4 Pro Tips to Avoid Traveling Mistakes

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 carry 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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

 

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.

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.

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4 Travel Pro Tips to Plan and Spend Smarter on your upcoming Trips this Year

Despite higher costs in recent months, travel remains firmly on the calendar for many Filipinos, whether it’s for a family vacation booked months in advance, a work-related trip, attending a highly-anticipated concert, watching a sports event, or joining a fitness competition. And while the desire to travel remains strong, many are now being more intentional about how they spend once they’re abroad, becoming more mindful with their budgets.

As your travel plans take shape in the coming months, take note of these smart travel pro tips that can help you make the most out of your travel budget without cutting back on the experience!

1. Be smart and look out for promos and deals

One of the most practical ways to manage your budget while abroad is to stay open to better-value choices as you move through your trip, like checking for limited-time offers on hotel accommodations, researching ongoing promos at restaurants, or comparing prices before booking tours and experiences.

Give yourself time to compare prices so you can get the best value out of every experience. Sometimes, the best promos and deals appear when you least expect them, and with a little bit of patience, this is a way to stretch your budget further without changing any of your plans.

2. Don’t overlook travel insurance

Speaking of changing plans, should they happen through disruptions like a flight delay or lost baggage, having travel insurance adds an important layer of protection and helps you avoid significantly larger expenses. When you use GInsure Travel Protect on the GCash app, you can find international travel insurance starting at PHP 299, covering a range of accidents, emergencies, and inconveniences.

3. Skip expensive roaming charges with an eSIM

When you have to rely on online maps and ride-hailing apps to get around abroad, it’s important to stay connected, and the most seasoned travelers know that the smarter way to guarantee this is by having an eSIM. What makes these so convenient is that you can activate them even before you arrive, so that you’re connected the moment you land.

On the GCash app, you can now purchase eSIMs for as low as PHP 1, with coverage across more than 160+ countries. Access this travel pro tip via GCash Travel on the app – it only takes 5 minutes to set up, even right before your flight!

4. Be ready for every payment moment

The last thing you want while on a trip is to encounter an issue with your payments just when you’re already at the counter! While cash still comes in handy for smaller merchants, street vendors at the night market, or transportation in certain destinations, it’s most practical to carry multiple ways to pay for your different purchases abroad.

With GCash as your partner for international travel, you can manage different payment methods through a single e-wallet, access low forex rates, and have real-time spend tracking on the app.

You can use GCash to Scan to Pay via Alipay+ at merchants that accept QR payments when dining at restaurants or purchasing snacks at a convenience store. For instant, on-the-go payments especially in crowded areas or pasalubong shops, you can also use GCash with your Android phone to Tap to Pay so you don’t need to worry about scrambling for cash.

For high-value purchases, the GCash Card offers another layer of flexibility with your payments. You can simply swipe or tap your card to pay, without worrying about hidden fees or extra charges that you would typically encounter with a credit card. And for when you need it, you can also use your GCash Card to withdraw money from ATMs abroad!

The Best Travel Pro Tip? Travel with GCash!

Heading out to your next international adventure is exciting but keeping things convenient and worry-free when paying abroad makes it even better. Take note of all these GCash travel pro tips and download the GCash app today to stay ready for your upcoming trip!

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