Travel insurance: Why all Australians should take out travel insurance before going overseas

For most Australians overseas travel is a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, however, every day our consular officers deal with human tragedies involving the death, injury or hospitalisation of Australians abroad. Each year we handle over 20,000 cases involving Australians in difficulty overseas. This includes over 700 hospitalisations, 600 deaths and 100 evacuations of Australians to another location for medical purposes.

In cases where victims are not covered by travel insurance, such personal tragedies are further compounded by a long-term financial burden. Hospitalisation, medical evacuations, or even the return of the deceased's remains to Australia, can be very expensive. Daily hospitalisation costs in Southeast Asia regularly exceed $800; return of remains from Europe in excess of $10,000. The cost of medical evacuations from the United States regularly range from $75,000 to $95,000 and sometimes up to $300,000. The department has handled medical evacuations from nearby Bali in which costs have exceeded $60,000.

Unfortunately, not all of these cases involved travellers covered by travel insurance. Travellers who are not covered by insurance are personally liable for covering incurred medical and associated costs. As a result, we have known instances where families have been forced to sell off assets, including their superannuation or family homes, to bring loved ones back to Australia for treatment.

Despite these stark statistics, it is not the department's intention to discourage Australians from travelling, which in almost all cases is a very positive experience. Only 0.6% of Australians travelling overseas encounter difficulty each year.

Instead, one of our key messages to Australian travellers is that there are things you can do to help reduce the likelihood of becoming one of the more unhappy consular statistics. With accidents or illness often unavoidable, proper travel insurance is very important in this context. Of course, the all-too-common occurrence of theft and loss of personal belongings is also something all Australian travellers should insure against. Each year the department handles over 16,000 cases involving the welfare of Australians who have suffered illness, theft, robbery or assault.

In choosing a policy, we would note some insurance policies will not always cover claims made in those countries to which the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade recommends against travel. For up-to-date travel advice, we recommend travellers consult and monitor this website.

Where Australians cannot obtain travel insurance to cover their personal medical circumstances, they should consider the potential financial risks very carefully before deciding whether to proceed with planned travel overseas.

For further information, the Insurance Council of Australia (PDF) and the Insurance Ombudsman Service (PDF) have issued guides on travel insurance for travellers. They cover the main issues to look for when selecting travel insurance to ensure you are appropriately and adequately covered.

Case Studies

Following are some examples of the kind of cases handled by the Department:

The reasons for Australians requiring hospitalisation vary. Cases handled by the department have included car and motorbike accidents, a simple misstep and fall at a temple, and side effects from prescribed drugs. The department advises 'if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel'. In many of the cases it is the traveller's family who have had to foot the bill.

1. In Bangkok a man was hit by a car while riding a motorcycle. He sustained a badly fractured leg and was admitted to the nearest local hospital. His wife was with him. He did not have any travel insurance, and so had no choice as to hospital or treatment. The hospital did not have the expertise to do anything for him except clean the wound. After 3 weeks his wife asked the Embassy for assistance as parts of the shin bone had died and the fractured ends were not healing. The Embassy assisted in having the man medically evacuated to Australia for admission to hospital, at very considerable expense to his family.

2. In Bali, 5 Australians were injured in a mini-van accident. Consular assistance was limited to support and routine contact with next-of-kin (NOK), as all the Australians involved had travel insurance. The travel insurance company paid their hospital bills and arranged their medical evacuation to Australia.

3. A young man worked in a US ski resort for four months, then took time off to travel around the US. He permitted his 12-month travel insurance policy to expire just a few days before his departure for home. He was hit by a car while crossing a road and suffered serious head injuries. He was admitted unconscious to intensive care and required highly intensive sophisticated care until he was able to be flown back to Australia. He was still unconscious and returned on a stretcher. The cost to the family for the medical evacuation alone was $80,000. They have taken out a second mortgage on their house to raise the funds.

