---
title: STEP Up and Travel Smart
description: VIP Travel Experience . . .You have planned your dream vacation, can't wait for your trip of a lifetime.  But, this happens
image: https://blog.viptravelexperience.com/hubfs/bora-bora-680114_1920.jpg
---

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# [STEP Up and Travel Smart](https://blog.viptravelexperience.com/blog/when_bad_things_happen_to_good_vacations-0)

Posted by [Tammy Murphy](https://blog.viptravelexperience.com/blog/author/tammy-murphy)

 September 14, 2017 at 8:00 AM

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Step Up, And Travel Smart So You Aren't Left In the Dark!

![Screen Shot 2017-09-13 at 3.11.35 PM.png](https://blog.viptravelexperience.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-13%20at%203.11.35%20PM.png?width=649&name=Screen%20Shot%202017-09-13%20at%203.11.35%20PM.png)

Are you a U.S. citizen or national? (U.S. citizen or native of American Samoa or Swain’s Island (AS) included) 

Are you traveling/residing abroad?

- If you answered yes to either of the above questions then, my friend, I’m going to let you in on a little secret I recently discovered that could make the biggest difference should anything unexpected happen. It’s called the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (**STEP**).

**"What is STEP," you ask?** Well, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals (U.S. citizen or native of American Samoa or Swain’s Island) traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.       

**Meaning…**

- You will receive up to date, important, relevant information from the Embassy nearest your destination about safety conditions in the country you’re traveling to, assisting you in making informed decisions about your travel plans.
- Registering yourself in their online database will help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, natural disaster, civil unrest, and/or family emergencies.
- This service also helps family and friends get in touch with you should an emergency arise from home.
- Though many events and disasters will be aware to you by various news outlets this service is specific to your destination, and will give you plans and protocols for those types of situation to best help you to safety.

**How do you sign up? **

To avoid being overcrowded with information I recommend enrolling 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. It is so easy and it takes no longer than a few minutes! All you need is your passport and a copy of your travel plans.

To enroll a trip:

- Just visit: [https://step.state.gov/STEP/Pages/Common/Citizenship.aspx](https://step.state.gov/STEP/Pages/Common/Citizenship.aspx)
- You’re going to need your passport to fill in the information below 
    - First Name:![Screen Shot 2017-09-13 at 3.20.31 PM.png](https://blog.viptravelexperience.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-13%20at%203.20.31%20PM.png?width=320&name=Screen%20Shot%202017-09-13%20at%203.20.31%20PM.png)
    - Middle Name:
    - Last Name:
    - Suffix:
    - Date of Birth: (MM/DD/YYYY)
    - Gender:
    - Citizenship: United States of America
    - Enter emergency contact information.
- Using the copy of your travel plans fill in the remaining questions.
- Another site I would recommend is the US Government Travel Alerts & Warnings page. 
    - [https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html](https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html)

**Stay Informed, Stay Connected, Stay Safe!** 

Now, if you aren’t traveling right now don’t let stop you from staying informed in monitoring safety conditions for specific destinations abroad, sign up for email alerts to receive the latest Travel Alerts and Warnings when they are posted on travel.state.gov.

To subscribe:

- Visit: [https://step.state.gov/STEP/Pages/Common/Subscribe.aspx](https://step.state.gov/STEP/Pages/Common/Subscribe.aspx)
- Provide your first name, last name, and email address.
- Then select one or more countries from the list (use Ctrl + click to select multiple) and use the “>>” arrows to move your selection to the right-hand box.
- When you are finished, click Submit.
- (You will receive an email requesting you to confirm your subscription; follow the instructions from the email to complete your request.) 
    - You can also use this same page to unsubscribe from these lists later if the information becomes overbearing or you become disinterested in the destination.
    - Just select “I want to: Unsubscribe,” provide the email address, use the “>>” to move the appropriate country name(s) to the right-hand box.
    - Click Submit.

For additional information on destination that interest you visit the Travel Alerts & Warning page. Link above.

![Screen Shot 2017-09-13 at 3.23.16 PM.png](https://blog.viptravelexperience.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-13%20at%203.23.16%20PM.png?width=499&name=Screen%20Shot%202017-09-13%20at%203.23.16%20PM.png)

 

 

Email me [tammy@viptravelexperience.com,](mailto:tammy@viptravelexperience.com) I would love to help you plan the vacation of a lifetime?  Together we can create the best vacation experience for YOU.  It's a big world out there -- we hope you EXPERIENCE it. [![ Find Out More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/313912/79b5ce01-f247-4c59-b62d-2456fc0134c7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/313912/79b5ce01-f247-4c59-b62d-2456fc0134c7)  

        

Topics: [travelinsurance](https://blog.viptravelexperience.com/blog/topic/travelinsurance), [why use a travel agent](https://blog.viptravelexperience.com/blog/topic/why-use-a-travel-agent)

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