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70 Travel Hacks That Will Change Your Travel Game Forever

With 57 countries under my belt and more than a decade of traveling regularly, I think it’s safe to say that I’m an expert in the field. I’ve made every mistake you could imagine—missed flights, lost baggage, exploding hair irons—but with each disastrous experience, I’ve grown a little bit wiser, and a LOT savvier when it comes to traveling like a seasoned pro.

These travel hacks for flying, packing, saving money, getting hotel upgrades and more are the secrets I swear by. I hope they’ll help make your next trip pleasurable, memorable, and stress-free.

70 Travel Hacks That Will Blow Your Mind

1. use my “contact lens case” hack for makeup and skincare products ..

This is one of my best space saving packing hacks. People tend to take up unnecessary room in their toiletry bags by bringing full-sized products.

Here’s the trick: put your foundation, moisturizer, eye cream , and any other liquid products into contact lens cases. Every inch counts!

2. Be strategic in your seat selection when booking a flight.  

There’s nothing worse than getting stuck in a seat that doesn’t recline, or ending up in a row next to the lavatory with people hovering over you for the entire flight. I avoid these kind of mishaps by checking SeatGuru before I choose my seat on flights.

Occasionally, I’ll even choose a flight based on the type of plane that SeatGuru tells me I’ll be flying on. The website and app shows you photos of the plane’s interior so you’ll know in advance whether you’re booking an outdated 747, or a brand spanking new plane.

Plus, it gives you warnings about seats that have potential issues, like limited recline or a misaligned window.

3. Pack your own DIY amenity kit for long-haul flights.

I loooove the amenity kits that you get when you fly First or Business, but since I don’t always have that luxury, I decided to start making my own. My “DIY kit” stays in my carry-on bag at all times, and includes a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, sheet masks, moisturizer, hand cream, eye masks , lip balm, and socks.

4. Avoid cankles by wearing compression socks.

They’re basically Spanx for your calves and feet, because feeling swollen after a long-haul flight is the WORST.

5. Consider choosing an “alternate destination” when you search.

If the city you’re flying in or out of isn’t a main hub, consider flying into a bigger city and connecting or finding a flight (or other mode of transportation) out of that city.

Not only will you save money, but you have the potential to earn more mileage points.

6. Download the Google Translate app to help with language barriers.

You can use it to take photos of text in another language, and it will translate the words in real time. (I have a separate blog post featuring the best travel apps for savvy jetsetters , which you should check out as well!)

7. Use packing cubes.

Another space saving packing hack that I swear by? Packing cubes! I truthfully thought these were a scam until I tried them out for myself.

They not only compress your items to give you additional space, but they also help keep you organized—I use a small one for socks and underwear, a medium-sized one for tops, another medium-sized one for comfortable walking shoes and sneakers , and a large one for jeans , pants, and dresses.

8. Look out for price errors.

Often times, there will be glitches on airline or third party sites that offer a ridiculous low fare. Sign up to these sites to keep an eye on them. But know that you will have to act quick, as these companies will typically fix the fare as soon as they catch it. Here are some great resources to keep an eye on for low fare deals.

• Scott’s Cheap Flights (or Jack’s Flight Club for UK-based people)
• The Flight Deal
• Secret Flying (if you’re based out of Europe)
• Holiday Pirates
• Airfarewatchdog.com 
• FlyerTalk Mileage Run (discussion board)

* Bonus Tip: Fill your social media with these sleuths by following them on Instagram and Twitter!

9. Take advantage of generous credit card offers.

The greatest travel hack of all time? Credit cards and points. Open up a credit card that has a sign-up bonus (assuming you can be responsible enough to pay your bills!), and transfer the points to an airline for a pricey international flight.

Check out my full step-by-step guide to using points and miles for free travel if you haven’t already!

10. Be strategic with flight cancellations.

If you book a nonrefundable ticket and your plans change or you know you won’t be traveling on that flight—do not cancel the ticket until the last possible moment.

Or…just don’t show up. Here’s why: in the rare case that there’s a flight cancellation or schedule change, your nonrefundable ticket could entitle you to a credit or refund. Had you cancelled the ticket, you wouldn’t be entitled to anything.

11. Learn how to avoid long airport security lines.

TSA-precheck, Global Traveler, and Clear have been an absolute gamechanger for me, and if you travel more than a few times a year, they are absolutely something worth investing in. If you’re not familiar:

• TSA Precheck enables you to use a separate line for domestic (US) flights, and you won’t be required to take off your shoes or take out your laptop.
• Global Traveler is for international flights and (as far as I know) is for the US only. When you’re returning to the US, you use a machine that scans your passport rather than having to wait in line at customs.
• Clear lets you scan your fingertips at security and then get escorted to the front of line at airports where it is offered.

12. Take a hydration multiplier for long flights.

While everyone will tell you to “drink as much water as possible” and “try to stay hydrated” on a long-haul flights, the reality is that if you’re drinking a liter of water on a plane, you’re going to find yourself getting up to go to the bathroom repeatedly.

My hack for this is to use Liquid IV. It’s a “hydration multiplier” that hydrates you 2-3 times faster than water alone. You pour the little packet of powder into your water bottle, shake it up, and then drink.

It tastes pretty similar to Gatorade (the lemon/lime is my preferred flavor) and will keep you hydrated without sending you to use the restroom every 30 seconds.

13. Keep track of itinerary ideas in Google Docs.

I use Google Docs for all of my itineraries—especially when I’m planning a girls trip and there are multiple people involved. I’ll share the link with everyone I’m traveling with to make it more collaborative. It’s also where I keep a running list of recommendations from people for the destination that I’m visiting.

14. Challenge yourself not to check a bag.

Avoid lost baggage nightmares by packing carry-on only for trips under a week. In need of luggage that actually fits a lot of stuff? Here’s a list of the best carry-on bags that help save space with packing.

15. Order a “special meal” in advance of a long-haul flight.

Most major airlines will offer the option to order a special meal when you book your flight—these include vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, kosher, vegan, low fat, and sometimes even low sodium options.

People who place orders for “special meals” will always get served first, so if you’re hoping to catch some z’s on the flight, you’ll have more time to sleep while everyone else is waiting for their food to arrive.

16. Save local currency from the country you’re visiting as a souvenir.

My husband and I started doing this many years ago, and now we have what we jokingly call a “world bank” at home. It’s a cool alternative to buying a dumb keychain or t-shirt you’ll never wear.

17. Create a framed collage of foreign currency from your trips after you get home.

I often find foreign currency to be incredibly beautiful. We’ve taken some of the best-looking bills from various places we’ve visited, and framed them.

18. Do the same with hotel room keys, airline tickets, and baggage tags.

You can use a place like Framebridge to arrange and frame them for you—they’ll even send you a pre-paid envelope to mail in your items.

19. Talk to taxi drivers.

Often, a simple taxi ride from the airport to your hotel will turn into an impromptu city tour if you ask the right questions.

20. Build your itinerary using Go ogle Maps Trip Planner.

This might be the greatest travel hack of all time. Did you know that there’s a FREE tool within Google Maps that you can use to create an entire itinerary for your next trip? It’s called Google Maps Trip Planner and it’s incredible.  

21. Don’t exchange money at the airport.

Wait and go to an ATM near your hotel for better exchange rates.

22. Take advantage of layovers as often as possible.

Sometimes, I’ll even choose flights with 12+ hour layovers as a way to see another city for a day.

23. Never miss another photo opp.

Take photos in “burst” mode so you don’t need to worry about missing the shot.

24. Carry a photocopy of your passport in your wallet.

Just in case.

25. Speaking of wallets… invest in a good travel wallet.

Trying to keep track of boarding passes, passport photocopies, foreign currency, and receipts can get a bit messy if you’re trying to stuff everything into your regular, everyday wallet.

The best way to stay organized while you’re heading out of town is to use an inexpensive but chic travel wallet that has additional compartments for travel-related items. 

26. Use a travel agent or tour operator for special trips or multi-city itineraries.

They can often get you better rates and preferential treatment at hotels.

27. Become a points and miles pro.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—I’ve learned everything I know about points, miles, and travel hacks from my friend Brian Kelly, aka The Points Guy . Browse through his site for all the secrets.

28. Easily share photos with friends/family.

Start a shared album with your the people you’re traveling with at the beginning of a trip, so you’re able to easily exchange photos.

29. Get the experience of a luxury hotel without staying at one.

Dying to stay at a fancy hotel but can’t afford the nightly rate? Pop in to the lobby bar for drinks instead.

30. Plan your trip during “shoulder season” to take advantage of better hotel rates and less crowds.

Shoulder season = the period between high and low season, when the weather is still great but the destination is less busy. In places like Positano , Santorini , and Mykonos for example, shoulder season is generally April through the middle of June, and September through October.

31. Avoid jetlag by getting onto the local time zone as soon as you board the plane.

If it’s technically morning in the destination you’re going to when you board the plane, do NOT go to sleep—even if it’s midnight where you’re leaving from. If you work on adjusting to the time zone while on the flight, you’ll have a better chance of battling jet lag when you arrive.

32. Hire a local guide during the first day of your trip in a foreign city.

It’ll help you get the lay of the land. Then ask your guide for non-touristy recommendations to hit up during the rest of your trip. Also: if you’re traveling with a big group, DEFINITELY hire a guide. It takes the pressure off of one person being put in charge of the itinerary.

One of the best things I’ve ever done was hire a guide for my five-day trip to Tokyo since I wanted to see as many things as I could in a short period of time.

33. Use a sheet mask on long flights to replenish the moisture back into your skin.

I love using these sheet masks on the plane. Instead of looking haggard when you land, your skin looks super glowy and fresh.

34. Hire a passport/visa expediting service if you’re in a pinch.

I used a company called “It’s Easy” to renew my passport when I was super tight on time, and they were able to get it to me within a few days.

35. Keep a “packing checklist” in your phone.

You can refer back to it every time you’re heading out of town. I have an example of my travel packing checklist here .

36. Always keep your boarding pass.

I usually keep mine until I see that my miles have posted on my frequent flyer account—if you end up having to claim missing miles from your airline, you’ll need to have your ticket number and confirmation number as a reference. Which leads me to my next point…

37. Create a frequent flyer account on every airline you travel with.

There’s no reason not to. If you don’t you’ll be missing out on valuable miles that could potentially be put toward your next trip. I personally have FF account with: American, Delta, JetBlue, United, Cathay Pacific/Asia Miles, British Airways/Avios.

38. Keep your iPhone photos organized.

Save all of your favorite trip photos into an album in iPhoto so that you can find them quickly.

39. Turn your travel photos into cool animations using free apps.

One of my favorite ways to jazz up my photos following a trip is by using apps like KiraKira and Enlight Pixeloop. (For example, I have a little tutorial that shows you how to add falling snow to your photos in 30 seconds.)

40. Use a pants hanger to ensure blinds stay closed over night.

There’s nothing worse than waking up at the crack of dawn on vacation because of a small gap in the hotel drapes. I avoid this by using a hanger with trouser clips to secure the two window shades together.

41. To find cheap flights, consider looking beyond the obvious sites like Kayak and Expedia.

If you set the tab or filter to “everywhere” or “anywhere” and are flexible with your dates and travel time, you can find really inexpensive flights and even earn extra miles if you fly an extra leg.

A few of the best “deals” sites are:

• Sky Scanner

42. Always ask for an upgrade.

Unless you’re on an unlimited budget or celebrating a special occasion, never book the best room at a hotel—but always ask for an upgrade. I did this on a recent trip to Maui , as well as in the Maldives and St Barths , and totally lucked out!

Make sure to join the hotel’s loyalty program before arriving (they’re free), since they usually honor those requests for members as long as a higher room category is available.

43. Sometimes, the budget airlines have even cheaper flights on their sites.

Also, if you sign up for their newsletter and loyalty clubs, you get added perks and insider info. A few that comes to mind are Norwegian, Frontier, Southwest, and Spirit.

44. Be a “country counter.”

Download the “Been” app to keep track of the countries and states you’ve visited.

45. Get a more authentic “local” experience with your accommodation.

Using sites like Air BnB, VRBO, Booking and others gives you the opportunity to live more locally and at a significantly discounted rate. In fact, sometimes the house share experience is more personalized and luxurious.

46. Book a private room at a hostel to save money.

If hostels are an option (check HostelWorld.com), you can book private rooms for a really cheap rate. This is a great way to 1) save money 2) meet new people (perhaps people you could room with in another country on future trips.)

47. Always have a back-up power source.

Charge an external battery before you travel, and have it with you on the plane in case the seats don’t have outlets.

48. Compare flight prices using Airfare Matrix.

AirFare Matrix is something travel agents use. It is a Google tool and allows you to do some great price comparison without the third party interjection (that can sometimes cause you to pay more if you’re not searching in an incognito browser).

You can’t book directly from the site, but can use the codes as a source to get the cheapest price when you call an agent, or even the airline.

49. Try toggling to a different “home” country when searching for flights to get cheaper rates.

If you’re looking to fly a specific airline, set your country (usually in the top right hand corner or in the website’s footer) to one that has a good FX rate (of the countries available, of course).

This will allow you to view and purchase the flights in another currency, and potentially save big! It will take some time and some trial and error, but if you have the time, it’s worth it!

50. Mark your bag fragile.

It’ll be handled properly and make it to the top of the pile, ensuring your luggage comes out in the first batch!

51. Before you pay for an upgraded cabin, see if the flight is full.

If not, put yourself on the upgrade list as soon as you can. Also, offering to get bumped from a flight and wait for the next flight could give you leverage to negotiate a better seat (and maybe even money or points).

52. Use FourSquare for Wifi.

You can find wifi passwords on FourSquare for restaurants, cafes and other places (just be careful, obviously, as not all of these are secure.)

53. Turn on “Private Browser” when searching for flights. 

Prices do, in fact, fluctuate based on the cookies in your web browser and how many searches you’ve performed for a specific destination. Which is why searching for flights in a private browser (also known as “incognito mode”) is an absolute must.

If you’re using Google Chrome, you can enable Incognito mode by hitting Command + SHIFT + N.

If you’re using Firefox or IE, you can enable a private browser by hitting COMMAND + SHIFT + P.

54. Bring an oversize scarf on the plane that doubles as a blanket.

Then wear it as a chic cape during your trip.

55. Save on parking by pairing up with a local.

Garage Pointer is a website that connects you with people who own parking spaces and are willing to rent them (temporarily) to visitors. As of now Garage Pointer is only available in the U.S.

56. Rent a car…from a local.

Ready for the best car travel hack? Look into whether or not Turo is available in your destination. The app and website connects you with people who own cars and are willing to rent them out for a fee that is (usually) much less than traditional car rental.

57. Overwhelmed with what to pack? There’s an app for that.

PackPoint helps you determine what to pack based on where you are going and the length of your trip. It checks the weather in your upcoming destination and then provides a detailed packing list for you. (I would also recommend using my “what to wear” guide if you’re packing for trip to Europe in the winter .)

58. Use a service to ship your clothes ahead of your trip.

Sure, this might not be for everyone, but did you know there was a service that stores, packs, ships and cleans your clothes prior to trips? It’s a company called DUFL . While it’s definitely targeted to a very specific market, DUFL is an incredible concept.

You send them a capsule wardrobe (consisting of clothes you need for every trip, like business travel), and they’ll store the clothes in a “virtual closet,” which you can access through the app prior to your departure. They then send the clothes to your hotel ahead of your arrival, and collect them to dry clean and store when you leave.

59. Use FlightAware to track your flights.

The website and app allows you to track your flight (or the flights of loved ones) in real time. It’ll also keep you up to date on important info, like whether the incoming flight is delayed, or if the flight had to be rerouted for any reason.

60. Invest in a good adapter/plug converter.

I like this one because it works in all countries, and also has USB ports.

61. Book tours and experiences through AirBnB.

Did you know that Airbnb can be a great resource for things other than accommodations? Over the past few years, the company has expanded to include incredible local experiences and tours.

62. Wear a travel outfit that looks super chic—but it secretly comfortable.

I have an entire blog post dedicated to this (linked above!) but in a nutshell, I’m a big fan of looking put together when I travel. However, I also wouldn’t be caught dead wearing jeans on a long flight.

There are a few little tricks I use to turn otherwise sloppy outfits into something that you’d be confident walking into a luxury hotel wearing.

The most important thing? A lightweight fringed scarf (which doubles as a blanket mid-flight) and a leather or denim jacket. 

