Travellers who have had to change their plans due to the coronavirus pandemic are now waiting anxiously for things to go back to normal so they can hop on a plane again.
‘We know plenty of people who miss travel so much that they don’t care where they go for their next holiday,’ says Michele Robson, of luxury travel blog Turning Left For Less. ‘They just want to be on one of the first planes to take off when travel restrictions are lifted.’
When that will be remains uncertain. In the meantime, travel experts suggest this four-step checklist to ensure you are ready for when the world reopens.
First, check your passport
Many countries will let you in only if it has at least six months before it is due to expire. From January, EU countries may also turn away UK residents if their passport is more than ten years old – many are valid for up to ten years nine months.
Check the expiry date and also its issue date to see how long it lasts and how old your passport is. A lot of country have online portals where people can renew their passports but South Africans will likely have to visit Home Affairs to renew their passports or look into doing it through FNB.
Check if your medical aid still covers travel insurance
Be wary about letting travel insurance lapse, especially if you have a holiday booked for later this year or in 2021.
High renewal quotes are being reported for those whose annual policies expire during lockdown, while new plans are being issued with extra exclusions so future claims relating to coronavirus are likely to be refused.
However, big names including Aviva, Direct Line and most comparison websites have stopped accepting new travel-insurance customers so it may be difficult to find an alternative provider.
Despite a high renewal quote, paying up means your holiday is still protected and you benefit from cancellation cover if you are unable to go due to non-coronavirus ill-health or other reasons right up to your departure date.
If you have a holiday booked and rely on travel insurance offered as a perk with your current account, it will be risky to switch accounts until you’re sure you can find alternative insurance elsewhere.
Ensure your drivers license is up to date
If you plan to rent a car when abroad or are taking your own to Europe, check that your driving licence isn’t about to expire.
-Adapted from the Daily Mail
