Tag Archives: Street Crime

Safeguard Your Camera with an Anti-Theft Camera Strap

An anti-theft security camera strap can help you bring home your saved memories plus your valuable camera. The best anti-theft security camera strap stops “camera snatches,” or “cut and run” camera thefts, that usually occur in tourist locations. Smart thieves recognize the value of your equipment and can be quick to find a way to relieve you from it.  It’s easy to be distracted either intentionally by clever thieves or unintentionally because you’re focusing on your next shot. The most brazen of thieves will cut a camera strap and then run off with it and the camera. Here are a few tips to make sure your camera and gear stay secure on your trip.

Cut and Run Camera and Gear Bag Thefts 

Cut and Run thefts usually occur on crowded subways or train platforms, buses, or other pedestrian dense locations where people are crowded up against each other. Typically several thieves work together looking for that moment when they can cut your camera strap from behind you and run off with your gear. Often the moment of theft includes being jostled on the opposite side of your body where you’re carrying your bag or gear. Typically an apologetic stranger will bump into your left shoulder and engage you in an apology while touching your shoulder or arm. Simultaneously an accomplice cuts the strap holding your gear on your right shoulder, slides it off your body, and runs away with it amidst the confusion. The whole choreographed incident happens in under five seconds.

Related: Photography Restrictions in Foreign Countries

Security Solution- Anti-Theft Camera Straps

The best camera security strap looks and feels like a regular camera strap. What makes security straps different from the rest is that the straps have steel cables woven into the straps to thwart “cut and run” type theft. Additionally, a good anti-theft camera strap has an anti-snatch security clip so if you set a camera down for even a moment, you can unlatch the built-in security clip to wrap the strap around a stationary item like a chair rail and then back onto the camera.  Camera security straps come in a number of styles and sizes you’re sure to find one just right for your gear and budget.

Anti-theft Features to Look for in a Camera Security Strap

The CarrySafe 100 is a security camera neck strap that combines comfort and two anti-theft security features to provide security for your camera or binoculars. It has a softly cushioned strap with a breathable neck pad and features a slash-proof strap and snatch-proof connectors.

Additional Security Options to Protect Your Camera Gear

Today you have the option to upgrade your travel gear and camera gear bags to be anti-theft in addition to all the other features you demand in a new gear bag, such as superior comfort and organization. Travel a little more relaxed and worry-free knowing your gear and memories are secure.

Look for bags styled as camera security backpacks, anti-theft duffel bags, and antitheft cross-body bags. These various forms of bags have built-in wires in the most vulnerable portions of the bags, like the bottom to prevent slashing. They also have zipper pulls that lock down so only you can open them. This is highly important whether you leave your gear bag out of view and even on smaller cross-body bags or backpacks that you wear out in crowded places. One feature that several larger bags or backpacks have is a security lockdown feature. This security feature is typically a built-in cable or strap that you can wrap around a stationary item like a bed frame, clothes rod or something in the car trunk and then back onto the bag. Finally, you lock it closed with a heavy-duty padlock. This prevents a thief from picking up your bag and running off with it. Think of these styles as portable safes you’ll use for many years. Select from these anti-theft camera bags, including camera security straps, security bags, and more.

best anti-theft security camera strap and backpack for travelCheck Prices best anti-theft security camera strapThe most secure or antitheft camera strap will help guard your gear and memories. Take photos with peace of mind knowing your gear is secured with the best anti-theft camera strap.

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How Safe Are Hotel Room Safes

Portable safes Guard Your Gear

You need to be vigilant about your safety and security even in top hotels and resorts. While most properties do have security programs in place to protect their guests, you still need to know how to protect yourself and your family in case of an emergency as well as when just undergoing ordinary activities such as staying in and leaving your room. These are the top hotel safety tips that frequent travelers and experts agree on. These safety rules are simple and easy to follow. If you’re traveling with children share the rules with them and make sure they practice them too.

Upon Checking In

  1. Request a room that’s not on the ground floor. Security experts agree that staying between the third and sixth floors – where rooms are high enough to avoid easy break-ins and are low enough to be reached by fire engine ladders in the event of an emergency is ideal. Be sure to also make your room location preference known at the time of booking and when confirming the reservation.

