E-mail comes to rescue to replace stolen items

E-mail comes to rescue
to replace stolen items

If you’re a victim of pickpockets during a trip, replacing your lost passport, airline and train tickets, traveler’s check receipts, credit cards, etc., will be a lot easier if you’ve scanned and e-mailed copies of the items to yourself before you leave.

But be sure to use an e-mail account that can be accessed wherever you are in the world; if your work e-mail is finicky and your personal accounts are chock full, set up a separate free e-mail account via Gmail, Yahoo! or Hotmail, just for travel.

If doing this, forward any electronic tickets or itineraries you may have in other accounts to this new one, so that all of your travel documents are in one place.

Seek out alternatives
to ‘bereavement fares’

In case you have to make a trip for a funeral, don’t automatically settle for the airline’s so-called “bereavement fare” — shop around for the ticket.

Often special rates are available that are far cheaper than the bereavement fares many airlines offer.

But be prepared to stick with the itinerary you book. One advantage of bereavement fares is that they allow last-minute changes — on outgoing or return legs of the flight — without penalty.

Pack some pillowcases

Pack a few old, beloved pillowcases on your next trip. They’ll fit anywhere, and this subtle comfort-from-home may help you get a better night’s sleep, particularly if you’re a cleanliness freak or your chosen hotel has substandard linens.