A Complete Pre-Travel Checklist

Counting down the days until your next vacation? How exciting! Of course, we also understand that this can be a stressful time for some. You need to prepare your house, hire a pet sitter, notify your credit card company that you’ll be spending money in an “unusual” destination and pack your bags — which is a lot, to say the least.

That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive pre-travel checklist. As your departure date approaches, consider the tips and recommendations outlined below.

• Gather your travel tickets and vouchers
• Double check your government travel documents
• Understand your travel insurance policy
• Download applicable airline, hotel and cruise apps
• Select seats with your travel consultant
• Confirm emergency contacts and phone numbers
• Check into your flight online
• Pack your carry-on and checked bags
• Get to the airport with time to spare
• Help unaccompanied minors
• Start your next adventure!

We can’t say this enough: make sure your passport and other travel documents are valid! Submitting applications (and anxiously awaiting approval) is the last thing you want to be doing in the weeks leading up to your next trip, so plan ahead. 

• Check passport validity for all travellers. Passports should be valid for a minimum of six months from the date you return home.
• Ensure you have all your government-issued IDs and travel documents ready to go: driver’s license, passport, visa, PR card, electronic travel authorization (eTA), etc.
• Search for your destination on the travel.gc.ca website prior to your departure to be aware of any current travel advisories. 
• Reconfirm entry and vaccination requirements for any country you will be visiting or transiting through to ensure there have been no changes since you were advised at the time of booking.
• For children travelling with only one parent, visit travel.gc.ca for your destination country and view the entry and exit requirements for children and travel. Some countries may ask for additional documentation for children up to the age of 19.

We recommend that you always purchase travel insurance. Our consultants can help you select a plan that works for you and your trip, be it a family vacation or cruise. 

• Ensure you have your travel insurance policy printed or can locate it in your email, and confirm where your policy number is noted. 
• Save Allianz’s global customer care number in your phone (Toll Free 00–800–842–08420). 
• Read over your travel insurance policy prior to departure to familiarize yourself with what is covered in the policy you have purchased.

There are a lot of reasons to select your seats in advance. You could, for example, have a fear of flying and want to give yourself a little more room to breathe in an aisle seat. Or maybe you just like the luxury of flying in First Class. Whatever your preference, Flight Centre can help you book it. 

• Talk to your travel consultant to request specific seats for each flight segment that permits advance selection. This will help you avoid being bumped in the event of a flight being oversold, ensure you get the seat type and location you prefer and place you with travel companions, where possible.

With the help of facial recognition software and other biometric technology, check-in is getting easier and easier. But there are still a few things you can do to make the process go smoothly.

• Check-in is typically available within 24 hours of your flight’s departure time. This allows you to save time at the airport, select or modify your seat assignment, and add checked bags. It may also notify you of any last-minute schedule changes. 
• Have this information readily available to easily navigate any online check-in:
  • Confirmation number indicated on your e-ticket 
  • Passport information for each traveller 
  • Address of where you’ll be staying 
• Compete your cruise pre-check-in online to streamline the process at the terminal.

Not sure what clothing, accessories and other items to pack for your upcoming trip? Check out our beach vacation packing checklist, Mexico packing list, cruise packing list.

• Refer to your flight e-ticket to confirm what checked baggage allowance you have, if any, and refer to each airline’s website for additional luggage information such as dimensions, fees, instructions for sporting goods or overweight/oversize items, etc.
• Keep in mind when packing your checked bag and carry-on that flights will be full and overhead bin space is at a premium. 
• Pack your most important items — such as prescription medication, travel documents and personal items (e.g. your toothbrush and house keys) — in your carry-on luggage.

Every task on this pre-trip checklist has prepared you for one thing and one thing only: having the time of your life on vacation. You've got all the travel essentials you need, so take a deep breath and enjoy the journey to your destination country. 

Need a little more help getting ready for your next trip? Check out our help centre for additional pre-travel checklist items and reminders, or chat with one of our consultants today. We’re here for you, always.