We have seen many packing reports on the forum but most have been geared towards women. So, I thought I would do one for guys.
I will split it into what I think are necessary items and extras.
Necessary items:
Passport
Phone (with Google Pay/Apple Pay),
Credit card if you don't have Google Pay or Apple Pay on your phone.
Prescription medication if you take this.
Extras:
Everything else. Easily replaceable. Dont sweat it.
And still they forget their passports ;-)
Make certain you take a physical credit card. Not all places take Apple or Google Pay.
And all the "community" property goes in the female companion's luggage. First aid items and meds, paper guides, itineraries, charging cords and back up batteries, outlet adapters, snacks ;) And then ask, "why is your bag always so stuffed?"
BRILLIANT!
YES….don't sweat it!
Frank II,
Regarding the Google Pay / Apple Pay you mentioned, I'm curious whether Tap (debit) transactions are converted to home currency and deleted from your bank account in real time? I've asked my financial institution this question and they didn't have a clue. I haven't been able to test it yet to find the answer to this.
I'm not too concerned about credit card transactions as I'm sure that's done the same way as it was on my past trips.
Ken, Google Pay is a third party service. I notice that when I use it, the transactions initially look on my credit card statement (online) as pending. It takes a day or so to become an actual transaction.
The currency transaction is done by your bank. When I look at my transaction record on my phone, it's in the local currency. But in my home currency on my credit card statement.
This looks like a good comprehensive list Frank. Excellent.
Well, I’m a woman, but every time I’m in the car on my way to the airport and wonder “what did I forget,” what goes through my mind is don’t panic you have a credit card.
I will say, the time I forgot my underwear packing cube was probably the most challenging. I appear to be better endowed than a lot of European women. (Insert laughing emoji).
Also for men - make sure you have proper directions and know which airport you are going to before leaving the house. Sounds silly? My husband twice drove to the wrong airport. He told me he knew where he was going, etc., etc.. He can’t even claim a “senior moment” as he was under age 45 both times.
Perhaps - undiagnosed dyslexia.
As I was struggling to adjust to grad school in Boston there were a few weeks that I carried my passport and credit card everywhere, telling myself "if it gets too bad, I'll just head to airport "
This thread has somewhat turned into women trash talking the way men pack. Perhaps, we need to give equal time to the guys to share their observations on female packing methods. I believe in equality and fair play.
Right, as in I pack necessary clothes. Not "outfits".
Tho, Sun, Frank and Jules kinda pointed it in this direction
smirk
Perhaps, we need to give equal time to the guys to share their
observations on female packing methods. I believe in equality and fair
play.
Challenge accepted.
Frank II,
Thanks for the feedback. I use Apple Pay so I imagine it would work the same for credit card transactions. I wonder if debit transactions are handled the same way, with a delay for currency conversion before the funds are withdrawn from my account?
I wonder if debit transactions are handled the same way, with a delay for currency conversion before the funds are withdrawn from my account?
Well, on both of my banks, one national the other local, debit card transactions immediately appear as pending in the US$ amount based on the day's bank rate for the local currency and transaction amount subtracted from funds available. A day or so later the transaction clears and is posted with a separate entry for foreign transaction fee.
