Foreign Luxury Vacation Rentals 3 Critical Errors Travelers Make Before Leaving For the Airport
You've booked your luxury vacation rental home in a foreign country. Exciting right? But when was the last you checked your passport? Was it a year ago or more? Did you read the fine print on your rental agreement? Did you double check your flight schedule? These may seem like no-brainer details but overlook and any one of them and your vacation could be ruined.
Fatal Mistake #1 - Not Checking your Passport Expiration Date
Since 9/11 stricter regulations apply and the country you're traveling to my require passports to be valid up to 6 months after your travel dates. We live in an ever changing world and requirements may have changed even if you've visited your foreign destination before. Don't rely on your travel agent to know the newest policies in every country. The reservation agent at your local airport won't know either. He may board you with a smile but you can bet the immigration officer at your foreign destination will notice the oversight and send you packing for home. Check the expiration date on your passport at least 30 days before your flight to give you enough time in case you need to renew.
Fatal Mistake #2 - Not Reviewing the Rental Agreement
You read your Rental Agreement when you first signed it but that may have been months ago and you may have forgotten some important details. When is the security deposit due? Some homeowners allow you to include it with your balance payment 30 days or more before your arrival, others want you to bring it in cash and pay when you get there. You don't want to be embarrassed by showing up at your vacation rental only to discover you should have brought the deposit with you in cash. If you're traveling to a foreign country most homeowners won't take checks because they can take up to a month to clear. Some won't take credit cards because the charges can be disputed. Highlight or underline the important details in your Rental Agreement when you first read it then review it again a month before your departure.
Critical Mistake #3 - Not Double Checking Your Flight Information
Is your flight is at 12:05 A.M. or P.M.? It's a small detail that can be easily overlooked or forgotten if you booked your ticket far in advance. If your flight is at 12:05 A.M. you need to be at the airport 2-3 hours the night beforethe actual date of your flight. Be sure and check your flight information at least 3 days in advance.
Don't be that person who's denied entry to a foreign country or who gets to the airport 12 hours after your flight has left or the one who arrives at your vacation rental red-faced because you don't have your security deposit in cash. Follow these preventative measures and avoid last minute complications for a stress-free vacation.
Fatal Mistake #1 - Not Checking your Passport Expiration Date
Since 9/11 stricter regulations apply and the country you're traveling to my require passports to be valid up to 6 months after your travel dates. We live in an ever changing world and requirements may have changed even if you've visited your foreign destination before. Don't rely on your travel agent to know the newest policies in every country. The reservation agent at your local airport won't know either. He may board you with a smile but you can bet the immigration officer at your foreign destination will notice the oversight and send you packing for home. Check the expiration date on your passport at least 30 days before your flight to give you enough time in case you need to renew.
Fatal Mistake #2 - Not Reviewing the Rental Agreement
You read your Rental Agreement when you first signed it but that may have been months ago and you may have forgotten some important details. When is the security deposit due? Some homeowners allow you to include it with your balance payment 30 days or more before your arrival, others want you to bring it in cash and pay when you get there. You don't want to be embarrassed by showing up at your vacation rental only to discover you should have brought the deposit with you in cash. If you're traveling to a foreign country most homeowners won't take checks because they can take up to a month to clear. Some won't take credit cards because the charges can be disputed. Highlight or underline the important details in your Rental Agreement when you first read it then review it again a month before your departure.
Critical Mistake #3 - Not Double Checking Your Flight Information
Is your flight is at 12:05 A.M. or P.M.? It's a small detail that can be easily overlooked or forgotten if you booked your ticket far in advance. If your flight is at 12:05 A.M. you need to be at the airport 2-3 hours the night beforethe actual date of your flight. Be sure and check your flight information at least 3 days in advance.
Don't be that person who's denied entry to a foreign country or who gets to the airport 12 hours after your flight has left or the one who arrives at your vacation rental red-faced because you don't have your security deposit in cash. Follow these preventative measures and avoid last minute complications for a stress-free vacation.
