How many of us ex-military folks are missing the benefits we used to have? Ten percent discounts were flung at us left and right, we could always bring the amount of luggage we needed and airport lounge access was often complimentary.
Although active-duty military still reserve most of the benefits for being in the armed forces, there’s one airline that shines above the rest when it comes to supporting veterans: Allegiant Air.
Although it’s a low-cost carrier, it provides a ton of benefits for those who have served. Let’s take a look.
What is Allegiant Air?
Founded in 1997, Allegiant Airlines serves over 100 destinations within the U.S., some near to Canada. As it’s a low-cost airline, you’ll find extremely cheap airfare.
However, you’ll also be on the hook for all kinds of additional fees, such as carry-on bag fees, checked luggage fees and even a fee for printing your boarding pass at the airport.
This is in the same vein as fellow low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. However, while Frontier and Spirit will offer some limited benefits to those who are on active duty, the same can’t be said for veterans. Allegiant, meanwhile, maintains nearly all the same perks for those who are active, reserve or veterans.
Where does Allegiant fly?
Allegiant is unique in that it offers only nonstop flights. It does not sell tickets on connecting routings, although it’s possible to create your own layover by booking separate tickets. Keep in mind, however, that Allegiant charges per leg, so if you’re paying for seats or otherwise incurring charges you’ll have to do so twice.
Otherwise, Allegiant’s interactive route map allows you to discover all the different airports to which it flys.
You’ll also want to be aware that some of Allegiant’s routes are seasonal, which means they aren’t always available.
Benefits for veterans
So, what benefits do veterans actually end up with when flying Allegiant? There are plenty:
Up to two pieces of checked baggage for free; up to 99 pounds each.
No charge for oversized bags; maximum linear size is 115 inches.
One free carry-on bag.
One free personal item.
Free boarding pass printing at the airport.
Free pet in cabin.
Early boarding. This applies to all passengers traveling on a single itinerary with the military member.
Note that spouses and dependents with a valid military dependent ID will also qualify for these benefits if traveling on the same itinerary.
Benefits for active-duty military
While Allegiant does a lot for veterans, it does even more for those who are active duty.
In addition to all of the above perks, active-duty and reserve members of the military are also able to change or cancel their flights without a fee if there’s been a change in their orders.
ID required for benefits
You don’t need to have a veteran ID card or a DoD Common Access Card (CAC) to take advantage of Allegiant’s military discounts, as there are a number of forms of ID that can be accepted. These include:
DOD Common Access Card (CAC).
DD Form 1173-1 (dependents only if traveling with military honoree).
DD Form 2.
DD Form 214.
DD Form 2765.
Uniformed Services ID Card or driver’s license with a veteran designation on it at the airport during check-in.
Veteran ID card.
Save money on Allegiant flights as a veteran
So how do these savings stack up in a real-life scenario?
Let’s use a nonstop flight from Phoenix/Mesa to Houston-Hobby on Allegiant Air for mid-October:
For a round-trip itinerary, you’ll pay $85. This is a third of the price you’d pay for a comparable flight on Southwest Airlines, which is the only other airline to offer nonstop flights on this route.
Of course, Southwest Airlines allows you to bring two free checked bags (up to 50 pounds each) and a carry-on without being charged.
As a veteran, active-duty or reserve member of the military, however, you’re entitled to all those additional benefits on Allegiant. This means you can bring two free checked bags (up to 99 pounds), and a free carry on as well.
And say that you’re wanting to bring your pet with you. Southwest charges $125 each way to do so, while Allegiant will allow you to bring one for free as part of its military discount.
Here’s how all the pricing shakes out. Note that the cost for bags on Allegiant is variable; the amount you’ll pay will run as high as $75 per bag depending on when you check and the route you’re flying. For this comparison, we will use the price charged if paid during booking.
Southwest Airlines
Allegiant Air (non-military)
Allegiant Air (military)
Checked bags
Carry-on luggage
Pet in cabin
Total cost
As you can see, Allegiant beats out Southwest Airlines even when you’re not getting any military benefits.