 Entering and Leaving Your  Hotel Room

  1.  Don’t keep your room key in the key folder handed to you at the front desk upon check-in. The room key folder typically has your room number written on it.  If you accidentally lose or leave your key folder with the key in it, then anyone finding it can access your room. Our advice is to only take the key with you and leave the folder behind in the room.
  2. If you’re going to leave your room and don’t need housekeeping to come in then turn on the TV and hang the do not disturb sign on the outside of your door on your way out.  Now you’ve left the impression that someone is in the room who doesn’t want to be disturbed. This decreases the chance that a stranger would try to enter it.
  3. Your mother told you, and she’s right, never open the door to a stranger, especially if they claim to be a member of the hotel staff, and you’re not expecting them. Ask them to wait and call the front desk if they sent someone up and then verify their identity.
  4.  To keep hotel staff or anyone with a pass key or code from entering your room while you are in it pack and use a Door Jammer as a secondary lock. The Door Jammer is not only a travel security item but a handy security item for home, office, and dorms too.

The Portable Door Lock is also a great option. It works on inward swinging doors like those of a hotel.

5. Read the evacuation plan and make sure everyone in your room knows it and knows where you all would meet        up in the event of an emergency.

Internet Security

  1.  Once you’ve entered your room, you might feel a bit safer than in the lobby or a public place in the resort or hotel. That sense of safety translates to internet safety too. Yet your internet may not be any more secure than in an airport or coffee shop. In reality, you’re still using a public Wi-Fi hotspot. When connecting to the hotel Wi-Fi tell your computer that you’re connecting to a public network. The objective is to set your computer firewall to its maximum. Your best option is to use a wired internet connection instead of Wi-Fi. Never access banking or other personal websites from a public network.

Valuables in Your Hotel Room

Protect your valuables by using the hotel safe. Increase the security of the hotel safe by using a separate and additional safe lock with it.

Two reasons for the additional lock:

  1. A little-known fact, but many hotels do not accept liability for items left in a guest room safe, the an additional external lock increases the security of the safe.
  2. The mere presence of an additional lock should deter a thief from attempting a break-in of your safe and to move on to a room safe without an additional layer of security in place.

Final Thought on Resort and Hotel Safety Advice

Follow these six tips to enhance your safety and peace of mind while on vacation. make sure to share this advice with those you’re traveling with too.

 

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Travel Essentials  – How to Pack Peace of Mind

It’s exhilarating to see new places and experience new cultures. While you’re focused on enjoying the people, food, sights, and even ordinary street life be sure to always be aware of your surroundings. Being aware means making a mental picture of the street names, if you’re exploring the city. Being aware on public transportation means not keeping your gaze on your phone, but looking at the other riders and keeping your bag in front of you to discourage pickpockets. And perhaps the best advice is to make sure you have a confident and strong demeanor. One way to boost your personal confidence is to take steps to protect yourself even before you pack your bag.

Security and Safety on the Go

A few small gadgets can help keep you safe and give you peace of mind.

Location: Hotel, hostel, dorm
You don’t know who has a passkey to the room, or if the key is an old style metal key, who has a copy of it. Would you want an uninvited visitor to come into the room while showering or sleeping? You can have peace of mind that the door will remain locked while you’re inside by traveling with a device that prevents your door from opening even with a key. It’s low cost too.

Location: Walking alone, or anywhere you may need to call attention to your situation
As the saying goes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And so it is with your safety. A personal safety alarm is useful in many situations if you have a medical emergency and can’t scream if you want to just scare off someone before they get too close or is making you uncomfortable, or if you need to draw attention to your situation. Another option is an alarm app for your phone.

Location: Crowds, public places 
The security of your identity is as important as your personal safety. Your personal information is stored on tiny chips embedded in credit cards, passports and even ID card such as drivers licenses.  You need to shield your cards and passport from e-thieves who with the help of a hand-held device can read your information stored on the chips as they stand next to you or walk past you in a crowd. The scanners can work up to a distance of 10 feet away!  The solution is carrying your cards and passport in RFID shielding, sleeves, wallets or bags.

Some Bonus Tips

Whether you’re packing, going out for a day of sightseeing, or going out at night, you will want to keep it light.  Our advice, plan ahead on what you will carry in your bag and on your person. A few moments of planning before you go are worth it, take it from a woman who has over packed.  Your top two concerns should be function and security. We have a few finds or must have travel essentials that help you keep your valuables secure and your hand free.

Packing Light  – Packing Strategies

Seasoned travelers advise they maximize the space in their bags with packing organizers. There are different styles for different needs. Our favorite type of packers are Compression Packers to reduce wrinkling in your bag to maximize space with their compression technology. Waterproof styles help separate dirty and sweaty clothes from clean and keep toiletries in your checked bag from leaking.

