When I Travel...

I wanted to share a few of the things I’ve learned along the way that can help make your trip more cost effective and easier navigation when you travel

·     I only travel with a carry-on bag. I invested in a nice luggage set by https://www.awaytravel.com/and have their small carry-on bag and tote bag that fits perfectly onto the handle. I don’t like checking luggage onto a plane because of many reasons but mainly, time and security. I want my bags with me at all times I don’t like entrusting an airline not to lose my bags (it’s never happened to me, but still!) And that dreaded carousel wait after you’ve had a long flight and now to have to queue up and search for your luggage in a sea of others. It’s too much of a headache. Not to mention the hefty baggage fees a lot of airlines are charging now. So I make sure to take only what I need and not the “just in case” outfits we all bring and never wear. Plan ahead your outfits and pack light!

·      Last year I applied to and was approved for the Global Entry pass that allows me to have TSA pre check and quick access back into US customs. Having this pass has been such a time saver getting through security (shorter lines, no removal of shoes etc.) I check in online with my airline provider and have my boarding pass downloaded to my phone, head straight to security when I arrive at the airport and get on the PreTSA line (which is always shorter than the regular security line) and go straight to the gate. I don’t have to get to the airport hours in advance since I’ve breezed through the hardest parts. Now I’m not stressed having had to check in, print pass, wait on long lines. I can sit at the bar near the gate and have a “before flight” cocktail 😉

The price for the global entry application is $100 and about a 3 to 4 week processing time at (cbp.gov/trusted traveler program) Once your application is accepted and you’ve gone through the background check, you have to set up an in-person interview with a customs officer where you’ll be fingerprinted and your photo is taken. They will mail you your global entry card and you’re all set!!

·      With the free time I have at the airport before boarding, I hit up the currency exchange window. How much I exchange depends on where I’m going. For Iceland, I only changed $60 usd as emergency money because I heard that Iceland is credit card friendly. Card is accepted everywhere (even food stalls) and tipping is not necessary there. When I’m going to other countries like Italy or Dubai, I like to exchange anywhere between $100-$300 usd. Also don’t forget to contact your bank and/or credit card company to alert them of your travel destination and dates so that you’ll be able use your cards without being declined while abroad.

·       Stop at duty free to buy the majority of your alcohol. Drinks can be very expensive in certain countries so it’s always best to purchase a bottle or two of your favorite spirit to have in your hotel room to enjoy whenever you want w/o getting overcharged at the mini bar, hotel bar and restaurants.

·       International calling. Verizon is my cell phone carrier and they have the Travel Pass for $10 unlimited calling/text. All major phone carriers have an international calling plan. Once you’ve set it up, anytime you leave the country it automatically kicks in and sends you a text that you can begin using your phone and will be charged per day the amount your carrier charges. While convenient, this can get expensive depending on how long you’re traveling and if you use it every day. I once traveled for 10 days and used my phone to call home and check in every day that I was away and was charged $100 for international calling. That’s fine if you don’t mind paying the extra cost but for my recent trip, which was 5 days, I tested out a different method. I kept my phone on airplane mode from the time I took off at JFK until the time I landed back home 5 days later. Instead, I waited until I was in my hotel in Wifi and then placed a FaceTime call (or WhatsApp) to connect with family. By doing this, the Travel Pass never kicked in and I didn’t incur any extra cost. From now on I’m going to use this method when I can. It saves $$

Just a few things I learned along the way that have made my travel experiences hassle free and cost effective so I can spend more time and money on my actual experiences 😉

Do you have any traveling tips you’d like to share with me? ✈️