4 Pro Tips for You to Avoid Most Travelers' Mistake

 

Even the most seasoned travelers can forget a thing or two when they travel abroad. On a trip that’s supposed to be fun and full of adventure, the last thing anybody wants to deal with is problems that could have been avoided with better preparation and planning. So, here are four things travelers tend to forget, along with pro tips from some travel experts to help avoid these common travel blunders.

Forgetting about the home

Travel plans begin at home, literally. It’s easy to focus on packing and planning an itinerary and forget to make sure everything is taken care of at home before leaving. The last thing any person wants is to come back from a relaxing trip to a major cleanup job, or worse, discover that their home wasn’t properly secured while they were away.

Many homeowners keep an eye on things through CCTV, while others ask a close relative to drop by every now and then. It’s also important to unplug all electronics and appliances that don’t need to be running. It may seem obvious, but taking care of these things before leaving can give travelers one less thing to worry about while they're on vacation.

Overlooking important travel documents

There’s nothing worse than getting to the airport and realizing an important document was either left unfinished or not brought at all. To avoid these moments, it’s important to have a checklist of everything that needs to be completed – such as the eTravel pass – ahead of time. These are easy to put off at the last minute, but doing so often leaves travelers scrambling once at the airport.

Another pro tip is to keep photocopies of a valid ID, your passport, the destination’s visa (if needed), and hotel bookings stored in both your hand carries and check-in luggage. If you lose your luggage, have it swapped, or your passport goes missing, you’ll have proof they’re yours.

Not getting travel insurance

Travel insurance is one of those things that’s easy to put off because travelers are hoping they won’t actually need it. But when something unexpected happens on a trip, having coverage can make a big difference.

Maki Santos - Bangkok

For content creator Maki Santos, travel insurance is among her non-negotiables before heading out on her travels. “Sadly, getting travel insurance is still not top of mind for Filipinos, when in fact, it is a need especially during trips where you do so many different activities that are out of the ordinary,” she shares.

Maki - BKK

According to her, travelers tend to assume that getting insurance means dealing with a complicated process or having to spend a lot of money on an already expensive trip. But what they don’t realize is that there are many accessible options that make it easier to get covered these days.

GCash offers GInsure Travel starting at only PHP 299, with protection covering medical emergencies, flight delays, trip cancellations, lost baggage, personal accidents, based on their chosen coverage plan. Policies can cover up to PHP 2.5 million, and travelers can avail of coverage for themselves or family members in as fast as 5 minutes, even at the airport, up to 2 hours before their flight.

Not mixing it up with payment options

The way people pay in different countries can be very different. Some destinations are almost completely cashless, while others still rely heavily on cash especially for transportation and night markets. It’s this extra step of research that travel creator Marvin Samaco makes sure to never miss.

Marvin Samaco - HongKong

According to him, “Some destinations especially in Southeast Asia are still very cash- heavy, so I make sure to carry enough cash when I visit there. Others are mostly cashless, so when I’m there, I use my cards. Then there are places like China, where digital wallets are essential. That's why I always research the payment culture of a destination before I travel. I usually end up using a mix of cash, cards, and digital wallets depending on where I am.”

Marvin - HK

GCash allows travelers to manage different payments through a single e-wallet, get access to 0% forex rates, and have real-time spend tracking on the app to make sure they stay within their budgets.

For everyday expenses like dining at restaurants or at the convenience store, users can Scan to Pay via Alipay+ for safe and seamless transactions. For instant, on-the-go payments, especially in high-volume areas or pasalubong shops, users can also Tap to Pay with their NFC-enabled Android phone, so they don’t need to pull out their wallets in the crowd.

Scan to Pay

Meanwhile, the GCash Card offers 0% Forex fees that one can enjoy on shopping purchases abroad. It can also be used to withdraw cash 24/7 from ATMs worldwide.

Tap to Pay

The ultimate travel pro tip: Be ready for the unexpected

The goal isn’t to plan for everything that could go wrong, but to be ready when the unexpected happens. With GCash as a travel partner, travelers can stay ready for any payment moment, wherever their travels take them.

Beat jet lag like a Pro

 

One hack to beat jet lag is to block off light with an eye mask.

Love the idea and experience of international travel, but can’t stand how it messes up with your sleep—and plans—as soon as you reach your destination? Take your cue from the people who constantly deal with jet lag yet manage to bring honor and glory (not to mention medals and trophies) to their country and sport: elite athletes. How do they do it?

“Travel, especially to where time zones change, affects our circadian rhythm, that internal clock in our body that tells us when to sleep and be awake,” says Maria Patricia Ann T. Puno, MD from the Neurophysiology and Sleep Disorders Laboratory of top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed). “For athletes who find themselves in one state or country one day, then halfway around the world the next, it takes discipline and a few tweaks to their diet, training, and sleeping habits to not only conquer jet lag but come out on top of their game.”

In his competitive days, tennis legend Roger Federer beat jet lag by simply thinking steps ahead. “I almost forget what time it is in the place I left, and I live in the new time zone: try to eat at the right time, go to bed at the right time, and try not to cheat at those things,” he shared.

According to MakatiMed, these simple hacks work too:

Adjust your sleeping hours. Many athletes do this a week prior to their trip, according to Dr. Puno. “They wake up 30-60 minutes before they usually do, and go to bed 30-60 minutes earlier than usual. The next day, they rise 30-60 minutes earlier and turn in 30-60 minutes earlier, until their wake-up and bedtime hours are closest to their destination’s schedules.”

Make your surroundings conducive to sleep. US men’s rugby team member Lucas Lacamp listens to music to relax, wears an eye mask to block off light, and puts on noise-canceling ear plugs for peace and quiet. “Planes and hotels aren’t always comfortable and ideal for sleep, so you have to do your part,” says Dr. Puno. “Temperature is another way to ensure quality sleep. In your hotel room, set your air- conditioner between 15°C to 19°C.

Know when to use light. “If you arrive in the daytime, take a walk. Morning sun exposure signals your body to wake up,” the MakatiMed doctor suggests. “At night, avoid the use of smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets. They emit blue light, which affects the natural production of the sleep-regulating hormone melatonin, thus disrupting your sleep.” Irish artistic gymnast Rhys McClenaghan wears glasses with red lenses, which are effective at blocking 100 percent of blue light.

Watch what and when you eat and drink. “Heavy meals tend to make you feel sluggish and sleepy, so if you want to stay awake, eat light and focus on protein instead of carbohydrates. Also, skip stimulating coffee, soda, and alcohol in the first few days of your trip,” reminds Dr. Puno.

Take naps. While some athletes fight off the urge to nap because it affects their sleep at night, others feel reenergized for a few minutes of slumber. “In the days leading up to his double gold win in the 2024 Paris Olympics, gymnast Carlos Yulo was said to have taken a series of 15-to-20-minute naps—in the bus, after podium training, and before going to the competition area,” shares Dr. Puno. “If you must nap, take no more than a few minutes and this should not be too close to bedtime.”

Travel smarter. There are also ways to optimize travel to reduce jet lag. “If possible, book a morning flight so the long trip doesn’t interfere so much with your circadian rhythm. And when in the plane, adjust your watch to the time of your destination,” says Dr. Puno. “It conditions your brain to believe you should be awake or asleep, even if you’re still acclimatizing.”

For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.