Passport, visas and documents: the checklist before you book
The worst way to lose the price of a ticket is not overpaying for it: it is being denied boarding over paperwork. A passport that expires too soon or a forgotten electronic authorization is enough, and the airline has no obligation to refund you. Here is the check to do before clicking "buy", not the night before departure. These are the points we re-verify ourselves before every trip.
Passport validity, the first thing to check
Many countries require the passport to remain valid six months after the planned entry or exit date, not just during the trip. A passport expiring in five months can therefore block a boarding even for a two-week vacation. Check the expiry date before booking, and allow several weeks for a renewal, more during the spring application rush.
Electronic authorizations, small but mandatory
More and more destinations require an electronic authorization before arrival, even without a visa: the United States requires one for some travellers, Europe is rolling out its own, and Australia and New Zealand have required one for years. They are filled out online in minutes and cost a few dollars, but some take days to be approved: apply when you book, never at the airport.
The only reliable source for a destination's requirements is the Government of Canada travel advice page and the official site of the country you are visiting. Requirements change; last year's blog post is not a reference.
Travelling with kids takes extra paperwork
Every child needs their own passport, whatever their age. A parent travelling alone with a child should carry a consent letter signed by the other parent: it is not always requested, but when it is, its absence can block the border crossing. The official template is on the Government of Canada website.
The copies that save a trip
Photograph your passport, your authorization or visa and your important cards, and keep those photos on your phone and in an email you can open from anywhere. In case of loss or theft abroad, those copies dramatically speed up the replacement at the consulate. And leave your itinerary with someone at home: old school, but it still helps.