I know you’re excited about that trip to Paris, Shanghai, Cartagena or Cape Town, but before you go, have you taken care of all the things you need to do before you board the plane? Those travel tips that only take a few minutes to do but can save you a ton of stress once you’re en route.

Having traveled internationally for over 20 years, I’ve learned a thing or two (usually from making mistakes first) to make my overseas trips go a little more smoothly.  See below for 5 of my “must do” steps leading up to any international trip.

1 Notify Credit Card Companies

Did you take a few minutes to tell banks and credit card companies where you’re going?

The last thing you want is to find yourself overseas, about to buy the perfect souvenir art piece or pay for that fancy dinner only to realize your credit card or debit card doesn’t work. Your bank thinks: “What is she doing in Baku, Azerbaijan?  She didn’t tell us she was going there. It must be a case of fraud so cut it off.”

Then it takes 15 hours and a call from the Azerbaijani secret service to convince your bank that you are there and by that time your art piece has been sold to someone with a working credit card, or you’re already in the kitchen of the restaurant washing dishes to pay for your meal.

Make it easy on yourself and contact your bank and Credit Card companies to let them know your travel plans.  You can either call the customer service number, or many companies let you do it directly on line. It is easy and if you’re last minute like me, you can even do it quickly from your phone while you wait for your flight to board.

2 Share Your Travel Itinerary

Where are you staying and how are you getting there?

Sharing is caring, so let someone that you love (or at least trust) know where you’ll be.  Give them your flight information, general dates of travel and an address of where you’ll be staying. As much as we hope they do not, emergencies can happen during your trip. Being able to get in touch quickly can help lessen any stress.

3 Confirm Passport and Keys Location

Will you remember where you put your keys after being away for 2 weeks?

My passport is often the first thing I’ll need to access as I start my trip and my house keys are the last thing I’ll need. When I get to the airport, I want to effortlessly sail through the security line. Wasting time digging for my passport in every pocket of every bag will only delay me from my pre-boarding glass of wine in the airport lounge.  Also, if I know where my passport should be, it will easily help me make sure I have it as I leave the house.

As for my house keys, I hate getting home from a long flight, feeling jet lagged and ready to crawl into my own bed, only to be standing outside my door digging in ever bag for my keys.  And don’t let it be cold or raining.  Now I know exactly where I put my keys, in a specific pocket so they won’t be in the way during my trip when I don’t need them, but will be easily accessible for when I get home and I do need them.

4 Confirm Visa Requirements

You remembered to pack your passport (yeah) but did you arrange for your visa?

Unlike most things I do when it comes to preparing for a trip, this travel tip really shouldn’t wait until the last minute. As soon as you book your trip, check to see if you will need a visa for entry and how long it will take to receive it. Some countries will not require a visa if you’re just there for tourism. Others will require one but you can get “on arrival” at the airport or border crossing.  Still others you will need to apply for in advance.

Rush services often exist if you’re a procrastinator like me, but they will cost you in both money and stress, so try your best to plan ahead. You do not want to be at the airport all ready to go only to find out from the airline that you cannot go because you don’t have a visa. Of course I would NEVER do anything like that. … OK…I did something exactly like that.

For US residents, here is a link to a list of the countries where you currently need a visa to enter.

5 Double Check Seat Assignments

Is that middle seat yours because you didn’t plan ahead?

One of my favorite sites is Seatguru.com and I check it whenever I book an international flight. For me in Los Angeles, unless I’m flying to Mexico, most international flights are fairly long and I am not about that middle seat, next to the bathroom life.  And I also know from years of experience that all window seats are not the same. Seat Guru helps me pick out the best seat options so I can select them right when I book my ticket.

But sometimes, the airline will not allow you to book a seat.  Or the seat options are atrocious so you are stuck in a seat you would only wish on your worst enemy.  Either way, I always double check a day or so before I fly to see if better seat options have opened up.  In some cases I have managed to go from back of the plane to exit row after a quick check. Or from no seat assignment to front of the cabin, extra-leg-room status just hours before flight take off because seats are released .

If you have more than a stamp or two in your passport, I am sure you have your own list of pre-trip rituals.  Take a moment and let me know your “before you go” travel tips in the comments below.

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