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My Ambassador Travel

What To Do Before You Go

Click here to view: Let the U.S. Government Know Your Plans In Case of Emergency & Vaccination Certificate for Some International Travel

Months Ahead

  • Plan your trip
  • Research the area(s) you will be visiting
  • Check the valid dates on your passport and driver’s license
  • Take care of medical and dental checkups (and vaccinations) if necessary
  • Make reservations

Three Weeks Ahead

  • Check with your credit card company for available spending amount; ask bank for increase if needed
  • Check the valid dates on your credit card so they don’t expire while you are traveling
  • Notify the credit card company that you’ll be traveling so they will expect charges from your destination
  • Check your ATM and debit card for both daily and total limits
  • Check cameras and purchase new batteries and film if necessary
  • Make arrangements with a neighbor, friend, or relative to check your home periodically
  • Make arrangements for your mail to be held at the Post Office
  • Arrange for lawn care or snow removal
  • Arrange for boarding of your pets
  • Start breaking in new shoes that you’ll be taking with you on your trip
  • If traveling with e-docs, print documents and verify accuracy
  • Complete pre-boarding information online
  • Purchase shore excursions

Two Weeks Ahead

  • Reconfirm all of your reservations
  • Get traveler’s checks from the bank
  • Make arrangements to purchase some foreign currency if you are traveling abroad
  • Check your insurance for expiration dates and coverage for your automobile, home, and the valuables that you’ll take with you, as well as those you’ll leave at home

One Week Ahead

  • Watch the weather so you’ll know what to expect and can pack accordingly
  • Reduce the amount of fresh items you buy at the grocery that you’ll need to throw out before you leave
  • Get out your suitcase and start packing
  • Be sure luggage has identification on the inside and the outside
  • Make a list of credit card numbers and traveler’s check serial numbers
  • Make a copy of your passport to take with you and a copy to leave at home
  • Notify your security alarm company that you will be gone and to consider any alarms as real, and leave them the name of someone to contact in case of an alarm while you are gone
  • Check prescriptions for necessary refills

One Day Ahead

  • Pay bills that will come due while you’re away
  • Weigh packed luggage to ensure it doesn’t exceed weight limits for carriage
  • Empty the refrigerator of items that might spoil while you are away
  • Cancel or hold your newspaper delivery
  • Set refrigerator to its lowest setting
  • Set automatic light and radio timers

The Day You Leave

  • Turn water heater down to lowest setting
  • Turn air conditioner up in summer; turn furnace down in winter
  • Lock all doors and windows, including basement and garage
  • Unplug electronic items such as your computer to protect them if there is a storm while you’re gone


Let the U.S. Government Know Your Plans In Case of Emergency

Click here to view What To Do Before You Go

Be sure to register your international trip with the U.S. Department of State at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/. Travel registration is a free service to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency.

U.S. embassies and consulates can assist American travelers who are victims of crime, accident, or illness, or whose family and friends need to contact them in an emergency. By registering your trip, you help the embassy or consulate locate you when you might need them the most.



Vaccination Certificate for Some International Travel

Click here to view What To Do Before You Go

Certain countries may require an "International Certificate of Vaccinations" against cholera, yellow fever, and other infectious diseases before you are allowed to enter. Specific information on entry requirements can be obtained from your ASTA travel agent, physician, or the embassy of the country you will be visiting.

As an added precaution, make sure that your measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, and tetanus shots are up to date. You can also check with the Citizens Emergency Center at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. (202-647-5225), or the Centers for Disease Control at 404-639-3311 for up-to-date information on epidemics or unsafe conditions in your planned destination.

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