  • Select Clothes Which Layer and Mix and Match – Wear layers, short-sleeved shirts can go under long sleeve ones. A long scarf is decorative and can double as an evening wrap. Jeans or khakis go from day to night with the change of an athletic to a dress shoe or sandal.
  • Choose Knits, Wool, and Cotton Blends – These fabrics tend to resist wrinkles and are versatile and stick to a few colors which mix and match.
  • Roll Softer Garments and Fold Stiffer Ones – Underwear, T-shirts, jeans, cotton pants, and knitwear won’t wrinkle when rolled tightly. Stiffer fabrics, such as starched cotton shirts, blazers, dressy pants, and skirts, should be carefully folded.
  • Place Rolled Items in the Bottom of the Bag – Think of your suitcase as a three-layer cake. The suitcase is the icing; the rolled items make up the first layer.
  • Place Folded Garments Next – For your middle layer, start with the longest items, like skirts and slacks. Stack the garments on top of each other, alternating waists with hems. Position the pile flush with the suitcase, draping leftover fabric over the opposite end. (This conserves space since thick waistbands won’t be piled on top of one another.) Wrap the draping ends of the pile into the center. Next, lay collars of shorter items, like shirts, at the hinge with the ends over the handles. Fold the collars and ends over once and fold the arms in.
  • Cover the Pile with a Dry-Cleaning Bag – Because of the bag’s slippery surface; folded clothes don’t stay in one place long enough for creases to set. Easy upgrade: Place a bag between each layer of clothing. To get to a certain layer easily, simply pull the ends of the bag up on either side.
  • Wash Your Clothes on the Road – Vacation rentals often have laundry facilities, however, if you’re staying in a hotel, or taking a cruise wash clothes in a sink and hang them to dry, a blow dryer or iron can help get rid of any lingering dampness. Pack laundry soap sheets and a portable laundry-drying line. Carry a stain stick in your bag to remove stains right when they happen.

Sight-Seeing Essentials

Keep your hands free to snap photos or to read guidebooks. Sure you’ll look like a tourist, but then again you are a tourist.  Local thieves who prey on tourists know that the best time to zip open your backpack or bag is when you’re distracted. The distraction can be real or staged by one of their accomplices, either way, your focus is momentarily not on your gear, and that is when they strike.

Guard against being a victim by selecting an anti-theft bag and wearing it cross-body style. If you must travel with a bag that is not anti-theft, then use a body pouch to protect your valuables such as your passport, money and credit cards.

These safety tips for women are for dangerous situations that could potentially be life-threatening. It’s rare to find women’s self-defense tips for real-life, dangerous situations. We spoke with a female police officer about the things she’s learned on the job to help keep women safe. From years of reviewing hundreds and hundreds of criminal cases, these are the precautions she recommends women can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

Safety tips for women

Safety Tips for Women

1. NEVER get into an attacker’s car if he pulls a gun and orders you to get into his vehicle. Most attackers don’t want to shoot you: they want you to get into the car so that they can drive you to a deserted place and do God-knows-what-else. Do not comply, and instead run away screaming. It is MUCH more likely than not that he will just move on to an easier target.

2. While driving, NEVER pull over if someone driving alongside you points at your car pretending something is wrong. If this happens, drive to the nearest well-lit and populated gas station and look the car over yourself (or ask an attendant). Believe it or not, many women have fallen for this for fear of their car spontaneously exploding in the middle of the road. Not likely.

3. ALWAYS lock your car doors while driving. I have read several cases where an attacker simply walks up to a woman’s car while she’s at a traffic light and jumps in with his gun or knife drawn.  If you use Lyft, Uber or other rideshare arrangements the safety rules are quite different.

safety tips for women

4. When having your car serviced, only give the attendant your car keys and detach the keys to your home. They have key duplicators readily available and generally, have your address on file.

5. STAY ALERT in parking lots. If you go to the grocery store at night, don’t be shy about asking for an escort to your car. Too many women are abducted from or even raped in parking lots. Be aware of your surroundings by looking to the left and right and behind you with your head up all the time. You may appear paranoid and look funny to others, but an attacker will think twice about approaching someone who appears so aware of what’s going on. Cars provide endless hiding places for attackers, both inside them and in between them. In addition, always look in your back seat before entering your car.