63. Invest in a great pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

We’ve all been stuck next to a screaming child or chronic sniffler on long flights, and the experience can truly get your trip started off on the wrong foot.

I truly can not tell you how much of a game-changer noise-cancelling headphones are. While everyone else around you is having a meltdown over not being able to sleep or concentrate, you’ll be in your own little zen world.

Pro tip : if you don’t want to spring for the fanciest new technology, buy older or discontinued models of Bose headphones on Amazon for a fraction of the price for latest models.

64. Leverage special occasions for perks.

Celebrating a big anniversary or planning a trip for your honeymoon ? Be sure to let the hotel know in advance. When my husband and I went to Thailand and the Maldives for our honeymoon, we mentioned it to each property that we booked, and ended up with upgrades, bottles of champagne sent to the room, and other extra special perks from hotel staff.

65. Use your h otel’s shower cap to protect your toiletries from exploding.

Nervous about your liquids exploding in your toiletry bag on the flight home? Wrap them in the shower cap provided to you in the room. And if you don’t have a shower cap: use the plastic liner that comes with your ice bucket. 

66. Download the Revolut app.

The popular European banking app recently launched in the U.S., and it allows users to exchange currencies from 55,000+ surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. 

67. Seek itinerary inspiration through social media.

Use Instagram to inspire your itinerary. Browse through hashtags and geotags to see where people took gorgeous photos—and then go to those places! Alternatively, you can google things like “ The Best Instagram Spots in NYC ” or “ The Most Instagrammable Places in London ” for fun ideas.

68. Use AirHelp to get compensated for flight delays or cancelled flights.

We’ve all been there: you miss a connection because of a delayed flight, or your flight get inexplicably cancelled, and you know that the airline has to owe you some kind of compensation.

The problem is that actually getting what you’re owed can be a logistical nightmare that involves long wait times, endless phone calls, and unanswered emails. AirHelp essentially plays the middleman by acting on your behalf.

They do charge a fee (which is a percentage of what you’re ultimately compensated) but as someone who has used the service successfully, I can say that it is VERY much worth saving you the headache.

Plus, Airhelp knows exactly what you’re entitled to based on their expertise, so you’ll often end up getting more than you would have received on your own.

69. Do your souvenir research ahead of a trip.

One thing I always do before I travel is a bit of research about the most unique gifts and souvenirs to buy in the destination I’m heading to. Looking this up ahead of time might top you off to some really cool new boutiques, and it will also guarantee that you don’t end up at an airport gift shop wasting your money on a meaningless memento.

For example, this list of the best things to buy in Paris contains a ton of “hidden gems” within the city you might never have known about otherwise. There’s also something extremely satisfying about going on the hunt for a specific unique item—and then finding it! 

70. Keep a note in your phone filled with travel quotes .

For those times that you desperately want to post an Instagram photo, but you’re at a loss for a caption.

Did you find this list helpful? Are there any travel hacks you love that I didn’t include? Drop them in the comments below!

Thank you to nicole cueto aka @thecubancarrie for her contributions to this piece.

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If you’re traveling with an infant/toddler; bookmark, screenshot AND print the rules for taking things like breastmilk/formula/snacks through security as well as the policy about early boarding for families. It helps to be prepared for any hiccups. And even if you just fly once or twice a year with a child, get TSA Precheck. Your child under 12 can go through the line with you, which makes things SO much faster.

Lindsay Silberman

this is SUCH a good tip (and one i would never have thought of!) thanks for sharing!

I always get a seat on the plane forward of the wings. Any turbulence the plane encounters dieting the flight is less bumpy in the front half.

Charles Loes

these hacks help me a lot thanks for such guidance.

I always get a seat on the plane forward of the wings. Any turbulence the plane encounters during the flight is less bumpy in the front half.

Helen Gaskin

Really a complete guide has never seen such stuff there. I am all the way from Pinterest and your pin is best to attract anyone. And guide too.

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The Perfect Skincare Routine for Beginners

39 Travel Hacks From 8 Years Of Travel

I’ve been traveling the world continuously for the past 8+ years and been to almost 100 countries.

In that time, I’ve spent countless hours in airports, on planes, in bus stations, police stations and everything in between.

I’ve learned a lot of useful travel hacks along the way, and now I want to share some of my favourite tips with you!

Table of Contents

The Best Travel Hacks From 8 Years Of Travel

1. Airport Lounges work out cheaper if you travel long-term

An airport lounge pass might work out cheaper if you travel long-term.

For example, I go to the airport around 30-50 times a year. If I were to spend $15 on each airport visit, it would cost me roughly $750 a year for airport food and coffee (50x $15 = $750).

Instead, I pay for the Priority Pass Unlimited Package , which is currently priced at $450 a year. This gives me unlimited food, alcohol and coffee in most airports around the world.

This means it actually works out cheaper to have an airport lounge pass!

There are also lots of credit cards that have Priority Pass, or other lounge passes, included.

Make sure to do your research on the best credit card because depending on where you’re from, there’s probably a great travel card that includes free lounge access.

SIGN UP TO PRIORITY PASS HERE

2. E-sims are a great option for quick trip s

If you’ve not heard of e-sims yet, you need to listen up.

E-sims are a great way to have instant coverage in any country around the world. You can simply download a new sim to your phone!

I use Airalo and it’s incredibly useful. You can download the sim card to your phone and then you will have data coverage as soon as you arrive in a new country (use code JORDAN6686 for $3 free credit).

If you’re staying somewhere longer then the physical sim card is still a cheaper option, but being able to put the sim on your phone with a click of a button makes it so easy when you first land.

SIGN UP TO AIRALO HERE

3. When packing, take out half of what you want to take

This is one you’ve probably heard before, but when packing take out half of what you think you’ll need. You’ll still have more than enough.

When people start backpacking, everyone on their first trip has these GIANT backpacks. You can always recognize first-time backpackers because they have these huge backpacks that are bigger than they are.

Instead of breaking your back, take out about half of what you think you’ll need – it will still be more than enough. Most of the time you’ll end up only using half of your stuff anyway.

4. All you need is your wallet and your passport

When push comes to shove, all you really need is your passport and your wallet.

Or better yet, your passport and your bank card – that’s all you need.

Everything else you can replace or buy along the way

5. Carry your own water bottle at airports

Take your own refillable water bottle, drink everything before security control, then refill it afterwards.

Just make sure to empty the bottle before security control. They won’t take it off you if it doesn’t have any water in it. Then, once you’re through security, you can just usually refill it from a free water station.

This stops you from paying the silly prices for water on the other side of security.

6. Always carry a universal adapter

Always carry a universal adapter, especially if you don’t know where you’re going next.

You won’t always know which plug you need when you’re traveling from country to country.

As long as you have a universal adapter, then you’ve got something good to use as a backup.

7. Tinder and other dating apps are a great way to get local advice!

If you want to find out the coolest bars, clubs and restaurants that local people actually go to rather than just tourists – then Tinder is a great way to meet some local people who will show you the real spots.

There are lots of people on Tinder, Bumble and other apps who will be more than willing just to meet up and show you what they like about their home country.

8. You don’t need to wait in the queue when boarding a plane

Just sit, wait and relax. Everyone has a seat.

Don’t waste your time waiting in line to board the plane. Instead, just sit there and stroll on at the end of the queue.

9. pay the extra 2-3 euros for a slightly smaller dorm

If you’re staying at a hostel or a dorm, then think about paying the extra €2-3 for a slightly smaller room, especially if it’s off-season.

In most hostels, there are really cheap 16-person dorms, but there’s also usually a four-person dorm that might be empty.

Just by paying an extra couple of euros a night, you could end up getting the whole room to yourself.

All the other cheapskates will be crammed into the 16-person dorm while you get a private room for 2 euros!

10. Use left-luggage facilities

Did you know that you can use left luggage facilities at railway stations and bus stations if you’re only staying somewhere for one or two nights? This will save you from lugging it around the city.

11. Leave Luggage At Hotels / Hostels

You can also leave your luggage at hotels and hostels.

If you’re planning to travel for a couple of weeks through a country, and you brought a big bag with you but you don’t need it, you can leave it at your hotel on the first night and then pick it up in two weeks time.

As long as you have a booking on either side of your trip, most hotels will be more than willing to do this for you.

Just ask to store your big bag and explain that you’ll come back later to collect it.

There are even some people who do this at hotels they’re not staying at. They just go to the hotel reception and ask politely. Sometimes they’ll store it for you for free!

12. The plane aisle seat armrest can be lifted

Did you know that the aisle armrest on a plane can be lifted up? I had no idea.

There’s a little button underneath where you can press it and lift up the aisle armrest.

So if you need to get up and down quickly, or if you just want to remove it so you have more space, you can!

Try it out next time you’re on a plane.

13. Travel with hand luggage only in Europe

Try traveling with hand luggage only, especially in Europe.

You can fit quite a lot into hand luggage these days and avoid having checked baggage entirely.

This is especially useful in Europe since the checked baggage fees are so high on low-cost airlines.

You also get to skip the baggage control when you land.

14. Take More Than One Hand Luggage

You can almost always get away with two pieces of hand luggage , even if you only pay for one. You will rarely ever get checked at the boarding gate. 

The only time your hand luggage will be checked is when you’re at the check-in desk, which you can also avoid if you use an e-boarding pass.

You can usually get on the plane if you have two, or even three, hand luggage bags. Just make sure that they don’t look too big to fit in the overhead hold.

15. Take a thin laundry bag or a pillowcase

Take a thin laundry bag with you or better yet – take a pillowcase!

You can use that pillowcase for your laundry and you could also use it as a makeshift pillow.

If you stuff some of your softer clothes in there, then you’ve got a pillow for when you’re traveling on long journeys.

16. Take Ear plugs

I don’t need to explain much about this, but obviously, they’re very useful for long journeys and especially for sleeping in hostels.

17. Night trains are a false economy

There is a school of thought that says nighttime journeys are great because they’ll save you money on accommodation.

The problem is that you will arrive tired but will be unable to check in at most hotels/hostels until after lunchtime.

You might save some money, but you typically “lose” a lot of the next day since you’re not fresh and sharp.

18. Before deciding to travel a route overnight, check the scenery

If the geography looks interesting, do not take the night train – do it by day instead.

Try to look up beforehand to see how scenic the journey is going to be.

It could be one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, that you’re skipping because you’re sleeping through it!

19. Avoid Europe in the Summer Holidays

Try to avoid Europe during the summer holidays.

I know not everyone will do this, but the reason is that it’s very expensive and very busy.

The schools are out, there’s a lot of people traveling so the airports are very busy and you’re probably paying about three or four times more than you would do out of season.

20. Always check the Airport taxi price s Before You Travel

When you arrive in a new country, the airport is probably the first and most likely place that you’re going to get scammed.

If you know the taxi prices beforehand, at least you can get to your hotel before you have any other decisions to make.

21. Check which ride sharing app is available before you travel

Make sure to download whichever ride-sharing app is used in your destination, before you travel.

It’s not always Uber. There are lots of countries that have their own taxi apps e.g. Grab, Gojek, Cabify.

I prefer using ride sharing apps when traveling from the airport. This way you know what price you’re getting before the journey and it avoids the hassle of explaining the address of your hotel.

22. Always have Backup USD when traveling in more difficult countries

Bury $100 somewhere in your bag, just in case. If you travel long enough, you will eventually need it. 

I usually keep $100 USD tucked away somewhere at the bottom of my backpack. It’s a good safety net for when things inevitably go wrong.

It could be an unexpected visa on the border, a moment where you can’t get out cash and you need to exchange the dollars, or, let’s just say, a facilitation fee when you need to get out of trouble.

23. Have a copy of your passport on your phone

There might be times when you don’t have your passport on you, and you need to show someone a copy.

Usually having a photo of it will be more than enough for anyone that asks.

So keep a copy of your passport on your phone, save it in your emails, or Google Drive, or anywhere that you can access it quickly and easily.

24. Compare Airbnb / Booking / Hotels for each destination

In some countries, Airbnb will be a lot cheaper and in some countries Booking.com or Hotels.com will be cheaper. Just make sure to check both before you travel.

It usually depends on the local rules and regulations, and how much people are charging in different places.

Recently I’ve noticed hotel sites being a lot better value than Airbnb.

25. Download a currency conversion app to your phone

Download a currency app and check the currency conversion before you fly. There’s nothing worse than landing and having no idea how much things cost. 

If you’ve already checked the currency and you have the currency app installed on your phone, then you won’t get caught out in a new place.

26. Credit cards are great for insurance

A lot of people worry about having a credit card because they don’t want to go into debt, but it’s a great way to cover yourself and your purchases.

If you pay for your big ticket items (i.e. flights, hotels, gadgets) with a credit card then you can do credit card chargebacks when things go wrong. This means that the credit card company will claim back the refund from the company and investigate on your behalf.

They usually usually also have other perks like points, lounge access and travel insurance.

Make sure to look into the best credit card for you, because it is really a great tool to have while traveling – even if you just keep it as a backup to your normal debit card.

27. Pack your backpack the same way every time

Try to pack your bags in the same way every time. Then when you need something, you’ll know where it is!

Even just having your documents or medicine in the same pocket will make your life easier.

It makes long-term travel much less painless, especially if you’re always living from a backpack.

28. Carry a pen with you

At some point, you’ll need a pen.

You’ll usually need it when you’re filling in the immigration cards, customs forms etc.

There’s always a reason you’ll need a pen. So it just makes sense to keep one in your hand luggage.

29. Wear loose clothing in the airport

Try to wear loose clothing on travel days.

Not only is it way more comfortable to wear a nice cotton t-shirt and jogging bottoms on a plane, but it’s also way quicker when going through security.

It means you won’t have to take off your belt, jacket, shoes etc. (anything with metal) and you can get through airport security in minutes.

30. Travel with a power bank

Always have a power bank with you, especially on longer journeys.

We all use our phones too much and it will eventually run out. If you have a power bank then at least you’ve got backup power for when you need it.

Try not to use it until the very last moment, when you might need it to find your hotel, get through immigration or let someone know you’ve got there safely!

31. Book Fake Onward Flights

A lot of countries will require you to have a return flight, or an onward flight, to get the visa on arrival.

This can be a problem when you don’t know where or when you’re flying next.

There are some great services that enable you to book an onward flight, without actually paying for the flight. You can pay a small fee and they will reserve the flight for you for 24-48 hours, enabling you to get through immigration.

The site I currently use is Onwardticket.com .

32. Keep backup emergency coffee in your bag

This is mainly one for coffee drinkers, but you know what I mean.

There’s always a time when you won’t have coffee and you really want it.

So if you just have a few emergency sachets, that you can take from any hotel, you’ll thank yourself later.

33. Keep Back up bank cards

Now this is an obvious one, but it’s only obvious once it happens to you.

If you lose your bank card and it’s the only one that you have on you, you’re in a bit of trouble. It’s not the end of the world, but it would be way easier if you also have a backup card that you keep in your big bag for emergencies.

If you do happen to lose a card and you don’t have a backup one, you can also usually add a digital card to your NFC chip on your phone, using services like Revolut, Starling, and Monzo.

Then you can you your phone to pay for things until you get your replacement card

34. Use Skype For International Phone Calls

If you need to make phone calls while abroad but don’t have international minutes, use Skype!

Did you know that you can use Skype to call any landline around the world? I’ve been doing this for years.

It costs a few cents per minute to call anywhere!

I topped up roughly $15 a few years ago and I’ve still barely touched it. I use that credit whenever I need to call the bank or anything like that.

35. Take USD Cash For Visa on Arrival

ALWAYS have cash with you before arriving through a border that requires cash payments for a visa.

While they have ATMs available sometimes, it’s not always the case. It can be a bit of a nightmare if the ATM isn’t working and there’s no way to pay for the visa by card.

You’ll basically be relying on the people around you to lend you the money, otherwise, you won’t be able to get into the country! 

36. Research The Best Food Spots

Doing your research on where to eat is always worth it when in a new place.

When you arrive somewhere, it’s normally the touristy overpriced restaurants that you come across first.

Instead of eating at these overpriced tourist hotspots, do your research on when to eat.

Find a good blog and pay for the taxi to a highly rated, cheaper and much better local restaurant!

37. Know How To Use a VPN

Knowing how to use a VPN will come in handy eventually.

You don’t need to pay for it every month. There are plenty of options that come with free trials, but eventually, you’ll go through a country where certain sites are blocked and you will need it. 