4. A young Australian surfer went to the United States for a surfing competition. Although an experienced surfer, he unfortunately chose the wrong wave during a practice session. The wave dumped him on a reef and he sustained serious injuries. He was flown to a local hospital and immediately underwent two major operations. The hospital bill was AUD290, 000. Fortunately the young man's parents had insisted he take out travel insurance before he left Australia. The insurance company covered the bill, and the young man and his family were able to focus on his recovery.

Travel advice explained

Australians are keen travellers and each year make more than four million trips to international destinations. Many Australians also live abroad. Travelling or living overseas can be exciting and rewarding, but it also carries potential risks. Each year, approximately 20,000 Australians approach the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra and at our overseas missions for consular assistance.

To help Australians avoid difficulties overseas, the Department maintains travel advisories for more than 160 destinations. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's travel advice provides accurate, up-to-date information about the risks Australians might face overseas, enabling you to make well-informed decisions about whether, when and where to travel. If you are living or travelling overseas we recommend that you subscribe to receive free automatic email notification each time the travel advice for your selected destination/s is updated. That way you can ensure that you have the latest information.

We have recently made a number of improvements to our travel advisories to make them simpler and easier for you to use. The following questions and answers have been prepared to explain our travel advisories, including the changes.

On this page:

• What changes have been made to travel advice?
• How do you grade your advisories?
• What does 'reconsider your need to travel' mean?
• What is the purpose of travel advice?
• Who prepares travel advice?
• How current is the information?
• Can you provide any more information than that contained in the travel advice?

What changes have been made to travel advice?

Over the course of 2005 we have worked with travellers and members of the travel industry to make the language and presentation of our travel advisories simpler and clearer. Following these consultations, we have made a number of improvements to our travel advisories, with all advisories now available in the new format. We have:

• simplified the number of levels within travel advice to a more straightforward five-level system
• introduced a graphic table, which we call a 'continuum' at the top of each travel advice to allow you to tell at a glance the relative level of risk
• put the summary of our travel advisories in a dot point format, so the key information is easier to take in
• introduced additional headings in the safety and security section including "Crime", "Money and Valuables" and "For Parents", so it is easier to find the information you're looking for
• added a simple map to each travel advice, to help travellers understand advice about specific areas
• used more direct and simpler language, so the risks at each destination are easier to understand.

It is important to understand that while the changes may make our travel advisories look different, the changes have not been adopted because we think the risk levels at different destinations has increased or decreased. The changes are simply intended to make travel advice easier to use.

Our aim is to provide Australian travellers with a realistic understanding of the risks overseas, so they can make their own informed travel decisions in light of the potential risks. The wording of these new levels proved in focus testing to describe most clearly to travellers the relative level of risk. While we have made changes to the levels so they more accurately convey the risk at the destination, ultimately decisions about whether, where and when to travel can only be made by travellers themselves.

How do you grade your advisories?

There are five different levels of advice. The level we give a country reflects our overall assessment of the security situation in the destination and is designed to help you assess the level of risk you would face in that country.

In determining the level of a destination we consider the security risks and compare these to the general security threats in a large Australian city. We also take into account the capacity of a foreign government to deal with the risks. We don't employ strict formulas. At times our advice may not fit exactly within one of the levels - in such cases we will use language that is best suited to a specific situation and provides the most practical advice.

The five levels are as follows:

1. Be alert to your own security
2. Exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety
3. Exercise a high degree of caution
4. Reconsider your need to travel
5. Advised not to travel

There is a "graphic table" which we call a continuum at the top of each travel advice to help you quickly establish the relative level of each destination. In some advisories, there is more than one continuum because while the overall country is at a certain level, different regions within the country are assessed to be at higher or lower levels.

What does 'reconsider your need to travel' mean?

Where we advise you to "reconsider your need to travel", it will reflect the fact that we consider there is a high level of risk in the country, perhaps a very high threat of terrorist attack or a volatile and unpredictable security situation.

Whether to travel to a destination where we advise you to 'reconsider your need to travel' is a decision only you can make. In making this decision, you should ask yourself whether, given your own personal circumstances, you're comfortable travelling to that destination knowing that there is a high level of security risk. You should ask yourself whether you could defer your travel or choose an alternate destination. You may decide that the purpose of your travel could be accomplished in another way, for example through teleconferencing, or that you can go to another destination. If having considered these issues, you do decide to travel to that destination, we will advise you to exercise extreme caution.

