| Planning your overseas business trip should include | | | | information with you, another set in your luggage. |
| making reservations as soon as your company | | | | - 800 numbers may not work outside the United |
| confirms the trip. The seasoned traveler always plans | | | | States and Canada. Before you leave, call your |
| to arrive the night before a scheduled meeting to | | | | bank and credit card companies to obtain their |
| avoid stress, missed flights, and jet lag. | | | | non-800 numbers so you can reach them in an |
| Your travel agent will be aware of the plane's layout, | | | | emergency. |
| and should reserve a seat with the most leg room. | | | | - If you need cash, wire it through your bank or |
| The agent should also request your boarding pass | | | | have a cashier's check or money order sent to your |
| and any special meal requirements in advance. | | | | hotel. Register with the Department of State |
| The seasoned traveler has a plan to avoid canceled | | | | before you leave. The Department can arrange for |
| flights. Many business executives double book flights | | | | a small loan to carry you over until you can replenish |
| with another airline carrier as a backup. This practice | | | | your funds. |
| is a major cause of overbooked flights, so make sure | | | | - Obtain a list of recommended doctors in the |
| unused reservations are canceled by your agent or | | | | countries you will be visiting through The Bureau of |
| office. If your flight is canceled, use The Official | | | | Consular Affairs before you leave on your trip. The |
| Airline Pocket Flight Guide to calculate your own | | | | Bureau of Consular Affairs website is |
| rerouting, or immediately call your travel agent or | | | | - Bring a letter from your doctor stating your need |
| another airline. Don't stand in line and wait for an | | | | for any medication, along with a copy of the |
| attendant to reschedule you. | | | | prescriptions as proof of your need for it. |
| Overseas Travel Tips | | | | - Carry all prescription medications in their original |
| - Business casual is the best mod of dress. Avoid | | | | containers. Bring an extra pair of eyeglass or |
| wearing clothing that broadcasts your nationality. | | | | contact lenses. |
| - Register laptop computers and cameras with | | | | When traveling globally, avoid coming across as a |
| customs before you leave. | | | | poster girl (or boy) for the image of The Ugly |
| - Use a credit or debit card with a four-digit numeric | | | | American. Wear business clothes and conduct |
| code. (Many ATM machines outside North America | | | | yourself in a businesslike manner. You are |
| accept only four-digit PINs.) | | | | representing yourself, your company, your country, |
| - Bring two copies each of the first past of your | | | | and your culture. Research in advance the attitude |
| passport and photograph, important documents and | | | | and expectations of the culture you are visiting, and |
| telephone numbers, and credit cards with the | | | | remember the old adage, "When in Rome, do as the |
| customer relations telephone numbers in case you | | | | Romans do. |
| need to report a lost card. Keep one set of all this | | | | |