American Express Travel Tips

Personal Safety Tips

Crimes against travellers are crimes of opportunity. To play it safe, here are some steps to follow:

Beware of diversionary tactics used by pickpockets and thieves.
Find out what parts of town locals consider risky and avoid them.
Steer clear of secluded areas away from main thoroughfares, and carry an accurate, up-to-date map.
Try to avoid wearing items that identify you as a tourist.
Expensive jewelry, watches and leather goods can mark you as a target for thieves.
Minimize the amount of cash you carry. Replace cash with travellers cheques, which, once signed, are refundable if lost or stolen.

Since your hotel is your home away from home the following security measures are essential:

Choose your hotel wisely. Select one that fronts a busy street and avoid ground floor rooms.
Whenever possible, ensure that your hotel room has a peephole, a dead bolt lock, or a chain-and-slide bolt.
Make sure that the door and window locks in your hotel room are secure.
Keep important valuables in the hotel safe.
Leave the "do not disturb" sign on the door when you are away.
Never open your door to receive unexpected packages or visitors.

Fire is often more of a hazard when you're away from home because of the unfamiliarity of your surroundings. Here's how to protect yourself:

Take a minute to study the fire instructions posted in your room.
Keep your room key on a bedside table so you can find it in the dark. In case of fire, take the key with you when you leave.
If exit routes are blocked, you may have to return to your room.
If smoke is coming into the room, touch the door, frame, and knob. If they are cool, slowly open the door. Take a wet towel to cover your face. Go to the nearest exit according to the posted instructions. (Never use the elevator when there's a fire.) If your door is hot, do not open it, but remain in the room. Run water in the tub, soak towels, and use them to block the crack under the door.

Comprehensive travel insurance is vital for every trip.

Your Travel Consultant can recommend and process a policy that is appropriate for your travel requirements.
Have all your bills itemized in legible English and be prepared to pay foreign doctors and hospital bills in cash.
Submit proof of payment to your company on your return.

Here are some general suggestions to help you keep in top shape while travelling:

Do some medical research before going overseas. Find out whether the countries you are visiting require vaccinations and whether preventive measures or inoculations are mandatory or advisable.
Pack an extra pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses, and take along a copy of your prescription, written in metric measurements. Also take contact lens supplies, as they may not be available overseas.
Wear a bracelet or other medical identification if you have diabetes, an allergy to penicillin, or any other condition that may require emergency care.
Keep medicines in their original containers to avoid problems with customs duties. Also, leave the cotton in drug bottles to prevent pills from breaking.
Have a dental checkup to lessen the need for emergency treatment while overseas.
Consider requesting a special meal when you make your airline reservation. Major carriers now offer as many as 18 alternative menus, including kosher, Hindu, vegetarian, high-protein, low-calorie, low-cholesterol, no-salt, and seafood plates.

In some countries, it's advisable to:

Avoid raw vegetables, unpeeled fruit, meat, seafood, tap water, ice, and unpasteurized milk and dairy products.
Drink only commercially bottled and sealed beverages or water that has been boiled or treated.
Resist the temptation to buy food from street vendors.

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