Over the last few years, I have been traveling a lot and along the way have discovered numerous strategies to save time and money while on the go! Traveling can be a stressful experience for many, but I’ve found a lot of the tips I’m sharing below have taken the stress out of traveling. Below I’m sharing my top 5 tips with you that have significantly improved my travel experiences. 

Get An Airline Credit Card & Start Earning Miles

When Jax decided to move to NYC something we definitely had to think about was added travel expenses. Even though we were ‘long distance’ before we were only a quick 1.5 hour drive away. Now being a longer distance away and working full time, flying is the easiest way to get back and forth from Buffalo to NYC- but obviously flights start to add up. Jax and I both decided to get American Express Delta Cards before he moved and it has been the best decision- I don’t know why I didn’t get an airline card sooner! I was grabbing coffee with a friend a few days ago who said it also saved her a ton of money on flights when her and her boyfriend were doing long distance. So far I’ve paid less than $35 in addition to using my miles for all of my flights to NYC. I have been able to book everything using my miles and only have to pay for the tax. We both use our cards for general expenses and continue to earn miles which really has been a big stress reliever. Every airline has a credit card so whatever your preference is it’s a good idea to start earning miles and get a sign-on bonus!

I’ve also noticed that having a Delta card has been a huge benefit for traveling-  I always get a free checked bag, often am upgraded seats, have priority boarding, always receive great customer service, etc. I am currently writing this after being stuck in NYC for a few days because of two canceled flights but Delta has been very helpful throughout the entire process and has given thousands of airline miles for my troubles. Not an ideal situation but at least they are doing their best to make up for it!

My cousin ended up referring me when I got my card so I was able to get a ton of extra bonus miles when I signed up and I wanted to share my referral link for you in case you’re interested in signing up for the Delta Amex. If you use this link it will earn you 40,000 bonus miles! You’ll earn the 40,000 Bonus Miles after you make $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first 6 months, which seems like a lot but I started using the card for all of my expenses like gas, groceries, etc and was able to easily hit this within 6 months!

Sign Up For TSA Pre-check / Global Entry

Another decision I’m so glad I made was TSA precheck– I’m definitely one to push the limits with timing at the airport and precheck has saved the day so many times. On my last flight to NYC there was an incredibly long line to get through TSA but since I had pre-check I was through in less than 5 minutes! Another option if you travel internationally often is Global Entry– when Jax and I went to Europe for a few weeks last summer neither of us had Global Entry but both said if we were to plan other trip we’d both want to enroll.

I also opted in for Deltas new Digital ID program and it has saved me so much time at the airport.

Pack Snacks & A Water Bottle

This one may seem silly, but buying snacks and drinks from the airport can really start to add up! I also find that packing my own snacks helps me eat a lot healthier while I’m traveling. A few of my favorite snacks to pack are Chomps, mixed nuts, protein bars, freeze dried fruit, etc. I like to buy larger packs on Amazon or from stores like BJ’s or Costco- not only are these snacks great for travel but they are perfect for lunches and whenever you need an easy snack on the go. Adding my favorite snacks and water bottle links below!

Book in Advance & Research Before You Go

This one isn’t always a viable option, but booking in advance is always a way to save money on flights. I very rarely book a last minute flight and if I do I typically have enough airline miles to cover it! Booking in advance goes in tandem with doing your research before you get to your destination. For example: What is the easiest way to get to your destination from the airport? What do you plan to do on the trip? Do you need to book any reservations or get tickets in advance? Yes, this all seems very type A but I always find having at least a general idea of your plans while traveling is very helpful. You can always pivot!

Find the best restaurants, landmarks, activities, etc to do on your trip so you aren’t scrambling to make plans each day. Typically when plans are rushed it tends to equate to spending more money and not always having the best experiences. Also you want to make sure you can make reservations and visit all of the spots you want to go to! Jax and I made this mistake in Amsterdam last year and weren’t able to visit a lot of museums because we didn’t buy tickets ahead of time.

Pack Light

This is one I have a very hard time following, but if you can do it definitely pack light. It will save you money on baggage fees, you won’t have to wait in a long line to check your bag at the airport, and it makes it much easier to get around once you are at your destination. Most of the time when I pack light and plan my outfits before hand I have an easier time getting ready while away. I am a chronic over packer and still find myself having “I don’t have anything to wear moments” but am still lugging around a lot of stuff when I use a checked bag. I find that planning outfits prior and using packing cubes / other organizational items for your suitcase really helps keep things compact! I’m going to link a few of my favorite carry-on suitcases as well as organizational items for packing below.

I hope you enjoyed this post and can apply a few of these tips to take the stress out of traveling!