Preparing for Travel When You're Stuck at Home

Right now, due to COVID-19, discretionary travel has slowed to a trickle. Fine time to start a website about exotic fishing travel, right?

Well, we’re not giving up. We will get back to it soon, and all of this pent up energy will make us appreciate the fun trips even more. We hope that you will help us support the fishing community by doing the same. In the meantime. Here are eight things you can do to prepare for when the floodgates open:

Check Existing Reservations

A few weeks ago, Hanna and I got a notification from American Airlines that our route to Mexico, which was originally DC-to-Dallas-to-Mazatlan had been changed to add another stop in Phoenix. We called and without any hassle at all they changed our tickets to DC-to-LA-to-Mazatlan. But Hanna noticed this week that they must’ve axed some routes, because now our tickets say DC-to-LA-to-Phoenix-to-Mazatlan. We went from one stop to two, back to one, and now to three, and we got no email telling us. This will require another call.

Make Reservations

Lodges, guides and other businesses tied to fishing destinations are generally hurting right now. Call them up, and get on the books. It’s good for their bottom line, and if you don’t do it now you may miss your window when all of the postponed travelers are going to take the available spots in a flash.

Check Your Frequent Flier Status

The airlines have had to change status markers because it’s going to be tough for many of us to make minimum mileage amounts. Check what your airline of choice is doing, and then see what you’ll need to do, to avoid losing status.

Start a Frequent Flier Account

Commit to the extent possible to one (or maybe two) airlines or airline groups and start earning miles. How can you do that when you’re not flying? There are all sorts of credit card offers and shopping portals. Go to The Points Guy or Million Mile Secrets to get the basics. Remember, the airlines are hurting right now. I’m not saying they’re without fault, but when they come back they’ll need to earn your trust and business, so they might make some of these programs more favorable to consumers going forward. You want to occasionally fly for free, don’t you?

Apply for TSA Precheck or Global Entry

Due to the virus, the processes of gaining these expedited boarding/security services have been delayed. They’re giving expiring accounts a bit of a grace period, but if it’s something you want (and you should, if you fly at all), start the ball rolling now.

Look into Travel Insurance

We’ve bought travel insurance on three occasions when we were going to remote areas like the Amazon or Africa. There are various policies, and combinations, and we were mostly concerned about getting helicoptered out if we had a medical problem. Now, there may be more issues related to cancellation. Look into policies even where you might not have done so in the past. We’ve used USAA, and never had to call in a claim, but there are plenty of options.

Update Your Travel Kit

I have a basic collection of toiletries, medicines and other necessities that I keep packed for every trip I take. There’s something there to use if you get bit by a wasp, if you get sunburn, if you can’t poop, if you’re pooping too much, etc. Now add face masks, disposable gloves, disinfectant wipes, and the like. They’re going to become a permanent part of our lives.

Get New Wheels

Some of you may not want to fly in the near future, or ever again. We love a good road trip, although we fight over where to eat and who gets to control the stereo (although we agree that Hanna is the best air musician ever). If you are going to turn many of your short-range and mid-range trips into driving efforts instead of flying, make sure you have the right vehicle – whatever you need to fit your family, hold your stuff, and, if necessary, pull a trailer. Payment plans and financing are generous right now, so if you have the means it’s a good time to buy. Furthermore, gas is cheap now.

Even better, purchase some sort of RV and take the party on the road. That’s our dream retirement plan, and it’s getting closer every day.