STEP registration

I always register when I go abroad. I typically put the address of each hotel I stay at. My thought is I’d rather they have more information than what they need as it gives me peace of mind.

We always register and give them as much information as we can. If memory serves correctly, they usually notify folks by email or text. But I could be wrong.

Yes you should absolutely register. I was in Turkey at the end of September and there was a suicide bomber in Ankara. I got very timely email notices from the embassy there about the situation - turns out it had a very limited impact but it was still a serious situation I appreciated knowing about. It is not difficult to put in the addresses for all of your hotels if you know them; if you don't know just put in the first one. The most important information is your email address and contact phone number that will work while you are in Turkey.

I’ve been using STEP for about a decade. I won’t travel without registering. The country specific and worldwide bulletins are informative. The information is helpful if you plan to be in the area of some event scheduled to take place. Some information is precautionary, some is just general details. They do not overwhelm you with bulletins. In March of 2020 for evacuating from countries around the world it was a lifeline.

I always register with STEP before every trip, although I will admit that it wasn't very helpful when I was in Egypt during the great Covid shutdown of March 2020. I received my first notification from STEP about three weeks after all the Egyptian airports shut down. By that time, I had long since returned home.

It takes only a few minutes to register with STEP, and so you might as well do it. I have heard of instances where it has been a lifesaver.

Thank you for the replies, and for all the information. I will definitely register today and include all the hotels.

@Marie

I was in Morocco in March of 2020 during the shutdown. There were 12 of us from different parts of the country traveling on a tour. We did several things. First, those registered with STEP helped anyone who wasn’t to do so immediately. Second, we contacted the consulate/embassy/state department in Casablanca and informed them of our situation. Third, we each emailed our U.S. congressional representatives and senators. Yes, we sat down as a group and helped each other get very bit of this done. We did this because it was such a new situation for them (our government) and for us. We were rescued within 48 hours as a result of these actions. Our experience also was that there was no immediate information provided from STEP. Subsequently, I received tons of emails from them because I had registered a number of upcoming trips.

@Raymonlee -- I am glad that your experience was more positive. We received no help or communication --- zero, zip, nada -- from either STEP of the US embassy in Cairo, even though both of us were registered with STEP. The embassy wasn't answering the phone. Fortunately, Egypt gave us 72 hours notice, and so we were able to find a flight out on our own. It all turned out okay, but it didn't give me confidence in the US' willingness or ability to provide communication or help in an emergency.

I do, however, continue to register with STEP, and recommend that others do the same.