Page 22 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – July/August 2020

TRAVELER’S GUIDE
Traveling with Food Allergies
Travel can be especially stressful for those with food allergies. Many situations put you at a higher risk of an allergic reaction but that shouldn’t stop you from traveling altogether. Take these steps to customize your trip and put your mind at ease.
Visit Your Doctor
Visit your doctor and/or allergist 4 to 6 weeks before traveling to ensure your prescriptions are up to date. Notify them of any new symptoms and discuss your Emergency Care Plan. If you’re packing your own
food or traveling with liquid medications or medical devices, request a letter from your doctor explaining the medical necessity. While not always required or directly requested, this letter can help you avoid unexpected delays during security checks.
Select Your Travel Carefully
Select your travel provider based on your needs. Call the airline before booking to ask what approach it takes to protect passengers with food allergies. Each airline has different procedures, so doing research beforehand can
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help determine your options.
New environments can create a risk for allergic
reactions, so limit the number of stopovers en route. While booking your flight, look for a “special assistance” field where you can explain your allergies and learn how the airline can help.
Finally, in the days before your flight, call ahead to remind the airline of your allergies and their severity. These precautions will make sure your allergy is appropriately documented in the airline’s system.
Get Creative with Your Accommodations
As with airlines, some lodging options are more accommodating to food allergies than others. Depending on your allergy, it may be helpful to cook your own food while traveling. Select lodging with a kitchen, and contact reservations or their concierge to request that nuts, glutens, etc., be removed before your arrival. If you prefer a hotel or cannot find accommodations with a kitchen, your hotel might be able to give you a room with a fridge for your packed food or accommodate you in some other way.
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