Safety tips for women

6. Just because a stranger may look innocent and clean-cut, doesn’t mean you should trust them. In my work, I see mug shots of attackers and sex offenders and – trust me – they do not look like monsters. They often look like they could be your friendly neighborhood guy. They are every age between 15 and 90, and probably beyond. Only a small minority actually look scary. I just read a case yesterday of a man with only one leg who beat up his victim with his crutch before he raped her. Who would have ever thought that a one-legged man would be a rapist?

7. Child molesters often end up being the last person parents would suspect of wrongdoing. In most child molestation cases I see, the perpetrator is someone close to home: the stepfather, uncle, sister’s or mother’s boyfriend, grandfather, babysitter, neighbor, a family friend, youth camp director, or daycare worker, etc. Although rare, even women can be molesters. In every case, the perpetrator seems to be a “nice guy:” trusting and good with children, without signs of suspicion. Families are often baffled or in disbelief that the person could be abusing their child. When it comes to your children and grandchildren, be suspicious of everyone, no matter who they are. And pay attention to what your child says and how he/she reacts to the mention of different people in their lives.

Women's Safety tips from a cop

8. NEVER open your front door without positively identifying who is there. If you don’t have a peephole, get one. I’ve seen countless cases where attackers gain access to victims simply by knocking on their doors. Don’t let an attacker get into your home. He then has a private, relatively soundproof place to attack you. Prevent strangers from entering your home. Consider adding an extra layer of protection with a Portable Door Lock. A portable door lock should also be one of the first things a woman packs for travel. Keep an extra one in your travel bag or in your cosmetic bag so you don’t forget to pack it.
New Portable Door Lock safety tips for women

Share these safety tips for women with the women in your life, because it’s best to be as prepared as possible. 

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Tips and Tools to Keep Your Purse Secure While You Dine

Anti-theft Daypack

Daypack with anti theft features including lock down strap

Purse with full suite of anti-theft features

Purse with full suite of anti-theft features

 

Thieves often prey on unsuspecting diners, especially tourists, while they are enjoying a meal in a restaurant. Watch these videos that capture thieves who seem to be restaurant patrons help themselves to more than just a meal. Having your purse or daypack stolen while traveling overseas can devastate your trip and cause a huge inconvenience – especially when you factor in trying to replace your credit cards, passports, and any other important documents and cash that might be inside the bag.

See what not to do with your purse or pack by watching the following videos.  Advice: do not leave your bag draped over the back of your chair or simply placed on the floor next to you. Never leave small valuables on top of the table. In a blink of an eye, you can be distracted and your item was stolen. Use

a bag with an anti-theft strap to keep it secured to your chair. Keep scrolling down to read more.

 

 

Strap un hooks from bag

Strap unhooks from bag to wrap it around a fixed object and back onto the bag.

Thieves who steal purses in restaurants are most successful when they blend into the atmosphere at the restaurant. Most always the thieves sit down at a table next to the victim and pretend like they are at the restaurant to eat like everyone else.  Couple that with victims who pay little attention to their handbags because they are deeply involved in the dining and socializing process and you have a recipe for successful theft.

Advice: To dine with peace of mind your purse or travel handbag can never be out of your view or unattached from your body or your chair. Wear your bag cross-body style even while sitting. For more personal comfort attach your bag to the chair to foil bag snatchers. Newer style travel bags have anti-theft features such as snatch-proof purse straps and locking zippers to keep pickpockets out. With these bags, you simply detach one end of the strap and loop it through the back of your chair or other fixed item and then attach the strap back onto the bag. Now your bag is snatch-proof and you can enjoy your meal, worry-free.

 

You know not to leave your valuables out in plain view when you leave your hotel room and to use the hotel room safe to secure them. Thefts of valuables from hotel room safes, while not rampant, are a real problem, even in the best of hotels. Read on to see how to open a hotel room safe quickly.

Master keys, master key cards, and override codes in the wrong hands make it easy to open a hotel safe. Most new safes come with an override code of 0000 or 9999. When safes get installed in a hotel room it is the responsibility of the hotel to change the override code that the safe came with. Thieves and dishonest hotel employees that have access to your room can use the code to access your safe. Typically one of a few codes, like 0000 or something similar, will open the safe.  Learn what you can do to not be a victim of hotel room safe theft.

How Does Hotel Room Safe Theft Happen?