What is the purpose of travel advice?

Our travel advisories are just that: advice. They are not warnings. In addition to information about security, they provide useful, practical tips on travelling such as health, visa and local laws information.

In issuing travel advice we do not 'single out' countries. Rather, we maintain a travel advice on most countries that are popular destinations for Australians in all regions of the world.

We do not and cannot make decisions for you about whether, when or where you should travel. Our travel advisories aim to help you make your own well-informed travel decisions. Our advice is not mandatory.

Travel advice, like on-line registration of your travel details and travel insurance, are tools to help you avoid difficulties while travelling. We recommend all Australians check the travel advice for their upcoming destinations, both before leaving Australia and while travelling. You can subscribe to the travel advice for any destination, at no charge, to receive email notification each time the travel advice is updated.

Who prepares travel advice?

At DFAT the preparation of travel advice is taken very seriously. We draw on a range of sources of information, including:

• assessments from Australian missions overseas about the security conditions in which they operate
• our experience of the common or recurring consular problems Australians are experiencing overseas
• intelligence reports, and in particular ASIO threat assessments
• the advisories prepared by our consular partners (US, UK, New Zealand and Canada) although we may reach different conclusions.

When necessary, we will also liaise with other Government departments and agencies to ensure that the information we provide is as useful as possible for Australian travellers.

How current is the information?

The information in our travel advice is as current as we can possibly make it. Travel advisories are kept under constant review but as a matter of course every travel advice is reissued and reassessed every quarter. If developments in a country require more regular updates we will respond through the travel advice.

The Department's Consular Emergency Centre, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and our network of missions overseas, give as good a coverage of security and related developments around the world as we can provide. Travel advice is updated promptly in response to these developments, and that is why we encourage Australians not only to read travel advice before they leave, but also to monitor it carefully while they are travelling.

Travel advice is not however, updated simply to reflect the fact that a security incident overseas has occurred. We are not a news service that reports on all incidents. The travel advice may contain examples of security incidents from the recent past but these serve as an example of the sorts of threats mentioned in the advice. When security incidents occur overseas, we assess the risk to Australians travellers - if the level of risk has not changed, the travel advice will not be changed.

Can you provide any more information than is contained in the travel advice?

No. We produce only one form of advice, in the form of the travel advisories. An important principle behind our work is that the advice we provide to you is exactly the advice we provide to our own staff, to other government agencies or to the private sector.

We operate on a strict principle of no double standards: that is, our best advice is the advice that is made available to the general public in our travel advisories. We do not reserve privileged information for others - be they our own staff or for other government officials. You can be confident that the information and advice we provide reflects our best assessment of the safety and security issues they may face in a particular country.

As part of this commitment, if we withdraw staff from a post because of security concerns or take other measures to protect them, we will state this clearly in the travel advice so that the decisions we make about our own staff welfare are transparent to the wider community.

If you phone the Department, we will not be able to add to the advice that is published on the internet. That is our most up-to-date advice and we cannot, and should not, predict what will happen in the future.

Courtesy @ http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html

Travel Tips: Safe Basics

It's always important to take care of your health, whether you're at home or on the road, but there are some additional concerns that are important to keep in mind when you're traveling.

Whether you're taking a trip with your family or plan to live abroad for several months for a study program, it's easier to get sick when you're in a new place because your body hasn't had a chance to adjust to the food, water, and air in a new environment. Traveling can bring you in contact with things that your body isn't used to. Continue reading for tips on keeping your travel experience as healthy as possible.

Don't Take a Vacation From Health

The stress and excitement of travel can make you more likely to get sick, but if you follow a few simple tips, you're more likely to stay healthy throughout your trip - and your trip will definitely be more enjoyable. The good news is that as a teen, your immune system is as strong as an adult's, but lack of sleep and a poor diet can make it easier for you to become sick.