The best VPN I like to use is ExpressVPN – there’s even a free 30-day trial that you can cancel at any time.

38. Sun lotion is your friend!

Don’t skimp on the sun lotion.

Sure, it can be expensive when you’re in tropical countries. But for the sake of $10-20, you’ll have a much better time than if you were sunburnt. 

39. Take a t-shirt when snorkeling

This is one for my fair-skinned fellow countrymen, and any Scots or Irish out there!

The times I have got the most burnt in my life have been when I’ve been snorkeling without a T-shirt on.

The problem is that you don’t realize how hot it is, because the water’s over your back and you’re watching fish for an hour. Then you come to the shore and then suddenly you have these massive blisters pop up later.

I just avoid that at all costs these days by wearing a T-shirt while snorkeling. You won’t really feel it anyway and it means I can enjoy the snorkeling without turning out like a lobster!

Those Are My 39 Travel Hacks

I hope you enjoyed the 39 travel hacks I’ve learned from 8 years of travel.

When it comes to continuous travel, there are always new ways to make the experience more comfortable. Whether that’s a new app, a new gadget or just a little tip that changes the way you travel.

That’s why we plan to keep sharing travel hacks to make your travel experience that much better.

Do you have any other travel hacks that we might’ve missed?

Let us know in the comments below.

Traveler & Content Creator

My name is Jordan Simons and over the past few years I've learned how to travel the world continuously. Now I want to show you how to do the same.

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Top Travel Hack Videos on YouTube

See recent posts by Margot Bigg

Photo courtesy of Flickr/Craig Sunter

Looking for some travel hack inspiration for 2017? YouTube 's got you covered. From packing perfectly to scoring free upgrades, these travel hack videos will entertain, inform, and ensure you're getting the most our of your hard-earned vacation time.

How to Get Cheap Flights

There are tons of great clips across YouTube on how to fly on a budget, and Hey Nadine’s video on how to get cheap flights is one of the most thorough. She starts by going through the basics (remember, flexibility is key) before listing off a few of her favorite flight comparison engines. She then goes on to give detailed tips on all sorts of flight shopping-related topics, including when to fly, how to rack up frequent flier miles, and what extra hidden charges to look out for.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymGO4PDesxE

How To Pack Over 100 Items Into a Carry On

Although this video on how to pack a ton of stuff into a tiny bag was created as an advertisement for Biaggi Luggage, it’s arguably one of the most useful how-to packing videos, irrespective of what suitcase brand you have at home. She goes over all the basics (roll instead of fold, use Ziploc bags to compress, to name a few) and then executes the whole thing in a sped-up sequence that lasts under two minutes. Viewers are left with an incredibly satisfying view of a carry-on packed to the brim with over 100 items, including shoes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOC9oe_n70A

How to Fly Business Class Cheap

Although it’s certainly not the most engaging travel hack video out there, Making it Happen Vlog’s video on how to fly business class cheap video is certainly informative. The narrator offers a number of strategies on how to get into the coveted business class for less, including buying mileage points, flying from cheap airports, using error fares, and getting yourself into positions of favor with loyalty programs. He then breaks down each strategy into more manageable steps, offering a few website suggestions and other resources along the way. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEMF-7o_7_Y

How to Score the Best Hotel Deals

Hotel rooms can take a big chunk out of a lot of people’s travel budgets, but not everyone wants to camp in a park or stay in a hostel. In her video on how to score the best hotel deals , travel vlogger Sonia Gil starts out with a run-through of her favorite hotel review sites where she goes to get ideas about what others are saying about properties in her destination of choice. She also suggests some of the better comparison engines out there before reminding viewers what to look out for (such as hidden fees and taxes). 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnpI-AKPCsA

How to Get Into an Airport Lounge

Our last video pick comes from Nick Trend, Consumer Editor at The Telegraph in the U.K. In this short video, he gives pointers on how to get into executive airport lounges while you’re still flying coach. His tips range from practical (trading in frequent flier points for club access passes) to borderline cheeky (hanging out in front of lounges and trying to convince friendly business- and first-class passengers to let you catch a ride in on their coattails. Of course, if all else fails, you can usually just buy your way in, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b_7lbt_y90

Check out our YouTube channel for more travel tips and inspiration .

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• VIDEO: 7 Ingenious Packing Hacks for Your Romantic Weekend Getaway
• The 20 Most Important Travel Hacks You Should Know
• How To: Score a Flight Upgrade for Free

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26 Unconventional Travel Hacks You Need for Your Next Trip

Last Updated: March 30, 2021

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

There was a time in my life when I was absolutely obsessed with travel life hacks.

Throwing your shoes in a shower cap while packing ? Oh yeahhh. Keeping jewelry untangled with straws? Talk to me, baby.

On a super vain level, I think it’s because knowing the best travel hacks makes me feel like an unstoppable smartass… even if I’m the kind of person that trips over nothing and manages to create chaos out of the simplest tasks.

That said, thanks to six years of frequent travel, I’ve picked up my fair share of travel life hacks, some that are a little weird but I promise do work.

This isn’t your regular list of hacks – nope. Sure, some are odd, but shhh, just embrace it.

Save this list of travel hacks for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

The Best Travel Hacks for Booking Flights & Accommodation

Let’s start with some of the best traveling hacks to make your life easier when you’re booking travel and accommodation. These travel life hacks have been a total lifesaver (and money saver) for me over the years, so I hope you find them helpful too.

1. Get cash back on every travel booking

Rakuten  (formerly known as Ebates) is a free cashback site that allows you to earn money back from most of your online purchases, almost like a partial instant refund.

Here’s how it works:  Rakuten is partnered with a  bunch  of popular online retailers (travel ones like Expedia, Agoda, etc. included!).

When you click through to these retailer sites via Rakuten and buy something, Rakuten earns some affiliate commission,  a portion of which they share with you as a cashback (deposited straight into your Paypal) .

In other words, you’re getting money back for shopping, which translates into instant discounts for your travel bookings.

Sign up for free here and earn cashback on your online purchases.

Canadians:   sign up for Rakuten Canada here.

Warning:  The folks at Rakuten are biiiig fans of email, so be ready for that. I like getting their emails because they advertise sales/deals, but I admit they can be a bit much. To handle it, I have my Gmail filters set up so that eBates emails go into a special folder that I browse maybe once a day. Yay to no more clutter!

2. Use Honey to find coupon codes automatically

By far THE easiest way to save on all your travel bookings (and any online shopping really).

This ridiculously simple Google Chrome extension automatically searches through the Interwebs to locate relevant coupon codes and then applies them for you when you’re shopping online!

This means you no longer need to search around for deals and codes that may or may not work.

As all the reviews say, “it’s literally free money”. You can also earn Honey points that you can redeem for things like train trips in Europe.

Click here to download Honey for Google Chrome.

3. Sleuth around on discount sites like Groupon and Travelzoo

Looking for some cheap vacation hacks that can save you loads of money?

Websites like  Groupon,   Travelzoo  and  Living Social  often have crazy discounts on vacations, hotels and activities all over the world, from Germany to Indonesia.

I love these websites because they consolidate great deals in one spot, which makes finding the perfect deal pretty effortless.

Double whammy:  if you purchase buy a Groupon or LivingSocial voucher through eBates, you’ll get some  extra  cashback.

4. Earn money while doing trip research

I’m a big fan of getting rewards for things I’d be doing anyway… so that’s why I adore websites like  Swagbucks , a free online community that rewards its members with gift cards for doing things they already do online, e.g. Googling, watching videos, etc.

Through doing certain tasks, you rack up “Swagbucks” which you can redeem for things like Amazon or PayPal gift cards which can be spent on travel gear and experiences!

I was super into this years ago, and have earned tons of free gift cards from it. It’s easy work but adds up to awesome rewards!  You can create a free account here.

Plus: Swagbucks also does cashback like eBates. While you’re compensated in Swagbucks rather than immediate cash, you can then redeem these SB for gift cards or direct Paypal deposit.

The upside of using Swagbucks for cashback (rather than eBates) is that sometimes, Swagbucks has better bonus cashback rates. For instance, at the time of publishing this article, they were doing up to 10% cashback on Priceline. Pretty rad!

5. Use incognito/private browsing to potentially save money on flights

Incognito browsing (AKA private browsing) is a mode available on most internet browsers that allows you to browse without storing any data on your computer or tracking your history from that session.

This can be VERY helpful when booking flights because as rumour has it, many sites use a dynamic pricing system that will sometimes increase prices when they know you’ve been looking at a particular route constantly (sneaky, I know).

NOTE: While some experts claim this is false , I always do it just in case because it takes zero extra effort.

For more tips on airfare, check my full guide to finding cheap flights to Europe.

6. Call the hotel for a better rate by booking directly

This is a tip that most websites do not give because they rely on affiliate income from your hotel bookings… I mean, my site does too, but hey, if you’re reading this, I want to let you in on an excellent secret: literally 99% of the time, you can score some kind of perk or discount by booking with a hotel directly vs. booking through an aggregator like Booking.com.

Well, these aggregators usually take a cut of any bookings, so hotels prefer when you book directly, and will often offer incentives to do so, whether that’s in the form of a discount, a free upgrade, or a free perk like breakfast. I’ve noticed this is especially common with booking hostels in Europe.

This is one of the best travel hacks that nobody talks about, so be sure to remember it!

The Best Travel Hacks for Packing

Next up: cool travel hacks that help you pack like a pro. Want more packing tips? Be sure to read my full guide featuring 30+ suitcase packing tips & hacks.

7. Use packing cubes

Packing cubes are a wonderful packing tool that help you save space and organize your clothing.

Long story short, they’re re-usable fabric cubes that you can stack/place in your suitcase when you travel. They’re very affordable and a good set will last you for years – definitely one of the most worthwhile purchases for any frequent traveler.

In a pinch, Ziplock bags could also be used to organize your clothes in a similar way.

If you want to know which packing cubes to buy, check out my  full guide to packing cubes  or watch my video showdown  here.

8. Roll your clothes

I’m full of funny travel tips, but whenever I suggest this to newbie travelers, I get SO many weird looks…

Trust me though, rolling your clothes instead of folding them is a great way to keep them organized and wrinkle free in your packing cubes. Try it out and I promise you won’t go back!

9. Bring a pillowcase

Never a pillow “just a case” if you’re looking to save space.

One of my favourite packing hacks is to bring a pillowcase instead, so if you’re ever in an emergency situation where you need a comfy pillow, just stuff some soft clothes in that case and go to town.

Likewise, you can use the pillowcase to compress clothes like a puffy jacket in order to save space in your luggage.

10. Pack a dryer sheet

By packing a dryer sheet o two, your clothes will smell extra nice for those long haul trips!

BONUS TIP: Keep an extra handy for your “dirty laundry” bag so that your whole suitcase doesn’t start smelling like dirty clothes. Ick.

Alternatively, just throw a bar of soap in (mini hotel ones work great).

Stock up on cheap dryer sheets here.

11. Pack a clothespin to prop up your toothbrush

One of my favourite travel packing hacks!

Whether you’re staying in an AirBNB , hostel or hotel, sometimes you want to make sure your toothbrush doesn’t touch anything… after all, sinks can be notoriously germy.

If a holding cup isn’t available, just throw a clothespin on it to prop it up. Pure germaphobe genius.

12. Get creative with your storage containers

I’m a big fan of re-purposing old junk, and luckily, you can repurpose a lot when it comes to packing!

Here are some ideas:

• Using a Tic Tac case for bobby pins
• Using a carabiner for hair ties
• Storing Q-Tips in an old pill bottle

Top Travel Hacks for the Airport/Flying

Dread flying? There are lots of great travel tips and tricks to make this part of travel a lot more bearable. Here are some helpful traveling life hacks that will make your airport and flight experience a breeze.

13. Pack an empty water bottle to the airport

That way you can fill up after you pass security.

No more $4 bottles of water! Woo!

Alternatively, some experts swear by freezing their water so it’s not technically a liquid.

I guess that could work, but then you’re kind of awkwardly just waiting for your water to melt? Just bring an empty bottle, folks.

14. Freeze a sponge as a DIY ice pack

This is one of my favourite travel tips and tricks that I learned from a flight attendant friend.

Have snacks you want to bring on the plane and hoping to keep them cool? A frozen sponge will do the trick!

15. Scope out your flight seat in advance

This is an amazing international travel hack if you have a long haul flight to book.

As most travellers know, not all plane seats are created equal!

Some have more leg room, some are absurdly close to the washrooms, etc.

Luckily, you can just enter your flight details on Seat Guru (it’s free!) and read different reviews/first hand experiences.

If you have one of those flights where you can choose your own seats during online check-in, this is a massive life saver.

16. Reserve the aisle and window seats

If you’re travelling with a friend or partner, no need to fight to the death re: who must take the dreaded middle seat.

Just reserve both the aisle and window in hopes that nobody wants the middle seat… if they do though, just ask to switch!

Super simple travel hack that works well 🙂

17. Mark your stuff as fragile

One of the sneakiest travel life hacks I’ve come across, but you’ll get your luggage first and the airline workers will be extraaa careful with your goods.

18. Wear compression socks to make your flights more bearable

Compression socks = less swelling and better circulation! This is a must-know vacation hack for those that want to fly more comfortably.

The Best Travel Life Hacks for When You’re on the Road

These hacks for traveling will make your life infinitely easier once you’re actually out and about. Here are my favourite international travel hacks you need to know:

19. Download Google Maps for use offline by typing in “OK Map”

One of my favourite new travel hacks – this is SUCH a lifesaver.

If you have sufficient space on your phone, you can easily download Google Maps to browse offline on mobile, even when you don’t have Internet connection.

All you need to do is go on the map to the area you want to save, then type “ok map” into the search and press Download.

20. Find WiFi passwords on FourSquare

FourSquare is a website/app where people share tips, ratings and reviews on places to go near you (e.g. restaurants, cafes, bars, etc.)

The handiest part of this website is the “Tips” section where people can leave helpful recommendations for others, and it’s often here that you’ll find the WiFi password for places.

So, if you need WiFi in a pinch, you can easily hop on Foursquare and sleuth around for WiFi passwords.

21. Or download an app that shows you all the WiFi passwords

There are tons of helpful travel apps out there these days.

WiFi Map is a great example. This app shows you the passwords to different WiFi networks (over 100 million of them, as they say).

The handy part is they’re organized on a map so you can easily scope out the ones closest to you. Note: some dissatisfied users say that passwords are outdated, but it’s a handy tool to have just in case.

Find it on: Google Play | iTunes 

22. Download Google Translate for use offline

One of my favourite trip hacks! If you’re travelling abroad and don’t speak the language, it’s handy to have Google Translate loaded and ready.

That said, it normally does require Internet connection. Here’s a way around it: download the Google Translate app, then go to Settings and choose “Offline Translation”.

From there, you can download different languages.

Bonus tip: if you want to translate signs, menus, etc. quickly, tap the camera button on your Google Translate app to translate images in real time.

The first time I saw this feature in action, I realized we are (indeed) living in the future.

23. Bring some baby powder for a quick freshen-up

Weird, I know, but baby powder is amazing for freshening up.

Especially in the summer, if you’re wearing flats or sandals, your feet (and footwear) will inevitably start smelling.

Throwing some  baby powder  on them is a quick way to deodorize and make you feel human again.

24. Keep a pen in every bag/pocket

Not the most unconventional, but I promise this will save your life.

You never know when you need a pen, so have one handy in all your purses/daybags, backpacks, luggage cases, etc. so you’re not scrambling when everyone else is filling out their Customs sheets.

25. Make use of local grocery stores/supermarkets

One of my favourite hacks for traveling on a budget is to simply hit local supermarkets.

No, you don’t need to cook your own meals necessarily, but all the time I see budget travellers sprinting for vending machines/little kiosks when there are supermarkets literally within eyesight selling the exact same stuff for a fraction of the price.

Supermarkets are great for stocking up on snacks, water, drinks, etc.

Take advantage of them!

26. Use a TV to charge your electronics

One of the the things I forget most often is the little USB adapter that comes with my phone charger.

If you’re forgetful like that too, don’t worry – there’s several easy travel hacks to help you out of that situation.

I usually then just plug my cable into my laptop to charge, BUT if you don’t usually pack a laptop, know that most TVs have a USB port around the back and you can easily use that to charge all your electronics 😉

You’re welcome!

