Library of Congress Federal Credit Union

Easy Digital Safety Tips for {Holiday} Travelers

Travel often makes life feel a bit busier.

You are juggling flights, hotel check-ins, rental cars, family plans, chargers, and hoping someone remembered to pack that one thing no one was supposed to forget.

During the holidays, your to-do list gets even longer. You might have gifts to pack, winter weather to watch, family gatherings to organize, and some last-minute surprises.

With so much going on, it is easy to rush online too. You might use public Wi-Fi, scan a QR code, click on a travel update, or check your account from your phone. Usually, these things are routine. But when you are tired or distracted, it is easier to miss something that does not seem quite right.

A few easy habits can help protect your money, personal information, and peace of mind while you travel.

Before You Go

Review your account alerts

Before you travel, check that your account alerts are on and sent to the right phone number or email. Alerts help you spot unusual activity quickly, especially when your holiday spending might look different than normal.

With gas, meals, gifts, airport snacks, rideshares, and last-minute buys, it helps to keep track of what is happening on your accounts.

Use trusted booking sources

Book your travel through websites, apps, or companies you trust. Be cautious with links in unexpected emails, texts, or social media messages, especially if they say there is a problem with your reservation, payment, flight, or delivery.

If something does not seem right, go straight to the company’s official website or app. It might take a minute longer, but it is worth it.

Save trusted contact information

Before your trip, save the official phone numbers or websites for your airline, hotel, rental car company, and bank. This way, if something comes up while you are traveling, you will not have to rely on a number from an unexpected message.

While You Travel

Pause before responding to urgent travel alerts

Flight delays, hotel changes, and payment problems are stressful. That is why urgent travel messages should always get a second look.

If you get a text or email saying your flight was canceled, your hotel room is gone, your rental car has an issue, or your payment failed, check directly with the company using its official app, website, or customer service number.

Be extra careful if a message asks you to pay right away, give a card number, click a link, or share personal information to solve the problem.

Be careful with QR codes and public Wi-Fi

You see QR codes everywhere now—on restaurant menus, parking meters, hotel lobbies, event check-ins, tourist spots, and travel ads. Most are safe, but be careful if a QR code looks like a sticker over another code, is damaged, or is in a strange spot.

Public Wi-Fi can be useful, especially when you travel. But not every network is safe. Try not to log into financial accounts, enter card details, or open sensitive documents on public Wi-Fi. If you need to check an account, use mobile data or a secure network if possible.

When You Share Online

Holiday travel brings lots of photo-worthy moments—airport reunions, family dinners, snowy scenes, warm getaways, and the classic ‘how did we fit everyone in this car?’ memory.

Share the fun, but think about what you post in real time. Live updates can show you are away from home or reveal details like your hotel, flight, location, or travel plans.

Do not post boarding passes, confirmation numbers, passports, IDs, or any documents that show personal information.

A great view is worth sharing. Your confirmation number is not.

The Bottom Line

Vacation mode, even during the holidays, does not mean you should forget good digital habits.

Before and during your trip, check your account alerts, confirm travel updates with trusted sources, be careful with QR codes and public Wi-Fi, and think before posting personal travel details online.

Before you travel, log in to your LCFCU account or contact LCFCU to make sure your account alerts are set up and your contact information is up to date. If you see any unusual account activity while traveling, contact LCFCU using a trusted phone number, website, or secure channel.

A little digital caution can help you enjoy your trip, protect your information, and come home with peace of mind.