What Every Soccer Fan Needs to Know Before Traveling Abroad
Jan 30, 2020 | Aon
What Every Soccer Fan Needs to Know Before Traveling Abroad
America’s love of soccer is finally starting to catch up to the rest of the world. According to USA Today, soccer’s popularity could surpass baseball by the time the World Cup comes to the United States in 2026. And as U.S. fans increasingly travel to the sport’s hot spots like Manchester and Barcelona to attend “fútbol” matches,” there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Health care. Before venturing overseas, travelers should contact their health insurance company to find out which specific medical services are included in their coverage. Depending on the provider and plan, the level of medical coverage available for international travel can vary greatly. For instance, Medicare usually does not cover medical care you receive when traveling outside the U.S. and its territories. Additionally, travelers should never assume that their health insurance provider will pay to transport them back to the United States if a medical emergency happens overseas. These are a few reasons why a travel protection plan may be the right choice for your trip. Travel protection plans can help bridge the gaps between what is not covered by health insurance plans.
- Security issues. While rooting on your team, you may want to share the excitement with friends and family through social media. However, drawing attention to your whereabouts online can lead to security issues at home. Have someone you trust regularly check on your house, pick up mail and packages, and take other security measures while you’re away to fend off potential intruders.
- Save your money. To make the most out of your international travel budget, develop a currency exchange and spending strategy. Start by understanding the foreign transaction fees – if any –that your credit card provider or bank charges to determine which card to use abroad. If you want to convert cash, do your homework on the exchange rate and fees. You can generally get a more favorable exchange rate through a bank at your destination, but there are certainly exceptions to that rule.
- Weather updates. Try to book the earliest nonstop flight possible to minimize delays and layover snafus. Stay up-to-date on any changes by keeping an eye on your flight status online and signing up for text alerts. You won’t want to miss out on seeing the game due to a delayed or canceled flight, so plan to arrive with time to spare, even with delays.
- Protect your investment. Expect the unexpected. For example, if you make plans to attend the World Cup a year in advance, remember that a lot can happen during the year. Explore travel protection plans before booking your trip, as they can provide reimbursement of non-refundable expenses if you’re forced to cancel a trip for a covered reason, like an injury or unexpected illness that requires medical attention.
So what’s the Aon Travel Takeaway from these five tips and tricks? Beth Godlin, president of Aon Affinity Travel Practice, says: “Travel smart. View your trip as an investment and proactively work to protect it – being prepared goes a long way. Traveling should be filled with memories… make sure they’re good ones!”
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