Did I miss any of your favourite travel hacks?

So, it seems like you’re well on your way to becoming a travel ninja. I hope you enjoyed that article about unconventional travel life hacks. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have more to share! 

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

102 thoughts on “26 Unconventional Travel Hacks You Need for Your Next Trip”

18. leave your kids at home 😀

hahahah the ultimate life hack 😉 thanks for the laugh, Alex.

These are great tips because they are different. I especially like the pillowcase tip and marking your luggage fragile. Well done!

thanks for reading, Dorothy! <3

Really great tips! Very helpful and not weird at all!

Hahaha thank you for not thinking I’m a total weirdo <3

Charging using a TV is GENIUS!!! Wow never thought of that! Also love packing a dryer sheet. Definitely doing that next trip. I also always travel with powder in my bag. My go-to is Lush Silky Underwear Powder – it doubles as a deodorant and smells lovely!!

Woah underwear powder?! That sounds amazing. Definitely going to look into it. I used to use baby powder for everything but never realized there might be powders for special purposes hahah. Thanks for sharing, Meaghan!! <3

I’m still on the edge about compression socks. My mum has tried those and I dunno, the results aren’t great? Or maybe she got the cheaper ones? Haha! – Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog https://charmainenyw.com

weird! I have loads of friends who swear by them. I guess it depends on the person!

Great tips! I never thought of using the tv to charge my electronics.

so genius hey?! Thanks for reading, Meera 🙂

My husband loves the aisle/window trick – esp when we flew as two adults with a lap infant. I hadnt thought about the TV charger one! Some hotels have like one outlet!

Yes! Another good tip (if you’re travelling as a big group or family) is to bring your own power strip so you can charge more than one thing in those pesky hotel rooms with limited outlets 🙂 Thanks for reading, Harmony!

I honestly didn’t even consider half of these! Great read, thank you! I’ll be sure to get some fragile stickers next time I’m out. I always seem to have some sort of issue with baggage.

so happy you found it helpful, Jessica!! <3 Thanks for reading.

OK, this list is great! There are so many ideas on here that I have never heard of. I’ll be saving this for later, thank you very much!

no problem, Michelle! Thanks so much for reading <3

These are the BEST tips! Especially love the ones about the pillow case and the tv charging. Another good one in the vein of offline google maps is that even if you don’t download a map, if you open your map while you’re on wifi before leaving a wifi area, you’ll still be able to follow the blue dot and see all the streets on the map – even without data. It even works in places that aren’t so keen on google maps like South Korea.

YES! So true. That has totally saved my butt a million times. Thanks for the awesome comment, Sarah <3

At first, I wanted to do a virtual hi-five, thinking the pillowcase is for germophobes like me who wanna feel more at ease resting our faces on pillows overseas, until I realized yours is for a different purpose, lol! Great list, Christina! I need to check out the TV USB especially 😉

ahaha well, I guess the pillowcase is multi-purpose then 😉 thanks for reading, Kristine!

Such good tips! I got into Edinburgh yesterday and the first thing I did was go to the local grocery store and stock up on ready made (healthy!) meals that were like 2 pounds instead of always having to eat out at 12-20 pounds for the same portion size! Love it girl!

<3 Thanks for reading, Kashlee!

I love the “Ok Map” function. I thought I knew everything! Thanks for the tip 😀

Hahah right? I only recently discovered it and my mind was blown! Thanks for reading 🙂

These are awesome, Christina! I’m pretty proud that I actually do a couple of them 😉 haha. The pillowcase and dryer sheet hacks are super smart! I’ll definitely be using those for my upcoming trip in November. BRB while I try and hunt down a spare pillowcase…

Hahah thanks for reading, Kay <3 I hope you get to bust some of these out on your next trip!

Love these tips – especially the clothes pin for my toothbrush! And duh that I’ve never checked the TV to use as a charger. Thanks!

No problem, Jamie! Hope these tips come in handy for you soon! 🙂

Thanks for these! Really useful tips =) An offline map called Here we go saved my trip in Kuala Lumpur just a few days ago.

Ooh I haven’t heard of that one. Will look into it. Thanks for the comment! <3

Oh man. Those are some great tips! Thanks for sharing, i’m gonna use a lot of them!

woohoo! Awesome. Thanks for reading 🙂

We seem to travel with so much electronic gear. When we went to Europe we actually to a multi plug board to plug everything into and then one adaptor rather than one for each devie we needed to charge. Laptop, cellphones and cameras.

These tips are excellent.

That’s super smart! Especially for those travelling as a family/in a big group, bringing a multi-plug can be a huge lifesaver. Thanks for reading and for the bonus tip. It’s much appreciated! <3

Being a traveler I liked all the tips and getting Wifi password is one of the best suggestion so far.

Glad you found the article helpful! 🙂

These are some azaming tips, being from Europe I always have to carry an adaptor with me wherever I go. I use to be an window seat girl but now I will take an asile anyday as I can get and go to the bathroom as many times as I like

Hahaha I always avoid aisle because I literally pass out whenever I get on a plane, so people always feel awkward waking me up.

I honestly thought I probably won’t know anything I haven’t heard before but these are great tips! Definitely learned a couple news ones! Thanks for sharing! <3

No problemo. Thanks for reading!! <3

I do most of these already but number 15 made me laugh out loud. That is me every time lol

hahaha okay honestly, same. even though I swear I keep a pen in every bag, somehow I’m always left scrambling. You’re not alone!

These are awesome! I’ve never thought of the pillowcase trick before, which is ridiculous as I’m always using clothes as a makeshift pillow and then wondering how I can keep them together rather than smushing my head into them awkwardly LOL. I always try and keep some pens handy, and oh my word, supermarkets! Apart from anything else I think it’s a good way to travel “like a local” and yet so many people shy away from them because convenience. Also with the TV charging – I’ve seen people do that at airports! Haha!

Omg at the airport? That’s genius and hilarious hahaha. Thanks for reading, Clazz! Glad I could enlighten you about the pillowcase trick haha.

Hi Christina,

These are some amazing giveaways. I wonder why I haven’t thought of charging my phone with TV before. Thanks for the tip girl.

no problem, Gloria. Thanks for reading!

Nice hacks Christina Guan… For the baby powder in the shoes, i only know the tea bag in shoe one not the baby powder… Did you come up with these yourself? Anyway Love You has XXOO

Very good suggestion is very helpful in traveling Thanks for sharing.

SeatGuru is a nifty little tool most of the travellers miss out on. Also, one must not forget to ask for seat upgrades. You won’t necessarily get it, but ASKING doesn’t cost 🙂 I have been successful in getting upgrades 30% of the time (except Singapore Airlines, they just won’t!) I have also practiced the art of carrying just 2 pair of clothes when going to a country that has cheaper clothes than the home country. Then, I buy my entire trip’s clothes from that country. Saves money and also saves weight while travelling to the destination!

I always love to be with friends and family. I used to travel around time for many problems. Your post really helped me thank you so much, sir

It is really a very helpful blog for all the budget travelers. Every point in this blog is valid and helpful. Thank you for such an information.

Such amazing tips! Thank you!

Glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for reading, Lieze 🙂

Great content! learned so much specially from #16 . I didn’t even consider cooking on site. Was really afraid to be swindled .

Just wanted to share another Life hack on getting good Air tickets ! Follow this link! : https://bit.ly/31QEOlh

Great list of travel hacks. The clothesline is new to me. Reserving the middle and aisle seats are also a very good idea.

Here are some travel hacks that have worked well for me: 1. Airlines usually assign seats from front to back. So if you reserve one of the last rows on a plane (especially the back middle row on wide body planes), you are significantly more likely to get a row to yourself

2. Some airline apps let you view the seat map even after you checked in. I often will view the seat map and ask gate agents to change me if I find an empty row.

3. Free upgrades almost never happen. It’s usually not worth asking. But sometimes you can get a very cheap upgrade to business class when you check in.

The last one often helps i remember when i was struggling to charge my laptop while i was traveling then later realized there was tv in the room and i looked for port where i can put the cable guess what, found one charged it …was such awesome feeling Then i calmly texted my mom…

haha awesome. glad to hear you’ve been using these hacks! 😀

Some great tricks & hacks…makes a change to see a few different ones! I am with you 100% when it comes to pens & I have no idea what I would do without Google & all its ‘bits’! Cheers! – Nigel

Thanks for your awesome guide on traveling. I am a passionate traveler and your guide inspired me to travel more.

Great info, good thanks .

Nice Article.These are Great Tips. Thank You

Travel hack Ideas I use: * Always carry a flashlight and put on nightstand in case you have a hotel fire/ emergency so you won’t be I n total darkness. * Buy a Passport neck case from Wilson’s Leather Outlet. $15.-small but conveniently made .You can keep everything you need in it- cash, passport, cards, packet of medicine dose- I put it under my shirt. It drops down to my waist, so I can access it at the bottom of my shirt. In known thief places, I also poke the purse in the top of my shorts, so if they find a way to cut the straps it is still with me. It has gotten us through many trips to France. * Foldable bags ( Walmart, Dollar store) for souvenirs or in case we decide to do a picnic lunch on vacation. In Europe with small rooms and no storage, I use them them as dresser drawers to find things quickly for longer stays. * Use a foldable backpack(tennis ball size) in a bag (Lewis and Clark-not meant to be durable, basically a snack bag) we call it our “Disney bag”. We add snacks, wipes, paper maps, first aid bag with OTC meds for headache, stomach, water bottle, jacket in a bag, light shoulder wrap for church visits, my old small IPAD for grandchildren. To make it work, I put urgent needs( kids’ snacks, meds) in ziploc bags. I also add a ziploc gallon bag to cover the backpack in case of rain. If we only have snacks and maps, I carry it on my back, if it has my old IPAD or SLR, my husband carries it over 1 shoulder and up under his arm so if the strap is cut, he still has it. * A colorful small coin purse to store my phone charger (and a long cord) so when cramped into a plane seat, I can find it quickly to use. * Bread ties to organize all of those crazy charging cords. You will always need a long cord when u don’t have it. They now make bendable ties for that use. * Download Dolly Parton’s “ I Will Always Love You” if you travel with small children. We have used it with my 2 year grandson for over a year. If he is tired or upset, we can play Dolly and watch him just melt and smile as he says “ My Dollwy”. When he couldn’t sleep through the night, my son set Alexa to that song (very softly) at his awake times. At 5:30 AM they started hearing him sing along with Dolly on his baby monitor .If he is really upset, I turn it very low and put it close to his ear. If using around others, you may need headphones . * Passport- after airport security, I only carry a paper passport copy on me. * NEVER email passports to anyone unless it is a dire situation when a family member must email it to you, then pray a lot.We make paper copies of our passport/ drivers license to carry with us and give a copy to a family member. * * if going overseas, join STEP, so you will be notified of terror levels plus your embassy will know where you are if there is a blackout or terror attack. * Always put liquids in a freezer ziplock bag for your checked bag. Those bags are thrown all over the place. * Plan on 2 Quart Bags for airport Security: #1 Bag-for liquids as required by airlines * #2 Bag- watch , wallet, necklace , phone at the last minute- anything that comes off at airport. Finish dressing after airport security. * I pick up hotel cards to give to cab drivers in case they can’t understand my accent. * Pack an extra pair of shoes. If it rains a lot, you will need them.

The OK Maps blew my little mind. Cool trick. Also, the pillowcase is genius! I plan to repurpose mine as a dirty laundry bag too (obviously throwing it in the wash too!) Fun article 🙂

Really great and awesome tips, these tips are really uncommon but very useful. sticking a fragile sticker is really a genius idea. So many times i have had damaged stuff because of luggage handling. Thank you very much for these and have a awesome day.

This is great tips for a traveller. If traveller follow the tips, he will pass very good tour.

Wow! Such amazing hacks for travel lovers. I am definitely going to follow all of these hacks in my upcoming adventure. Thanks a lot for sharing these surprising travel hacks.

You’re welcome! Thanks for the lovely comment 🙂

A very good and helpful suggestion. It will help travelers. Thanks for sharing. Keep Going.

thank you for the informative post, will definitely comeback for more

Thank you for the great informative post, will definitely comeback for more.

These 20 are unbelievable hacks that will definitely make my traveling easy. Hack which I liked the most is “Use incognito/private browsing to potentially save money on flights”. Thank you for this wonderful content, it was really helpful.

These 20 are unbelievable hacks that will definitely make my traveling easy. Hack which I liked the most is “Use incognito/private browsing to potentially save money on flights”. Thank you for this wonderful content.

Travelers can use these tips to make their journey more enjoyable. Thanks for your ideas and information.

It is really helpful for everyone else.

thank you for the informative post, will definitely come back for more.

Thank you for the informative post, will definitely come back for more.

Wow!!! Really great and awesome tips, these tips are really uncommon but very useful. Sticking a fragile sticker is really a genius idea. So many times I have had damaged stuff because of luggage handling. Thank you very much for these and have an awesome day. Greetings from Nepal.

An amazing list of travel life hacks. it’s really really useful info for all travelers. thank you.

Good trick. I plan to repurpose mine as a dirty laundry bag too (obviously throwing it in the wash too!) Fun post

Great tips and informative article. great tricks and hacks. Thank you so much for giving us the travelling hacks.

nice tips, helpfull

Very interesting, Please share more.

Thanks for the amazing Travel Hacks. Highly recommend all travelers follow this post. We are already sharing this post on our social media profiles so that our followers can read this AMAZING post.

A very beautifully crafted article.

thank you for the informative post, will love to come back for more.

such an incredible blog, Great tip, as always. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. keep sharing, your positivity is infectious.

its very useful article, Thank you for sharing here.

very interesting blog. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for the great travel blog. Please write more.

Thank you so much for your information. I think it will help me for my next trip…

Thank you for your efforts and dedication to creating such a valuable resource for travelers, Really helpful content.

I appreciate the time and effort you put into creating such a valuable resource for travelers like me.

Very useful travel hacks. I definitely apply these tips. Thank you for sharing.

I super-duper loved reading your post, thank you sooo muchy-wuchy! I always love to be with my buddies and fam-bam. I used to zoom around time like a speedy snail to fix lotsa problems, whoosh!

Wow, great article and thank you for sharing.

Landed on this blog randomly and got know so many amazing tavel hacks. I am gonna use these hacks on my next travel.

Thank you for sharing a wonderful article, waiting for another article

Thank you for your efforts and dedication to creating such a valuable resource for travelers.

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How to Travel Hack: Travel Hacking 101

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read  full disclosure  for more information.

You might have heard of people “hacking” their way to free business-class flights or swanky hotel stays—and you might have thought it sounded too good to be true. But travel hacking is a legitimate (and fun) hobby that can save you serious money on everything from luxurious beach getaways to backcountry road trips. 

Travel hacking can seem daunting at first, but the good news is you can make it as simple or complex as you want. In this guide to travel hacking for beginners, we’ll cover the basics of how to travel hack your way to free trips.

Table of Contents

The Basics of Travel Hacking

There are two basic tenets to becoming a travel hacker. No matter how detailed you want to go, whether you just want to give it a whirl or you’re hoping to become a Jedi Grandmaster Yoda-level hacker, it all boils down to this:

• Earning the most points and miles possible, and
• Finding creative ways to redeem your points and miles to get the most value out of them.

FREE TRAVEL QUIZ

Step 1: Earning Points and Miles

The best place to get started travel hacking is learning how to maximize the points you earn. The faster you rack up points, the sooner you’ll have enough for your dream vacation. Here are some of the simplest ways to accrue points as you learn how to travel hack.

The obvious way to earn points and miles is by traveling. Airlines, hotels, and rental car companies all have membership programs to encourage you to stay loyal to them, so every time you fly or spend the night, you get points.

This doesn’t mean you need to go signing up for a hundred accounts as soon as you start travel hacking. But every time you fly a new airline or stay in a new hotel chain, be sure to join their program so you can score those points. This is an important lesson for travel hacking beginners: Never leave points on the table!

Feeling overwhelmed already? I was too, even when I used to only fly one airline—because I could never remember my login info. Once I started travel hacking and got a few frequent flyer numbers, I made a spreadsheet to keep track of my login info. It’s made the whole process so much easier.

Airlines and hotels often run promotions, like “Book a flight in the next two months and get 5,000 bonus points” or “Stay two nights and earn double points.” These can be very useful to travel hackers. 