However, when you factor in the fees that are waived as a veteran, active-duty or reserve member of the military, your savings skyrocket. In this case, you’ll be saving more than 80% compared to flying Southwest.
Allegiant is the best airline for veterans
Look, no one books a ticket on a low-cost carrier expecting high-class service. Allegiant will get you to your destination at rock-bottom pricing, which is the best you’d usually hope for when booking these types of flights.
However, the perks afforded to those who’ve served are truly in a class of their own. You might still be aboard an Allegiant Air flight, but you, your luggage and your pet can all come aboard for nearly nothing thanks to Allegiant’s unusually generous military discount policy.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
You’ve probably heard of Frontier Airlines, especially if you fly often within the U.S. As a low-cost carrier, the airline focuses on providing especially cheap airfare without any extras.
Despite this, you’ll still be able to earn miles and elite status with Frontier — and you can even buy a membership to make your flights cheaper. But if you’re wondering, “Is Frontier Airlines good?” You’re in the right place.
Here’s a look at what Frontier Airlines is, what it’s like to fly on the airline and factors to consider before purchasing a ticket.
What is Frontier Airlines like?
You already know that Frontier offers a low-cost travel experience, but what does that look like in practice? Here are a few things to know about flying Frontier.
Making reservations. Making a reservation for Frontier Airlines is simple. You can do so through the Frontier Airlines website, chat feature, app or third-party providers such as Priceline. Keep in mind that some of these methods, such as booking a ticket via chat, come with additional reservation fees.
Check-in. Online check-in is available to travelers for free beginning 24 hours before departure on the airline’s app. Checking in via the website is subject to a $5 fee and doing so at the airport costs $25.
Boarding. Those who’ve paid for priority boarding, have purchased the Works bundle or who have Frontier elite status will board before the general queue.
In-flight experience. Frontier only operates economy class seats, though its stretch seats recline and offer extra legroom. There is no Wi-Fi or in-flight entertainment and if you’d like drinks or snacks, you’ll need to pay for them.
Loyalty program. Frontier’s loyalty program may not offer a ton of perks, but if you manage to earn top-tier elite status, you and your family will enjoy benefits such as complimentary stretch seating, free checked bags and priority boarding.
Frontier Miles, Frontier’s loyalty program
Frontier Miles is the loyalty program associated with Frontier Airlines. You can earn miles when you fly or when you use a co-branded credit card for purchases. These miles can be redeemed for award flights, which start at 10,000 miles for a one-way Value award.
But just because it has a loyalty program and offers award flights, does this mean that Frontier is a good airline? In NerdWallet’s 2023 analysis of the best airline rewards program, Frontier placed eighth out of nine competitors — the only airline it beat was Spirit Airlines and its Free Spirit loyalty program.
To determine airlines’ scores, NerdWallet considered a variety of factors, including the value of a reward mile, elite status benefits, additional fees, pet policies, the in-flight experience, flight operations and how basic economy tickets shook out.
Other factors to consider
Safety ratings
In AirlineRatings.com’s annual analysis of the safest low-cost carriers, Frontier Airlines made it on the top 20 list. This list was compiled from the 385 airlines it monitors, which includes competitors such as Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Allegiant Air.
Reliability
Air travel data tracker OAG’s 2023 Punctuality League ranked Frontier Airlines No. 8 out of 10 U.S. airlines when it comes to on-time performance. In 2022, 66% of its flights took off on time and just under 3% were canceled. How bad is Frontier Airlines when compared with its competitors? Consider performance leader Delta Air Lines, for whom 82% of flights took off on time and just under 2% of flights were canceled.
Customer satisfaction
So is Frontier Airlines really that bad? According to J.D. Power’s 2023 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, dismal is the answer to how good Frontier Airlines is. Overall customer satisfaction with Frontier’s economy flights placed the airline dead last in the rankings, behind Spirit and American Airlines.
