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December 30, 1999
Web posted at: 11:33 a.m. EST (1633 GMT)

(CNN) -- From global events guides to government travel advisories, here are helpful Web links and tips for travelers over the New Year's weekend.

• News: Full listing of Travel headlines
  
• Guide to airlines' New Year flight plans
  
• Global events guide
  
  

• CNN In-Depth: @2000
  
• On-air: CNN program guide

• Y2K weekend travel
  
• Future of travel
  
• New Year destinations
  

• U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Consular Affairs
  • Y2K Information
  • Country-specific Y2K information
• U.S. Department of Transportation
  • Y2K Infortmation Review
• U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
  • FAA Y2K Program Office
  
  
  
• Australian Foreign Affairs: Y2K Advice
• Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs: Y2K Travel Information Report
• New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Millennium Bug
• United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Y2K Country Statements
  
  
• American Society of Travel Agents: Tips to Millennium Travelers
• International Air Transport Association: Year 2000

• Obtain--and carry--a written confirmation of all travel plans including all confirmation numbers. If you are traveling to a resort or destination that is booked to capacity, you may want to reconfirm your hotel reservations by contacting the property directly.
  
  
• Before departing on an overseas trip, visit the U.S. State Department's updated Y2K information site at http://travel.state.gov/y2kca.html. Here, visitors can check on their destination's overall Y2K readiness as well as that of the country's aviation system's preparedness.
  
  
• Consider obtaining traditional printed tickets rather than electronic tickets. Obtain extra cash or travelers' checks prior to departure, rather than relying on Automated Teller Machines (ATM) once you arrive.
  
  
• Consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance. But first, be sure to verify whether the policy covers Y2K-related problems.
  
  
• Make at least two copies of all pertinent travel-related documentation, including but not limited to: passport, visas, driver's licence, front and back of credit cards, medical/eye prescriptions, and phone numbers. Keep one copy in a separate but secure section of your carry-on luggage, and give the other copy to a close friend or relative who can provide you with the information if needed.
  
  
• Be sure to keep all essential items in your carry-on luggage, including prescriptions, toiletries and a change of clothes.
  
  
• As with all peak travel periods, anticipate possible delays. Bring a book, water and snacks.

Source: American Society of Travel Agents

• Register with U.S. embassies or consulates abroad.
  
  
• Monitor the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page and the U.S. embassy or consulate home page on the Internet for Y2K updates.
  
  
• Participate in any town meetings or other outreach activities conducted by U.S. embassies and consulates abroad between now and January to discuss Y2K issues.
  
  
• Review your personal preparedness plans in the event of possible Y2K disruptions. For additional ideas about personal preparedness, see the Web sites for FEMA at www.fema.gov/y2k, the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion at http://www.y2k.gov and the American Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org/Y2K.html.
  
  
• Ensure that travel documents (passports, visas, etc.) for you and your family are updated. If they're about to expire, apply for new documents as early as possible.
  
  
• U.S. citizens or family members with special medical needs should consult with their personal physicians before making travel plans.
  
  
• Carry travelers' checks as well as credit cards.
  
  
• In the event of disruptions, it may be necessary to be flexible about travel plans. Consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance.
  
  
• Anticipate possible delays in flights overseas. Give yourself plenty of time if your travel itinerary includes connecting flights.
  
  
• See the Department of Transportation Y2K home page at http://www.dot.gov/fly2k for updated information on Y2K and aviation issues.
  
  
• Consult your airline, cruise line, tour operator, hotel and travel agent about contingency plans in the event of unforeseen Y2K-related delays, cancellations or disruptions.
  
  
• Obtain written confirmation of reservations.
  
  
• Make sure your essential possessions -- passports, medications, eyeglasses, emergency telephone numbers and contacts for your place of destination and back home etc. --are in carry-on baggage. Your supply of medications should be sufficient to last for the anticipated duration of travel.

• Arrive early. Holiday crowds coupled with current security measures may increase the time you need to check in. Build even more time into your schedule if you need help with infants, young children, elderly or disabled passengers, or passengers with medical conditions.
  
  
• Parking lots may be full, so consider using public transportation or having a friend drop you off. If you are driving, add extra time to your schedule.
  
  
• Don't leave your car unattended in front of the terminal and be sure to observe all parking restrictions. Because of increased security, local parking rules are being strictly enforced.
  
  
• Keep your photo identification handy. Some airlines require you to have proper identification to fly. If you do not have a photo identification card, make sure you have two pieces of identification, one of which must be issued by a government authority. Minors are not required to have identification. Failure to have proper identification may result in additional security scrutiny.
  
  
• For international flights, airlines are required to collect your full name and ask you for a contact name and phone number. The Department of Transportation recommends that you provide the information.
  
  
• Keep your eyes open for unattended packages and bags, and report them to authorities. Watch your bags and don't accept packages from strangers.
  
  
• Be prepared to answer questions about who packed your bags and whether you might have left them unattended at any time. Think carefully and answer honestly--history has shown that criminals and terrorists use unwitting passengers to carry bombs or other dangerous items on board aircraft, either by tricking passengers into carrying packages or by simply slipping items into unwatched bags. Answering "yes" to either question will only lead to a little extra scrutiny of the bag.
  
  
• Do not joke about having a bomb or firearm in your possession. Security personnel are trained to react when they hear these words. Penalties can be severe, and can include the possibility of time in prison and/or fines.
  
  
• Both carry-on and checked bags are subject to being hand-searched, so it's a good idea to leave gifts unwrapped until after you arrive at your destination. If airline security personnel cannot determine by X-ray the contents of a package, they can and will open it, or ask you to open it, for inspection.
  
  
• Leave your firearms at home, and do not pack fireworks, flammable materials, household cleaners, or pressurized containers. Remember that violators of hazardous materials regulations are subject to civil penalties of up to $27,500 per violation, as well as possible criminal prosecution.
  
  
• If you would like to find out if there are any special travel advisories in effect, call the Department of Transportation's Travel Advisory Line at 1-800-221-0673.
  
  

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