Tips for your trip: What to do if something goes wrong

Need a passport in a hurry? Click below to find details on how to apply for or renew your passport in your country and find average processing times. 

U.S. passport information

Canadian passport information

Watch out for passport renewal scams that are becoming common online.

Several trusted traveler programs exist to help expedite airport security check times. See more details below.

Remember to be on the lookout for scams related to trusted traveler program renewals.

If traveling abroad, research your destination and check for any specific health risks and vaccine requirements.
U.S. travelers
Canadian travelers

Make an appointment with a healthcare provider for guidance on any vaccines and medications that may be recommended or required for travel. Even if your destination has no health risks, ask your doctor what to do if you fall ill during your trip.

Check with your airline or the airport you’re traveling through to see if any specific documentation or questionnaires need to be filled out before you travel.

Make a plan for getting care overseas if needed and consider travel insurance for emergency health coverage.

Travel advisories can give you more information about the current safety risks at your destination.

If you’re traveling abroad, the travel advisory noticies can help you decide whether you should reconsider travel.

Give them the details. Call the banks or go to your online account to share your destination and the dates you’ll be traveling.

Sharing your information will ensure your cards function while traveling and speed up any investigation of unauthorized charges if your card information is stolen while you're away.

In the U.S.: File a police report and contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles about your missing ID. You may be able to apply for a duplicate driver’s license by mail if you are out of state.

How to fly home without proper identification? TSA says you may still be able to get home on your flight. Arrive at the airport early and provide other ways for TSA to confirm your identity. If your identity cannot be verified, you cannot enter the screening checkpoint at your airport.

If you lose your passport, file a police report. Then, you will have to replace the passport before returning home.

• U.S. citizen:
  Contact your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance.
  Read more about what to do and what you need to replace your passport overseas from Travel.State.Gov.
  
  
• Canadian citizen:
  Contact the Passport Program to report loss or theft.
  Check if you’re eligible to renew your passport.
  If not, apply for a new one.
  
  

If you have been a victim of a crime overseas, the nearest embassy or consulate at your vacation destination may be able to help.

U.S. Embassy/Consulate locations

Canadian Embassies/Consulates

If you are detained or arrested while abroad, find information and resources:

U.S. citizens

Canadian citizens

Remember, laws and regulations differ in different countries. You may be able to contact a Consular official, who can help you with certain things like notifying your family or friends, providing a list of attorneys, and more. 

Your government’s nearest embassy or consulate can help you locate medical services near you. They can also help you notify family, friends, or employers in case of emergencies. 

Before you seek medical attention:

• Check your medical coverage or travel insurance coverage. 
• Research your current location’s health care system.
• Consider a delay. Make an informed decision on whether or not a procedure would be best handled in your home country after you return.

If you notice your credit or debit card is missing while traveling abroad:

• Contact the card issuer immediately and place a freeze or a hold on the card. This will stop anyone from using your card to make payments. 
• Change the login information of your bank or credit card account immediately.
• Report any theft to local police.

Did you find something you love, but it doesn't fit in your luggage?

• Check with the store where you are purchasing your item to see if it can be shipped to your home address instead. 
• Check with the postal service. You may be able to mail the item to yourself if you visit a local mail or shipping service at your vacation location. 
• Check with the airline or airport. Your item may also be able to be checked like luggage at the airport. But check with your airline and the airport’s security first before arriving at the airport with the item. 

Check your statement. Even if you didn’t lose your credit or debit card while traveling, scammers sometimes place card skimmers on ATMs and steal your card numbers, resulting in unauthorized charges to your accounts. Watch your account activity and change your PINs quickly if needed.

Report any charges you did not initiate to your bank or credit card company immediately to dispute them.

Act fast and call the hotel, airport, or airline to see if they have found your lost item. If you lost your item on an airplane, you may have to fill out a form to give detailed information about what you lost, when, and where.

The hotel or airline may ship it back to you, but they may charge a service fee in addition to the mailing costs. If the item can be replaced, consider the cost of purchasing a new item versus shipping the original item back to you. It may end up being easier and cheaper to buy a new product.

Turn on location data. Consider turning on the “find my” features on your electronic devices to make it easier to find your phone, tablet, or laptop if you misplace it while traveling. You can turn on these features by going to your device’s settings.

If you traveled abroad, you may have caught an illness but not start showing symptoms until after you arrive home.

If you recently traveled and feel sick (especially if you have a fever):

• Contact your doctor right away. Your doctor may ask you for details such as your vaccination history, where you traveled, what you ate and drank while vacationing, what activities you participated in (hiking, swimming, etc.), if you had contact with any animals, and more.

Before your trip, check out BBB's tips on booking websites, cruises, air travel, and finding a good travel agent. Get advice on travel insurance, pet boarding, and RV rentals.

During your trip, BBB has tips for making your stay smooth. Learn about choosing best practices for navigating your accommodations and getting around with car rentals or car-sharing apps.

Stay safe while traveling with BBB's tips by avoiding scams and keeping your devices secure.

If you're looking to hire a travel agent, BBB helps you find one you can trust, or if you own a travel agency, BBB has resources to help you be a Better Business.