages that may be different than the initial missing baggage report. On domestic U.S. flights, the airline baggage liability limit increased effective March 1, 2007, to $3,000 per passenger. For international flights, the limit is based on a new formula called “special drawing rights” (SDRs) governed by the International Monetary Fund. Right now, the limit is 1,000 SDRs, with the value of an SDR changing daily like currency (it’s set currently at about $1.51 per SDR, so the limit is around $1,510). Previously, the limit was set at $9.07 per pound in the baggage weight. Your clients may be asked to produce receipts if possible for more expensive items claimed as lost contents, and most airlines have included in their ticket fine print a long list of excluded items that are not covered for reimbursement (from antiques to electronics).

GENERAL BAGGAGE TIPS
1. Before you pack your bags, spread out the contents on your bed or the floor and take pictures with your digital camera. Those photos will help you document the contents without forcing you to write down an itemized list of everything -- and, they’ll serve as handy evidence if you must file a claim later.
2. Never pack anything in your checked suitcases that you can’t stand to lose. That includes electronics, jewelry, medicine, and other valuables.
3. As you check your bags for the first flight, watch the airline agent to make sure the proper city codes and tags are placed on the correct bags. You’d be surprised how often a simple mix-up in stickers can send your bags halfway around the world!
4. And, the best advice of all? Purchase travel insurance!

Now, you're ready for that journey of a lifetime or just another successful business trip. Go ahead. Enjoy yourself. You deserve it!

The above Baggage Tips compliments of OSSN.