The first thing you should do if you're heading overseas is to find out what kinds of vaccinations you'll need in advance because different countries have different requirements. In the United States, contact your doctor or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for a list of necessary vaccinations. You'll want to allow plenty of time for this step in case you need to get vaccines that require more than one dose.

Common Travel Troubles

Three of the most common health problems that you may experience when traveling are jet lag, altitude sickness, and diarrhea. When you fly across time zones, the differing amounts of light can change your internal body clock, resulting in a condition known as jet lag. Jet lag may cause some symptoms that are bummers on a fun trip, including upset stomach, insomnia, and tiredness.

There are some things you can do to combat jet lag; for example, if you're traveling from west to east, you should stay out of the sun until the day after your arrival. If you're flying from east to west, go for a brisk walk as soon as possible after you arrive.

Altitude sickness is caused by dry air, a decrease in oxygen, and low barometric pressure when you travel to a higher altitude than you're used to. As a result, you may have problems, such as headaches, dehydration, and shortness of breath. Some people are affected at 5,000 feet (1,524 meters), but others aren't affected until they reach altitudes of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) or more. Find out what altitude you're traveling to before you go to see if altitude sickness could be a problem.

The best prevention for altitude sickness is to gradually increase your altitude every day to get used to it. If that isn't possible, a drug known as acetazolamide can help relieve and even prevent symptoms of altitude sickness. If you think that you might get altitude sickness, talk with your doctor before you leave home.

The topic of diarrhea may seem gross, but it can be a serious problem. Traveler's diarrhea, known as turista, often occurs when a foreign type of bacteria enters your digestive tract, usually when you eat contaminated food or water. The best way to prevent turista is to be very careful of the food you eat and the water you drink on the road.

Safe Eats and Drinks

So what foods are safe to eat? Any foods that have been boiled are generally safe, as well as fruits and vegetables that have to be peeled before eating. Avoid eating uncooked or undercooked meat or meat that is not cooked just prior to serving.

Stay away from foods that require a lot of handling before serving. Here's an example: Nine friends ate at a restaurant when on a school trip overseas; eight had diarrhea the next day. The one who didn't get sick was the only one who had ordered a dish that didn't need to be touched by human hands right before serving.

One of your favorite foods at home is on the safe list on the road - pizza! Pizza dough, sauce, and cheese are foods that are less likely to spoil than others, and the high heat of a pizza oven tends to kill any harmful bacteria in the food.

You've probably heard that you shouldn't drink the water in some countries overseas, but did you know why? Water supplies in many developing countries are not treated in the same way as water supplies in developed countries; various bacteria, viruses, and parasites are commonly found in the water. Many experts suggest you drink only bottled water when traveling. If you need to use tap water, you should boil it first or purify it with an iodine tablet. Even if you're brushing your teeth, rinsing contact lenses, drinking a small glass of water to wash down pills, or adding ice to your drink, first take precautions to ensure the water is safe.

You Can Take It With You

When you're packing, you'll want to include any medications and other medical supplies you use on a daily basis because they may be hard to find in another country if you run out. Even if you can find them, there's a good chance the formulations will be stronger or weaker than the ones you're used to. These may include any prescriptions you already take, such as inhalers, allergy medication, and insulin, as well as contact lens cleaners and vitamins.

Packing an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen and diarrhea medication is also a good idea. It's a good idea to pack some over-the-counter allergy medication even if you don't take it at home. People sometimes unexpectedly develop allergic reactions to the pollens and other allergens found in a new environment. Those with asthma or other allergies can unexpectedly react to these new substances.

Write It All Down

Even if you watch what you eat and drink and get enough rest while you're traveling, you may still get sick. The good news is that you'll probably be able to find competent medical care. The key is knowing where to go. Most travel guides suggest you go to a hospital where English is spoken or U.S.-trained doctors can be found. For this reason, it's a good idea to always carry a written copy of your medical history with you.

Having such important information available in one place can help health care workers make appropriate decisions, and you won't have to worry about forgetting important information at a time when you're likely to be upset and not thinking clearly.