Fees
Although you’ll pay less for airfare, it’s impossible to mention Frontier Airlines without also noting its fees. As we already pointed out, it’ll cost extra to deal with the agents at the airport. It’ll also cost extra to bring a carry-on bag, choose your seat, get food, make most reward redemptions, check in on the website, change your flight, bring a pet and more.
Unique perks of flying Frontier
Frontier Airlines may not be the most luxurious way to get around the country, but it does have some perks that are worth discussing. Most notably, its GoWild all-you-can-fly pass allows you to travel as much as you’d like for a flat fee. Those who can make use of the pass will certainly think Frontier Airlines is good, especially since the pass includes international travel.
Another unique perk that Frontier offers is Discount Den, which is an annual membership that allows you and up to eight companions to access discounted airfare. It costs $60 per year with a $40 enrollment fee for your first year. Discount Den also allows kids to fly free on select routes and flights.
Who should avoid Frontier Airlines?
Frontier Airlines certainly isn’t for everyone. If you’re interested in full-service flights or the benefits of elite status — such as complimentary upgrades to first class and lounge access — you’ll want to look elsewhere.
This is also true if you tend to overpack, as you’ll need to pay for every piece of luggage, aside from one small personal item. Although elite status does grant a free checked bag, this ability isn’t unlocked until you reach Frontier’s top-tier 100K status. Even then, you’ll just get one free checked bag.
If you’re considering flying Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines is a no-frills endeavor that’ll get you from point A to point B.
If you plan well, it can also get you there very cheaply. And if you fly them often enough, the rewards for elite status can make it worth it.
But low customer satisfaction ratings and a low reliability score mean that flying Frontier won’t be for everyone, especially if you’re looking to fly in comfort.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
Purchasing airfare can be a complicated process, and it can take considerable skill and patience to find the best possible ticket prices. To demystify the process and help you snag a great price on your next trip, we gathered 11 of our tried-and-true strategies for finding the best prices on airfare.
Every situation is unique, so you may not be able to apply every single one of these strategies every time you fly. Your mileage may vary based on your desired route(s) or planned date(s) of travel.
Regardless of where or when you’re going, bookmark this story so you can easily reference these strategies for finding cheap airfare.
Start with Google Flights
When shopping for a flight, the first thing you’ll want to do is figure out which airlines operate a given route and get an idea of the average prices.
Instead of visiting each airline’s website individually, start by searching a site like Google Flights that will produce results from numerous airlines. Google Flights is a robust search tool that not only shows you pricing based on your date and route but also displays alternate pricing via a date grid and price graph that can help you save money.
You can even set up tracking alerts to receive email notifications if the price for your desired route drops.
Related: What you need to know about using Google Flights for award flight searches
Keep in mind that Google Flights is not a booking platform, so you can’t actually make a reservation or pay for your ticket through the site. When you click on a flight you want to book, it will take you to that airline’s website to complete your booking.
Check carriers that don’t appear on third-party sites
One of the main weaknesses of online search engines is that they often won’t list the flights of all carriers, such as Southwest and some ultra-low-cost carriers, like Allegiant and Frontier.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
The best way to find out which of these carriers serves a particular airport is to search for the route map on each airline’s website (or Google the airline name with “route map”). Once you know about any alternate carriers, you can check their pricing and compare it to the pricing you found for the airlines listed on Google Flights.
Search one-way and round-trip flights
More often than not, round-trip tickets are cheaper than purchasing two one-way flights, but we all know there are exceptions to every rule.
For example, JetBlue and Southwest typically price their tickets on a one-way basis; a round-trip flight is simply the sum of the two one-way prices. Occasionally, though, you may get the best round-trip deal by pairing two one-way tickets, potentially on two different airlines.
Remember, Google Flights is a terrific tool to show you when separate one-ways could be the cheapest option.
Just be aware that booking two one-way flights does carry some risk if you need to cancel or change your trip. If you book your outbound and return flights on different carriers and both charge $200 change or cancellation fees, you’ll be hit twice if you need to adjust your travel plans. Changing both ends of a round-trip flight booked on a single airline would only incur that fee once.