Theft from hotel in-room safes is not an everyday occurrence, but it does happen. Hotel guests do forget their safe codes or safe electronics may malfunction. Therefore, the hotel staff has to have some way to open a hotel room safe. Hotels all have a special “electronic backdoor” that allows them to use a special digital code, key, or electronic device to open the safe if needed. So you are truly not the only one with access to your safe. This short video offers a quick overview and shows how to open a hotel room safe.

Multiple Ways Hotel Staff Can Open a Hotel Room Safe, A Clear Explanation

Video – See How Easy it is to Unlock a Hotel Room Safe with Simple Tools

The below video shows that the metal nameplate on one brand of common hotel room safes can be easily removed revealing a backup keyhole underneath. Using nothing more than a simple pocket tool and a short length of wire, the safe can be easily opened. The interesting part is when the safe door is then closed, it automatically locks itself again like nothing’s happened. So when a traveler returns to their hotel room they’ll see the safe door is closed and assume it’s locked and secure.

Solution Use a Hotel Room Safe Lock or A Personal Portable Safe to Safeguard Your Valuables

A secondary lock, the Milockie, is a visual deterrent in addition to blocking the opening of the safe door even if a passcode or key is used. The Milockie prevents the hotel safe door from swinging open even if the safe is unlocked and is kept in place with a padlock that only you know the code to.

Alternative security solutions include bringing your own portable safe. Available in different sizes a portable travel safe is highly effective. Most thieves are opportunistic. To breach a portable safe a thief needs a large wire cutting/bolt cutting tool that most hotel employees or others don’t have on their person.

Typically a portable travel safe folds flat so that you can pack it in your luggage for use at your destination. Most safes are made of puncture or cut-proof fabric and cinch closed with a steel cable. Some portable safe have wire mesh reinforced sides. It is these features that make breaching the portable safes extremely difficult.

An additional benefit of a portable safe is that you can use it outside of your hotel room too. They work in rental cars, attached to pool chairs, bikes, or even at home.

Most Common Types of Hotel Room Safes

Electronic Keypad Room Safe

This type of safe is commonly found in mainstream hotels and resorts and in many ways is the one that MAY have the least amount of thefts from it. That’s because it requires a handheld computer device to open the safe. These safes require the attachment of a handheld PDA, with either an infra-red USB or cable. The units store up to 50 entries, incorrect PIN entry, and it’s all-time and date stamped. These can be attached to a PC, where audit reports can be printed for police and insurance purposes. These units DO NOT have a hotel override, it reveals the guest PIN.

Electronic Keypad Safe With Keypad Override Access

These types of hotel room safes require the use of an override *sequence*, not just a PIN number. This type of safe is almost as good as the one previously mentioned, as it contains a removable chip, which can access all the same data as above.

Electronic Keypad Access With Manual Safety Key

These room safes are not as secure as the previous two. This style requires the moving of the safe to enter a key and entering an override code. They record the time and date of the override entry, but nothing else. Refer below as to who *should* hold the spare key.

Manual Key Safe With Safety Key Access

This is a very old room safe model and is becoming rarer as time passes as hotels remodel and replace them with newer electronic versions. Yes, they do have spare keys, but reputable hotels don’t keep them accessible – even to management. It’s often kept in a fire-safe with either the general cashier or hotel management – we would hope – but many times who knows where this key is and who has access to it?

Where Do Hotel Room Safe Thefts Occur?

Thefts from hotel safes usually involve dishonest hotel employees, and these types of thefts seem to have a higher rate of being reported in hotels outside the United States. To read some of these hotel in-room safe theft stories reported by travelers, click on this TripAdvisor link. 

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These items frequent flyers pack are clever and offer up multiple uses and/or can save you money. Savvy and frequent travelers pack all or some of these essentials. Be prepared for any situation. Buying these travel gadgets at your destination can be difficult, more expensive, or simply not available, so do what frequent travelers do.

Gear Frequent Flyers and Frequent Travelers Pack

If you can, keep these items stored at home with your luggage so you don’t forget to pack them. If you can’t do that, keep a list taped to your luggage to remind yourself to pack these items that frequent flyers pack too.

