The 3 Month Check-in
In 3 months' time, I'll be on a plane flying somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.
To mark this checkpoint, I thought it was time to update my Pre Departure Checklist, as an international traveler:
1.
Passport Validity. Previously COMPLETE.
2.
Long Haul travel. Previously COMPLETE.
3.
Electronic System for Travel Authorisation. I have signed in to the ESTA site and paid up the fees to ensure that all 3 of us have valid travel authorisations. COMPLETE.
4.
DFAT registration. Sadly, I wont be able to register until AFTER I sort out
Travel insurance. The DFAT site needs that information.
ACTION: Complete registration, but insurance first. Target completion: End August 2013.
5.
Travel insurance. My family friend of a
Travel Agent is back in town. So, I need to tap her on the shoulder and get this done.
ACTION: Still to-do. As it's now June/July, time to set this in action. Target completion: End August 2013.
6.
Medical bits. I've gotten a couple of things and am starting to collect them in a pile. Still have a lot more things to get; but I'll get there.
ACTION: Target completion: End August 2013.
7.
Foreign currency. I've been buying currency for the better part of 9 months now. My exchange rates have been anywhere from $1.06 through to $0.95. The dollar is dropping like a stone and I've locked in nearly as much as I possibly can. I will still be purchasing currency right up to the point of departure and beyond; and the exchange rate of the day will be anyone’s guess.
ACTION: On-going conversion of currency.
8.
Internal US air travel. All my internal flights are now locked in. I'm flying SouthWest for one of the legs – managed to purchase the tickets on sale; and American Airlines for the others. I decided to buy a multi-city ticket which worked out cheaper than buying them separately. I even broke the cardinal rule of never checking flights after you've bought your ticket.....but I'm really glad that I pulled the trigger when I did. My AA flights would now cost me $600 more for the 3 of us.
And as we are at the 3 month mark, one of my flights has had a time change. It’s now departing 2 hours later but the change is probably better for my schedule.
But this task is now COMPLETE.
9.
Airline Luggage allowance. SouthWest provides us with checked baggage allowances; so there will be no baggage fees to pay. We will have to pay for AA; but I've included an allowance in the budget for this now. COMPLETE.
So I guess most of the items left on the list hinge around travel insurance and medical related. I'm calling it good progress on my to-do list!
that one I liked...wher did you ever decide ? I think maybe I should get some sleep been up a Loooong time
