Tips for traveling with ease

Book flights directly through the airline after comparing prices on a search engine.

Check your flight status often for delays and cancellations. Download the TripCase app to stay informed of real-time changes.

Purchase travel insurance right after booking your flight.

Contact your travel insurer as soon as a mishap occurs. They may be able to help you find solutions.

Stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 protocols. Start with the U.S. State Department’s COVID-19 Country Specific Information page at travel.state.gov.

Get vaccinated or take a booster at least two weeks before traveling.

Bring your vaccination card for entry to museums, restaurants and other sites. We kept ours in clear, waterproof cases purchased at a drug store.

Plan your rapid COVID-19 test well in advance. Schedule an appointment for the day before you travel or order the correct kind of at-home test well in advance.

Bring several masks, including at least one high-quality KN95 mask for each way.

Pack in your carry-on an inflatable pillow, extra clothing, earplugs, snacks, toiletries, a shawl or light blanket and medication in case you have to sleep in the airport or your checked luggage is misplaced.

Consider throwing a small GPS tracker in your checked bag to track its journey if it gets lost.

Keep all receipts and paperwork in case you need to file a claim later.

Submit claims everywhere you might be eligible for compensation, including your travel insurer, airline and booking agency. Check the European Union’s protections for travelers to see if you qualify.