Portable Power Supply You never know when your phone or other devices will need power when you’re away from your hotel, keep it in your bag, always. This device can charge 2 devices at once like your phone and tablet.

portable power supply for travel for frequent flyers

This portable battery charges two devices at once

Portable Travel Safe  A very important item frequent flyers pack is something to protect their passport, money and other valuables, including medicines, is a safe that only they can access. Hotel safes out of necessity must have a “backdoor” way of access so they are not 100% secure from others. This safe which packs flat is designed to be only accessible by you. Available in several sizes, this one also protects your laptop. Our son recently took this with him on a study abroad program to secure his laptop and passport. He locked it to his bed frame.

pacsafe travelsafe, frequent flyers pack

A portable safe is slice-proof, locks with a steel cable, and locks to a stationary item like a bed frame for security

Power Strip Outlet shortage at the airport? A multi-socket power strip helps share the juice from a single public outlet. Forgot your charging iPod in your hotel room? Frequent travelers know that by plugging all of your electronics into the same place, you’ll be less likely to leave one behind.  Many rooms aboard only one or two power outlets, this solves who gets to charge their phone first. One catch: abroad, you’ll need to use an adapter to make sure the strip can be plugged in.

travel power strip, frequent flyers pack

By plugging all of your electronics into the same place, you’ll be less likely to leave one behind.  Many rooms aboard only one or two power outlets,

Bandana The list of obvious uses for a bandana is a longhand towel, lens cleaner, eye mask, hair tie, headband, scarf, cooling device (when dampened)—but this versatile carry-on can also work in a pinch as a pillow when you tie it around a bundled-up sweater, as a sling for a sprained arm, and even as a hobo pouch to tote your belongings. Look for an over-sized one for maximum flexibility.

Duct Tape From bandaging up exploded luggage to removing lint from clothing, duct tape earns its all-purpose reputation. Carry a small roll(about $5) with you to patch tears in shoes, bags, or clothing; baby-proof your hotel room by covering outlets and securing drawers shut; hold together a well-worn guidebook when the spine gives out; for marking your luggage so it will stand out in a sea of black bags on the baggage carousel. Frequent travelers keep a roll of duct tape in their bag so they never forget it.

duct tape, frequent flyers pack

Patch tears in shoes, bags, or clothing; hold together a well-worn guidebook when the spine gives out; for marking your luggage so it will stand out in a sea of black bags on the baggage carousel.

Travel Mug with Lid To prevent damage, transport sunglasses or delicate souvenirs in an empty travel mug with a wide mouth—just make sure it has a secure top. During your trip, the mug can be an eco-friendly to-go cup or a great decoy for stashing valuables in your hotel room assuming you didn’t invest in a travel safe.

Moist Towelettes They aren’t just for babies! Not only can you sanitize your hands and kill germs on tray tables, doorknobs, tabletops, and other public places, you can also use them as a refreshing face cloth after a day spent in transit. The alcohol in many wet wipes helps remove ink stains in a pinch, too. For guaranteed stain protection, pack a few.

Inflatable Pillow You cannot only use the pillow on a plane but it can also make a long bus or train trip more comfortable too. If your room doesn’t have enough pillows put the inflatable one under the bed pillow for more support or use it to elevate your feet after a long day of sightseeing.

On board travel pillow, frequent flyers pack

Use the pillow on a plane or to make a long bus or train trip more comfortable too

Safety Pins The safety pin: a multi-functional travel tool. Clasp the zippers of your day pack together to deter thieves; use in place of a missing button, zipper pull, or to mend other wardrobe malfunctions; tack kids’ pant legs up when hiking through mucky terrain; even prevent static cling in a dress or skirt by slipping the safety pin into the seam of your slip (the metal has properties to repel static.)

Anti-Theft Tote Bag Many shops abroad charge extra for single-use plastic bags, so BYO bag with an expandable tote. Bring one that’s tough enough to toss around as a carry-on and handle farmers’ market, picnic, and beach items, too. Important- look for locking zippers to keep pickpockets out.

Anti-theft travel tote, frequent flyers pack

this tote works equally well for travel and everyday use. It features a roomy compartment with a zippered RFID blocking pocket. The easy access, locking front zipped pocket, two hidden zippered side pockets, and a rear zip pocket will keep you organized.

Anti-Theft Daypack   One of the most useful items frequent flyers pack is a bag that can double as your carry-on bag. Select from fashion styles or adventure styles. Many designs are gender-neutral. Anti-theft features included locking zippers, anti-slash material at vulnerable design points and allow you to wear the pack on your back with peace of mind knowing the hands of thieves and pickpockets will be kept out.

All-weather jacket with a hood  Avoid packing a cumbersome umbrella that you could easily lose. Make sure the jacket is lightweight and generous in size so you can layer it over a T=Shir and sweater.

