Where to keep important documents
 

When we travel out of the country on bike trips, I make a copy of our passports and both sides of the few credit/debit cards we bring along in case one of us loses our travel wallets. I normally put the copies in a secret but not secure pocket in my suitcase. Our suitcases are often left in the hall of hotels and the tour company transfers our bags to the next hotel.

After several trips it has dawned on me that leaving that information in a bag is not very secure! Does anyone have any thoughts on where best to store these copies?

Thanks.

Put them on your phone or other device.

I carry the extra copies in my purse or day bag, which I have with me at all times. You are correct, copies of passports in your suitcase are definitely not a good idea.

Another option is a 'money belt' worn under your clothes.

Nowhere is safe, that's all right. This is as well as the question of where to leave your wallet when you go in water and leave things alone on the beach. :)

I leave a copy of my passport/visa (if issued) in my bag in my hotel in case something happens- usually the bag left in the room is also checked, so in case it get's lost- and all identifying tags on the outside aren't checked- my name is inside as well. My bag is always locked, so only those with a TSA key can open it. I agree it's not super safe, but you take chances when traveling!

For money/docs on the beach- bring along an empty/cleaned out sunscreen bottle, shove everything in there!

I have no solution for the beach question, but as for the OP's question, I agree with northie: put scans of the cards and passport and whatever else on your phone, email them to yourself, and email them to a friend or relative who could forward them to you if you lose your phone.

I think a copy of your passport in your suitcase is fine, but the credit cards, well... that gives me pause, too, but you do have to take some chances when traveling.

One of my friends had a seamstress put a pocket into the lining of her suitcase--really, a sort of slit--secured with velcro so it's relatively invisible. That's where she keeps important stuff when she can't keep it on her, or for redundancy. Someone would have to riffle through her suitcase pretty thoroughly to find it.

I usually have a tiny lock on my luggage, but I carry one copy of my documents in my phone and another in the backpack I take along with me during the day.
I have never made any copies of my credit cards, doesn't seem safe...

Unboundly, now that you mention it, I wonder why one would need copies of one's credit cards. I have my three numbers memorized, but that's just me; but I also have them in my phone. And if you have to call the CC company to report they're lost or stolen, you don't really need the numbers--they can find your account under your name.

My new advice: don't carry copies of your CC's!

Thanks for all the suggestions! One point for other readers, if you take a photo of your passports and credit cards with your cell phone camera, be sure to go in and delete the backup from Google+. I have no idea when I authorized my phone to backup photos to Google Plus but I definitely don't want pictures of my documents on the cloud!

Too bad we have to be so paranoid about all this but stuff happens!

Get one of those everyday innocuous items that contain a hidden compartment. Like a hairbrush: http://amzn.to/1c6FiIo

The can of Del Monte fruit cocktail would be subtle:
http://www.amazon.com/Southwest-Spec...ds=hidden+safe

It wouldn't be for a backpacker.

You don't need the credit card numbers but do make a note of the long-distance phone numbers for each card in case one is lost.

These are great for the water -- holds keys, a credit card, drivers license etc.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Outdoor-Swim...-/111150158864

You can buy them elsewhere on internet if you don't ebay.

Many hotels provide safes or buy a lock for your luggage.