Today on our show we are talking about Travel Warnings and Alerts. What are they?, How they impact your travels or better yet, your decision to travel.
From the State Department http://www.travel.state.gov/
Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government’s ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below meet those criteria.
Travel Alerts are issued to disseminate information about short-term conditions, either transnational or within a particular country, that pose significant risks to the security of U.S. citizens. Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, coups, anniversaries of terrorist events, election-related demonstrations or violence, and high-profile events such as international conferences or regional sports events are examples of conditions that might generate a Travel Alert.
If you decide to travel:
- Stay up to date with the warnings, alerts and the situation at the destinations
- Assess the danger. How safe is it for your to move around?
- Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program found on http://www.travel.state.gov/
- Know how to get in contact with US officials and how to seek assistance
- Have an emergency plan for the destination and have a person at home ready to assist you
- Keep enough money with you at all times for transportation home
- Keep your passport with you at all times in case you need to leave in a hurry
Cancellations, what are you entitled to:
- This will vary by situation and company
- If your flights and accommodations are cancelled you should be entitled to a full refund
- If your flights and accommodations are not canceled involuntarily you have to go with the companies policy
- Check your travelers insurance policy
Ja’Vonne Harley
Co-Host, The Traveling Eye
Owner, Advantage International, LLC