• 19
  Aug
  2009

• Hidden costs of online flight tickets

  
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Beware of the additional charges that you may have to pay if you book your flight tickets online using a credit or debit card.

In the past 18 months, the price that the flight carriers charge you for booking online has soared by more than 600%! While some airlines charge per person, others charge per transaction. Some of the flights do not charge for debit card transactions. With these additional charges, ticket costs work out pretty expensive.

The reason that the airlines state for the increase in the prices is that the airlines need to pay a price to the bank for accepting payments through credit or debit cards and this cost is now transferred to the customers. However, some of the card holders like Visa Electron are not charged but these are typically not too popular overseas.

Considering the fact that these flight carriers never charged such a fee in the last 18 months, the big question is, are they using this as a way to increase their profit margins during the tough economic times? However, the victims to these gimmicks are none other than the customers who are already facing a challenging time with their financial situations during this global economic crisis.

• 17
  Aug
  2009

• International travel medical insurance for senior citizens

  
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Many older people are insecure to travel as they fear that their old age may put them in serious health complications especially in a foreign land. They are also relatively less confident than the younger generation to boldly face the other travel risks like stolen baggage, trip delays and other possible interruptions during a travel.

In order to relieve the senior citizens of these insecurities, there are various international visitor medical insurance plans designed specifically for these overseas travelers with excellent coverage benefits. Many of them charge higher premiums as compared to younger adults as the possibility of health complications are higher for this section of travelers.

Most of the tourist insurance policies mention some special conditions for people who are typically above 65 years old. These conditions need to be met to be eligible for the international tourist insurance plan. It is important to go through the section of your insurance policy which deals with pre-existing medical conditions to see whether the international travel medical insurance policy is suitable for you.
The internet provides a huge list of insurance providers who are ready to provide coverage to these travelers and help them to relax and enjoy their second childhood. Senior travelers can do adequate research on the internet and finalize a beneficial international travel insurance plan prior to their trip.

• 14
  Aug
  2009

• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – Basic medical coverage

  
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Reports state that in order to save the expenses incurred due to purchasing an international tourist insurance policy, many European travellers are opting for the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card).

International travellers are advised to gather adequate information before taking this step as the EHIC provides very minimal coverage for the medical expenses incurred and may not suit for covering any complicated health disorders that may occur during the stay. The EHIC also does not cover any trip cancellation expenses or costs incurred due to loss of personal belongings which are highly essential especially for overseas travellers.

High emergency situation may force transportation of the individual from the foreign land back to the native country and the repatriation or emergency evacuation procedures would cost thousands of dollars. This kind of a benefit is offered only by the international tourist insurance plans and not by the EHIC.

Hence, overseas travellers should not skip buying a international visitor insurance plan while planning a trip abroad. Though EHIC may be beneficial for some of the basic medical treatments, it is not a recommended substitute for a travel medical insurance policy which offers more comprehensive benefits. Make sure the international tourist insurance plans covers those circumstances which the EHIC does not cover.

• 13
  Aug
  2009

• International travel health insurance

  
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You may have already bought a suitable medical insurance plan to protect you in your home country. But if you are travelling abroad, recheck your health insurance plan and find out whether it provides international coverage in all the countries worldwide. Otherwise, you may have to purchase an international visitor medical insurance policy to cover you for any emergencies that may arise during your stay abroad!

Domestic health insurance benefits may not provide adequate coverage benefits outside your homeland and it comes with a lot of restrictions. Hence, you may end up paying most of the expenses right from your pockets!

Ensure that your international travel health insurance policy covers you for any surgeries, doctor consultation, prescription drugs, screening tests for diagnosis, hospitalization or in-patient as well as out-patient admissions. Many insurance policies cover for arranging ambulance or a suitable local transport to the nearest medical set-up for seeking any emergency assistance.

This would ensure that when you are visiting a foreign land, you would have somebody to fall back on during any exigencies especially if you do not know the local language and the topography of the area. Ensure that you research well before finalizing on a suitable international visitor medical insurance plan which would provide assistance round-the-clock throughout the year!