Need to Know for Young Travellers Jetting Off

The surge in delays and ever-changing updates to travel essentials have made it confusing for travellers, especially those jetting off for the first time.

The youth travel market was estimated to account for 23% of all international tourist arrivals, generating more than €250 billion.

Gen Z, 18–27-year-olds, book an average of 29 holiday days a year, with 90% of their travel decisions made by what they see on social media – with nearly half, 43%, using online travel agencies.

With that in mind, we have put together a list of twelve things you might not know about travelling.

1. A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) isn’t a replacement for travel insurance because it doesn’t guarantee free medical treatment in other EU countries – it merely entitles travellers to treatment at the same rate that local residents pay.  If your EHIC has expired you’ll need to apply for the new global card, GHIC, you can do this easily online up to 9 months before you travel – it’s free and lasts for 5 years.
2. While an annual travel insurance policy will cover you for an unlimited number of trips during a 12-month period, many travellers don’t realise there is a limit to how long each individual trip can last. With many insurers the maximum duration you’ll be covered for during any one trip is 31 days so if you’re taking a year out you can sign up for backpacker travel insurance instead of an annual policy, which can provide you with continuous coverage for 12 months or more across numerous countries.
3. If you are unable to travel due to a medical emergency or a family bereavement your travel insurance can help to cover the costs – but you should take out the insurance policy at the same time as you’re booking your trip in order to ensure you’re covered.
4. If an airline urges you to check your hand luggage into the hold shortly before boarding the plane, those carry-on bags and their contents may not be covered by your travel insurance – some insurance policies insist that valuables are kept in your hand luggage for safety.
5. If you have a few alcoholic drinks at an “après ski” bar or beach party before deciding to hit the ski slopes or take to the water, there’s a good chance you won’t be covered by your insurance if you suffer an injury, any activity while under the influence of alcohol is usually excluded from the policy.
6. Travel cards that are designed to be used abroad will require to be prepaid but the exchange rate will be locked in, instead of getting the rate at the time of spending as you would with a credit or debit card. Certain businesses however won’t accept prepaid travel cards such as car rental firms, so it’s important to be mindful of where you’ll be spending.  Most car hire places request a credit card to hold a security deposit.
7. It might seem convenient and time efficient to change your money into the local currency whilst waiting around at the airport, but there are often hefty service fees added on top. Research shows that some airports charge between 10% – 13% more than high street or bank exchanges.
8. It’s worth looking at what the exchange rates online are offering to customers before heading out to the high street or local bank. If you’re travelling to a less popular holiday destination then many in-person stores won’t have the currency in stock, so ordering online may be the best option.
9. If flights are delayed or cancelled, young travellers should also be aware that they can request help with travel costs – claiming compensation if the cancelled flight means a delay of arrival by two or more hours.  It’s important to ask for the refund and compensation as soon as possible – either at the airport, or claiming from the airline once travellers have landed back home.
10. Adding photos of your trip to social media while you’re away could actually invalidate your home insurance – some insurers may consider that highlighting to potential thieves that your home is unoccupied is not taking reasonable care of the property.
11. Many holidaymakers are unaware that some of the most popular destinations have the highest incidents of petty theft – it is essential to remain vigilant, always travel with a secure cross-body bag with zips or even a money belt.  Try never to leave personal belongings unattended because travel insurance companies require travellers to take ‘reasonable care’ and could reject claims if items have been left alone.
12. Finally, make sure your chosen destination doesn’t have any warnings not to travel, check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for updates – if you go against the advice you could invalidate your insurance protection.

Tips provided by QouteZone