Related: How to avoid airline change and cancellation fees
Search one seat at a time
There’s a little-known quirk in how airlines price seats that can result in much higher prices when searching for multiple passengers versus a single ticket. Airlines place their inventory in fare classes (sometimes called “buckets”) that aren’t always clearly visible to consumers.
For example, there might be only three seats left in a fare bucket for $300 each, and the next higher bucket might be $400 per ticket. However, if you were to search for four seats, everyone would fall into the $400 fare bucket.
By searching for a single seat, you’ll see one of the three remaining $300 tickets. With a little trial and error, you’d then know to book one reservation with three tickets at $300 each and another reservation for the fourth ticket at $400. In this example, applying this simple strategy would save you $300 from what you’d pay by booking all four seats on a single reservation.
To make this a bit easier, many airlines will even tell you how many are left at that price, like this example from Miami International Airport (MIA) to New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on Delta.
If you had searched for three or four tickets, the price of that one-way flight jumps to $249.30, an increase of $56 per passenger. This trick also works when you need to book multiple award flights that aren’t all available at the lowest mileage levels.
Search alternate airports
Sometimes the cost of a flight is just so high that it can make sense to use your second or perhaps third choice of airports. Many airlines allow you to search all airports in a region by specifying the destination as the city (e.g. New York City) instead of a particular airport.
For example, the New York area has three large airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and LGA. However, you’ll find even more flights if you expand your search to nearby Long Island McArthur Airport (ISP), Westchester County Airport (HPN) and Stewart International Airport (SWF).
When you use Google Flights, for example, you can enter your origin and destination cities instead of a specific airport name. This opens up more – and possibly cheaper – flight options.
Leverage elite status
Having elite status won’t get you discounted tickets, but you might be able to use it to save money another way. Having elite status with most carriers will allow you to stand by for earlier flights or perform same-day confirmed flight changes.
This could allow you to book a discounted flight at an inconvenient time, only to change it to the flight you want at no additional cost. Even if you don’t have elite status, the charge to stand by or make a same-day confirmed flight change might be less than the fare difference between the flight you want and the cheapest option that day.
For details on the major airlines’ elite status programs, check out the following guides:
Use the right credit card
The right credit card can offer you significant savings on airfare in a variety of different ways. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 5 points per dollar on all airfare purchases made directly with the airline or through the Amex travel portal (up to $500,000 in annual purchases), worth 10 cents per dollar spent, according to TPG’s latest valuations.
Related: The best credit cards for airfare purchases
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. You can also use your $300 annual travel credit toward airfare purchases because they typically code as travel.
Other cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred, the American Express® Green Card and American Express® Gold Card, also have elevated points earnings for flights.
Check first class
Don’t ask us why, but once in a blue moon, you may find that a first-class ticket can be very close to the price of one in economy class — or sometimes even less. Some possible explanations are that people forget to check the price of first class and that many companies don’t allow their employees to book first class, even when it’s less expensive. Also, discounted first class fares might exist when only full-fare economy class tickets are for sale.
Related: Are first-class tickets worth the splurge?
Either way, always check the price of a first-class ticket before paying for an above-average economy class fare. When you factor in the additional miles you will receive as well as the free baggage allowance, lounge access and in-flight amenities, it may justify a modest premium in fare.
Look for coupons and other offers
Like any business, airlines occasionally offer coupons and other discounts. For example, your Amex Offers could feature airline rebates, or you could save money with an all-you-can-fly pass like those offered by Frontier. Other low-cost carriers like Southwest often offer flight deals that can save you hundreds of dollars on airfare.
Buy miles
When faced with an expensive fare and a shortage of miles, consider buying the miles you need for an award ticket, especially when they are on sale. It rarely makes sense to purchase miles without a bonus and without a specific award in mind, but when you can save money by purchasing miles and immediately redeeming them for an award flight, it can be a great idea.
