Is it time to take a sho’t left from your busy schedule? Whether it’s a family holiday on the glorious South African coast or a solo big-city adventure in New York, taking the time to reset, refresh and rejuvenate can leave you feeling like a brand-new person, ready to take on the world again.

We asked some of our in-house travel gurus to share their top travel tips and help you plan your next holiday.

15 top travel tips from Nedbank employees

Travel should be relaxing, but you need to prepare properly before you set off if you want your trip to be stress-free.

1. A travel card makes payments easier

If you’re planning an international trip, the Nedbank Travel Card is an easy, seamless way to make payments in a foreign currency – well-travelled Nedbankers call it their secret weapon. Load up to 8 currencies with locked-in exchange rates to avoid carrying cash and trying to work out fluctuating conversion rates in your head.

2. Plan a daily budget and stick to it

Once you’re in vacation mode, it can be easy to get carried away. To help you avoid those ‘yoh!’ situations when you get back to reality and check your bank statement, set a daily budget to manage your expenses effectively. That’s half the tip – the other half is to stick to your budget! If you find you’ve overspent at the end of the day, cut your spending allowance for the next day, or until you’re back on track.

3. Make hard copies of essential documents

Keep your travel documents safe, because having to navigate the legal system in a foreign country can be challenging. Make physical and digital copies of important documents, like passports and visas, to keep with you if you want to secure the originals in a hotel safe. Or email copies of all your documents to a friend or family member who’ll be able to send them to you if you find yourself in a pickle.

4. Take advantage of Private Clients or Private Wealth perks

If you’re a Nedbank Private Clients accountholder, we can give you less to worry about back home while you’re exploring the world. Speak to your private banker about signing a waiver with your account manager for help managing your Nedbank account when you are abroad. If you’re a Private Wealth client, you also get exclusive access to Visa Concierge for accommodation and dining recommendations.

5. Know when to plan and when to go with the flow

Affordable accommodation and transport are major must-haves, so research the options for hotels or B&Bs, airport transfers, and tourist travel that are available at your destination, and book well in advance where appropriate. If there are attractions or activities that are the main reason for your trip, book for those in advance too. That way, you’ll have a plan when you arrive at your destination – you'll know where you’re staying, how you’re getting there, and what activities you’ve planned in that city. But leave lots of free time too, so that you can be spontaneous and explore other attractions that you may only discover when you arrive.

6. Activate your bank cards for travel

If you’re travelling abroad, activating your bank cards for international payments can be a game-changer. As a Nedbank client, all you need do is let us know that you require your credit or debit card to allow for international payments. Although it doesn’t offer you the locked-in exchange rate that you’ll get on your Nedbank Travel Card, having a card authorised to make international payments is a great backup if you run into an unplanned financial emergency.

7. Plan foreign currency purchases

You can buy foreign currency for travel up to 60 days before you leave for your trip, but first check the latest trends in the exchange rate. If the rand is getting stronger, you could decide to watch and wait for a while, so you can buy forex at the best possible rate. A Nedbank Foreign Currency Account (FCA) can make this easier – you can buy forex and save it in this account at any time, subject to the limits imposed by the South African Reserve Bank. If you’re planning a trip some months ahead and you believe the rand will get weaker, you could buy at a more favourable exchange rate through your FCA, and then transfer the currency you need to your travel card just before you leave.

8. Look for savings on bookings and other services

Our frequent flyers say that you can save even more if you avoid third-party bookings, use travel apps to organise trip details (beforehand and while you’re travelling), and consider City Pass cards (where available) for discounts on attractions.

9. Enjoy your credit card benefits

Book your flights with a qualifying Nedbank credit card to enjoy free travel insurance, Greenbacks rewards, and other travel perks. Notify the bank of your travel plans before you leave to avoid any transaction issues on your debit or credit cards. For added peace of mind, you could also take a small amount of cash in the appropriate currency as a backup.

10. Support sustainable travel

Choose eco-friendly accommodations, use reusable water bottles and bags, and cut down your personal waste. You can reduce your carbon footprint and help preserve the site for future generations of travellers while creating amazing memories.

11. Stay connected

Use services like AIRALO or eSIM facilities to avoid losing physical SIM cards. Or you could buy a local SIM card, if the country you’re visiting allows for it. Remember, however, that the fees for international calls can be hefty.

12. Claim your Greenbacks rewards

As a Nedbank Greenbacks member, you can save up to 30% on flights when booking through Avo SuperShop and Tourvest. If you’re on a road trip, don’t forget that Greenbacks membership also allows you to earn cashback for every litre of fuel you buy at BP.

13. Spoil yourself with airport lounge access

Spending hours at an airport can be both dull and exhausting, so it helps if you can wait for your flight in comfort. If you’re a Nedbank MiGoals Premium or Private Banking accountholder, you can enjoy free drinks, food and wifi at selected airport lounges.

14. Put health and safety first

Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun with high-SPF sunscreen when you travel. Follow the advice of your doctor if you have any health issues, and carry any chronic medications with you, along with a note from the doctor (in case you have any issues with authorities about medication and scheduled drugs). A travel doctor can give you any vaccines that you may need before you leave.

15. Pack light, and include essentials besides clothes

The last tip from our Nedbank travel fundis is about luggage – pack light, especially if your travel involves airport layovers. Roll your clothes when packing to save space. Remember to include essentials like power banks and toiletries in your luggage.
 

With some planning and preparation, you can take a break to recharge your batteries, no matter how big or small your budget. Happy travels!