The Y2K bug can creep up on you if you're planning to travel around the dawn of the new year. With a little planning you can swat the Y2K pest away. For example do not rely on an airline e-ticket, get a paper ticket. Here is a list of other recommendations from VISA and Rosenbluth:

1. Make sure you can locate your passport/visas. If you do not have either a passport/visa submit applications early.
2. Find all important documentation, including driver's license, payment cards and insurance cards. Make copies of these documents.
3. Take inventory of all finances and keep a hard copy of financial information.
4. Make sure you have the contact information for your financial institutions.
5. Decide travel dates and specific locations, call air carriers or a travel representative to make sure that the airline of your choice will be flying - some airlines are employing reduced schedules.
6. When making your airline reservation, request a paper ticket.
7. Confirm flight reservations directly with the airline prior to departure.
8. During your trip, pay with a payment card, like Visa, so that you have a paper receipt for your transaction.
9. Plan ahead and find out where you can locate ATM's at your international destinations.
10. If you are traveling overseas alphabetized PINs, (such as MIKIE) should be memorized as numbers before leaving the country. Many Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) often do not show letters on the keyboard or the letters appear in a different order.
11. Carry travelers cheques, in addition to your payment cards, as they work just like cash, but are more secure since they can be refunded if lost or stolen.
12. Assess the Y2K readiness of the country you are planning to visit. There are various sources you can consult including the U.S. Department of Transportation's Web site at y2ktransport.dot.gov/fly2k, the U.S. State Department's Web site at travel.state.gov, the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth's Office Web site at http://www.fco.gov.uk, or the International Y2K Cooperation Center at http://www.iy2kcc.org. Here, you can find information on Year 2000 concerns that may help guide or change your traveling plans.
13. Contact your travel carriers and service providers to determine their Y2K status.
14. If you are flying into a region that is not fully ready for Y2K, consider traveling to a nearby airport and accessing that county via train or automobile.
15. If you are having difficulty accessing your ATM card, try alternate ATM machines or visit the nearest financial institution.

For more information visit www.visa.com and rosenbluthinternational.com.