Sadly, in the world today, it can be dangerous to leave your house and drive your car, but you take precautions to ensure you are a safe driver (no texting, safe distances, and caution for example). When planning a trip, you should think about all safety issues that are important to you (read this post for My Travel Safety Thoughts) and consider registering your trip with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for international travel (U.S. residents only).
For my trip with Mom to Paris, there were a few people who asked, in the light of the terrorist events, if we should be going there at all. I said, “Of course we should still travel.” Because of Mom, I made a few changes to my normal planning process.
- The first change meant buying travel insurance for Mom that included medical coverage, as Medicare doesn’t pay for international medical costs. While I have medical coverage, I also bought travel insurance for this trip to mirror what Mom would have as we were traveling together.
***If you want to have some fun, start reading the fine print of travel insurances related to health care, first payor, pre-existing conditions, trip deposit dates, and so many other things that I hadn’t had to think about in the past. You really need to be an educated consumer with respect to travel insurance.***
2. The other change from my normal trip planning was registering our trip with my employer which has a Global Security team in case incidents affect their employees while traveling on business and personal.
3. I registered our trip with the U.S. Department of State’s STEP Program.
I first used the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) back in 2012 when I traveled to South America (Santiago, Easter Island, and Lima) and then again for my month in Africa (Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa). By registering your international travel plans, you will receive notifications from the local U.S. Embassies if there is cause for concern during your travels in those countries/regions. It’s just another layer of protection in my opinion, especially for me when travelling solo. During the Africa trip, I received an email from the Embassy in Botswana regarding a demonstration to avoid in a particular city. As I was on safari, it didn’t affect me but was good to know what was going on in the country while I was there away from television and newspaper updates (internet wifi was spotty at the time).
How to Register for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program)
Visit the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program site
You have three options
- Traveling
- Staying Home (you can sign up for travel alerts and warnings)
- Frequent Traveler (create account)
When you click “Traveling” you need to agree to the privacy statement and answer two questions:
- Are you a U.S. Citizen?
- Travel/Reside Abroad
You then have a few tabs to complete (one per family member is fine – groups have different option)
- Traveler Info (Your information & Emergency Contact Information)
- Itinerary Info
- Travel Info
- Confirmation
Why Register with Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)?
It’s easy! It’s quick! It’s free! Let’s hope you have a hassle free trip as most usually do, but in the rare case that you need information or assistance, you can contact the U.S. Embassy or they can contact you. You can also follow the State Dept on Twitter @TravelGov for updates.
The local embassy that you’ve registered your trip with will send out
- Travel Alerts for “short term, fast breaking events that could pose significant risks to you or affect travel plans” They provide examples of demonstrations, protests and other information you might need to be aware of.
- Travel Warnings recommend postponing travel to the country because of what is deemed dangerous conditions or places where it’s harder to assist U.S. citizens.
On our recent trip in September with Mom, I received an email when a worldwide caution (for London travelers) was updated from the March caution. Thankfully, both London and Paris were uneventful and no specific notifications were sent.
I’ve found this added layer of communication quite invaluable and comforting while I’ve traveled. It’s always best to overplan when it comes to safety in my opinion (hence my backup options B, C, D and E!). I think it’s a good idea to register your international trip with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and use the U.S. Dept of State website to research the destination.
Do you use the STEP Program now?
If not, do you think you would in the future for your next international trip?
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Springtime in Paris conjures up warm sunny days of a romantic city as you walk through the Tuileries to enjoy an evening at the Louvre. It’s easy to love a city at its peak – sunny days, temperature just right and the locals enjoy the cafes and parks. It’s much harder for many to find the beauty in the same city. I’ve heard so many people say “it will rain”, “it’s cold, “its winter”. For me, winter in Europe means “less people in line”, “lower airfare and hotel prices” and “amazing hot chocolate” – the weather might be the same as home (you might even see snow) but you get to change the background and enjoy the city that I have a long standing relationship with.
Visiting Paris in Winter
As many attractions in Paris are museums such as the Louvre, Musee D’Orsay or the Paris Opera, a winter day is perfect to visit inside attractions. The boats on the Seine still pass by Notre Dame (not as frequently as summer), the Eiffel Tower will still have lines and city is still alive with visitors year round. You can easily use the metro or book an Uber if you are too cold to walk and eat inside the cafe. You can even go for Valentine’s Day like I did, just don’t abandon your friend or partner! This is where the free night in Paris comes in with the Starwood Luxury Privileges promotion which is good through April 30, 2017 stays (blackouts February 28, March 1-8).
Starwood Luxury Privileges is a program accessible only by travel agents (you can’t find this online) who are able to reward their clients with bonuses at select Starwood properties around the world. There are standard benefits provided (free breakfast, upgrade room, free in room Wi-Fi and property specific vouchers) all year long. And then there is the promotion on top of the standard benefits.
Paris Starwood Luxury Privileges Promotion
For Paris, the current promotion through December is pay for two nights, you get the third night free. Even better? You can stack this promotion and pay for four nights and get two nights free. Of course nothing is free, there is a catch, and actually there are two catches:
- You need to stay in a five star luxury Starwood property – ouch! That’s cruel and unusual punishment just for a free night
- You need to book through a Starwood Luxury Privilege travel advisor like me (shameless self-promotion)
Starwood Paris Hotels
- The Westin Paris Vendome in the 1st arrondissement, a short walk to the Louvre, Tuileries and the Seine
- W Opera located across from Paris Opera in a historic Haussmann era building and a short walk to Galleries Lafayette.
- Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel on Avenue George V near the Champs Elysees
Starwood Luxury Privileges Hotel Perks
In addition to the free night offered for a two night (or four night) paid stay at the SPG Luxury Privileges rate, the Paris promotion provides:
- An upgraded room (if available) at the time of booking
- A $100 voucher (will convert to Euro if you settle the bill in Euro) to use in the hotel on Food & Beverage
- Breakfast buffet for two each day of the stay
- Free in room Wi-Fi
- Early Check In/Late Check Out request (confirmed if available for your dates)
The Free Night in Paris Rate(s)
The nightly rate for the Paris promo is higher than you will find on the internet, however, the overall cost is lower once the free nights are factored in. The added hotel benefits are just special perks in comparison.
For a January stay, I booked a client (rates do vary)
- SPG Luxury Privileges Promotion Rate: Standard King Room (upgraded to Deluxe) for €331 a night
Vs.
- Online Lowest (Non-Refundable) Rate: Standard King Room €271 a night
Sure the promo rate is higher per night but you only pay for four nights and get the extra hotel perks for a total of €1,333.24 vs. the online non-refundable rate for six nights for €1,626 total without extra perks like breakfast, upgraded room, etc.
While many may still consider this too expensive, it’s a great opportunity to experience five star Parisian luxury centrally located to walk to so many class Paris attractions and enjoy the city when it’s in a moody winter phase. You can still stroll the Seine, walk through the Tuileries and enjoy the wine bars in winter, the major difference vs. other times of the year is that it will feel like you have the city to yourself – your own slice of Paris to remember (book a Flytographer photo shoot to capture the winter memories). The city of lights sparkles all year long so anytime you have a chance to visit Paris – just GO!
Interested in Promotions in other cities? Currently, there are special third, fourth and fifth night free promotions ongoing at select Starwood properties around the world. Contact me to see if the promotions are of value to you.
On a quick check there is the W New Orleans, the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, the US Grant in San Diego, the W Hong Kong, a few in Hawaii (Royal Hawaiian and St. Regis Princeville) and New York (The Chatwal, St. Regis and W New York).
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