Before you leave your home sweet home, create a medical history form that includes the following information:

• your name, address, and home phone number as well as a parent's daytime phone number
• your blood type
• immunizations
• your doctor's name, address, and office and emergency phone numbers
• the name, address, and phone number of your health insurance carrier, including your policy number
• a list of any ongoing health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, or AIDS
• a list of current medications you are taking and pharmacy name and phone number
• a list of allergies to medications, food, insects, and animals
• a prescription for glasses or contact lenses
• the name, address, and phone number of a relative other than your parent

It also helps if you have some basic emergency medical knowledge, not only for yourself but for helping others you may be traveling with. A great way to prepare for your trip is to take a first-aid or basic life support course before you go; if you're traveling with a group, you should know where the first-aid kit is and what's in it.

Basic Safety

It's easy to let your guard down when you travel. After all, you're more relaxed and there are so many new sights to focus on. In addition to paying attention to your personal safety (avoiding secluded places and not walking alone after dark), you'll need to reset your thinking when it comes to traffic safety, too. The rules of the road aren't the same overseas as they are at home. In some countries, people drive on the opposite side of the road and you'll need to be aware of this before you cross the street - look in the opposite direction from the one you're used to. Pedestrians don't always have the right of way overseas, either. Be sure there are no cars coming when you step into the street: If there are, they may not stop for you!

If you practice these healthy hints you can focus on the scenery - not medical emergencies - and return home with nothing more troubling than some tacky souvenirs!

Courtesy @ http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/safety/safebasics/travel_tips.html

Travelling with Your Pets

They’re furry, they’re friendly – they’re absolutely lovable. Family pets are often a big part of the family, and sometimes it’s hard to leave those adorable rascals behind when you leave town. With these simple tips, your pet won’t have to miss out on one fun moment of the family’s big vacation!

GET A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH

	SEEING-EYE DOGS
	If you are a disabled person traveling with a seeing-eye dog, notify your destination hosts and airline ahead of time.

Before you take your beloved pet anywhere, take him to the vet for an overall checkup, and ask for the number of an associate in the area where you will be staying. A few weeks before you depart, get your pet a physical, complete with vaccinations necessary for the area to which you are traveling. A direct, uncrowded flight is best (an evening flight if the weather is warm), but the vet can also give you tranquilizers to calm your pet for the long journey. If you’re unsure whether your pet is up for the trip – ask. Although a cross-country flight may be no problem for you, a pet may suffer greatly while left in a hot baggage area. Don’t wait to find out that Fido couldn’t handle the hike up the mountain – or even the plane journey there.

Most airline and state officials mandate a clean bill of health in the form of a health certificate dated within 10 days prior to travel before your pet can fly with you. And even if he is in tip-top shape, traveling abroad sometimes assumes an automatic quarantine upon arrival for your pet whether or not there is an outbreak of a disease (Hawaii does, so contact your travel agent for assistance in this matter).

For U.S. territories and foreign countries, contact the appropriate embassy, governmental agency or consulate at least one month in advance before making arrangements for your pet. Moreover, some states require certain pets to have entry permits issued by the destination state's regulatory agency, and may request to view the interstate health certificate in advance of issuing the permit. Some even limit the time during which the entry permit is valid.

	PET FRIENDLY VACATION SPOTS
	1. Florida 2. California 3. France 4. Colorado 5. Disney World (tie) National Parks Source: ASTA-member travel agents survey

PAPERS FOR YOUR POOCH
Always keep an ID collar with your name and phone number on your pet, and always travel with favorite toys, proof of vaccination and proper licenses. Bring color photos of your pet, as well, in the unfortunate event he gets lost.

PETS ON PLANES
Because airlines limit the number of pets that can be on board at once, have your travel agent notify the airline of your pet when your reservation is made. Also ask for the allowable dimensions of your pet carrier. Regulations state that dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and fully-weaned before flying. If your pet is pregnant or in heat, do not subject it to air travel. Written instructions for food and water must accompany any shipped pet regardless of the amount of time they are scheduled to spend in transit. Unless your vet signs a certificate otherwise, your pet may not be exposed to temperatures less than 45 degrees.

