WeSalute Review: Your Essential Safe & Smart Travel Guide
As you start planning your next well-deserved getaway, it's important to remember that a well-planned trip is a safe trip. Whether you're seeking a relaxing beach escape or a thrilling adventure, preparation is the key to a safe and enjoyable experience. While we all want to focus on the fun, a little preparation goes a long way in preventing common travel headaches. From digital security to managing expenses, the goal is to ensure your vacation is as seamless as it is memorable.
Drawing on WeSalute’s 25+ years of experience advising members on military discounts, this WeSalute Travel Guide is designed to ensure every trip you plan is smart, safe, and affordable for the whole family! If you are new to WeSalute, start by creating a free account to gain access to hundreds of offers and if you want even more benefits, including exclusive discounts you can’t find anywhere else, sign up for WeSalute+ today!
How Should You Prep Your Home and Digital Life Before Traveling?
Before you even pack your bags, secure your home and your digital life. If you have a smart home security system, make sure it’s configured correctly. You can use apps to remotely check your cameras, lock doors, and adjust lighting to make it look like someone is home. For important documents and bills, a secure fireproof safe is the safest place to keep them.
If you don't have a smart home security system, leaving for a trip can add an extra layer of worry. ADT can provide that peace of mind with 24/7 professional monitoring, and through an exclusive WeSalute offer, WeSalute+ Members can save up to $914.90 on new installation costs. This includes a FREE hardware package with a three-year contract, and ADT even provides a Homeowners Insurance Certificate that may help you save on your policy.
This is just one of the many discounts packed into your WeSalute+ Membership. For example, WeSalute+ Members enjoy significant benefits on rentals globally, including up to 35% OFF car, truck, and SUV rentals. Members also receive a complimentary annual upgrade to Avis Preferred Plus status, enhancing savings and the overall travel experience. It also includes exclusive access to a Personal Benefits Specialist for dedicated support, to ensure you maximize all of these benefits and more as A Real Thank YouⓇ for your service!
And as far as your mailbox is concerned, don't let a pile of mail signal to others that you're away. Use an app to temporarily stop mail delivery or have a trusted neighbor or friend collect it daily. This prevents both identity theft and porch piracy.
Beyond securing your home, protecting your digital life is a vital part of smart travel prep. This is especially critical for military families, as the FTC reports that service members and veterans are frequent targets of digital crime, facing a greater threat than the general public. Your digital safety checklist for any trip should cover two main areas: securing your devices and protecting your identity.
First, secure your devices from direct cyber threats. When using public Wi-Fi at airports or hotels, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) should be your highest priority. For comprehensive device protection, all WeSalute Members have access to a 50% discount on Bitdefenders award-winning software. This offer gives you access to tools like Total Security, backed by the industry's best detection rate for the past 5 years.
Next, protect your identity from fraud and scams. Americans lose four times more to digital crime than home burglaries, and for military families, these attacks can threaten credit, security clearances, and government benefits. That’s why WeSalute has also partnered with Aura to offer a discount of up to 75% OFF their all-in-one online safety plans. Aura provides award-winning identity, financial fraud, and scam protection to help you secure everything you and your family do online.
How Do You Prepare for Medical Needs While Traveling?
Nothing disrupts a well-deserved vacation faster than an unexpected medical issue, but a little pre-planning can ensure you’re prepared for anything. For major emergencies, travel insurance is essential, as your primary health insurance may not cover you abroad, and costs for services like medical evacuation can be astronomical. To provide peace of mind, all WeSalute Members are eligible for low-cost WeSalute Travel Protection, which for just 22 cents a day provides year-round coverage that includes $50,000 for global emergency medical evacuation and other great benefits whenever you're more than 100 miles from home.
While planning for major emergencies is important, managing your routine medical needs is just as vital. Before you leave, be sure to pack an adequate supply of your medications. To help you save on those costs, your WeSalute+ Membership includes a powerful prescription Rx plan. Simply show your card at over 65,000 pharmacies nationwide—including CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart—to save up to 80% on generics and 40% on brand-name medications.
Beyond your personal prescriptions, smart travel planning includes understanding the health environment of your destination. Some countries may require specific vaccinations, so be sure to research these requirements well in advance of your departure. Once you arrive, follow a few of these simple wellness practices: stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and allow your body a day to acclimate to a new climate and time zone. These proactive steps help you stay healthy, ensuring you can fully enjoy the trip you’ve so carefully planned.
Even with the best preparation, minor but urgent health issues can still arise. Instead of heading to an expensive emergency room, WeSalute+ Members have access to another health benefit that can help here, too. You and your family receive 10% OFF urgent care visits at more than 1,100 MinuteClinic locations nationwide, conveniently found in CVS and Target stores for any non-emergency issues that pop up during your travels.
How to Manage Bookings, Packing, and Payments
Smart booking and packing strategies can save you both money and headaches. Choosing the right airline is the first step in avoiding hidden fees, which can quickly ruin a travel budget. To find the best deals, WeSalute has partnered with top airlines to offer exclusive savings. WeSalute+ Members get two free checked bags with JetBlue—a value of up to $170 on a round trip—plus 5% off the ticket. WeSalute+ Members can also save 5% on flights with United Airlines, while all WeSalute Members get a 15% discount with Breeze Airways.
For accommodations, you can search for the perfect hotel and access great rates through the WeSalute Marketplace, where we have a wide selection of hotels and vacation destinations to choose from.
Once your bookings are set, it’s time to pack. Before you start, inspect your luggage for any wear and tear on its zippers, handles, and wheels. For organization, packing cubes are a great tool, and always remember to keep valuables like your passport and wallet in a secure pocket on your person. Remember to also keep both digital and physical copies of your important travel documents. Finally, be mindful of foreign transaction fees on your credit cards and consider using cards that don’t have them for international travel.
What Should You Do When You Get Home From a Trip?
The transition from vacation back to daily life is the final step of any great trip. Don’t forget to give yourself a day to decompress before jumping back into your routine. As you settle in, one of the best ways to keep the good times alive is by preserving your memories.
After you’ve backed up your vacation photos, consider turning your favorite shots into personalized memorabilia. It’s a wonderful way to keep those memories close, and WeSalute has partnered with Personalization Mall to offer you savings on custom gifts. WeSalute Members receive 15% OFF, and WeSalute+ Members save 20%. While it's rewarding to look back on your memories, there’s one last thing to do. Once you're settled, take a moment to review your credit card and bank statements for any unexpected charges to close out your travel budget.
Why Is WeSalute Your Best Partner for Travel?
By following these travel tips and leveraging your WeSalute benefits, you can focus on making memories and avoid the headaches. This comprehensive approach to travel is at the heart of what we do. As a registered Public Benefit Corporation, WeSalute is committed to serving the military community with integrity and transparency. We are more than just discounts; we are your partner in ensuring you and your family receive the comprehensive support and recognition you deserve.
WeSalute is here to help you plan your next adventure! If you're not a WeSalute+ Member yet, now is the time to upgrade and ensure you get the deepest savings available. For even more deals on a wide range of products and services, be sure to explore the WeSalute Marketplace. Enjoy your journey!