Luggage Scale Protect yourself from overweight fees, especially after you’ve stuffed a few souvenirs into your bag for the way home. Of course, if you weigh your luggage at home and don’t add anything to it, you don’t need this. luggage scale frequent flyer packBonus Advice from What Frequent Travelers Pack

A few bonus tips to consider when trying packing for your destination are climate and selecting clothes can you layer and mix and match. I pack several T-shirts I can wear under a lightweight sweater and then top with a jacket that has a hood. Additionally, another tip from what frequent flyers pack is to limit your travel wardrobe to three colors that you can mix or match.

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No passport? No problem! Places you can travel to without a passport include the tropical locations of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. If you are starting your travel from a US location and want to visit a tropical destination that is a US territory you can travel without a passport.

Places You Can Travel to Without a Passport

Consider the below tropical locations for your next getaway destination.

Guam
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
America Samoa
Swains Island
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands

According to the State Department, any territory that belongs to the US and U.S. citizens or nationals who travel directly between parts of the United States, which includes Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, without touching at a foreign port or place, are not required to present a valid passport.

Our neighbors Mexico and Canada can also be visited without a passport however the requirements are a bit different.

Travel to Canada Without a Passport

In order to pass the Canadian border by land, whether it is a drive or a hike, all U.S. citizens are required to carry an identification document, which carries proof of citizenship.  Apart from a passport, U.S. citizens can also use a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, naturalization certificate, or a NEXUS card. With any of these documents, you can cross the Canadian border. However, if you wish to fly to Canada, a valid U.S. passport will be necessary.

Travel to Mexico Without a Passport

Travel to Mexico does not require a passport, However, thanks to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, when passing the Mexican border by land, a passport is not the only form of allowed documentation. If you are a U.S. citizen, you can also use a passport card, a NEXUS card or the Enhanced Driver’s License. If flying into Mexico you will need a passport.

If you choose to travel without a passport to tropical locations an additional benefit of visiting any of these locations is that the currency in use is the US dollar and English is spoken there. Additionally, your flight options are good as many US carriers have flights there.

Besides not needing a passport which can be expensive to get  ($165 minimum per traveler).

Details on Acceptable Travel IDs

U.S. Territory Travel Document Requirements for passengers traveling from the US, and not a foreign location. Passengers 18 years of age or older are required to have a valid, current U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID that contains your name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and a tamper-resistant feature for travel to or from a U.S. Territory (Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands). Expired documents are not accepted. The following IDs are accepted:
  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. passport card
  • DHS “Trusted Traveler” cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  • U.S. Military ID
  • Permanent Resident Card
  • Border Crossing Card
  • DHS-designated enhanced driver’s license
  • Drivers’ licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by a Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) that meets REAL ID benchmarks (All states are currently in compliance.)
  • A Native American Tribal Photo ID
  • An airline or airport-issued ID (if issued under a TSA-approved security plan)
  • A Registered Traveler Card (that contains your name, date of birth, gender, expiration date, and a tamper-resistant feature)
  • A foreign government-issued passport
  • Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) card
  • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

Non-US/Canadian citizens are not required to carry their passports if they have documents issued by the U.S. government such as Permanent Resident Cards. Those who do not should be carrying their passports while visiting the U.S. If you do not have an acceptable ID you may be subject to additional screening.

Children under the age of 18 traveling with an adult are not required to show ID at the time of check-in.

Children ages 15-17 traveling alone need one of the following:

  • Driver’s license
  • Passport
  • Credit card
  • School ID
  • Company ID
  • Library card
  • Birth certificate
  • Social Security card
  • Organization ID (such as athletic club, etc.)
  • Proof of auto insurance in passenger’s name

Children ages 5-14 traveling alone are not required to show ID at the time of check-in, however, they are encouraged to carry some form of ID during travel.

Forgot Your ID?

In the event, you arrive at the airport without valid identification, because it is lost or at home, you may still be allowed to fly. The TSA officer may ask you to complete a form to include your name and current address and may ask additional questions to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint. You may be subject to additional screening. You will not be allowed to fly if your identity cannot be confirmed, you chose to not provide proper identification, contact the TSA to learn more.

You can travel without a passport, but be sure to check on all ID requirements before you go.
Bonus tip: Keep photos of all your IDs on your phone in case of loss, at least you’ll have a starting point with border officials.

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