I. Passports
a. Check expiration if you already have one.
b. If you don't have one check out: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738_2.html
II. Visa
a. Your travel agent should assist you
b. If you’re not using a travel agent check out: http://www.immi.gov.au/visawizard/
III. Booking international flight
a. Qantas flights are offered through Vancouver, San Fran, or LAX.
b. Make sure to book several hours for your layover from domestic to international.
c. Alaska Airlines is a sister airline for Qantas, meaning you can check bags once in Sea-Tac, and they will be loaded through to the Qantas jet at layover. This is important for LAX in particular, which has such a large international airport.
IV. Your Qantas Flight (we haven’t flown with another airline)
a. Wear polyester clothing (jogging warm ups, comfortable, loose clothing). Denim is not a good idea. We’d suggest bringing a backup shirt and pair of pants in case you get spilled on. A pullover isn’t a bad idea since it can get pretty cold on the plan.
b. There is an entertainment screen on the seat in front of you. You can watch movies, tv shows, play games, watch your flight path, listen to music and more.
c. You will be offered a drink before dinner (alcohol is complementary) and 2 choices for dinner.
d. You will be offered 2 choices for breakfast (hot or cold) if you ask for hot, watch out for their runny eggs and slimy bacon.
e. Qantas supplies a pouch that includes an eye cover and earplugs for while you’re sleeping
f. The head rests on Qantas move up down and wrap to form. We recommend bringing your own wrap around neck pillow. If you cup the built in headrest and use the neck pillow, you will be kept from swaying side to side while maintaining neck support.
g. Note from Heather-Fraidy-Pants-Pasley: There tends to be a great deal of turbulence over the Pacific. Don’t let it frighten you. It’s normal.
V. Electrical equipment
a. Check the back of anything electronic that you’re intending to bring. The item (or it’s AC adapter) needs to accept 110V-240V inputs.
b. We discourage bringing 110V items down, however, we have a step-down transformer, which reduces Australia’s 240V current to 110V.
c. For any duo-voltage item, we can provide plug adapters that you can use to plug your item into an Australian outlet
VI. Cell phones
a. If you’ve been with your cell phone provider for 2 years or more, your cell phone may be able to be unlocked for international use. To do this, call your provider, tell them you’re traveling internationally and that you’d like your phone’s unlock code. We did this with Cingular, and it worked fine. Once done, you will be able to buy and use a pre-paid phone card here.
b. Having a phone allows you to wander Sydney with a way to call us, taxis and emergency services.
VII. Currency
a. Check with your bank to see if fees apply when using ATM machines here. The rates for an electronic exchange at an ATM are typically good so it is often the cheapest easiest way to go, particularly if you take out lump sums rather than charging as needed.
b. Travelers checks have advantages
c. Do not plan on exchanging your currency at a bank in Australia. This is the most expensive thing you could do (fees for exchange and the worst xchange rates)
d. If you’re planning your trip well in advance and would like to hedge your currency exposure, we can purchase AUD for you through our currency broker, OZForex. In this scenario you would likely deliver USD to us through Paypal
VIII. Credit cards
a. Call your card company and let them know you’re visiting Australia. Otherwise they may freeze your account over fraud monitoring automatic triggers. It’s happened before.
