10 Things Not To Do When Traveling
1. Don’t wait until the last minute to book
Have you ever found that amazing deal of a lifetime, but you wanted to wait just a few more days hoping for the price to drop, only to see the price jump up unexpectedly? We have been there numerous times! Although you can grab some great last minute travel to hidden gems, if you are looking for popular tourist destinations, planning early can get you the best prices.
Do this instead:
Find the sweet spot for booking domestic and international flights. Your best flight deals are typically going to be 3 months to 6 weeks in advance for domestic travel and 3-6 months in advance for international travel. This can vary depending on Holidays and popularity. For example, if you want to book your dream vacation to Greece in the middle of summer, it is a good idea to book as early as possible. Waiting until the last minute (say a month in advance) for a flight or to book a hotel can be a gamble. While you might be able to score some great last minute deals, if you are heading to a very popular destination during peak season, you might not find that deal you were holding out for. Same goes with hotels, although you may be able to score a great last minute deal, during peak season you are going to find all of the hotels or VRBOs or AirBnBs were booked up months ago.
Set flight alerts, so you don’t miss out on that deal you’ve been waiting for! If you are nervous about missing out on a good deal and don’t want to commit too early, I recommend setting a flight alert (I like Google flight alerts and Momondo flight alerts). Some sites such as Expedia, also offer price drop protection, or your credit card may offer it as well. For example, Capital One offers free price drop protection up to 10 days after you purchase your flight through Capital One Travel.
Don’t forget about popular attractions and restaurants! The same advice holds true for any specific restaurants or attractions that you want to visit during peak season. For example, when we were in Florence, tickets were sold out to see the statue of David and waiting lines to try to get same day tickets were a three hour wait. Not exactly the ideal way to spend your vacation or holiday. So, even if you are more of a go with the flow traveler try to plan around booking tickets to your must see travel attractions.
2. Don’t only use one site to find deals
Loyalty can definitely pay off, especially if you are a frequent traveler and use the same airline or hotel chain. However, unless you have amazing status where the perks out weigh any price savings, shop around for the best deals.
Do this instead:
Shop around to find the best deals. While you may have a site of choice (booking.com for hotels or only using kayak for flights) be sure to shop around and check to see if other sites have better deals. In some cases, you may find a great deal through Hotels.com or a flash sale though Travelocity. You might even be able to find a good deal using Hotwire’s Hot Deals. The point is be sure to check around on different reputable sites. Although you should most definitely shop around on different sites, one cautionary tale:
Third party sites can offer amazing deals, but make sure you trust the site before you book. If you doubt the sites authenticity or if the deal is on an unknown website and seems too good to be true, it probably is. I have had a few headaches using an unknown third party site to get an amazing deal only to find out that my flight wasn’t in fact valid or I missed a connection and had to spend hours on the phone with lousy customer service that did not help. Point being, shop around to find the best deals, but understand who you are buying from. Most often we will use some of the mentioned websites to find which airline is offering the best rates and book directly through the airline website to avoid the hassle if plans change or connections are missed. This way you connect directly to the source if there is a problem.
Unless you are a deal junkie and like doing hours of research, find 3-5 sites that work best for you that you can check quickly for deals. For example for flights, we normally check:
Momondo
Google Flights
Kayak
Credit Card Travel Rewards (such as Chase, Capital One, Or American Express)
United.com
3. Don’t travel just to see the main tourist attractions
I will qualify this statement a bit. If you only have a few hours or a day in a major city then by all means go see the main sights. Take a quick tour to see the highlights. If you are in Paris for a day you don’t want to miss out on seeing the Eiffel Tower.
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Seek out unique travel experiences. Now, assuming you are not slamming everything in in a short amount of time and have a few days (or more) then take some time to find the hidden gems, the cool cultural aspects, or local areas that make that travel destination unique. Some of our favorite experiences have been finding that hidden pub or local restaurant away from the main tourist sites, a stunning cathedral we popped into, or local shops/boutiques that we otherwise would have missed. These little experiences are what we remember and take with us. I remember when we were in Paris and found out from some friends about a restaurant in the 19th arrondisement called Quedubon. We spoke minimal French and were the only non-French dining there but we had half the restaurant helping us out by explaining the different dishes and making recommendations. What a cool experience we would never have had, had we just stuck to the same major restaurants around the main sights.