You usually have to register for promotions, which just means clicking a button. It’s helpful to log in to your loyalty accounts every couple of months to register for any promotions that have popped up, in case you end up booking something in the near future.

Last February I booked seven nights at a Hyatt in Maui using points. It totally slipped my mind that I had already registered for their 2022 New Year promotion. After my trip, I was surprised to find 2,022 bonus points for every two nights deposited in my account, which amounted to over 6,000 free points—for a stay that didn’t cost me a penny.

Dining Portals

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be on the road (or in an airport) every weekend to score serious points and miles. That’s because there are lots of ways to earn points other than traveling. For instance, many major airlines and hotel chains have dining “portals,” where you can earn extra miles or points when you eat out. 

Not all restaurants are on the portal, but for the ones that are, you can usually earn a few points per dollar. All you have to do is make an account for free and add your credit card information to link your card. Then when you visit one of the restaurants on the list, be sure to pay with your linked card to earn points.

Keep in mind these points are separate from any travel points your credit card earns (we’ll get to those in a minute).

The best part of dining portals is their promotions. Most will have one when you first sign up—for instance, when you join Southwest’s Rapid Rewards dining program, you’ll get 500 bonus miles the first time you dine as long as it’s in the first 30 days. Besides earning some extra points, it’s a fun way to discover new restaurants in your area.

Shopping Portals

Most airlines also have online shopping portals, which work a little differently. Once you’ve set up your account with your frequent flyer number, you click through the portal’s link to the online store you want. Then when you make a purchase, you earn extra points.

The number of points per dollar varies depending on the retailer and the day. For instance, right now on United’s MileagePlus shopping portal, you can earn 1 mile per dollar at Groupon and 5 miles per dollar at Sephora. Petsmart usually earns .5 miles per dollar, but they recently had a special where it increased to 10. I was almost out of dog food anyway, so you can bet I stocked up.

Travel Credit Cards

I saved the best—and trickiest—for last. If you live in the US, credit cards are the biggest avenue to earning points when you become a travel hacker. 

But in order for them to be worthwhile, you have to use them wisely. This means following the two cardinal rules of travel cards:

• Thou shalt not carry a balance on thy credit cards. 
• Thou shalt not spend more than thy normally would just to earn points.

If you have or expect to have credit card debt, this particular travel hacking method isn’t for you (yet). This is because travel credit cards have sky-high interest rates, so whatever points you earn will be offset by the interest you end up paying. 

If you’re comfortable with using credit cards responsibly and paying your balance in full every month, you’re ready to learn how to travel hack with credit cards—so read on.

Choosing the Right Card

The good news is, there are so many travel cards out there nowadays, there’s bound to be at least one that’s a great fit for you. The bad news is, the options can be overwhelming at first. 

For travel hacking beginners, I always recommend starting with a long-term strategy in mind. Find a card that’s a good fit for your lifestyle (more on that in a minute), and that you’ll want to keep in your wallet for years to come. 

Advanced travel hackers are constantly adding new cards, and sometimes canceling old ones, and they might have as many as 30 cards at any given time. I’m not there yet—I have a grand total of five cards, and I started out with just one. 

Choose one or two cards that make sense for you in the long run. Look at cards’ benefits, which include:

• Bonus points on certain categories of purchases, such as groceries, dining, or drugstores.
• Free travel. For example, the Southwest Priority card provides $75 in statement credits on Southwest purchases per year, while the World of Hyatt card provides one free night at a Hyatt hotel per year.
• Travel perks. Many cards offer perks that make travel more comfortable, like elite status at a hotel chain or access to airport lounges. 
• Other perks. These are as varied as the credit cards that offer them, ranging from Peloton membership to statement credits on groceries. If you use them, these perks can save you some serious cash.

Don’t forget to look at cards’ annual fees, too. Many people shy away from cards with fees, but trust me: they can be worth it. Just be sure to weigh the fee against the perks and points to make sure it’s worth it for you.

When people ask me what the best travel card is, I say it depends. It’s all about finding the right fit for you when you start travel hacking. If you’re loyal to a particular airline or hotel chain, you should look into their cobranded credit card options. If not, there are plenty of great all-purpose cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One VentureOne.

My favorite resource for anyone who wants to learn how to travel hack is The Points Guy . They have a ton of information, including detailed reviews of pretty much every travel card on the market.

Scoring the Signup Bonus

Once you have an idea of the right card for you, the first thing to consider is its signup bonus. To try to win your business, credit card companies offer lucrative signup bonuses of tens of thousands of points. When redeemed for travel, these bonuses alone can be worth thousands of dollars.

But you have to make sure you can earn the signup bonus, which usually requires a certain amount of spending in a certain amount of time, such as $4,000 in the first three months. This might seem like a lot, but it’s attainable for most people with some planning.

Going back to the second cardinal rule, don’t buy something you don’t want just to get the signup bonus. However, if there’s a big purchase you’ve been considering, it’s a good idea to time your new credit card to coincide with it. I’ve timed past credit cards with booking big trips, buying new furniture, and even getting LASIK in order to put these high-dollar purchases toward the signup bonus. 

If you aren’t redecorating your home or getting eye surgery anytime soon, the holidays are a good time for many people to get a new card. Wait until you’ve got that card in hand before buying gifts for your whole family. 

If that’s still not enough to reach your signup bonus, there are more creative ways to “inflate” your spending. Ask family members if you can buy their new furniture/Xbox/plane tickets and have them pay you back. When you go out with friends, pay the tab with your new card and have everyone Venmo you.

Which Card to Use?

When you become a travel hacker, you learn the importance of staying organized. It’s essential to keep track of your credit card perks and points, especially once you have two or three cards in your wallet.

I have a spreadsheet summarizing each card’s point structure, so I know which card to use for which purchases. For instance:

• I use my Chase Sapphire Preferred at restaurants and to book flights and hotels, because it earns 3 points per dollar on dining and 2 on travel.
• I use my Chase Freedom Flex at drugstores, which earn 3 points per dollar.
• I use my Southwest Priority card on Southwest purchases, which earn 3 miles per dollar, and on cable and internet bills, which earn 2 per dollar.
• I use my World of Hyatt card for Hyatt purchases, which earn 4 Hyatt points per dollar, and for gym memberships, which earn 2 per dollar.
• For everything else I use my Capital One Venture One, which earns a flat rate of 1.25 points on all purchases.

The goal is to get as many points as possible on stuff you’d be buying anyway. Of course, you want to make sure the points are points you can actually use. For example, If you always stay in AirBnBs when you travel, it makes no sense to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on a cobranded Marriott card. 

If this sounds too complicated, I get it. I was overwhelmed at first, but after a while it started to make sense—and it started to be fun . You might hear some travel hackers referring to “the points and miles game,” because that’s what it feels like. It should be fun, so go as in-depth (or not) as you want.

Now that you know how to accrue points, the next step in learning how to travel hack is making the most out of them when you redeem them. We’ll cover this in the next blog post. Until then, happy earning!

Step 2: Redeeming Points and Miles

If the first step of learning how to travel hack is earning as many points and miles as possible, the second is redeeming them. There are as many ways to redeem points as there are to earn them, so we’ll start with the heavy hitters to kick off your travel hacking journey.

Credit Card Portals

Most travel card companies nowadays have their own travel “portal,” a website where you can book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more—and a place where you can spend the points you’ve earned on your card. 

Sometimes you can book travel on these portals and pay directly with your points; other times you’ll pay cash and then get reimbursed as a statement credit. Either way, it comes out to free travel!

Usually the rate is one point to one cent. So for instance, a $500 flight would cost 50,000 points, giving you a value of 1 cent per point. Sometimes it’s a little higher—like on the Chase portal, where you can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a value of 1.25 cents per point, lowering the cost of your $500 flight to 40,000 points.

This is the easiest way to redeem your miles, but not the most valuable. Since the second step to becoming a travel hacker is getting the most value from your points, you want to aim for more than 1 cent per point. 

The Points Guy regularly updates their points and miles valuations , which you can use as benchmarks for your redemptions. For instance, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are currently valued at 2 cents per point. So most travel hackers would consider a “good” redemption one where you get at least 2 cents each out of your points.

However, as with credit cards, it all depends on what works for you. If you just want the simplest way to spend your points, there’s no shame in using the portal—and you’re still getting free travel that you otherwise would have to pay for. 

But if you’d like to go a little deeper into how to travel hack, here are some other ways to get even more value from your points.

Travel Partners

Generally the best, or most lucrative, way to spend your points is by transferring them to travel partners. This can send the value of your points skyrocketing—but it can also get complicated pretty fast. Let’s walk through the basics.

Credit card companies like Chase, Capital One, Amex, and Citi all have a roster of travel partners, including airlines, hotel chains, and sometimes rental car companies. This list varies from company to company, and new partners are added fairly often. You can transfer your credit card points to your membership account on one of these transfer partners. 

For example, since United is a transfer partner of Chase, you can go into the Chase website, type in your United frequent flyer number, and tell Chase to deposit some of your points into your United account. (Typically you must deposit them in increments of 1,000.) 

Then when you go into your United account, you’ll suddenly have miles—even if you’ve never flown United in your life. You can then use these points to pay for award flights on United.

Returning to our earlier example, the $500 flight we looked up on the Chase portal might only cost 20,000 United miles when booked through the United website. This comes out to an excellent value of 2.5 cents per point.

Transfer partners are a great way to use your points, but there are some things to consider. First of all, you’ll need to set up a loyalty account with the airline or hotel you want. You often need to do this just to search for award flight/night availability, so it’s helpful to set up those accounts early. 

Also, keep in mind that once you transfer credit card points to travel partners, you can’t transfer them back. Only transfer them once you know that partner has the flights/nights you want, and make your award booking immediately after transferring the points—because the price could change at any time.

I used this technique for my first big hack, when I was still a beginner to travel hacking. I had just gotten my Chase Sapphire Preferred card and earned a whopping 100,000 points for the signup bonus, plus a few thousand more from the first few months of spending. I found a Hyatt hotel in Maui that cost only 15,000 points per night when booked using Hyatt points. I had just enough Chase points to cover seven nights. 

I had never stayed at a Hyatt in my life. But I made a loyalty account, transferred 105,000 Chase points to Hyatt, and a few minutes later had booked a week in Maui entirely free of charge. To book this hotel in cash would have cost over $300 per night, plus taxes and fees (which Hyatt doesn’t charge on award stays). I ended up paying exactly zero and getting a value of 2.2 cents per point—not bad!

Free Travel or Better Travel?

If you ask the experts how to travel hack, the answers will be mixed because there are a couple of different approaches. One is to get as much free stuff as possible so you can stretch your dollars over more trips. 

Another is to use points and miles to elevate your travel experience. This means relaxing in airport lounges, getting more comfortable airplane seats, or enjoying the perks of elite status at hotels for much less than these things would normally cost.

When I was first learning how to travel hack, I was in the first camp. But I’ve recently started to understand why so many travel hackers are prioritizing travel luxury over savings when harnessing their points and miles.

On a recent trip to Paris, I wanted to pay for my and my partner’s flights with points. I had a stockpile of Capital One miles, and Air France is one of their travel partners. I found economy seats for around 60,000 Air France miles round-trip, for flights that normally would have cost upwards of $1200. This came out to a value of around 2 cents per point, compared to the valuation of 1.85 cents for Capital One miles.

With free plane tickets in hand, we’d cut the cost of our Paris trip down by over half. But when we checked in for our flight the night before, we started exploring seat upgrade options. We thought we might spend an extra $50 per person to get a little extra legroom. Then we saw that we could upgrade to business class—including lie-flat seats—for $400 per person. We’d never flown business class, and a business-class flight to Paris would normally cost over $3000, so we decided to splurge and try it. 

After sleeping through the overnight flight in the comfort of my own personal pod, complete with three-course meal and hot towels, I was hooked. Now I’m planning to learn how to travel hack not just for free trips, but to make my travel experiences more memorable.

Final Thoughts: How to Travel Hack

If you want to become a travel hacker, you can choose whatever style works for you. When you start travel hacking, think about your travel and financial goals and how you can use points and miles to achieve them. There’s no right or wrong. 

But I think I’ll add a third cardinal rule to my list: Travel hacking should be fun. Think of it as a game. You’re not competing with anyone else, just solving points and miles puzzles to go on whatever trip you want. 

Don’t stress about learning all the ins and outs of how to travel hack just yet. Start with a couple of small steps, and go from there. Explore some travel hacking blogs and sign up for their newsletters (I read the Points Guy’s religiously). Learn at your own pace, and soon you’ll be hacking your way to your dream vacation.

Want to keep reading? Check out these posts next:

• 12 Delicious Food Tours in Munich to Book
• 13 Mouth-Watering San Francisco Food Tours
• 11 Tasty Food Tours in Chicago, Illinois

Rachel Craft started traveling after being cooped up for a year during the pandemic, and now she’s hooked. She loves hiking, biking, snorkeling, and discovering vegan eats in the places she visits. When she’s not busy exploring, she writes fantasy and sci-fi stories for children and teens. You can learn more about her writing at www.racheldelaneycraft.com.

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50 travel hacks that will change the way you travel forever

Travel Travel Inspiration Travel Tips & Hacks 50 Ultimate Travel Hacks

Travelling like a seasoned pro is not an overnight miracle. It comes with definite hardships and the trickiest of situations. Want an easy way out? Simple. To save the day from many likely travel disasters, you will need this list of handy travel hacks. That's right, there exists a bunch of secret tips and tricks that will change the way you travel forever! Whether it be never missing a flight again, or hacks to pack better or saving a few extra bucks, these 50 pro-tips and travel hacks will make the journey less stressful and your vacation a whole lot peaceful.

Below are the tips and hacks you're here for. Read on and thank me later!

#1 Email yourself a scan of your passport

Carrying a hardcopy of your passport is important, but forgetfulness or theft and loss can always hit you at the wrong time. By emailing yourself a scan of your passport, you ensure that in case of an unfortunate event, your passport is only a click away. This also goes for any other type of journey confirmations (tickets, etc.), either scan or screenshot the same and save yourself a buttload of trouble in the future.

#2 Roll your clothes for more space

Packing smart does not take too much effort. One of the easiest and most effective travel hacks related to packing is to roll your clothes rather than fold. Not only does this method save you a lot of space, it also keeps your clothes wrinkle-free. Plus, little rolled tubes means you can easily see what you have packed.

#3 Sign up for last-minute deals on Headout

Planned a spontaneous trip and are looking for killer last-minute deals? Sign up on Headout and land great discounts on the top experiences in the city. Remember that great deals don't last too long, and by signing up on Headout you can make sure to grab a few before they disappear.

#4 If you’re jetlagged, run it off

Jet lag can be a real killjoy but there is a way to combat its depressing effects - exercise! It is advised to head out for a run or engage in light exercises like yoga or resistance band training to help ward off jet lag. It is also best not to fall asleep after boarding a flight or after reaching the destination.

#5 Make friends on the road using Travel Buddies and Backpackr

Finding real people to connect with on your trips or making new friends won't have to be a worry anymore. There are apps specifically for that. Download Backpackr or Travel Buddies and you won't ever have to experience the anxiety of approaching groups in person. The app instead will hook you up with travellers nearby based on a personality match. You can also check out each other's itineraries and sync up hangouts.

#6 Put your rechargeable batteries in the fridge

Running out of juice on your rechargeable batteries quicker than you thought can be a real bummer. Well, there is a pretty cool travel hack to help keep your batteries fresher and full of charge for longer - just stash them in the fridge! As strange as it may sound, most rechargeable batteries retain 90% of their full charge when kept in cold temperatures.

#7 Follow a pub crawl party for the best nightlife in town

To experience the nightlife of any destination you don't need to pay extra bucks and sign up for a pub crawl package. Instead, try this foolproof travel hack and locate the most popular pub crawl routes. Here, you are bound to find several fellow tourists and travellers or even one of the organised groups. You then just have to tag along, for free!

#8 Be strategic with flight cancellations

Booking a nonrefundable ticket can be a gamble but there is a silver lining. In the off chance that you change plans or don't travel on that flight, keep this pro tip in mind - do not cancel the ticket or just don't show up. Do this because in the rare case of the flight's cancellation or schedule change, you could be entitled to a credit or refund. Had you cancelled the ticket, you wouldn’t be entitled to anything.

17 Golden Hacks To Snagging Cheap Flight Tickets

#9 carry a handy extension cable, especially if you’re staying in hostels.

