Travel Records on a "Stick"

One of the things I always intend to do before a trip is to note all of my vital information: passport number, airline, rental car and hotel reservation confirmation numbers, medical and dental insurance numbers, and so forth. I intend to keep them somewhere safe in case my wallet or purse goes missing. And I intend to keep it up to date when something changes. I'm usually in such a hurry that I never get around to it. So much for intentions.

Although it's been around for a couple of years, I just learned about the Portable Travel Profile, that might shake me out of this particularly procrastinating lethargy. PTP is a small digital storage device loaded with the software to record and store important travel information. I think I've heard these gadgets called "sticks." Just an inch long and less than half an inch wide, the PTP is a waterproof, stainless steel-encased mini-device that can be plugged into any desktop or laptop USB port to input additional data or retrieve information. How convenient is it to have passport, driver's license, insurance cards, fingerprints, emergency contacts, reservations information, phone numbers, legal documents, medical info and more on a keychain (really cool), on a chain around the neck (a tad dorky) or placed in a wallet or purse (neutral in the cool to dorky continuum) but most convenient for some travelers.

The company says that no technical or computer knowledge is required, because the included software guides you through filling out all the info on the computer and storing on the Portable Travel Profile device, which is password protected for added security.

The Portable Travel Profile can be purchased online (http://www.portabletravelprofile.com/), by phone phone (877-977-0389) or at retail stores for $49.95 ($54.95 CAD).