To keep abreast of the situation, you can follow Homeland Security on Twitter at @DHSgov and the Transportation Security Administration at @TSA. For questions about anything you’re considering taking onto an airplane, check out the T.S.A.’s “What Can I Bring?” web page. You can also snap a photo of an item you’re wondering about and send it to @AskTSA on Twitter or to Facebook.com/AskTSA.
Preparing Your Passport
The TSA has been using social media to remind travelers about rules, including the fact that some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond your date of entry (entry and exit requirements for various countries are at Travel.state.gov/destination), and that there are differences between a passport agency and an acceptance facility (an agency can expedite a passport for $60 for travel within 14 days; an acceptance facility requires about six to eight weeks). Details are at Passports.state.gov.
The T.S.A. also advises travelers to have their passports and boarding passes out before they approach security lines to keep things moving. (For more on navigating security, the Frugal Traveler has recently offered tips.)
Receiving Travel Alerts
To find out about crime or violence, unstable governments, terrorist attacks, strikes and demonstrations and health concerns (like an outbreak of H1N1), check the State Department’s website or social media accounts (Twitter.com/travelgov and Facebook.com/travelgov). And before you travel, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free service that ensures you’ll receive information from an embassy or consulate about safety conditions. Signing up (Step.state.gov/step/) also helps an Embassy contact you in an emergency like a natural disaster or civil unrest.
During a crisis, you can use Facebook’s Safety Check feature to let loved ones know you’re O.K. and to see if they’re safe as well. The feature was introduced in 2014, but Facebook recently updated it and users can now include a personal message.
It’s hurricane season in the Atlantic through Nov. 30, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters say the region may experience an above-normal season (last year was the most active since 2012). For the eastern Pacific and central Pacific hurricane basins, NOAA is predicting an 80 percent chance of a near- or above-normal season. The National Weather Service does not provide email or SMS alerts to the public, but it does issue alerts and warnings through other means, including NOAA Weather Radio and Weather.gov. On Twitter, the Service’s hurricane information is @NHC_Atlantic and @NHC_Pacific. Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s mobile app allows National Weather Service alerts for up to five locations.
Insurance and Terrorism
After the recent terrorist attacks in London, Allianz said it received more than 100 claims from American travelers wanting to cancel their trip to the United Kingdom. A travel insurance policy may cover travel delays and trip interruptions related to terrorism; just read the fine print regarding travel dates and locations. Allianz, for example, provides coverage if there is a terrorist incident at the traveler’s destination within 30 days of their arrival.
To assess your options, comparison sites like Squaremouth.com allow you to search for policies with terrorism coverage from multiple providers.
Precautions for Drivers and Ride-Sharers
Services like Turo and Getaround offer cars for rent by locals (by the hour or by the day) though Consumers’ Research recommends that you be prepared for hiccups with newer peer-to-peer businesses. And do your homework. A Getaround rental, for instance, includes insurance and roadside assistance. But find out what situations the insurance covers. If you’re ride-sharing, Consumers’ Research suggests that you make sure it’s legal in your destination and check prices. In some places ride-sharing may cost more than a taxi.
Taking your own car? Before hitting the road, have the battery tested and tires inspected. And bring a spare key. Dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts are the top reasons AAA members call for assistance during the summer. AAA advises traveling with an emergency kit that includes a phone charger, flashlight and first-aid supplies.
The free AAA app allows users to request roadside assistance, and find low gas prices and AAA Approved and Diamond-rated hotels and restaurants.
How to Survive the Blockbuster Summer Travel Season – New York Times