Your electronic devices are your BFFs throughout your travelling journey and they need to be looked after, which means constant recharges. Therefore, the biggest travel hacks of them all is to make sure you have an extension cable or a power strip for the same, especially if you're living in a hostel where everyone fights for plug time. An extension cable will also make you the star of the room, without doubt!

#10 Download Google Maps offline

Using an actual map today is obsolete but many think Google Maps without an internet connection is just as useless. But you must know that no access to WiFi, patchy network or throwing away money on data shouldn't be a reason to lose your way because you can go off grid and still use Google Maps! Just download Google Maps - go on the map to the area you want to save, type ‘ok map’ into the search option and then press ‘download’ - you can now use it even when on airplane mode.

#11 Google Translate is god sent in a foreign country. Download it.

A language barrier can put a damper on the best of spirits, so if you know the international country you're traveling to uses a foreign language to communicate, do yourself a favour and download Google Translate . It lets you take photos of text in a different language and translate what it means in real time. Just like Google Maps, Google Translate works in airplane mode too.

#12 WiFi access is a right, not a privilege. Steal away!

WiFi at this point is everybody's birthright and so you deserve access to it, no matter where you are. Like at the airports, find the first class lounge, sign in to the free WiFi and browse to your heart's content. Similarly, if you're on the streets, backup to a fancy restaurant and log into their WiFi without a thought. Some places may use password protection, in that case, you can find wifi passwords on FourSquare for restaurants, cafes and other places.

#13 Purchase skip-the-line tickets beforehand to avoid spending your holiday in queues

Waiting in long lines is a real bummer and you don't want to be that tourist that spends more time queuing than exploring. This can be totally avoided by pre-purchasing skip-the-line-tickets for tours and other activities. Headout has a great selection of skip-the-line tickets and tours in 50+ cities across the world.

#14 Add-ons are cheaper when purchased while booking the flight

A great way to save more than just a few bucks would be to figure out the add-ons you may require - like extra luggage, priority boarding, airport lounges, seat reservation or travel insurance - and customise your package to suit your needs and comfort while booking your flight tickets and not after. Adding add-ons later only means a higher, easily avoidable cost.

#15 Don’t EVER exchange money for local currency at the airport

When ATMs and cash machines exist, you don't have to ever exchange money at the airport or the local currency exchange. Not only do these money converters charge a fee of their own, they also rip-off exchange rates, usually amounts that are highly inflated, worse than your regular bank.

#16 Opt for long layovers to explore a city

Picking a flight with long layovers simply means buying youry more time to explore another city. Best to take advantage of this, most even choose flights with 12+ hour layovers to enjoy a whole day in a new city.

12 Creative Ways To Make The Most Of Your Airport Layover

#17 invest in a good travel wallet.

A good wallet is a lifesaver when travelling. It helps keep you organised - for once you will find all your bills, receipts, boarding passes, passport photocopies and foreign currency in one place. Investing in a good wallet doesn't necessarily mean expensive, there are several budget options of chic travel wallets that come with additional compartments for travel-related items.

#18 Mark your bag fragile (even if nothing’s fragile in there)

By doing this you ensure that your belongings are given the VIP treatment and you won't have to wait for long to collect your luggage - anything marked fragile gets to the top of the pile in storage and sent out in the first batch! To process this, just request for a ‘fragile’ sticker at the counter without paying a penny more.

#19 Shoulder season travel > everything else

Timing is everything when planning a trip and one sure shot way of saving money is to travel during 'shoulder season' aka the period between high and low travel season. The weather is still great but the destination is less crowded this time, plus hotels offer better rates too. In many destinations the shoulder seasons are September-November and March-May. Absolutely avoid picking peak periods like school breaks and holidays.

#20 Make a frequent flyer account on every airline you travel with

This is the wisest thing to do if not you will miss out on valuable miles that could potentially be put toward your next trip, thereby saving you money! Also, always keep your boarding pass until you see that your miles have been posted on your frequent flier account.

#21 Private rooms at hostels are a steal deal

#22 Toggle to a different “home” country when searching for flights to get cheaper rates

One of the more smart travel hacks, whenever looking to fly a specific airline, pick a country that offers a good foreign exchange rate as compared to other countries. This way you can view and purchase your tickets in another currency, and save big bucks! This is an extra, potentially time-consuming step but for what it's worth, you must give it a go.

#23 Invest in travel insurance

Most people do not purchase travel insurance because their credit card perks cover most of it, but it's always wiser to have insurance than not. This is even more important if you're travelling with valuables or changing your plans on-the-go most days.

The Ultimate Guide To Buying Your First Travel Insurance In The Post COVID World

#24 use a shower cap to protect your toiletries from exploding during flights.

Yes, shower caps have more than one use. They will keep the toiletry liquids from exploding and spilling all over your bag on the flight back home. Make sure to wrap the bottles well. In case of no shower cap, you can also use the plastic liner that comes in an ice bucket.

#25 Seek itinerary inspiration through social media

#26 Book overnight flights and buses to save on lodging

The best way to kill two birds with one stone - you get to sleep for free and stay on the move to your destination while sleeping! Essentially booking an overnight flight or bus is a night of free lodging. Make sure to make yourself comfortable with a cosy sweatshirt, good earplugs and an eye mask.

#27 Earn money in exchange for trip research/beta tests

Don't expect big money, but you can earn a little bit of pocket money by taking travel surveys online and testing new products and keeping all the freebies (free meals, films, drinks and more). Make sure to find legit websites that will pay. This travel hack of signing up to be a market researcher hardly takes a lot of time and effort, plus it helps you make a few bucks on the go.

Official Headout Deals, Offers & Promo Codes

#28 make sure to have a card that gives you airport lounge access.

By signing up for at least one travel credit card that includes a 'priority pass' or 'lounge access' you can cut your airport bill in half. The free food and drinks save you so much money and bad food! Additionally, you make your wait more enjoyable and get to relax in an airport lounge.

#29 Tweet your travel troubles. It gets solved quicker

#30 Visit destinations that don’t have a large tourism board. They tend to be cheaper

Locations that do not have a promotional budget or large tourism board tend to be cheaper and as a result less crowded. This means as a traveller you get to explore so much more without going broke. You also get to gloat about going to a lesser known country!

#31 Call the hotel for a better rate and do away with online taxes

Do not waste time browsing a million sites or call multiple reservation numbers. Just call the hotel directly instead, not only will they offer you a better rate devoid of online taxes, they also hold the power to an upgrade! If you're a regular traveller, it’s best to keep cordial relationships with the hotel staff and increase your perks.

#32 Pack a universal adapter that works across nations

If you do not want to end up at a spot with plug points that aren't compatible with your electronic devices, invest in a good universal adapter or plug converter with USB ports that works in all countries.

#33 Inform your credit card company before traveling abroad, so they don’t lock down your account due to suspicious activity

Together with informing your friends, family and employers about your trip, get on a call with your credit card company too. It is important to notify them about when you are leaving, where you are going, and when you plan on arriving home. This ensures they don't freeze your cards while you are traveling due to suspicious activity.

#34 Avoid the city center for staying. It’s always expensive

Travelling is already an expensive affair and where you stay determines where most of your money is spent. Picking prime locations like hotels in the city center is always expensive. It is best to find smaller hotels around or close to the city center, these are comparatively cheaper and not too further away from the hub either. This is also the wise thing to do if you won't be staying in one place for too long.

#35 Opt for hotels with free meals

This travel hack is a no-brainer. It helps save you loads of money. Complimentary breakfast is a common hotel perk, but always call ahead to check so you at least have one meal covered. Some hotels do offer free meals for more than just one meal, so dig deeper!

#36 To keep the money coming while you travel, go on a workation

Workation is the newest way of travelling, especially after spending forever working from home during the pandemic. Portable working or workation allows you to enjoy a whole new destination while you work and make yourself money! This way you get an opportunity to experience travel in a way most others won’t and you won’t have to worry about spending your savings.

Best Workation Destinations – The Digital Nomads Roundup

#37 grab a city travel card for the best bundled deals.

#38 Buy a transport pass (tube, train, metro, bus) and use unlimited public transport to get around the city

This travel hack allows you to travel seamlessly across all modes of transport (tube, train, metro, bus) using the same ticket/pass. A travel pass also means you won't have to wait in long lines to buy a ticket. Sightseeing on a local transport has a different charm, especially when it comes cheap!

#39 Read up about the free museum and tourist-attraction days

It's always best to look up if the destination you are visiting has free museums to visit, this will give you something to look forward to without having to spend a time. Also read up on tourist attraction days and best times to visit, this way you can steer clear of crowds and enjoy a peaceful day exploring.

#40 Try getting yourself open jaw flight tickets

One travel hack that nobody wants to let you in on is the open-jaw tickets frenzy. Open-jaw tickets are flexible and in most cases an inexpensive way of flying. They are priced as round-trip fares, and almost always less expensive than purchasing two one-way flights between the destinations visited. Basically, you book with one airline, into a city and out of another. This hack also allows you to travel in between two amazing cities and still get home/to the main destination!

#41 The right credit card makes or breaks your holiday budget. Choose it wisely

#42 Dinner during happy hours = drinks + cheaper food

Dinners on vacation can set you back a few hundreds of dollars. Thank god for happy hours though! You can take advantage of all the specials on the happy hour menus (most at half the price) plus enjoy drinks. Make sure you head to dinner early and land a win-win, all around including a discounted cheque!

#43 Anti-theft purse/backpack is a clever investment

Whoever decided that money belts are the best to carry cash as a tourist was wrong. It makes you stick out like a sore thumb and susceptible to attack and robbery. Your best bet is to use an anti-theft purse or backpack. These look like normal bags and help you blend with the crowd, thereby keeping you safe from pickpockets. These anti-theft purses not only look cute but also has cool features like like waterproof lining and RFID blocking material protects that IDs and credit cards from hacker scanning

#44 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries are a good bet for quick getaways

Visa processes (never-ending paperwork and long queues) are time and most importantly, money consuming. This is where countries that offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel snoop in as saviours. There are over 50 countries that offer visa-on-arrival and so many that don't even need a travel visa. Now you can always make impromptu plans and quick getaways whenever the travel bug bites.

#45 Sustainable travel is the way to go (if you still want to travel 10 years down the line)

The world is moving towards sustainable practices in all spheres and travel is joining the bandwagon because if not, you may never get to travel a few years down the line. Sustainable travel takes into account current and future environmental, social and economic impact and imbibes practices that help reduce carbon footprint. So things like bike or walking tours, sailing instead of riding an engine boat, carsharing, public transport or indulging in activities that combine the travel experience and environmental benefits like beach clean-ups.

A Beginner’s Guide To Sustainable Traveling

#46 reserve the aisle and window seats.

Nothing eases a flight journey like strategically reserving a seat based on your preference. If you are one to use the restroom a lot, reserve the aisle seats for easy access. Aisle seats also offer extra legroom (exit row seats room) and are the first to exit. Similarly, if a view and a fuselage to sleep against is what makes it for you, reserve the window seats. Be strategic in your seat selection when booking a flight.

#47 Book with websites that offer cashbacks

If, like us all, money-saving on international trips comes first, make sure to book on websites like Headout, Book It or Make My Trip to find all-inclusive bundles to destinations all over the world or to land exclusive cashbacks. There are quite a few websites like this, make sure to check the one best suited to you before booking anything because you never know what deals you’ll find!

#48 Sign up for airline mailing lists to learn of flight deals

Even before you plan your next trip or start looking for flights make sure you've signed up for a few newsletters. Airlines mailing lists give you access to the absolute best deals when you need it most. Always keep tabs on your email and check these newsletters right away so you don't miss an opportunity. Additionally, airline mailing lists usually offer frequent flier bonuses. If you’re a travel hacker, those points and miles can add up to free flights and awesome upgrades.

#49 Pay the extra amount for refundable bookings

Cancellations can hit at any moment, so to take the pain out of cancelling any ticket, especially a high-priced one, is to pay the extra amount for a refund when first booking. This way all is not lost and you will be able to save your money in case of flight cancellations after 24-hours of booking.

#50 Hide cash in empty lip balm tubes

When travelling, a simple and easy way to hide a stash of emergency cash is in empty lip balm tubes. It's weather-resistant and nondescript, so nobody will know or try to steal it. All you need to do is just roll your cash so that it could fit inside the narrow container.

Lakshmi Menon

Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. Always hustling towards the least trodden path, she has encountered some wonderful people during her escapades and if you ever meet her, she won't stop gushing about them.

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Travel Hacks Inside the Airplane

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Use your sunglasses on the tray table to hold your phone: When you travel, this first hack for the airplane is to prop your phone on your sunglasses so you do not have to hold it the entire flight. After you have download your airline app while you were still hooked...

Packing Mistakes to Avoid

Jul 21, 2023 | Carry-On Essentials , Packing Tips , Travel Tips

Do not not make these packing mistakes the next time you fly! These travel tips will help your carry-on bag be packed efficiently. If you are flying in an airplane for the first time, these tips will help you when you pack in a carry-on suitcase. These packing...

River Cruise: Essentials to Travel With

Jul 15, 2023 | Carry-On Essentials , Packing Tips , Travel Hacks , Travel Tips

Hidden Things to Pack Wear passports in the ugly but super soft and practical money belt under your outfits. The fabric is soft, and no one will see it. Some of the links are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will receive a commission if...

How to Watch Netflix in Airplane

Jul 11, 2023 | Carry-On Essentials , Packing Tips , Travel Hacks , Travel Tips , TSA/Airport Security , Uncategorized

How to Watch Netflix in the Airplane With NO Wi-Fi Whether you need to drown out the cute but crying baby in row 22 or if you get bored inside the airplane, these tips will teach you how to watch Netflix even with no wi-fi. TIP: You must get this ready before you go...

Tips to Do BEFORE a Delayed Flight

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Travel Bags – The Best in Every Category

Jul 5, 2023 | Carry-On Essentials , Packing Tips , Travel Tips , TSA/Airport Security

Today You will see all of my best travel bags for airline travel. These are my favorite bags because of 3 must-have features for airline travel: durable, functional and practical TIP: It will be easier to watch the video so you can see the best carry-on suitcases,...

8 Travel Hacks to Pack in Carry-On Luggage

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Beat Jet-Lag for a Long-Haul Flight

Jul 3, 2023 | Carry-On Essentials , Travel Tips

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Anti-Theft Travel Tips to Protect Valuables on Vacation

Jul 3, 2023 | Carry-On Essentials , Packing Tips , Travel Tips

Here are anti-theft travel accessories to wear on vacation. This gear will prevent being pickpocketed when travel. One way to prevent being pickpocketed is by wearing anti-theft gear when touring. Here are some hidden things to wear to help you not get pickpocketed....

Travel Updates: 2023

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Toiletries: Organized Packing Tips

Jun 7, 2023 | Packing Tips , Travel Tips

Today I am teaching you organization tips to pack toiletries. We will help organize your packing list of toiletries while showing you some travel hacks! The number one travel tip for packing toiletries: is to divide them up among your carry-on bags. Separate the...

Overhead Bin Space for YOUR Carry-On Bag

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Jun 4, 2023 | Packing Tips , Travel Hacks , Travel Tips

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27 Cruise Travel Hacks Repeat Cruisers Swear By

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If you’re cruising for the first time, you’re probably looking for the best cruise travel hacks. You want to make sure you’re getting the best deal, packing the most important items, plus getting those insider secrets that repeat cruisers know.

In this post, we’ll go through the best cruise tips and tricks that experienced cruisers know, and you should too.

Cruise Travel Hacks: Cruise Tips and Tricks of Veteran Cruisers

1. Book onboard

It may seem funny to start thinking about the next cruise, before this one. However, this is such a good travel hacks, that I want to make sure you remember it! I’ll even remind you at the end.

Booking your next cruise on board, or even putting a deposit on an open booking, has a few great advantages.

Firstly, your cruise line will actually give you money through a generous onboard credit . You’ll also pay a reduced deposit on your next cruise. In many cases, this deposit is as low as $100 per person, which is definitely easier on the pocketbook.

Conditions and even the amounts will vary by cruise line, but in most cases, it’s well worth it!

Related:   How to Get and Use Cruise On Board Credits (OBC)

2. DIY your shore excursions

One of the best and easiest ways to save money while cruising, and not sacrifice your fabulous vacation, is to book excursions privately or consider touring on your own.

There are many cruise ports where you can easily take a cab to close by beaches and attractions. In other cruise ports, you may want to take a tour or go on shore excursion .

