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- iHaveNet.com: Travel
By Ed Perkins
Although you see lots of "don't leave home without them" lists of things you need on a trip, only a few are truly essential. When you're outfitting your wallet or purse for your upcoming spring or summer trip, you need to carry no more than six cards.
ATM CARD FOR CASH.
Don't run the risk of carrying a lot of cash or the hassle of getting and signing endless travelers' checks. Plan on using an ATM (debit) card for whatever cash you need along the way. If you normally check with a nationwide bank, use that card in its branches for no-fee withdrawals. If your bank doesn't operate where you're heading, open a small account -- enough to cover your trip -- at a bank that does. If you're heading out of the country, consider an account with
MEDICARE CARD AND SUPPLEMENT CARD (OR OTHER MEDICAL INSURANCE CARD IF YOU'RE UNDER 65).
Obviously, you'll need ID if you should need medical attention while you're traveling. Beyond that, however, transit and commuter systems in around half of the major U.S. cities offer significant senior discounts, and most accept a
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL SENIOR PASS.
This pass, which replaces the Golden Age Passport, is arguably the world's best travel value: For travelers age 62 or over, the pass provides no-fee entrance to more than 2,000 federally-managed recreation sites, including all U.S. national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and wildlife refuges, as well as sites managed by the
AARP CARD.
As I've noted, hotel discounts, for the most part, are underwhelming; you can often do better through a range of discount programs. Still, sometimes is as good as you can get -- especially at low-cost accommodations along the interstates and major highways. Although no hotel has ever asked me to show an card, you never know when someone will.
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CARD.
If you plan any driving -- in your own car or a rental -- you need a roadside assistance program. Although AAA is probably the biggest program, these days you can enjoy roadside benefits through lots of programs. I still like AAA because of its hotel discounts, directories, and maps, but you can benefit from any good program.
© Ed Perkins, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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Travel | Six Cards You Need on Your Trip