If your pet is less than 15 pounds and you are on a domestic flight, you may be able to fit a small, airline-approved kennel (check with your travel agent) under the seat in front of you. Out of respect for the person sitting next to you, inform passengers that you’ve brought your pet along so they may switch seats with someone else if they suffer from pet allergies. Have paper towels and a scooper on hand for any inevitable accidents that may occur. On international flights, larger animals can be shipped (for a fee) in the forward cargo bins, which are climate-controlled. Contact your travel agent or the airline for specific information on fees and requirements.

TRAVELING 'KENNEL' CLASS
One thing you should not underestimate is the importance of a quality travel kennel, no matter if you’re traveling by bus, car, plane or train. Let your pet eat and sleep there before you leave, and throw an old sock – worn by you – in as well so he may accustom himself to the kennel in time for travel. Exercise, feed and give water to your pet before you leave, and place a dish for food and one for water inside the kennel. If you’re shipping your pet, write the words “LIVE ANIMAL” all over the crate with arrows pointing in the upright direction, and put your name, phone number and address on a well-fastened label. Secure but don’t lock the crate so airline personnel can access it if necessary. Make certain enough air is getting in. Check with your travel agent or call your airline and find out if there is an additional cost for your pet to travel with you.

ON THE ROAD WITH FIDO
Be careful if you’re driving to your destination. Countless pets die each year from heatstroke after being left alone in hot cars for even a few moments. As a general rule, if you leave your car, your pet should leave, as well. If you park, make sure it’s in a shaded area to keep the car cool. For safety’s sake, check that your car’s air conditioning is functioning before taking a long trip on a hot day. Never let your animal jump around or hang out the window – it’s dangerous for both you and him.

	A NOTE ABOUT BIRDS, REPTILES AND SMALL ANIMALS
	Travel is not recommended for smaller animals and birds because of the stress it causes them. Reptiles are especially discouraged because of their specialized requirements.

A strong, mesh crate (the bottom lined by towels) with plenty of food and water is advised, with enough room so your pet can stand, turn and lie down. But exercise is necessary – stop frequently at rest stops for water and exercise, keeping a leash on your pet at all times. If your pet is unaccustomed to car trips, increase his time in the car before you take him on vacation. One piece of sugar candy – not chocolate – before hitting the road may quell motion sickness. Although you do want to feed your pet at least four hours before air travel, leave a window of six hours before a car trip during which your pet is not eating. If he’s overly fussy, it may be best to rethink bringing him along.

YOUR PETS AND HOTELS
Ask you travel agent to call ahead to make sure your hotel or motel allows pets. Or, for a list of pet-friendly lodgings, call the Convention and Visitors Bureau at your destination. Once there, clean up after your pet – don’t abuse the privilege. Likewise, pack a supply of plastic bags to make this chore easier. Request a room at the end of the hall so other guests aren’t bothered by the possible noise.

So plan ahead, bring the right supplies and rely on these Tips on Traveling With Pets to ensure that you and your pet have a safe and enjoyable trip. With the helpful hints we have listed here, your pet can be the perfect addition to a perfect vacation.

For additional information, visit these Web sites:

Tips on traveling with and importing live animals (USDA)
Northwest Airlines' pet guidelines
Traveling with Pets (Univ. of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine)

Get The travel Tips from world4travel

High Fliers

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To beat jetlag, book an overnight flight or one that arrives in the evening when travelling east so you can either catch your sleep on the flight or as soon as you get in to your destination.

• To prevent the swelling of feet as is wont to happen on long flights, walk in the aisle at intervals and try not to take off your shoes.

• Refrain from OD-ing on the free booze when on a flight, as too much alcohol causes dehydration. Tank up instead on aqua-pura.

• When making flight reservation, remember to request for special meals if you have any food restrictions.

• After September 11, airlines follow very strict security procedures. So make sure you reach the airport for check in well before departure time. Its best to check with the airline regarding how much in advance you should be at the airport.

• If your baggage does not arrive on the same flight as you, fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), with a description of the baggage, a list of contents and address to which it should be forwarded. If your baggage does not arrive at all, place a claim with the airline within 21 days.