With a little bit of research on your cruise ports, it’s fairly easy to visit attractions on your own. For example, in Bermuda our family took a ferry and bus to Crystal Caves. Not only did we save a couple hundred dollars , but we also avoided some of the crowds, which we appreciate.

If you’re cruising to these popular ports, here are some resources to help with your research.

• 21 Most Recommended Things to Do in Cozumel
• 21 Most Recommended Things to Do in Grand Cayman
• 16 Most Recommended Things to do in Bermuda
• What to Do in Aruba on a Cruise
• Best Things to Do In Boston (near cruise port)

3. Buy your shore excursions “on sale” with your cruise line

In reality, while doing an excursion on your own is great, there are times when booking with the cruise line is easier and safer.

So what should you do? Sign up for their emails and sign into your cruise reservation online as soon as possible.

Cruise lines will have sales periodically and it’s common to see 20% off. You may be lucky and find more. Watch for the promotions in your emails as well as in your reservation.

4. Join cruise Facebook groups

This might seem like a funny one, but joining your cruise line’s fan Facebook group (passenger run – not company run) will mean that you get that inside information and cruise news faster than anywhere else!

You’ll get all the recent cruiser tips and sometimes, it can even save you money!

Our Life Well Cruised Facebook community is where we share cruise tips and cruise inspired fun. If you’re on Facebook, come on over.

5. Here’s how to get a cabin upgrade

You may have heard of people getting free cabin upgrades in the past. Truthfully, it doesn’t happen very much anymore.

However, the next best thing to free, is an inexpensive upgrade. Once booked, several cruise lines will offer you a chance, as the sailing gets closer, to bid for an upgrade.

If there’s availability, at some point you’ll get an email from the cruiseline with an offer for you to bid for a cabin in a higher category. It could be an ocean view cabin, balcony, mini-suite or higher categories such as suites. The starting bids are generally very low, and almost always cheaper than if you booked the higher cabin category in the first place.

We met a family of 4 on our last cruise on the Celebrity Summit , who originally booked a regular veranda cabin, and won their bid to be upgraded to a 2 bedroom family veranda. They were thrilled!

6. Fly in or arrive at your cruise port a day early

One of the biggest mistakes new cruisers make is flying in on the same day as their cruise.

When booking a cruise, it may seem like a good idea to arrive on the day of your cruise. After all, the cruise ship doesn’t leave until 4 or 5 pm, right? Seasoned cruisers know that unexpected things can happen on the way to your cruise, especially if you are flying.

On our past cruise, a plane had a rough landing in Newark and this closed the airport for several hours. This resulted in cruise passengers on other planes, being unable to land. The plane actually needed to be diverted to a nearby airport.

We sat next to a couple who told us how they’d arrived at the cruise terminal with only 17 minutes to spare on embarkation day ! Although they made it, they recounted how stressed they were and how it took them a day to recover from this anxiousness as they really thought they’d miss the ship!

Do yourself a favor, and add an extra night at a hotel to your cruise vacation. You won’t regret it.

Cruise tips: Things to do before your cruise

7. book your on board reservations online asap.

While this can depend on your cruise ship, do log into your reservation on the cruise line website and check if you should make reservations ahead of time for shows and dinners.

Very large or Mega ships have this online pre-reservation system so they can accommodate 5000 passengers, and not have everyone showing up at the same time.

On smaller cruise ships, while you don’t need to reserve your shows, it’s often recommended to book dinner time reservations . Do check your booking for your specific cruise information.

8. Pack a cruise carry-on bag

When you arrive at your cruise port, you’ll be dropping your luggage off at the cruise ship. However, your suitcases won’t be delivered to your cabin until several hours after you board your cruise .

Here’s a post I wrote with some advice for what to pack in your cruise carry on bag that might be helpful.

9. Consider buying a beverage package

It’s good advice to buy a beverage package , if you’ll be drinking that value in alcohol and/or soft drinks. Cruise ship drinks tend to be pricey and really add up. You may also want to book a cruise where the drink package is included, such as Celebrity’s “always included” . Princess Cruises also has a Princess Plus cruise fare which is a great value for many.

However, I’ve noticed in cruise Facebook groups, that some people are under the impression that no drinks are available “for free”, or included.

To clarify what drinks are available and included in your cruise price on the majority of mainstream cruise lines, here goes:

In the morning you’ll find a variety of juices, as well as milk, water,  coffee and tea. The rest of the day, buffets usually have unsweetened iced tea, some sort of juice or lemonade, water. coffee and tea.

Soft drinks, water bottles, freshly brewed coffee, specialty coffee, and alcoholic beverages are not included with most cruises. 

You may however, be able to book at get a beverage package as a “perk” or buy a soda, coffee or alcoholic beverage package. Norwegian Cruise Line has the popular “free at sea” promotion , which might be a good option for you.

To find out more, you can check the options with your cruise line or travel agent .

Read more:   Best Way to Book a Cruise: Travel Agent or Direct with the Cruise Line?

Cruise Hacks that will make life easier on your cruise

10. don’t wait for the elevator.

If you can , take the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator, which is probably crowded anyway.

You’ll save some time and ease some of that “cruise-food guilt” you’re bound to have as you indulge throughout the next few days!

Related: How Not to Gain Weight on a Cruise

11. Downy Winkle Release is your friend

I love my little travel size Downy Wrinkle Release. I can avoid sending my clothing items to press by using this and a bit of shower steam if needed. Plus, a little Tide-to-Go is pretty handy as well.

For more cruise packing tips:  25 Cruise Packing Tips all Cruisers Need

12. Bring magnetic hooks and clips (cruise cabin hack)

Did you know that the cabin walls are magnetic? This means that you can decorate your cruise cabin door with magnets if you like, and also create extra storage space by bringing along magnetic hooks and clips.

You might want to hang baseball caps, handbags or light sweaters on the hooks. The magnetic clips are amazing for keeping all your papers, tickets and invitations organized.

For more Cruise Cabin Hacks and some seriously good tips to help organize your cabin, check out THIS POST .

13. Buy the cruise ship internet package

If you think you’ll need wifi and that you’ll be checking emails or want to keep in contact with folks back home, consider purchasing an internet package.

Cruise ship wifi just isn’t the same as back home or anywhere on land. While cruise ships are making strides and there are more affordable options available than in the past, it isn’t free.

14. Easy and natural seasickness remedy

For mild seasickness, grab a green apple (it really works). For real, green apples are used by the crew and passengers alike, perhaps with some crackers, to settle a queasy stomach. Since they are readily available onboard, grab one or two from the buffet to keep in your cabin “in case”.

More seasickness prevention tips:  10 tips to avoid being seasick on a cruise

15. You’ll be in foodie heaven

I know you’ve heard it – cruise food is good! Buffets, cafes, specialty restaurants, and the Main Dining Room.

Typically, the Main Dining Room has some really great options for dinner in particular.

So how do you choose?

The menu will often consist of a few choices of appetizers, main dishes and desserts, which will change from day to day. However, there are some classic choices which will be available every night.

Experienced cruisers know that you can order 2 appetizers, or split a main dish with the table, or even 2 main dishes if you like. The choice is yours.

16. Bring a refillable water bottle

Pack refillable water bottles for you and your family, that you can also take with you at your cruise ports.

In some cases, you can also bring a full case of water bottles. Just bring it to the cruise port, and ask a porter at the embarkation port to slap a sticky luggage tag on it. Do check with the cruise line for their policies and restrictions.

17. Parents, the kid’s club is good!

Seriously, if you have kids, bring them to the kids club so that they can make friends and have some fun activities to do.

If your child is shy, a tip is to visit and register the first day of your cruise, so that you can go in with your child and meet the animators. They’ll feel so much more comfortable and so will you. You’ll likely be surprised at the quality of staff, activities and inviting atmosphere.

It’s a great way for your children to make friends onboard, and for Mom and Dad to have some couple time.

Recommended article:  15 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips Straight from the Pros

Cruise Ship On-Board Specials and Promotions

On your cruise, you’ll notice that some items and services are promoted on certain days during your cruise. While this can vary from cruise to cruise, these are the common things to look out for, in order to take advantage special offers and discounts.

18. Check for embarkation day discounts

Yes, spas will often have specials for booking on the first day, as will internet packages and even specialty restaurants. Check out the various stands set up around the ship on your embarkation day , to see if these offers appeal to you.

Another trick, is to check for specials on port days. Spas in particular are often less busy, so this is a great time to snag a bargain.

19. Shop the “specials” in the cruise shops

Shop the 10$ sale or “last day”  sale for souvenirs to bring home. You’ll find discounted items, t-shirts etc. Do keep in mind this is not usually the same merchandise from the regular ship stores and boutiques.

However, they will have daily specials too, so it is good advice to check the shops and see what you may like. Ask the store clerks when they may be having specials. You would be surprised at some deals we’ve picked up!

On our Regal Princess cruise over the Christmas holidays , there was an amazing special and certain watch brands (50% off as well as additional 10%). My son was very happy with his cruise deal ;-)!

Cruise Hacks for save money on cruises in the future

20. buy public shares in the cruise line (there are benefits).

If this is your first cruise, you may not be ready for this cruise money-saving/money earning strategy yet, but you may be soon.

What are the benefits of owning shares of Carnival Corporation (which encompasses Princess Cruises, Cunard and more), Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean (which includes Celebrity and Azamara)?

There are actually some good benefits beyond the investment itself (do evaluate the risks like any financial investment). While they vary by cruise line, the biggest advantage to owning cruise line stock seems to a a fair size on board credit for each cruise you take with that brand family.

Those who cruise a couple of times or more each year appear to have the most value.

Please note that this is general information, and not financial investment advice.

21. Kids sail free sailings

Parents and families, look out for Kids Sail Free promos as well as promos for discounts on 3rd and 4th passengers. It is the best way for families to have a cruise vacation and benefit from significant savings.

22. Casino at Sea benefits

Did you know, many cruise lines will send casino players future cruise offers at a reduced rate?

Full disclosure, I am not a casino player so I never get casino offers. However, casino goers report getting discounts of 200$ or more on certain cruises, while some are even offered “free” cruises.

Friendly word of caution: Don’t “play” in the casino in hopes of a future discount, as this isn’t guaranteed. It’s also possible that you can lose more than you’ll ever gain.

But if you’re playing anyway, sign up for the emails ;-).

23. Book with a travel agent

Repeat cruisers have a little secret. They often book on-board (see tip above), but have their booking transferred to their favorite travel agent.

Why? Often large cruise travel agencies have lower rates on many cruises, and can offer extra bonuses like on-board credit or specialty dining.

If you haven’t booked on board, you can still shop around (online works) and get some extras and even better pricing.

Do check the rules and restrictions to see if this is right for you.

24. Book early and monitor pricing

Booking your cruise several months to more than a year before your cruise is often the best way to combine saving money on booking a cruise, with getting your preferred cabin and best perks.

Cruise pro secret: book early and monitor pricing and promotions.

Most of the time, cruise lines and travel agents will honor the lower price and new promotions, up until final payment. So, if you see a big cruise sale, check if your cruise is now a “better deal”. If it is, just call your travel agent.

Keep in mind that not all offers combine and that by adjusting to a lower fare, you may lose any perks from a previous promotion. However it’s always worth checking.

Travel Hacking Tips for Cruisers

While it’s great to save money on your cruise, we all know that the travel plans leading up to the cruise can really add up! Here are some travel hacking tips that help to save even more money, pre-cruise.

25. Use reward miles or credit card points for flights or pre-cruise hotel stays

Are you someone who has Air Miles or other points just sitting there? I was!

On our last cruise on the Celebrity Summit, realizing that hotels in the area that I wanted to book were really pricey, I remembered my Air Miles. It was great.

While I had to pay a few dollars in taxes, we had a really nice stay in a Marriott Residence in Meadowlands, Secaucus (I highly recommend if you are cruising out of Cape Liberty, New Jersey or New York) and used up points that were really just sitting there.

In this YouTube video , I go into a greater explanation of 12 Cruise Hacks that Will Save You Money. If you find it helpful, feel free to share it with a cruising friend :-)!

26. Road trip to your cruise port

One of the biggest expenses of a cruise vacation, will likely be the flights. If you’re a family of 4, sometimes the cost of the flights is the same or even more than the cruise itself.

If at all possible, consider taking a road trip and driving to the cruise port. A few hours in the car on the way to a cruise, might even be fun!

27. Use a “Park & Cruise” hotel

If you’ve driven to your cruise port, you might like to park at a hotel and take the shuttle to the cruise port. Some hotels nearby popular cruise ports have an option to Park and Cruise (like Park and Fly).

Since you have to pay for parking a the port anyway, this is often a good value for cruisers.

Tip: Do check to see if this is worth it by comparing the cost of port parking plus hotel, to the Park & Cruise rate. Plus, evaluate your time to see if this suits you on the day you disembark from your cruise .

27 Cruise Travel Hacks Repeat Cruisers Know (and you should too)

We went through cruise tips to save money before and during your cruise, and learned many of the secrets that avid cruisers use to cruise as often as they do.

One of the best cruise travel hacks repeat cruisers use, that literally has the cruise line giving them money, is Tip #1 – booking their future cruise on-board (promised I’d remind you).

I hope that these tips and tricks have been helpful, as you plan for your cruise vacation.

What’s the best tip that you’ve ever learned about cruising? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

If you’ve found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-)! Please share on Facebook or Pin and save for later on Pinterest (buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

You may enjoy:

30 Cruise Cabin Hacks Every Cruiser Needs to Know

25 most recommended Amazon Items to Bring on a cruise

25 Very Cool Things You Didn’t Know About Cruise Ships

Let’s connect:

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Hello I’d love to see a video or post on how to pack the hacks i see around the list can be 20-30items long but with NO hack on packing the hacks😆.

Lol I love this Tanya!! Unfortunately it won’t be a “packing light” video, but it can be done. Thanks for the idea – I’ll definitely make a packing video sometime soon-ish and will remember this.

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment 🙂

My favourite hack is how get a “free” ride to the airport. Book your return flight for late in the day, and book a city tour excursion on debarkation, being careful that it offers an airport option. You’ll have to take your luggage on the tour bus, of course. I did this in Fort Lauderdale, had a great tour of the city, then was dropped at the airport where I picked up my rental car for the rest of my vacation.

This is an amazing tip Susan. You’re so right, it’s useful for those with flights late in the day as well. Awesome hack that I will definitely share!

Thanks so much,

We inadvertantly got a free ride back to the airport after the cruise because we were renting a car at the airport for the day. Off the ship at 9am, and didn’t fly out until 9pm. Needed somewhere to go for 12 hours, so for $40, we rented a car and drove around all day..and just grabbed the car rental shuttle to the airport, for free. I never really thought about it, but they didn’t ask us any qualifying questions, so anyone “could” have hopped on that shuttle for a free ride to the airport.

This is awesome Jonathon. So glad it worked out & that you had a great day this way – plus the free shuttle. Thanks for sharing the extra cruise travel hack 🙂

One of my favorite hacks is getting a “free” ride to the airport. When you land, make sure your return flight is late in the day, and book a city tour excursion afterward, making sure it has an airport option. You’ll have to take your luggage on the tour bus, so I did this in Fort Lauderdale, and I had a great time, then got dropped off at the airport to pick up my rental car for the rest of my vacation.

Amazing tip!

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18 Travel Hacks You Probably Haven't Heard Before, Straight From People Who Swear By Them

"I once racked up over 20,000 Capital One travel points in a very, very unconventional way..."

BuzzFeed Staff

If you love to travel or travel often, you've probably picked up some tips and tricks to make jet setting more seamless, enjoyable, and cheaper. So redditor u/tomsawyertravels asked, "What's your best obscure travel hack ?" Here's what people said (and I can't wait to try some of these out on my next adventure).

1. "southwest airlines starts drink service at rows 1, 8, 15, and 22. if you have a choice of row 9 or 15, go to 15. you get your drink first and have a better chance at getting more than one.".

— u/enfranci

2. "Always carry a sarong with you when traveling. It’s basically an all-in-one lightweight tool. You can use it as clothes, a raincoat, a rope, a bandage, a beach towel/picnic rug, a bag, or a blanket."

— u/PurplePiglett

3. "Use the bathrooms by the baggage claim. They’re always clean and empty."

