Navigating a Traveler's Worst-Case Scenario: Tips from Asian Insider

​Asian Insider has led a nomadic lifestyle since the age of 18 and has encountered a wide range of experiences, from intense high-speed chases with Carabinieri police in Naples, Italy, to humorous encounters such as a friend waking up naked in Colombia after a surprising Tinder date. However, let's focus on a hypothetical worst-case scenario and discuss how to handle it, excluding extreme situations like ending up in a Bangkok prison.

Imagine being a victim of the prevalent Tinder scopolamine drug in Colombia, where you wake up with all your belongings and clothes missing, with no recollection of what happened. What should you do? Fortunately, as a member of Asian Insider, you are prepared for such circumstances.

First, use a bedsheet as makeshift clothing and seek assistance from the police or the hotel to reach the nearest US Embassy. They will provide you with an emergency passport, typically issued promptly (within 24 hours). This passport only allows travel back to the United States. However, as seasoned travelers, we don't let minor setbacks ruin our trips. With identification in hand, ask the embassy or find an internet café to access a computer or phone and use Western Union to send yourself some cash. I recommend setting up an account and saving one or two credit cards on there, even performing a test transaction to ensure it functions properly.

Having acquired the cash from Western Union, the next step is to obtain a cheap phone to stay connected. If you don't have a Skype account, which I highly recommend, you can still download Skype and make free calls to 1800 numbers. Now, contact Charles Schwab, the financial institution that doesn't charge any ATM fees, and inform them about your stolen card. They will FedEx you a replacement card free of charge, and it should arrive within seven days. Next, call Chase Sapphire Preferred, the credit card you wisely applied for using my referral code to support our cause. You also received a generous bonus of 60,000 points, worth $600 or more depending on how you redeem them. Chase operates similarly to Schwab; provide them with your overseas address, and they will FedEx a replacement card to your location, typically within seven days. I have personally gone through this process multiple times.

Now, we don't plan on returning home just yet, but we need a passport to continue traveling. Obtain a police report and visit the US Embassy to apply for a regular passport. Luckily, when applying for a passport overseas at an embassy, the process is expedited free of charge. They may quote a two-week processing time, but in my experience at four different embassies in various countries, the processing time has consistently been remarkably fast, usually within 10 days or less.​

Bonus tip for the insiders: You made purchases for the laptop, cellphone, clothes, and other items using your Chase credit card. Fortunately, Chase offers comprehensive insurance coverage with their credit cards. Even items like lost jewelry purchased years ago have been successfully claimed and refunded with a police report. So, now you can replace all your belongings with peace of mind.

​Even if you didn't make your purchases using the Chase credit card, you can still benefit from travel insurance provided by Chase if you booked any aspect of your trip. Additionally, Chase offers rental car insurance, eliminating the need to purchase extra coverage. To access a comprehensive list of the coverage offered by Chase credit cards, you have two convenient options. You can visit their website to find a complete rundown, or you can simply call their toll-free 1800 number for direct assistance. In most cases, all you need to file a claim is a local police report.

Under the VIP section, I provide a wealth of invaluable information. Here's just one example of what to do. Remember, these steps are hypothetical and meant to assist you in navigating challenging situations while traveling. Stay safe, be prepared, and enjoy your adventures as an Asian Insider!