Reprice, reprice, reprice
Many airlines allow you to rebook your airfare if the price drops after you book your flight. For example, if the price of your Southwest flight drops after your initial booking, you can rebook your flight and receive a credit or a cash refund, depending on your fare type.
Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines also have a “no-change-fee” policy for most flights and fare types. Once you book, check for fare drops on a regular basis and snag that refund if the price drops.
Bottom line
Purchasing airfare can be a complicated endeavor, with so many carriers competing for customers and adjusting prices frequently.
Thankfully, there are several simple strategies you can use to minimize your out-of-pocket expense for booking flights. Even if you pick two or three of these as a starting point, you’ll be well on your way to finding the best flight prices for your next trip.
Memorial Day weekend has passed, and the summer travel season is here. The Transportation Security Administration screened nearly 10 million passengers over the four-day holiday weekend, including a post-pandemic daily record of more than 2.7 million travelers on Friday, May 26.
As millions of travelers take trips by plane, cruise ship or road this summer, we’ve gathered some essential travel tips on how best to book and enjoy your journeys.
Whether you’re an occasional road-tripper or a frequent globe-trotter, these TPG-backed top travel tips can help you avoid unnecessary headaches when you spend time away from home.
WESTEND61/GETTY IMAGES
How to find travel deals
Flexibility is key when it comes to finding cheap airfare any time of year.
Changing your arrival or departure date by a single day can save you hundreds of dollars on airfare. If you don’t mind altering your family’s plans slightly, consider booking travel directly on major holidays like the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas for cheaper prices and thinner airport crowds.
One of our favorite tools at TPG for finding deals is Google Flights. You can use the search field to find the cheapest (or best) flights. Google will also give you a historical view of how prices have ranged and will even send you email alerts if fares jump or drop on specific routes you’ve selected.
It also has some fun tools you can use to find a cheap destination. By clicking the “Explore” button on the sidebar and putting your departure airport, Google will give you a map or list view of the most wallet-friendly destinations.
However, Google isn’t the only place to find deals: TPG publishes regular deal alerts. You can sign up for Twitter alerts and subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest deals news.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
Don’t sleep on mileage awards, either. If you’ve been hoarding miles during the pandemic, it’s time to spend them. Cash prices are high, so it can be a good time to burn those miles.
No matter how much you think you know about redeeming miles for flights, there are always new tips and tricks for turning those earnings into dream trips. Turn to TPG for guidance on sweet spots for redemptions. Sites like ExpertFlyer (part of Red Ventures, like TPG) supply additional redemption ideas or even business class upgrade inventory.
You may even want to consult a travel agent to get access to special deals that aren’t available anywhere else. Travel agents can sometimes get you extra perks at hotels or even cheaper business-class airfare to your dream destination.
Be your own best advocate
Since there are air traffic controller and pilot shortages, airports struggling with staffing in some areas and little room for error in the system these days, travelers have to be their own best advocates.
There are ways to get ahead of any possible travel nightmares.
First, be smart when booking. Try to find a nonstop flight rather than one with connections, even if it costs a little more. You’ll eliminate the risk of missing connections and lessen the chance of having your luggage go in a different direction than you during a transfer.
You could also take one of the first flights of the day, as those are least likely to face afternoon thunderstorms and most likely to depart on time. Read our article 5 reasons to book the first flight of the day for all the data.
Related: Your flight is canceled or delayed – here’s what you should do next
Download your airline’s mobile app to keep track of potential flight delays in real time. The airline app is a secret weapon in case things go wrong. Not only will you know when boarding starts, but you’ll also learn of any delays first. Some airlines allow you to even rebook yourself in the app.
If your flight is canceled, you’ll want to beat everyone else on your flight who is also looking to get rebooked.
We recommend heading for the customer service desk (or lounge desk if you have access). You could also get on the phone with the airline or contact them via social media if there’s a delay. Sometimes, an airline’s Twitter representative will help you faster than a phone or in-person agent can. You have to use every tool at your disposal when things go south.
Many airlines also now have live chat capabilities to help navigate delays and cancellations.
