Hey everyone I hope you enjoy this week's video about travel safety tips! You can access the full written version (with some bonus tips) here: happytowander.com/travel-safety-tips/
re the RFID blocking, I now use a RFID pouch for my hotel key card. Last year I accidently placed the hotel access key card near my credit card and the magnetisation of the hotel card damaged the credit card so the credit card was then unable to tap and go. I had to swipe it and enter a pin each time.
Oh what a pain!! That’s good to know. Thanks for sharing :) I personally have never used an RFID pouch but some people swear by it so I figured it couldnt hurt. Sounds like it can have some downsides though so I appreciate you sharing your experience!
Great video!! I don’t post any pictures of my trip until I’m home. When I’m in Europe I always go to a bank that you go inside to use the ATM. Since, Covid I have noticed that most European countries now take card and I didn’t use the $100 Euros I took out to use for emergencies. The only monies I used was for the bathrooms. Thanks for this video it was very helpful.
That’s what I like to hear!! And yes very true - covid got a lot of places on board with card… always great to have a bit of cash just in case though. Especially for bathroom emergencies haha. Thanks for watching and commenting 🫶
Re: debit vs. credit cards, with respect to acceptance, as long as your debit card has the Visa or Mastercard logo, it'll be accepted wherever Visa/Mastercard credit cards are accepted. I'm not sure what you mean by a "local" debit card - these days I don't think I've seen one without the Visa/Mastercard association in a long time. As for protections, yes, credit cards have more protection guaranteed.
I'll be honest, in 2024 I've never had an issue with chargeback or getting refunded to my debit card, I think nowadays as long as it's a major bank and Visa/Mastercard, it's fine.
Don't feed pigeons anywhere. In a fishing village in Ireland they've attacked people and are getting v. aggressive. They swooped down and grabbed food from a baby in pram and cut her mouth 😮
@@princessmiaxo ..l.except that a stolen credit card, or worse yet, debit card can be stolen and charged up within minutes. My wife’s Visa debit card was stolen in Barcelona, and by the time she called Wells Fargo, our checking account was empty. We had zero money. Wear a money belt!
Great reminders! The "doomsday list" is a really good thing to have. I need to make one so everything is in one place in case I need it. Perish the thought. Yikes. I also learned a few other things from someone on instagram (sorry I forget her name 😬) One was you are never alone even if you are. If someone asks you if you're traveling alone, the answer is always no. Sadly, we live in a world where many people have ill intensions and as you said, better safe than sorry. I don't know if this is true, but maybe someone here can tell me. If you're in a bar or pub, and you feel unsafe, you can ask for an Angel shot which I believe in Europe is asking for Angela. (that signals to the bartender that you feel unsafe) Apparently, this is well known among bar tenders but I have never tried it and I don't know anyone who has. There are also different versions of this depending on the severity of your situation. Angel shot neat or straight up = I need an escort to my car Angel shot with ice = bar tender will call an uber/lyft for you Angel shot with lime = please call the police, I have or feel like I will be assaulted (or you're in danger) Again, who knows if these are true and if all bartenders actually know about these things, but it seems like a great code for I need help. I hope nobody ever has to use these. And they apply to ANYONE no matter who you are. Anyway.... those are my 12 cents.
I wear my "bag" that holds my phone in front of me. Lol not only is it zipped, it's locked with a micro caribener. It also has a drink holder. I kept my old phone that's deactivated and use it for pics. There's no way I'm comfortable handing my phone to someone to take a pic for me. I made a little rfid card holder. Aluminum flashing tape from the home improvement store 😂.
Instead of a money belt I use the runner's wrist wallets under a long sleeved shirt for money and credit cards. My passport is in a silk neck pouch, and I wear a silk scarf to make that less visible.
Awesome video and advice. I’m genuinely curious about the Apple AirTags one though. If the stuff disappears what will it help? Or how does this work in a practical sense?
Very informative video! I also think it's good to wait to post on social media after you're home. If people know you're away from your house, you never know who can try to access your home.
Thank you for mentioning meds. I'm on meds for bipolar and high cholesterol. I'm not worried about my statin. But I know my bipolar meds are either controlled or illegal in parts of the world. I'm Andrew. And it's been my experience that some places are more forthright with providing that information than others. I'm looking at you Israel and The Philippines. I dont have that option on my iphone.
I agree with and actually do all these things. Except the one about putting your wallet in an inside pocket….that’s not very safe. A crowd could form and you won’t even feel an experienced thief get his hand in there. Moneybelts are way better. Wear the pouch in the small or curve of your back…you don’t even feel it.
Yes! I’ve been pickpocketed twice - once in Rome on my first backpacking trip (so I was a total newbie). It happened 15 min upon arriving in the city at the train station. The pickpocket was disguised as a tourist, bumped into me as I got on the metro, grabbed my wallet from my purse, and then ran out right as the doors closed! I noticed right away but it was too late. Luckily I only had €20 in cash so it wasn’t too bad. The second time was in Lisbon a few years ago. There was a sudden downpour of rain and so I ran for cover. This was in the most touristy part of town so I guess the pickpockets took advantage of the commotion and grabbed my wallet from my backpack. I did notice two girls running close behind me but assumed they were also just running from the rain! Both times I was somewhat distracted so that’s why I am always very vigilant now no matter where I am!! :)
Thanks for the tips! The scam tip was very good in these times where creative scams are taking place it will be important to be aware! Also for daybacks good to get double zip bags so that you can use a tsa mini lock!
Great point!!! Funny story about that actually lol last year I was filming a video about pickpockets and borrowed my friend’s purse for the video to demonstrate the lock trick, because mine didn’t have a double zipper. I filmed it while we were on a train, and then somehow it got stuck and wouldn’t open!!! I was mortified. We had to go to a locksmith in Brussels who sawed it off for us hahaha. Luckily he didn’t charge. What a nice guy 😅
