To avoid some of the hiccups that can happen on a vacation, here's a few things to make sure you do before you leave:1. If you are taking a train or commuter flight between cities on your trip, check to see the baggage requirements and limits. They often differ from a regular flight. Most times you can pay extra, but often for small planes, they will only allow one bag, no exceptions. This is due to weight restraints. You wouldn't want to have to leave all your souvenir goodies behind, so check first and make arrangements. It may mean taking another form of transport.
2. Call your credit card company and notify them that you will be traveling out of state or out of country. Most will freeze your account to protect you when they see unusual charges. And although the protection is necessary, it can be a pain to reinstall service when you are out of the country.
3. Make sure you have given someone you trust your travel itinerary and any phone numbers, beside cell's (such as your hotel numbers), that they can reach you at in case of emergency back home. If the power goes out at your home for 3 days, things might be spoiled when you get home (happens all the time on the Olympic Pennisula during the winter). The neighbors or a friend can advise you on the situation and help you rectify it before arriving home.
4. Bring appropriate baggage so that you'll have room for anything you plan to bring home. It's cheaper to pay the $35 extra bag fee upfront then needing to buy a new suitcase on the road.
5. If you take perscription medicine, and refill monthly, did you get enough for trip? This can be a bit tricky if your insurance company will only allow a month supply to be issued around the same day each month. Either plan the trip around those dates, or arrange ahead of time with you doctor and insurance to have the medicine you need. This is especially important if you are taking a long trip.
