Dealing With A Worst Case Travel Scenario

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 468
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What started off so exciting after identifying your cheap travel options and then purchasing cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages to Europe could turn into a nightmare if somehow your bag, passport, credit cards, and wallet are stolen.

The following are tips from Smarter Travel on how to turn this worst case scenario into a minor bump in your European vacation:

• Do not panic. Your trip does not have to be spoiled.

• Contact the police to explain your situation. If little English is spoken where you are, try to find a local English speaker at your hotel or at a tourist office.

• File a police report since this often helps in replacing your passport and credit cards and is required if you want to file an insurance claim for lost property.

• Use the Internet to determine contact details for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, your bank, and to solicit help from friends or family back home if desired.

• Your top priority should be to replace your passport. To do this you will need to go in person to the nearest American embassy (usually ...
... in the capital city) or consulate (in major towns). Replacement passports cost $140 each and usually can be issued within a couple of days or even faster depending on your circumstances. If you do not have any money on you, the embassy will help you contact someone at home who can wire funds directly to the embassy.

• Cancel debit and credit cards the day there are stolen. Since credit card 800 number do not work overseas, call global customer assistance centers collect (Visa: 410-581-9994; MasterCard: 636-722-7111; American Express: 623-492-8427). Your bank can usually deliver replacement cards to you in Europe within two to three business days. It would be wise to store the above phone numbers in advance somewhere you can access via the Internet.

• Immediately contact your cell phone carrier if that too was stolen.

You are more likely to accidently lose your property than to have it stolen. Tourists often leave passports under pillows, bags in overhead bins, and cameras in taxis. Remember that you are particularly vulnerable when you are tired, confused, or using public transportation. Always stay in physical contact with your belongings while in transit.

Try to make the best of your situation. Being flexible and patient will pay off.
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