Worried You’ll Have To Cancel International Travel? Here’s How To Book A More Secure Trip.

The world can change quickly. One day, you’re planning a dream trip to Paris. The next day, you may be wondering if you should cancel your vacation because World War III is about to break out. Or, you might be afraid you won’t be allowed back into the country if a border agent finds a social media post critical of President Donald Trump.

Ongoing wars, geopolitical instability and an erratic American president mean travel anywhere in the world is unpredictable and subject to disruption at any time. The threat is significant enough that the United States Department of State issued a rare worldwide travel advisory for Americans traveling abroad.

That doesn’t mean you should scrap your travel plans. However, it does mean you should be prepared for cancellations and disruptions due to political upheaval. “The overarching advice here is simple. Be prepared for a full, COVID-style shutdown lasting for a few days as the country either absorbs the initial shock of unrest or begins to adapt to a new normal,” advises Daniel Herszberg, an international attorney and co-founder of Travel Insighter who has visited every country in the world.

We asked travel experts for their advice on how to make sure you’re prepared for anything this summer.

Some travelers embark on their trip, smugly believing their travel insurance covers them for any mishap that may arise. Often, these travelers are surprised when they file a claim only to find that the value of what was in their lost bag or the cost of a doctor’s visit abroad isn’t covered. When it comes to the fallout from the current geopolitical landscape, the stakes of choosing the wrong insurance policy are a lot higher.

As a starting point, Mercedes Zach, a travel agent with ASAP Tickets, recommends getting an insurance policy that covers both cancellations and interruptions. However, that’s just the start. Standard travel insurance policies typically won’t help if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to political instability, Herszberg explained. “Generally speaking, standard travel insurance packages will include exceptions for civil unrest or political evacuations,” he said. To see if you are protected if political chaos derails your trip, Herszberg recommends reading your policy carefully and contacting your insurance provider to clarify exactly what is and isn’t covered under your policy. Ask about “events like airport closures due to protests, evacuations after embassy advisories, or non-commercial repatriation home,” he advised. Herszberg also suggests that those traveling to particularly politically complex regions consult with an insurance provider that specializes in crisis or conflict settings. “They’re not the cheapest, but you can usually expect them to be reliable if something really goes wrong,” he said.

Additionally, anyone who is uncertain about how they will feel about going on a trip they have booked, even if it isn’t canceled, should consider Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, said Lauren Gumport, vice president of communications at Faye Travel Insurance. Most standard travel insurance policies don’t cover canceling a trip due to fear or uncertainty, no matter how rational those concerns may be. However, CFAR plans enable travelers to cancel their trip for “being too nervous about going or because your dog ate your homework — literally any reason” as long as other terms of the policy are met, Gumport explained. Not surprisingly, CFAR plans usually cost substantially more than standard travel insurance policies. Moreover, they typically only cover 75% of the cost of nonrefundable travel costs, Gumport said. However, a CFAR plan may be a good choice for anyone who wants the option to cancel their trip if political tensions heat up without losing everything they paid in advance.

Another way to hedge against losing money due to canceled or interrupted plans is to purchase refundable airline tickets, hotels and tours. In the current political climate, bookings with flexible cancellation policies may be a better bet than those with the lowest prices, Zach said. It can also be helpful to research alternative routes in and out of your destination.

“The biggest practical issue over the past 12 months with travel to the Middle East and South Asia, has been airspace being closed at short notice,” said James Willcox, founder of Untamed Borders, a travel company that runs trips to some of the world’s most unstable places where travel warnings are common. Nevertheless, Untamed Borders has been able to continue to run trips by helping clients reroute their flights. They always have a “solid Plan B” for leaving the country in case borders or airspace suddenly close, he said. The same logic applies to trips anywhere in the world where political upheaval could upend a trip.

Alex Alioto, founder of travel company Whimstay, also suggests waiting until a few weeks before departure to book a trip rather than doing so months in advance. That way, “you can assess real-time conditions at your destination, including local events and political stability, and you maintain maximum flexibility to pivot if circumstances change.” He adds that booking a trip late won’t necessarily cost more since you may be able to find some great last-minute deals.

Many countries have programs that allow citizens to share their travel plans with the government in advance. Although this may seem like an invasion of privacy, Herszberg says that ever since Russia invaded Ukraine, causing widespread unrest, he has felt more comfortable letting his government know his whereabouts.

In the United States, Americans can register with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) online. Once enrolled in this free program, Americans abroad get real-time updates about security, safety and health. Additionally, the local American embassy or consulate will have a means of contacting you in the event of civil unrest. Registering with your home government is “probably the most overlooked piece of responsible travel right now. Regional tensions can change fast,” Herszberg said.

When a crisis hits, banks may close and ATMs may be non-functional or completely wiped out, Herszberg said. To hedge against being left without access to money, Herszberg recommends traveling with a small stash of U.S. dollars in different denominations. Despite current economic uncertainties, the U.S. dollar remains a stable and reliable currency that is accepted in many countries around the world. For that reason, bringing U.S. dollars is a good idea regardless of your nationality.

According to Nicole Cueto, a travel adviser with Fora Travel, using a VPN (virtual private network) in today’s uncertain political climate is “absolutely critical.” Using a VPN while traveling is always a good idea because it protects your personal data, she said. However, doing so is more important than ever this summer. If civil unrest breaks out, the local government may censor information, Cueto said.

“A VPN allows you to access accurate news, communicate safely with loved ones, and receive travel updates without restrictions,” she explained. Cueto recommends making sure that your VPN is compatible with your phone, laptop and tablet before you travel.

Until the global political landscape stabilizes, even travelers who pride themselves on planning every facet of a trip independently should consider using a travel agent, Zach said. A good travel agent can help you deal with the unexpected, from lost luggage to travel interruptions due to political instability, she explained. In a crisis, “Wouldn’t it be great to have someone you trust to help you find a solution as soon as possible?” she reasoned.

Another option is to book a tailor-made trip or small group tour with a local guide who lives and works in the region, suggested Leigh Barnes, president of the Americas for Intrepid Travel. A local guide can help you stay up-to-date on the political situation and make informed decisions. “Knowing your trip and experience are in the right hands is empowering and gives you peace of mind that you cannot find elsewhere,” Barnes said.