Due to the amount I’ve been travelling recently here are a few tips that I found quite helpful:

  • Get Status, this tends to help with check-in and security lines. This also eliminates baggage fees.

  • Use the mobile boarding app if you aren’t checking bags. If you are checking bags, then use it when there is a baggage drop.

  • When going to places near water, carry bug spray and Benedryal. This is a godsend, when in the Caribbean.

  • Carry sunscreen when going to places that experience year long warm temperatures.

  • Always carry a pen with you when travelling internationally. This helps you fill out the customs card. Most people forget this one.

  • Get a Kindle [or a tablet that can use the Kindle application]. This saves room in your carry on.

  • Don’t pack everything in your carryon. Check bags. The cost is $50 for your bags round trip. Bringing roll ons is nearly guaranteed to get your bags gate checked fairly frequently. Also, for a frequent flyer, overcrowding the overhead isn’t amusing, it’s annoying.

  • Create a budget for how much money you can spend/will need before leaving on the trip.

  • Research the place before hand to get an idea of what to do

  • Have your iterary, adgenda, and hotel reservations ready. This can help you get through customs. Although even with being organized and prepared, from Tynan’s, and my previous experiences this can be rough. Some countries are worse than others about their customs procedures.

  • Research potential airport taxes [not covered by your ticket] prior to leaving. Having a $10 bill in your wallet when connecting in Aruba on to another Caribbean country is quite a helpful thing to have.

  • Identify good places to eat in airports. Most restaurants are bad in airports, but there are some that are quite exceptional.

  • Be proactive about making connections. Most airlines won’t automatically rebook you when there are missed connections. Fix the issue before you get to the connecting airport. The sooner you fix an issue the better. My friend Warren claims, that Delta will automatically rebook you.

  • Avoid certain routes on certain airlines. From my experience involving delays and Insel air, it would be advisible to avoid booking flights that make connections. If an airline is notorious for having incredibly cramped conditions or aggressive fees avoid them. [(From reviews and word of mouth) Alitalia and Ryan Air respectively]. Also, be aware of how the airline treats irregular operations, and exceptional situations. If they handle it poorly, avoid them.

  • HDMI cable- This is to plug your laptop or tablet into the TV. Many newer, and renovated, hotels now carry HDMI compatible TVs. This makes it easier to stream media from your tablet/laptop on to the TV.

  • USB Charger Adaptors- Keep a mini and micro USB cable on you. With a

  • Plug splitter - These will split the plug into many outlets. This is invaluable in airports where plugs are few and far in-between. Also, this guarantees you a spot on the plug and helps you to make new friends.

  • This is age-old to advise, but I’ll repeat it: A spare set of clothes in your carry on. This is incase your baggage gets lost.

  • Setting your alarm clocks early for morning flights. Give yourself enough time for traffic, parking, check in, security, and some wiggle room for unpredicted situations.

  • Have the phone numbers of the reservation lines. This may help you avoid the customer service lines. Once you hit elite, special “elite-only” lines will expedite this process.

  • Create a checklist of things to pack/you-will-want-to-have. This helps to avoid the frantic last minute “what did I forget” run around. Also leave a way to note the things you will need to pack in the morning: medications, alarm clock, etc.

  • This shouldn’t be said, but: pack the night before you leave.

  • Laundry bag, put one in your checked bag. This helps separate the dirty clothes from the clean clothes, and expiates washing after the trip.

  • Rubber Bands: These keep cables tidy, also cable ties are single one time use items.