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Overview
It's this midway point of the year when many of us have travel on our minds. Whether the Euro summer Instagram dumps have you thinking about your next jaunt to the Northern hemisphere, or you want to escape the long winter for a warm Asian escape, a lot of us are plotting our next adventure.
If it's been a while since you planned an international trip, here are some handy tips to keep in mind and help you travel smarter, not harder.
Book Smart
When deciding on a holiday destination, it's easy to get excited and book the first flight the airline presents to you. Take your time, do some research and look at off-peak tickets to save some money. These include flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you can, avoid flights that take off just after work and during holiday periods.
Pack a 24-Hour Emergency Kit In Your Carry On
Stuff happens. Flights get delayed, and luggage can be lost. While not ideal, having a backup outfit, toiletries, and any medication in your carry-on bag can help to ease your mind. Travelling can be unpredictable, but by preparing a little more, the big annoyances can become small details that you'll forget by the time your lost luggage arrives safely on your hotel doorstep.
Get Your Money In Order
Your holiday savings account looks nice and healthy, and your bag is packed, but how will you spend money when you get to your destination? Using the wrong card could result in some hefty international exchange fees. No one needs to pay $4 to get their own money out of an ATM in Italy.
HSBC's Everyday Global Account is an everyday bank account with useful benefits for your international travels. Think instant (and seamless) fee-free* currency exchange 24/7, competitive exchange rates, and $0 HSBC ATM fees worldwide**. The HSBC Everyday Global Account also allows you to spend in multiple currencies from the one account.
Organising your money before you're swept up in holiday adventures means you could save some serious cash in the long run. Plus, you can keep using your HSBC Everyday Global Account when you land back on home soil, too. With HSBC's Everyday Extras, enjoy up to $600 cashback*** a year on eligible tap and pay purchases under $100 domestically, making it the ideal everyday account for the world.
Layovers As Mini Holidays
As Australians, we're used to long haul flights. This doesn't mean we can't make the most of the time, though. Rather than rushing across continents as quickly as possible, consider an extra night in your layover destination. It's the perfect way to feel more rested pre-holiday and reset for reality on the way back.
Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong are all popular layover destinations from Australia and have a wealth of culture and food to get you into the holiday zone.
Make The Most of The Airport Lounge
A part of getting older is learning that sometimes it's worth it to spend a little bit extra when traveling in exchange for comfort and cleanliness.
If you're not going to leave the airport on your long haul layover, at least consider a pass to a lounge. Here, you can shower, eat some food (local cuisine is encouraged), and charge up your devices before landing at your destination.
Utilising airport lounges can mean the difference between arriving at your first stop feeling excited and ready to explore, versus needing a day in your hotel to recover from the flight.
Utilise Google Maps
Is there anything worse than heading out to explore a new city's cuisine and finding yourself eating at a fast food joint? In the months and weeks leading up to your holiday, spend some time researching places you'd like to check out and save them on your Google Maps.
This way, when you're wandering around, the sun is setting and hunger is rearing its head, you'll have a laundry list of local spots ready to go rather than wasting a meal on food you could get back home. Don't worry, you don't have to tick them off like a to-do list (that's part of the fun of exploring), but having them saved as a backup means that you're never left wandering around aimlessly.
Don't Forget The Fine Print
Travel is always a thrill, but you can give yourself some peace of mind by ensuring the admin has been triple-checked before your bag is packed. Is your passport six months within date? Do you have travel insurance? Have you read its fine print? Do you know how you'll be spending money once you're overseas?
Checking this admin off before you head to the airport means peace of mind and travelling smarter, not harder.
Give Yourself a Day to Reset
Where once you might've driven from the airport to the office on a Monday morning, giving yourself at least one day at home before getting back into your day-to-day life can help to ease you out of holiday mode. From jet lag to a lack of clean clothes, you won't regret taking the time to reset post-travel.
Yes, you might need to spend an extra day of annual leave, but reminiscing on your trip and getting a good night's sleep will help to ease the travel blues and get you gearing up for your next trip, wherever that may take you.
Learn more about HSBC's Everyday Global Account here.
*T&Cs apply. Other banking services fees and charges may apply, including corresponding bank fees for international transfers. Issued by HSBC Bank Australia Limited ABN 48 006 434 162 AFSL 232595.
**Non-HSBC branded ATMs and some HSBC Group ATMs may charge an ATM operator fee for withdrawals or balance enquiries at their ATMs.
***HSBC Everyday Extras is a feature of the HSBC Everyday Global Account. You will be eligible for Everyday Extras if you deposit at least AUD2,000 into your HSBC Everyday Global Account before the last working business day of each calendar month. For more information, refer to the Transaction and Savings Accounts Terms (PDF).