Charts A Course

Before devoting hours to planning, researching, booking, and packing for international trips, complete three essential financial strategies to maximize your current budget and eliminate the risk you are stranded without funds.

Enroll in Credit Card rewards. This strategy uses normal expenses pre-travel to accumulate points that can acquire flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. It magnifies your purchasing power and can improve the travel quality. However, it does take about 1 month to complete the application, qualify, and receive the card. Then it will take up to 3 months to spend a few thousand dollars.

1. Research various offerings. ThePointsGuy.Com is a reliable resource
2. Most popular are Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture
3. Benefits we use are to: upgrade flights to first class, USA Global Entry credit, use points to book flights and hotel rooms at no cost

Activate phone plan for calling and data that is reasonably priced to eliminate risk you need to contact someone and wifi is not available. Many traditional carriers are expensive and rigid. Previously, the most cost-effective solution was to purchase a local market SIM card and painstakingly replace the micro-card and store the original. Fortunately, eSIMs simplified the process by providing a cost-effective solution that covers 200+ countries/regions and eliminates the need to change physical SIM cards.

1. I was skeptical at first but am impressed after purchasing Airalo for our trip to Europe.
2. It is the world’s first eSIM store, has over one million users, is very easy to purchase and activate, and has 24/7/365 support team happy to help via chat on the Airalo website, social media, or email.
3. Airalo sends you updates as you near your data limit and offer options for topping up data as you go.

Bring at least two separate debit cards in case one is lost or stolen. There are many horror stories of people losing the cards, being unable to withdraw funds to cover expenses, and spending hours at banks trying to solve the problem. Worse yet, if the card is stolen and funds withdrawn! The problem is compounded if you haven’t purchased eSIM calling and data capabilities. It is impossible for two-factor authentication without the text-code.

1. Research debit card providers for the market you are visiting and see if your current bank are partners. If not, leverage credit/debit card websites to find the best. I have Chase and Charles Schwab because they have extensive international partners.
2. Only have a small amount in the account like $500 to mitigate loss in case your card is stolen and funds withdrawn.

These are 3 essential steps we have incorporated into our travel that has reduced our stress and improved our happiness while in market.

Safe Travels