I always have an alternate plan (or two) in the back of my mind in case a flight gets canceled or delayed. I also look to see what other airlines are flying the route I’m booked in case something goes awry. This way, I’ll know what to ask for if I need to be rebooked.
Also, save all the receipts for the expenses you incur during delays or cancellations. You’ll want excellent documentation in the case of meltdowns like the one Southwest passengers experienced during the holidays.
If you’re stuck at an airport for an extended period, seek out your airport’s secret quiet spaces for a brief escape from the travel chaos.
Get Global Entry and/or TSA PreCheck
One of our favorite ways to speed through the airport and avoid those summertime mega lines is via Trusted Traveler programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.
Essentially, the government pre-screens you for security and thus you save a bit of time during your travels. You’ll need to apply ahead of time and pay a fee. The great news, however, is that many credit cards will give you a statement credit for these fees. TSA PreCheck is a $78 application fee for five years, and Global Entry is $100.
Related: 7 ways to get Global Entry, TSA PreCheck and/or Clear for free
TSA PreCheck allows you to speed through airport security without removing your shoes, laptops or liquids. With Global Entry, you can breeze through customs when you return from an international trip.
If you have the time, going for Global Entry rather than simply TSA PreCheck makes sense. Global Entry requires an interview with Customs and Border Patrol ahead of time, but once you’re approved, TSA PreCheck will be included.
Get Clear for the ultimate security trifecta
The other security tool we recommend you have in your travel toolbelt is Clear.
Related: Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear
The expedited security program allows you to bypass long security lines by using a separate lane at many airports. You’ll approach a kiosk where your identity is confirmed via an iris scan or fingerprint. A Clear employee will then escort you to the front of the security screening line.
A Clear membership combined with TSA PreCheck will enable you to go to even shorter lines at some airports with designated Clear/PreCheck lines. Clear isn’t perfect at all airports where it’s so popular, and there are now long lines (cough, Atlanta). However, it will still generally lead to shorter lines overall.
Related: Guide to using the Amex Platinum Clear benefit
Make copies of your important documents
Make digital and hard copies of all your important travel-related documents. Start by photographing your driver’s license, your state ID and/or your passport.
You should have copies of your IDs in your phone’s library in case you get separated from the actual document. Sometimes, it also helps in a pinch if you are asked for ID and didn’t bring the hard copy. For example, I was recently asked for my ID to enter One Vanderbilt to have dinner at the new American Express Centurion Lounge in New York. The receptionist would have accepted a photograph of the ID if I didn’t have the physical document.
TPG also recommends having an actual photocopy in a separate place. Editor Kristy Tolley says she stores a hard copy in a separate place from where she keeps her passport in case she loses a bag. “I also leave a copy of it at home if I’m traveling alone,” she said.
Check expiration dates
If you aren’t 100% certain of the expiration date of your passport and other travel documents, go check them now. Renewing passports takes time and some countries require six months of future passport validity to allow entry. Remember that child passports expire every five years, which can sneak up on you.
Related: How and when to renew your passport
Double-checking the expiration dates for your driver’s licenses and state IDs is also a good idea. Remember that TSA checks the expiration dates on your documents when they screen you for security. Don’t forget to check the expiration dates for your Trusted Traveler programs like Global Entry, Clear and TSA PreCheck, too. It can take a while to get a Global Entry interview appointment if you need one to renew.
Few things are worse than getting to the front of the security line and realizing the PreCheck mark is gone from your boarding pass.
Finally, check the entry requirements if you are traveling internationally. Some countries require visas that you must acquire before arrival.
Consider travel protection
When booking your travel, try to use a credit card that offers some built-in travel protection. Many credit cards, including TPG favorites like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card® from American Express, offer this when you use those cards to purchase your airfare and similar.
Related: Best credit cards for trip delays and cancellations
If the coverage offered by your credit card isn’t enough, you might also want to purchase travel insurance. These policies can sometimes go beyond trip cancellations to cover things like medical evacuations. Warning: Read the fine print on any extra policies very carefully to ensure it covers the situations that matter the most to you.
