8 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING TO THE USA

The United States is one of the most popular destinations in the world. From its iconic cities like New York to friendly people and its natural parks like the Grand Canyon, the USA is a unique country on its own. Though it might be exciting and fun to plan your trip in the US, your actual trip in the so-called “land of the free” can be frightening and intimidating at the same time, especially if it’s your first time; and when it comes to booking your flights in the US, be sure to book it with Delta Airlines as they give you the best deals on flights worldwide. You can check your flight, as well, in flightstatus24 online, to keep you updated on the real-time status of your flight. Without further ado, here are a few things you should know before you travel in the US:

1. Be prepared for airport security. Getting on a plane is one of the best ways to see the US. The United States of America takes airport security very seriously, so it is very important that you prepare yourself and you get to understand their airport security policies. You can visit TSA website to see the rules and regulations in going through airport security. Also, make sure to arrive 3 hours before your flight at the airport and check your flight status in flightstatus24 to know if there are any changes or delays or cancellations in your flight. It is important, as well, to keep your travel documents and passport within your reach as you will be asked multiple times for it throughout the airport process.
2. Understand your Visa situation. You must know every requirement you needed to enter the USA and Visa is one of the most important requirements of them all. Applying for a wrong US visa or showing up without proper documents in the immigration can get you declined from entering the US soil. Be sure to check the official online visa website of the United States to get complete and correct guidelines on what requirements and how you can apply for your tourist visa.
3. Don’t go without your travel insurance. Healthcare cost can be expensive in the US, to the extent that many US citizens file bankruptcy due to their medical debt. It is a wise move to invest in travel insurance whenever and wherever you travel, as you wouldn’t know the things that might happen to you on your trip. There are accidents, food poisoning, and minor illnesses you may get and experience in your travel, and sometimes, we cannot just dodge them all. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so don’t forget to apply for travel insurance before you travel.
4. Rent a car on your trip in the US. Renting a car to go around the cities of the United States is advisable as it saves you time and gives you the freedom to move around at your own pace. There are a lot of car rental agencies in the US where you can make an advance booking. Most of US rental cars are automatic, and you may need to familiarize yourself on the rules on the road in the United States.
5. Know the tipping etiquette. When you are in America, it is customary to give tips to the waiter who served you in the restaurant, or to the driver who drove you from the airport to your hotel. It is a common practice in the US and leaving without giving anything is considered rude in the US practice. As the minimum wage is low in the country, 15-20% of the pre-tax bill is the standard tipping in the US.
6. Be ready to pay more. Every price you see that is displayed in the store in the United States is not always what they seem. Expect that the cashier in the counter will charge you more than what’s displayed in the tag price as prices in the US are mostly excluded from sales tax. Sales tax may vary depending on the state you are on, expect a 10% additional cost to your every purchase just to be safe.
7. Remember that there are 50 states in the USA. Although it is a one big the United States of America, the country is made up of 50 states which, you may have to bear in mind, has a lot of differences from one another. There’s the time differences, the laws which may vary from state to state, the weather, and the common practices and norms of the people in every state. You may also have to check your travel insurance, to know if the place or state you plan to go to is covered in their travel insurance. A little research won’t harm you, especially if you will travel in the US, where everything may vary depending on the state you are on. As what others may say, “Every state is like its own little country”.
8. Explore national parks. The United States may be known the most for its buzzing and busy cities like New York and Las Vegas, but the country is more than just this. In actual, the USA is home for at least 50 national parks, which are protected by the government of the US. Your trip in the US wouldn’t be complete without visiting at least one or two of their national parks like the Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountain or the Sequoia National Park. They are very spectacular to behold and is the perfect ender for your trip to the US.