• Overbooking is a fact of life in the airline industry. If you are not in a particular hurry to get to your destination then volunteer to give your seat up and take the next flight. The airline will provide you a hotel room and other frills, so you can end up having an extended vacation at the airlines expense!

• Do not accept any package from a stranger.

• For a smooth ride on a plane, choose the seats located near the wings as if the plane hits an air pocket, this is where you will get the least amount of bumps.

• If you are planning to watch the in flight movie, choose the fourth or fifth row from the screen to avoid getting a neck cramp.
  

• If you are prone to motion sickness, take an anti sickness pill before the flight. The pill won't help much, if you have it after you have started feeling sick!

• Abide by the list of items prohibited on board and carry most items like skis/cues/walking canes/sticks/Swiss knives in checked in baggage - this smoothens the check-in process plus avoids the risk of confiscation and unnecessary delays.

• Last and this is equally important - report any unattended items in the airport or aircraft to the nearest airport or airline personnel.

Weather Vane

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Keep track of the weather at your destination and be prepared, especially if you are going to a hurricane prone area.

Heartbreak Hotel

• Make your hotel reservations in advance, especially if you are visiting a place in peak season. You don’t want to be caught without a roof over your head!

• Negotiating room tariffs over the phone? Call the hotel twice to confirm the rates. Note down the name of the person you have talked to and request a written/faxed confirmation. This way you can be sure that you will not be wrongly billed by the hotel.

• Don't depend solely on the hotel's alarm service. Carry your own little alarm clock to catch an early morning flight or that pre-dawn sightseeing trip.

• When you check into your hotel, ask the reception to give you a card with the hotel's name address and telephone number. This will come in handy if you get lost or forget the name of your hotel.

• Check whether your hotel has a hair-dryer, iron, coffee percolator, etc, to avoid carrying these gadgets and also making it easy to skip the 110/220 conversion problem when travelling to foreign countries.

Most hotels frown on guests doing their own laundry in the bathrooms, but if you do need to wash some smalls, carry a length of nylon twine to improvise a clothesline.

15,000 free seats for Kuala Lumpur and Singapore route

Low-fare airline Tiger Airways will offer 15,000 free seats, excluding taxes and fees, for its daily flights between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from the day it starts operating the route on Feb 1 until Oct 25, 2008.

The airline yesterday announced the offer of the free seats in conjunction with the launch of sales for the new route. Tiger Airways promises to consistently deliver the low, low fares that our customers are used to.

With such affordable air fares, flights will be very popular and consumers will benefit greatly. Affordable and convenient travel between the two cities will lead to development of trade and tourism, which is an important stimulator of economic growth.

Tiger Airways will operate from the low-cost carrier terminal at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which is in line with Tiger Airways’ streamlined operations model that focuses on high efficiency to keep costs low.

If you need further information on this topic, please leave in the comment. I will revert back in the same comment column.

Dubai:Sleep with the fishes in 7-star digs

For years, William Shatner has been telling us the travel service he shills for can get us 3-star hotel accommodations for 1-star prices, sometimes 4-star rooms for 2-star dollars.

I wonder how much he can knock off the price of the world's latest -- and perhaps first -- 7-star hotel?

It's the Hydropolis Dubai, being promoted as one of the world's most extravagant tourist attractions and scheduled to open later this month inthe Arab emirate.

The sprawling, almost surreal facility is an underwater luxury hotel in the middle of desert land. Getting there is half the fun, and amazement factor.

The facility is divided into three section:

• The land station: This large building has a rolling, wavy roof. Visitors enter it to head toward the tunnel.

• The tunnel: 1,700 feet long, it and carries a train beneath both land and sea to the hotel. it is shaped like a collection of bubbles and curves designed to provide maximum resistance against sea water pressure as well as the typhoons known to occasionally hit the region. It features area two observation domes which allow views of the water and marine creatures.

• The hotel: The facility looks like a circular atoll, wirh a low barrier between it and the water. The main structures are designed to mimick natural forms with curving shell-like surfaces mimicking natural forms.