Those who frequently travel abroad may want to consider purchasing an annual travel insurance policy instead of buying one on a trip-by-trip basis. Some TPG staffers purchase annual policies because of the cost savings for multiple trips. Some will find having an annual policy is easier than juggling separate policies or various credit card coverage terms and conditions.
Tips for your luggage
TPG has a ton of tips when it comes to luggage.
First and foremost, try to be on “team carry-on” whenever possible. If you don’t check baggage, you are much less likely to become separated from it. Many of us at TPG refuse to check luggage except under extreme circumstances.
Of course, other folks with families or those embarking on long journeys may still want to check bags. If that’s the case for you, you can still do many things to lessen the chance you get separated from your stuff. For example, make sure your luggage is in good working order, your contact info is attached, the bag is within the weight limits, you get to the airport early (but not too early) to check it and confirm your luggage is tagged to the right destination or connection.
Related: 7 tips to keep the airline from losing your luggage
After last year’s baggage delays and luggage disasters, we strongly suggest you put Apple AirTags (or the Android equivalent) into your luggage so you can track your items if they go missing.
If you check a bag, keep extra medicine or medical supplies in your carry-on bag in case your luggage goes missing or gets delayed. “As a diabetic, I keep a tiny emergency kit in my backpack with enough supplies to keep me going in an emergency,” TPG writer Tanner Saunders said.
Former TPG credit card writer Ryan Smith also offered words of advice regarding luggage. “The last items you pack in your carry-on will be most accessible, so use this for your passport, ID, ticket, headphones or whatever else you need during the trip,” he said. By making sure those items you’ll use most are easiest to reach, you’ll save yourself the hassle of having to dig around (or partially unpack) your bag to grab what you need.
Finally, be sure and get compensated if your bags are late or lost. Many airlines will give you points or even cash for delayed bags, and the government has rules on compensation if your bags are lost.
Staying safe on your journeys
From potentially getting robbed while on the road to experiencing bad weather or natural disasters while traveling, there are many scenarios that could arise when you’re away from home.
To mitigate those risks, pay attention to U.S. Department of State warnings about a destination you plan to visit and check local sources for the latest news from that country or region for additional context. Although the State Department tends to err on the side of caution with its warnings, it’s still best to be aware of what you may face during your trip.
Also, know the local number in case of emergencies. In many places, including Mexico and much of Europe, if you dial 9-1-1 on your cellphone, you will be connected to emergency services just like in the U.S. However, you should know the local emergency numbers of whichever country you visit.
Let people at home know your itinerary and stay in touch with them throughout your trip. If something goes amiss, at least someone will know where you’re supposed to be or the last place you visited.
If you’re arriving at night, contact your hotel or home-share host to ask about the best way to get there at the time you’re arriving and the safest ways to travel at night in that area.
Also, be strategic about how you check into a hotel. Some solo travelers request two keycards to imply someone else is on the trip. Giving thought to the hotel room’s security swing bar can also make sense, with some taking steps like placing a hand towel over it to make it harder to dislodge from the outside.
Some final tips
For cruisers, TPG principal cruise writer Gene Sloan suggests arriving in port at least a day in advance (if not several days ahead of time). This will eliminate the risk of missing your ship’s departure time and help you get acclimated to the local time zone.
When taking road trips to out-of-the-way destinations, go old school and bring paper maps with you or download offline maps from Google. Using a paper map or an offline version means you always have a way to navigate around your chosen destination, even if you lose cellular service.
One other note, you should reserve airport parking ahead of time during peak travel times. Some airport parking areas fill up fast around holidays, so reserving your spot ahead of time will save you from wasting time looking for a space when you need to catch a flight. You can also sometimes save by booking online in advance, too.
Bottom line
Whether you’re fresh to the world of traveling or a seasoned expert, you can always learn new tips to maximize your time away from home. The more research and preparation you do before your trip, the better your experience will be — especially if things go wrong, as they sometimes do.
