jackz
07-15-2011, 06:24 AM
Being affiliated with the U.S. Embassy in Rome, I wanted to share some tips for those of you who are planning International Travel in the future.
This past week Americans reported on average 4 - 6 lost or stolen U.S. Passports per day in Rome. You can only imagine the inconvenience of losing your passport especially if you are intransit to your cruise ship which was the case in a number of these losses.
If you were to lose your U.S. Passport, report it immediately to the closest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate, there are duty officers available 24 hrs per day. Normally, with proper ID your passport can be replaced on the next "business" day at the Embassy with a new application, photos, and full payment.
My suggestions to make your life easier during your travel are the following:
- Xerox a copy of the inside page of your passport that contains your identifying data and photo. Keep this document seperate from your passport. After you check into your hotel secure your passport in the room safe or locked luggage or container. You can carry your xerox with you. Should your passport be lost or stolen, having the xerox will easily identify you to Embassy officials and assist in obtaining a new passport quickly
- Xerox all credit cards to include the back that contains the phone numbers to call in the event you need to cancel them and report them as lost or stolen. This will save you loads of time in getting lost/stolen cards cancelled and reissued. Again, keep the xerox seperate from the original cards. As an alternative, email yourself a list of all your credit cards with numbers, expiration dates and contact numbers to call in the event they are lost or stolen. You can always go to an internet cafe and pull up the info from your email account if needed. My choice would be the hard copy.
- Be sure to call your credit card companies and or bank card issuers prior to departing the USA and inform them of your exact travel plans to include countries to visit and dates. This will ensure that your card will not be declined during an overseas purchase by the credit card company.
- Obtaining ATM withdrawals in foreign countries for local currency is normally the best way to go and affords you a better exchange rate. Prior to leaving the USA ensure that your PIN number consists of 4 digits, not 6 or more as most European ATMS only accept 4 digit PINS.
Hope this info helps some of you in your future travels.
Ciao for Now.
This past week Americans reported on average 4 - 6 lost or stolen U.S. Passports per day in Rome. You can only imagine the inconvenience of losing your passport especially if you are intransit to your cruise ship which was the case in a number of these losses.
If you were to lose your U.S. Passport, report it immediately to the closest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate, there are duty officers available 24 hrs per day. Normally, with proper ID your passport can be replaced on the next "business" day at the Embassy with a new application, photos, and full payment.
My suggestions to make your life easier during your travel are the following:
- Xerox a copy of the inside page of your passport that contains your identifying data and photo. Keep this document seperate from your passport. After you check into your hotel secure your passport in the room safe or locked luggage or container. You can carry your xerox with you. Should your passport be lost or stolen, having the xerox will easily identify you to Embassy officials and assist in obtaining a new passport quickly
- Xerox all credit cards to include the back that contains the phone numbers to call in the event you need to cancel them and report them as lost or stolen. This will save you loads of time in getting lost/stolen cards cancelled and reissued. Again, keep the xerox seperate from the original cards. As an alternative, email yourself a list of all your credit cards with numbers, expiration dates and contact numbers to call in the event they are lost or stolen. You can always go to an internet cafe and pull up the info from your email account if needed. My choice would be the hard copy.
- Be sure to call your credit card companies and or bank card issuers prior to departing the USA and inform them of your exact travel plans to include countries to visit and dates. This will ensure that your card will not be declined during an overseas purchase by the credit card company.
- Obtaining ATM withdrawals in foreign countries for local currency is normally the best way to go and affords you a better exchange rate. Prior to leaving the USA ensure that your PIN number consists of 4 digits, not 6 or more as most European ATMS only accept 4 digit PINS.
Hope this info helps some of you in your future travels.
Ciao for Now.