Whether you're a first-time international traveler or a seasoned passport stamper, there are a few things that most people overlook before boarding their flight. Some of them could save you hundreds of dollars. Others could save your entire trip.
Here are the five things I always do before flying internationally.
1. Photograph Your Bags Before Check-in
This takes about 60 seconds and can be worth over $2,000.
Before you even approach the check-in counter, pull out your phone and take photos of your suitcase — inside and out. Document the contents, the condition of the bag, the zippers, everything. Then check it in.
Airlines are legally required to compensate passengers up to $2,175 per person for delayed, damaged, or lost baggage on international flights.
But without photographic proof of what your bag looked like before the airline touched it, they could dispute your claim. Time-stamped photos are receipts they can't argue with!
2. Skip the SIM Card — Get an eSIM Instead
Stop paying for international roaming.
If you're still buying physical SIM cards at the airport or activating international data through your carrier, you're spending money that you could be saving.
An eSIM — a digital SIM that loads directly onto your phone — gives you local data in virtually any country for a fraction of the cost. We're talking as little as $2 for a usable data plan.
The one I personally use and trust is Airalo. You download it before you leave, activate it when you land, and you're connected immediately — no hunting for a SIM kiosk, no waiting in line.
And right now, you can use code ERIKA3 for $3 off your first eSIM.
RELATED: Why You Should Always Pay in Local Currency When Using Your Card Abroad
3. Check Your Passport Expiration Date
Right now. Go look.
Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. So even if your trip is just a long weekend, if your passport expires in four months, you could be turned away at the gate.
Passport renewals in the U.S. can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks through standard processing, and even expedited processing isn't always fast enough if you're in a crunch.
The earlier you catch this, the more options you have. If you're within that window, check your local passport office for emergency appointments.
RELATED: Do You Need a Travel Visa? How To Check for Your Destination
4. Book a Day-Use Hotel for Long Layovers
You don't need to stay the night to enjoy a real bed, a hot shower, and a pool.
Long layovers are brutal. But most people don't realize there's a much better option than camping out at a gate.
Day-use hotel rooms let you book a room for just a few hours during the day at a significantly reduced rate. You get access to the full hotel — pools, fitness centers, proper showers, a real bed — without paying for an overnight stay.
To find these, simply search “day use hotels near [your airport]” or check out HotelsByDay or DayRooms.
RELATED: Layovers Don’t Have to Suck — Here’s How To Make the Most of Them
5. Download Mobile Passport Control
Skip one of the most dreaded parts of coming home.
You know that customs line when you land back in the U.S.? The one that somehow looks longer every single time? There's an official way around it.
The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app, developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, lets eligible travelers submit their passport information and customs declaration digitally before they even get off the plane.
When you land, you head straight to the express lane — no kiosks, no paper forms, no standing in a line that wraps around the terminal.
It's completely free, it's government-approved, and it works at most major U.S. international airports.
RELATED: TSA PreCheck® vs. Global Entry: Which Is Better?
TL;DR: 5 Tips for Every International Trip
International travel is one of the greatest experiences, but it’s important to be prepared.
Before your next trip, take a photo of your bag inside and out, grab an eSIM, confirm your passport is valid for at least six months past your return date, and download the free MPC app.
If you’ve got a long layover, book a day-use hotel room so you’re not stuck wasting time (and your sanity) in the airport.
Safe travels!
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