Some of our favorite tools are deal alerts, Google Flights, sign-up bonuses and credit card rewards. Learn those tools and use them for better travel every time.
Remember that these days when things go wrong, you have to be your own best advocate. For more travel tips and tricks, read the stories below.
If you’re wondering whether a travel rewards credit card is right for you, consider your travel goals and determine which card fits your lifestyle the best and whether it’s worth paying the annual fee.
If your end goal is to save on travel, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card might be the perfect pick since you can redeem your rewards directly for travel or transfer them to over a dozen airline and hotel partners. Its annual fee is $95, which is affordable, but still a consideration.
Here’s what makes the Capital One Venture worth it.
Welcome offer
For starters, the Capital One Venture is currently offering new applicants 75,000 bonus miles after making $4,000 in purchases during the first three months.
Those bonus miles are worth $750 when redeemed toward travel, but potentially much more if you’re able to leverage the Capital One program’s various airline and hotel partners, easily offsetting the $95 annual fee. As such, we value this sign-up bonus at $1,388.
Earning Capital One miles
One of the top reasons many people love the Capital One Venture is its straightforward earning structure of 2 Capital One miles per dollar on virtually anything you buy. You also don’t have to worry about miles expiring as long as you keep your account open, and there’s no limit to how many miles you can earn.
A big factor as to why the card is so attractive is that there are no categories to memorize or quarterly bonus categories to activate — it’s an ideal card for busy people who want to simplify their earning strategy and redemption options.
Related: How (and why) you should be earning lots of Capital One miles
Redeeming Capital One miles
This is where the card truly distinguishes itself. The two foremost ways to redeem your Capital One miles are at a fixed value or by transferring them to airline and hotel partners.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
You can redeem miles at 1 cent apiece with the fixed-value option toward eligible travel expenses charged to the card. For example, say you reserved an Airbnb home for $750 for an upcoming vacation. You could redeem the 75,000 miles earned from the sign-up bonus to offset the Airbnb purchase and cover the entire stay from the miles earned on your Capital One Venture.
This particular redemption option comes in handy when you don’t want to jump through hoops to find award availability, or if you like to stay at non-chain hotels. This is also a popular redemption approach when you find cheap airfare and prefer to save your other valuable transferable points for more aspirational redemptions.
Another way to redeem your hard-earned Capital One miles is to transfer them to partner airlines or hotels. This can be a great choice when you are ready to maximize some award chart sweet spots and stretch your miles.
Related: How to use your Capital One miles at a fixed value
Other perks & benefits
The Capital One Venture proves its worth with other ongoing benefits, too. They include:
Although you hopefully won’t have to use some of these benefits, like the travel accident insurance, others, like the Global Entry and lounge perks, can save you money on a regular basis.
Bottom line
The Capital One Venture is a favorite among travelers for a few reasons.
Its simple earning structure of 2 miles per dollar makes it easy to maximize on almost every purchase. The ability to redeem miles both directly for travel at a fixed rate as well as transferring to various airline and hotel partners makes it extra versatile. And then there are the value-added benefits like statement credits for Global Entry and relatively robust travel and purchase protections.
In short, it’s a strong all-around choice for travelers, both frequent and otherwise, and well worth the $95 annual fee.
Related: Capital One Venture card review
Official application link: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox and Juan Ruiz.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
We all wish that we could pack our bags with the finest outfits, jet off to a private island and dine on 5-star, Michelin-rated food. Unfortunately our bank accounts just donât have time for that. Lucky for us, there are some great hacks out there that make traveling in luxury a little bit easier for
The post How to Travel in Luxury on a Budget appeared first on MintLife Blog.
When it comes to planning a trip or vacation, it can be exciting â yet sometimes it feels weirdly daunting and stressful. Travel is pricey, and the financial burden is often a big reason people forgo their PTO days or stick to local weekend adventures instead. But the world is big, full of life and
The post 7 Ways To Save Money While Traveling Abroad appeared first on MintLife Blog.