What's your golden travel rule?

[Groundfeeder]

Is this because its easy for staff to override?

Suspiciously, this happened to a companion on the Indian Pacific who lost quite a few dollars and blamed the staff. Otherwise, a great trip.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Adding to my golden rule, checking the count of bags etc when leaving hotel/taxi/plane, I do check  in my handbag for wallet/cards/cash/passports

5 minutes before departing DPS 2 years ago after final secondary screening (LAGS etc at the gate) had a heart stopping moment doing this check.
When returning my passport to handbag's special spot, I misjudged and it fell to the floor, fortunately Mr Flyfrequently's eye sight is better than mine, spotted it under my seat - almost a travel mistake.

 

[Forg]

Is this because its easy for staff to override?

Given that they're mass-produced to meet a low price, I doubt they can be all that super-secure.
I think they're a bit like a club-lock on a car, easy to get past & only used to hopefully make the thief target something that's even easier.

 

[JohnM]

Is this because its easy for staff to override?

My response was really a jocular riposte to @bPeteb's comment about leaving something in a safe.

In reality, I never even think to use a room safe. I have nothing of value to worry about and keep my passport, phone, watch on my person at all times.

 

[somebol]

1. First rule of golden rules...
2. As long as you have your passport, phone and credit cards. everything else is replaceable
3. Never come home with dirty laundry

 

[Aeryn]

Whilst i dont travel with anything valuable except passport, credit cards, phone, tablet and sometimes a waterproof camera, i do sometimes use safes and I've never left anything behind in one.

I always empty it and put everything into carry-on bags the night before departure; and double check again in the morning.

IME it is not always feasible to have your passport or tablet or all cards/cash on your person all the time, especially if like me you often do very active or water based activities such as diving/snorkeling, sea kayaking, canyoning, ziplining or visiting sites that dont allow you to bring any sort of small bag inside.

I also always keep a spare credit and debit card stored separately from the ones on me as back-ups in case of loss/theft (plus versions on my phone), usually hidden in inside pocket of a jacket or bag locked inside a carry-on case or larger case in my room.

My main rules are:

1. If you cant afford travel insurance you cant afford to travel. And if you haven't declared an activity/location on said policy dont do that activity or do a side visit to that place on a whim.

2. Always leave a copy of your full itinerary and contact details with a non-travelling trusted family member or friend including details of your travel insurance.

3. Never knowingly book a hotel room or air bnb that has a shower/tub combo; never accept an upgrade to a room without a walk in shower.

4. Eat local, McDonalds and its ilk are only acceptable if you are stuck in an airport without lounge access and there are no other options.

5. Use bottled water to clean your teeth unless you are 100% sure the tap water is safe.

6. Always have at least 1 change of clothes in carry-on as well as any item that cant easily be replaced on arrival should checked luggage be delayed.

 

[Mattg]

Don't give your real (or main) email address when connecting to random public Wi-Fi networks.

 

[Mattg]

3. Never come home with dirty laundry

This one is interesting to me as I almost always come home with dirty laundry. I'd rather not waste time finding a laundromat, drying my clothes, etc. while I'm on holiday, when I have a perfectly good washing machine at home and can do my washing there much more efficiently and hassle-free.

I'm curious as to your reason for this rule?

 

[Aeryn]

This one is interesting to me as I almost always come home with dirty laundry. I'd rather not waste time finding a laundromat, drying my clothes, etc. while I'm on holiday, when I have a perfectly good washing machine at home and can do my washing there much more efficiently and hassle-free.

Agreed, I do laundry as necessary on longer trips to have sufficient clean clothes options and bake laundry days into my itinerary; but I would much rather use my own machine and laundry products once home on anything I dont need to re-wear before I get home.

I often rewash even clean clothes if they were laundered overseas.

 

[tassie6]

This one is interesting to me as I almost always come home with dirty laundry. I'd rather not waste time finding a laundromat, drying my clothes, etc. while I'm on holiday, when I have a perfectly good washing machine at home and can do my washing there much more efficiently and hassle-free.

I'm curious as to your reason for this rule?

Concur with @Mattg, I find I feel like washing everything I took on the trip anyway, so may aswell maximise dirty towards the end