— u/holy_cal

4. "I always try to have an extended layover (like 10 hours or more) to visit the layover city. This way, I've visited Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore without going on a specific trip to those destinations. It takes some fiddling to book those flights (airlines present you with the 'most convenient' flight), but it's worth it."

— u/frugalacademic

5. "A lot of flights are not allowing carry-ons these days with a basic ticket purchase (JetBlue 🤨), so I've been using my fishing vest I got from Japan to carry all of my clothes I can't fit into my personal items. Styled right, it looks super cool with my outfit, AND I can fit eight shirts, five pairs of socks, and an entire laptop (storage on the back) in it—and snacks and water. When traveling to places where it's inconvenient to bring my fishing vest, I'll bring my jacket with deep pockets and my Costco dad cargo pants. I can fit 2-3 shirts per pocket. And before anyone complains about the extra weight I'm bringing into the plane, I can promise you my extra clothes and snacks weigh less than 5 pounds."

— u/tomsawyertravels

6. "Most flights won't give you a refund on basic tickets. Upgrade them to a higher class ticket then cancel for a full refund. I've done this with United and JetBlue, but I can't speak for other airlines."

— u/Ace-O-Matic

7. If you must cancel a hotel less than 24 hours in advance, call and tell them you need to bump the reservation back a week. Then call the next day and cancel it penalty-free."

— u/Blu3fin

8. "We once racked up over 20,000 Capital One points in a very unconventional way. We were in Paris and rented Velib bikes to get around the city. The catch was that every time we'd rent a bike, a hold was put on our credit card in case of damage to the bike. I believe the hold was close to $400 for each bike, and it took a couple of days for the hold to be lifted. For some reason, the hold would go through as a purchase on our card, and with the travel multiplier, we were getting about 1,600 points every time we rented a bike. The best part was that the bike rental was free if you rented it for less than 30 minutes. So we'd just rent two bikes, ride to the next station in less than 30 minutes, drop them off, and rent two more bikes. We did this an absurd amount of times and got rewarded handsomely."

— u/robcampos4

9. "Consider using an eSim card. You can shop online for the best deal on a temporary sim before starting your trip. I paid 30 CAD for a 1-month, 12 gig, unlimited, and everything else plan; it's good for all of Europe. I installed the eSim before heading to the airport. As soon as the plane landed, I could fire up my eSim without the hassle of finding a physical SIM card. Was in my Uber 10 minutes after leaving customs, it was great. Not all phones support it, but for those that do, they are extremely convenient and cheap."

— u/pentox70

10. "If flying between the US and Canada, ALWAYS look at buying separate one-way tickets in each direction. More often than not, you'll save $100+ due to their strange exchange rate and tax calculations. It doesn't work on every single route but is always worth a check, and I've been amazed how often it's been much cheaper."

— u/Dorkus_Mallorkus

11. "I get rid of old clothes on my travels, which helps me empty my carry-on for more souvenirs. I bring old shirts, pants, sweaters, underwear, and socks for travel to get rid of them as I go. I hate checking in luggage and I will have plenty of extra room to bring things back."

— u/fitDEEZbruh

12. "I use hotel room hangers to clip the curtains together to black out the room."

— u/rand0m_g1rl

13. "If you’re flying internationally into the US and are a US citizen, do the mobile passport option if the airport has it. It’s an app and takes 30 seconds to do. It’s just as fast as global entry. I’ve passed 100s of people waiting at passport control."

— u/Inpleinsite

14. "If you're not sure of the neighborhood you're booking your hotel or rental stay in, go to Google Street View and 'walk around' in the neighborhood. You can see if it looks pleasant, has nearby cafes or local grocery stores, etc"

— u/ThaneOfCawdorrr

15. "I always create a Google map list and save items to populate my map. It makes it easy to plan out your days and see what sites/restaurants/attractions you are near in a new city."

— u/macedaace

16. "Requesting a special meal (for example, vegetarian) on an international flight will ensure you get served first."

— u/soniclaura

17. "I always bring baby shampoo and an entire unopened box of ziploc bags. The baby shampoo is great for washing yourself (obviously) but is also perfect for washing things like lightweight shirts, underwear, and socks in the sink."

18. "One of my favorite obscure travel hacks is to use Google Maps offline. Before my trip, I download the maps of the areas I'll visit. This way, I can navigate, find attractions, and even search for restaurants without an internet connection. It's beneficial in places with spotty Wi-Fi or when I want to save on data usage. Plus, it relieves stress and helps me feel more confident exploring new places."

— u/Known-Astronomer8660

What's your favorite travel hack that most people haven't heard before? Tell us in the comments or submit it in this anonymous form.

Share this article.

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Should You Take Your Kids Out of School to Travel?

Points Based Travel

An Introduction to Points Based Travel

How To Book A $10,000 FIRST CLASS Ticket For $95

Personalized Help Getting Started with Points Based Travel Hacking

Something To Keep In Mind Regarding Points Based Travel

Booking Accommodation

How We Book Accommodation and Get Discounts on Airbnb

Airbnb Vs Hotels. Which is ACTUALLY Cheaper.

Car Rentals and Ground Transportation

Car Rental Hacking to save 75%

Avoiding Car Rental "Scams"

Which Car You Book Matters

Alternatives to Traditional Car Rentals

How to Lease a BRAND NEW Car for 1/3 the Price of Renting

Should I Even Rent a Car?

Avoid Taxi Scams

Top Money Saving Tips

Avoiding ATM and Foreign Transaction Fees

Leveraging Travel Geoarbitrage to your Advantage

How to Slow Travel for ~$700/month

How You Can Be PAID to Travel (no social media following necessary)

Parking Hack to Avoid Paying for Airport Parking

Miscellaneous Tips

Why You Should Never Visit the Eiffel Tower

Each Country Requires a Different Approach

Simple Tips to Avoid Jetlag

What We Travel With to Save Money

Save $$$ on your Cell Phone While Traveling Abroad

Simple Way to Save $20 per person on travel days

Tipping Culture in Foreign Countries

39 LEARNING A LANGUAGE

Venice Italy for under $500

Top Things to See and Do

Best Sunrise Spot in Venice

San Giorgio Tower

Off Island Trips

Gondola Ride

Very Unique Activity

What and Where to Eat in Venice

Best Walking Streets and Shopping

How Long Should You Stay In Venice?

Best Time of Year to Visit Venice

Booking an Affordable Cash Flight (with flexible travel schedule)

Booking a Flight for $30

Booking an Affordable Flight with Limited Travel Flexibility

How to Get To the Island Affordably

How to Navigate Venice (boat pass)

How to Book Hotels for $40-$60

Final Itinerary and Budget

Travel Planning Guides

Isla Mujeres Travel Planning Guide

About this course

• 3 hours of video content
• Learn how we book international flights for less than $10
• Learn how to book FIRST CLASS Flights for $95
• Learn how we save thousands on accommodation, car rentals, flights, experiences and more.

Travel does NOT have to be expensive

Travel expert shares genius hack for saving money on vacations - revealing how she flew to Hawaii for just $5 using the simple tip

• Fiona Chen, from New York City, shares her travel tips to her YouTube channel 
• The influencer showed followers how she took a trip to Hawaii for only $5
• She advised followers to get a credit card with good rewards if they like to travel 

An avid traveler has revealed the ultimate hack for jetting away for less, claiming she flew to Hawaii for just $5.

Fiona Chen, a beauty and travel influencer, shared her trick to getting away for less than than the price of a coffee, saying it's all in the credit card you choose.

In her step-by-step tutorial posted on YouTube , New York City -based Fiona shared how she achieved the discount on her Hawaiian holiday.

'First you're going to get this travel credit card,' she said, showing a picture of the American Express Platinum.

'You can open any one but I really like this one because it basically pays for itself,' she declared, before detailing how and why she finds the card so beneficial.

'You get TSA pre-check to skip all of the long lines,' she listed. 'Access to skip almost every single longue and $200 for hotel credit, Uber credit and airline credit.'

The avid traveler clarified she had received $200 for all of those, meaning there was hundreds of dollars worth of credits.

Fiona said after you receive the card, start putting all of your costs on it, as once you spend $6,000 you'll get bonus points.

'I know [it] sounds like a lot, but if you're going to be spending money you might as well get rewarded,' she pointed out.

'You're gonna get 150,000 travel points [when you do], which is a lot,' she explained, putting it into context by revealing her flight to Hawaii was just 30,000 points.

'Transfer these points through the portal and you only pay $5,' she said triumphantly.

The American Express Platinum card has an annual fee of $695 - which some had differing opinions on how worthwhile it was.

'Yea you get the credits but that's only getting back what you spent. 

'Spending $300 in travel plus $695 for the annual fee and then getting reimbursed $300, means I'm still out $695,' one person commented on her video.

'I get the sentiment but this is just bad advice because there are people who will open a card just to do this. 

But, to others, it seemed to make perfect sense.

'Girl math at its finest,' joked one follower.

According to the Points Guy , the annual free for the American Express Platinum card also gives cardholders access to airport lounges and extra points on hotels and flights booked through Amex. 

On the American Express website, it states platinum cardholders have to spend $8,000 to earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points in the first  six months having the card.

Want a free upgrade to first class? The only hack is your wallet. | Cruising Altitude

• Don't expect to get a free upgrade anymore.
• Airlines have gotten smarter about pricing their premium cabins.
• You can pay for an upgrade, use miles or buy extra legroom seating.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and no matter what the internet may try to tell you, there’s also basically no such thing as a free upgrade on a plane anymore. 

You can’t “hack” your way into the pointy end of the plane by wearing a collared shirt or flirting with your flight attendant . You’re not going to get a lie-flat bed by asking nicely at the gate, and no one is popping Dom Perignon as a predeparture beverage for you just because you think you have a strategic check-in time.

“It’s just not going to happen,” Brett Snyder, author of the blog Cranky Flier and owner of the travel agency Cranky Concierge, told me. 

Part of the problem is airplanes are just fuller now than they used to be, and airlines have gotten smarter about pricing their seats.

“First class fares used to be so high that people wouldn’t buy them, and instead you just had massive numbers of elite upgrades and all different sorts of people sitting up there that weren’t paying for it, they were just getting it as a perk,” Snyder said. “At some point, the airlines realized, if we start pricing this as a fare upsell, we can get people to actually pay for these seats. Now you have a lot fewer seats that are available for an upgrade because people are buying.” 

As someone who has paid cash more than once to upgrade, I can vouch for this. Suppose the price is reasonable and I’m feeling generous to myself at the check-in counter. In that case, I’ll happily spend the extra money to guarantee myself a more comfortable seat, especially on a long flight.

It cuts the other way, too. I once flew overnight from New York to Paris and was willing to spend a few hundred dollars to upgrade myself to a lie-flat seat at the gate if the option was available. The airline quoted me almost $1,000 to upgrade, and the seats wound up occupied by non-paying passengers who worked for the airline instead. From the perspective of the airline’s bottom line and my own comfort, that was a bad pricing decision.

“If people had too much ability to upgrade travelers at the gate (for free) or whatever it was, that was likely something that was leaving money on the table for them,” Snyder said.

So, how can you get upgraded? There are no hacks, but here’s my advice.

“The best way to get a premium seat is to pay for it. This is not rocket science, this is kind of basic,” Snyder told me. “That’s what it comes down to. The majority of seats and the majority of people who sit in the front cabins are paying for it. That’s the most surefire way to make sure you’re going to get it.” 

You just can’t count on getting an upgrade when so many people are willing and able to pay for the luxury. Airlines are also pricing their premium cabins more liberally now. Business travel still has not fully bounced back to its pre-pandemic levels, but there’s been strong and steady demand in the premium leisure segment, and airlines have taken note. They’ve priced things to entice people to buy up during their personal travel, even when their company isn’t footing the bill.

You can, of course, pay right at the beginning of your booking by buying a premium ticket when you first get your flights, but you should also keep an eye on cash upgrade offers right up until departure time. You never know what the airline revenue management gods will make available. 

Pay (but differently)

“But Zach,” I hear you saying, “I’m an ultra-elite frequent flyer, and I get free upgrades all the time.”

To which I say: No, you don’t.

You may not be paying out of pocket for those upgrade perks at the gate, but that doesn’t mean you’re not paying for them at all. To get frequent flyer status, you need to spend a bunch of money with the airline or an even bigger bunch of money on one of its co-branded credit cards, which likely also has a hefty annual fee.

Cruising Altitude: Don't bother with an airline loyalty program if you're this traveler.

One way or the other, you’re paying for that upgrade, even if it’s not directly.

Frequent flyers also usually have lots of loyalty points, which, again, they have to pay to earn, but those points or miles can be useful for securing upgrades.

“You can also use miles to upgrade, even if you don’t have status,” Snyder said. In addition to cash upgrades, airlines often let you redeem miles for buy-ups to premium cabins.

Pay (but less)

Maybe you’ve decided it’s just too much effort or too financially taxing to upgrade yourself to business class, and that’s OK. You have other options.

“You can always pay for extra legroom seating, but depending on the airline, that can be a very modest upsell,” Snyder said.

It’s usually not as expensive to upgrade from a regular economy seat to an extra-legroom economy seat, and if all you care about is a little more knee space, this can be a good option. 

“Don’t expect that you’re going to be able to game the system and find this magical loophole. It’s just not going to happen. So figure out what you’re OK with and make sure you have that arrangement before you get to the airport,” Snyder said. “If you’re booking something you absolutely cannot tolerate – you’re 7 feet tall and book coach on Spirit, don’t do that.” 

If you’re determined not to pay for anything above the lowest economy fare, you can always pray for an empty adjacent seat. 

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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True cost of £99 Wowcher mystery holiday voucher as duo bag New York City trip

A bargain to get there, but how much does it really cost when you've landed.

Tom Earnshaw

This article contains affiliate links, LADbible Group might make a commission on anything purchased.

A mum and daughter have revealed how much it really cost them after buying a £99 Wowcher mystery holiday and ending up in New York City of all places.

For under one hundred quid, Wowcher offers its mystery holiday package which can take you to the likes of the Maldives, NYC, Dubai, Las Vegas, Disneyland Paris, Barbados and Thailand.

It sounds too good to be true for just £99 per person, but they are some of the very real destinations up for grabs through the mystery holiday deal . The likes of Rome, Portugal, Budapest, Venice, and Cyprus are also on the list.

Not knowing where you're going is part of the fun with this one, with the ability to save hundreds, if not thousands, if you booked a holiday directly without taking the risk to land it for less.

Now, one mum and her daughter have revealed how they got themselves a four night trip to New York City for the price of two mystery holiday vouchers . Incredible scenes.

Emma Talic, 47, and her daughter Ana, 19, got their hands on the trip at the end of 2023 after Emma bought it Ana as a Christmas present. NYC wasn't meant to be the destination of choice, though, with the pair originally given Las Vegas as the holiday destination.

"We found out instantly when I bought the voucher where we were going," Emma told LADbible.

"We originally got Las Vegas but we couldn’t go on the date they gave me so they offered New York and Dubai. We chose New York as my daughter really wanted to go.

"Travelodeal [who offer the holidays through a partnership with Wowcher ] was great; they sorted all the travel and confirmed that everything was fine and we were happy with everything."

After settling on NYC, the mum and daughter took the trip from their home in Cambridgeshire to London Stansted Airport to fly stateside - via a connection in Iceland - for the tiny price.

And in doing this, Emma revealed exactly how much the trip cost her and Ana on top of the initial £99 per person .

Having landed at New York Stewart International Airport, which is about 60 miles north of Manhattan, Emma and Ana took an airport bus to Times Square for just $25 (£20) each.

"Our hotel was clean and comfortable and close to the subway station," Emma said.

"We purchased a weekly subway ticket which gave us unlimited ride on the subway and buses. We visited Times Square, Central Park, Little Italy. We took a bus tour and did a ferry tour past the Statue of Liberty. We also visited the Summit One Vanderbilt observation deck [$43 or £33 per person] which was amazing."

Revealing how much the trip in total cost them, Emma said: "I would say we spent around £1,000 all together. Food was expensive we found the travel card was a really good buy.

"There are some good deals on bus tours and you can haggle with them on price."

£500 per person for four nights in New York City - including hotel, travel, food, drink and experiences - sounds pretty incredible value for money in today's world.

For more information on the Mystery Holiday deal, visit wowcher.com .

Topics:  Travel , Holiday , US News , UK News , Money , Hacks , Shopping

Tom joined LADbible in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

@ TREarnshaw

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