Be An Elite Traveler: Memorize These 5 Numbers

Let’s set the scene: 

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You’re in a foreign country. You’ve spent the day snapping photos, eating delicious food and expanding your mind with your explorations. It’s been a fantastic day – one you can’t wait to post about online. 

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But, when you reach into your bag – *GASP* – your wallet is missing. What’s worse, so is your phone! You’ve been pickpocketed. Your stomach plummets to the ground as you realize your trip has taken a very different turn. 

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While this is not an unsolvable problem, it has made the rest of your day much more difficult. And then, when you feel like things couldn’t get much worse, you try call to your ICE contact or are asked for your passport number at the Embassy and realize: you have no idea what those numbers are! 

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Hopefully, this never happens to you. 

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But in the off-chance that it does, memorizing some of the most important ID numbers in your life could save you a lot of pain and hassle! On a much less serious note, it’s wonderful to have these digits memorized when it’s inconvenient to pull your passport out again. Or when you have absolutely no idea what your frequent flier number is, but you want to rack up the points! 

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Thus, it’s important to store the following information in your head and keep it fresh – just in case you need it. 

Passport Number

Perhaps the most useful number a traveler can memorize is their passport number. This is especially important when traveling internationally. 

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Inevitably, you’ll need this number for entering into security forms or even through airline apps, where you need to verify you have the proper documentation for entering a country. And sure, you can pull out your passport and look back and forth between it and your screen like you’re watching tennis – but wouldn’t it be much easier just to write it down from memory? 

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Additionally, in worst-case scenarios (like the one mentioned above) it’s crucial that you have that number on hand so you can start the process of getting a new passport. 

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While remembering the number itself is important, if you can also memorize the issue date and expiration date of this all-important form of ID, you’ll really be on an elite level! 

In Case of Emergency (ICE) Contact Phone Number

Memorizing someone’s phone number may seem like a no-brainer, but stop and ask yourself: How many phone numbers do you know by heart? 

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In an age where cell phones store all of our contact information, it’s easy to gloss over the fact that you don’t actually know how to reach your best friend or family member without using your cell phone. Yikes. 

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Whomever you decide to list as your ICE contact (whether in your head or on a form) take some time to memorize their number. If you want to be an elite traveler, memorize three different people you can contact in case of emergency. This will increase your odds of getting help when you need it most. 

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With Apple finally adopting RCS messages, this means making calls on a data-only eSIM plan is possible! This is great news if you retain your phone but have lost your other belongings. 

Credit card number(s)

If your wallet is stolen, you’re likely without any form of payment. Maybe you still have your phone, in which case you can use mobile pay or look up your credit card number. However, if everything gets taken, you’ll be out of luck. 

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Memorizing a credit card number is a great backup plan if you suddenly find yourself without your usual forms of payment. This can reduce your stress as you process your loss and try to sort out your next steps. In doing this, you’ll also need to memorize the expiration date and the CVV – or the card won’t be very useful. 

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You’re an elite traveler if you memorize at least one Visa or Mastercard number – as both of those providers are universally accepted (for the most part). Also, if you haven’t already, download the GigSky app and enter your Visa credit card number – you may be eligible for a free or discounted plan! 

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Speaking of credit card numbers, you don’t need one of those to get your 100MB free data plan through GigSky! First-time customers get a free 100MB just for creating a GigSky account. This comes in handy if your wallet is stolen and you need service to remedy the situation. 

Frequent Flier Number(s)

While this number isn’t crucial, it is very helpful to know. There are times during booking your flights or trying to update your information in an airline app when you’ll need your frequent flier number. Instead of looking it up or asking someone else (*ahem* like your mom), entering it in by memory makes the entire process much smoother. 

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Take this to an elite level by memorizing more than one Frequent Flier number! Find the ones that share across brands (Think: MileagePlus and SkyMiles). This will make it easier to track all of your travel miles and ensure you’re reaping all of the rewards. 

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Social Security Number (SSN) or National Identification Number

If you’re a U.S. citizen, the final number you should memorize is your Social Security number (SSN). If all else fails, this key identifying number can often be used by government offices and other organizations to verify your identity. Like your frequent flier number, if needing your SSN usually results in a call to your parent, then its time to buckle down and memorize this 9-digit number. You may surprise yourself at how handy that knowledge is outside of travel. 

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For non-U.S. citizens, consider memorizing your National Identification Number (which may also be called a National Identity Number, National Insurance Number or JMBG/EMBG). This number is typically used to track citizens for the purposes or work, benefits, taxes, etc. In some cases, it can be used as a form of identification – though not always. Double check if it’s a form of ID in your country and if it is, start memorizing! 

Conclusion

Though many of us rely on our devices to store all of our important information, there’s value in memorizing some of the most important details that make up your identity. Your passport number, ICE contact number, a credit card number and frequent flier number can make things much easier for you if you should become separated from your personal belongings. Though it can be a pain to memorize them, taking the time to do so may significantly reduce your stress in the future.