4. Don't Overpack: Travel Light, Travel Smart
Let’s face it, lugging around a huge suitcase from place to place, over cobblestone streets, and then storing it in a small hotel room can be a nightmare. While you may think you need to bring a new outfit and shoes for every single event, trust us, re-wearing clothes is completely fine. In fact, before we pack, we like to lay out all of the clothes we think we need and then cut it by 25% (excluding underwear!).
Do this instead:
Plan Your Outfits: Before you pack, plan your outfits for each day. Choose versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched.
You don’t need an outfit for every event or even every day. No, you do not need to bring a different outfit for sightseeing & dinner every single night. You can easily re-wear shorts/slacks, dresses/skirts, and even shirts if you only have them on for a few hours.
Pack smarter. Tightly roll your clothes and place them in packing cubes to save on space when packing. We have separate ones for undergarments, day clothes, and dinner. This also helps divide these items out and make them quick to find for less stress & save time at your accommodation.
Save some space in your luggage for some unique gifts you want to bring back with you!
5. Don’t forget to check the visa & entry requirements when traveling overseas/to a different country
Checking Visa requirements ahead of time can save you time and heartache. Whenever you are traveling abroad, always double check the visa requirements ahead of time. While many countries have reciprocal agreements with the USA or the UK, country rules can vary and change. Before you go, make sure you understand if you need a visa, if you can request in advance, and how far in advance you can request your visa. We always recommend checking your Government’s department (for those in the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/) or ministries ahead of time to see if there are any unique requirements you must adhere to.
6. Don’t assume you do not need reservations
This has happened to us too many times to count. We book a spontaneous trip somewhere planning the perfect trip only to discover that the day trip we wanted to take or the attraction we wanted to visit was sold out when we arrived. Don’t let this happen to you!
Do this instead:
Even if you are not a planner, check to see what attractions are likely to sell out. This is particularly important for major attractions, clubs, events, and/or restaurants. While we also like to go with the flow when we travel, we learned to plan our must-sees in advance.
Scope out restaurants ahead of time. If there is a restaurant you really want to get into, make sure you check availability in advance and make a reservation. You can always cancel if your plans change.
Research major attraction availability. It’s better to have an event booked then hoping to book it in the future. This can also be true for main attractions. For example, visiting Park Guell in Barcelona, or the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, or the Colosseum in Rome. If it’s a must see for you, then it should probably be a must book ahead of time.
7. Don’t always rely on credit cards while traveling abroad - especially at small vendor stalls
While credit cards offer convenience when traveling, relying solely on them can lead to unexpected challenges. It's wise to have some local cash on hand, especially when exploring smaller shops, markets, or rural areas.
Do this instead:
Keep cash on hand. It’s always good to have local cash on hand. Although many countries and small vendors take credit cards around the world, it is always better to have at least some local currency.
Shop local, but be skeptical when paying with card. We always like shopping at small local boutique stores for unique gifts, but their credit card security may not be the best. This means you have a higher chance of potentially having your credit card number stolen. Just be cautious, and if someone says they need to take your credit card “to the back for better connection”, make the smart decision and opt to pay with cash.
Watch out for foreign transaction fees on credit cards. Check if your credit card charges foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad. If they do, these charges can add up quickly. Opt to find a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees (like the Capital One Venture card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred card)
Cash is better if you want to get a better deal. If you are into haggling or negotiation, it is also much easier to do with cash versus credit card. On the other hand, local vendors prefer cash and it can be easier on them so they do not have to pay the credit card fees.
Don’t assume everyone takes credit card. While many countries and vendors around the world do take credit card, there are still plenty of vendors that do not accept them. Best to plan ahead just in case.
8. Don’t forget to bring a money belt or cross body purse and RFID wallet
Nothing can ruin a perfectly fun vacation than a wiley pick-pocket. When traveling keep safety in mind to ensure you have a great time. When traveling to unfamiliar areas or heading to big cities, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Do this:
Find your most stylish or functional money belt, cross body purse, and RFID wallet! A money belt is a thin belt to hold your credit cards, cash, etc., that you wear concealed under your clothing. If you like handbags or are carrying around more items, opt for a cross body purse with a closure. These are much harder to steal & makes it harder for pickpockets. Both of us had our debit and credit card information stolen from what we believe was a briefcase skimmer as only one of us had used our credit card during a trip. An RFID wallet will help protect yourself against this and unauthorized purchases on your card.
9. Don’t forget to sign up for travel loyalty programs
Don't leave free travel rewards on the table! Signing up for loyalty programs with airlines, hotels, and rental car companies is a simple way to enhance your travel experience and potentially save money.
Do this:
Join free programs and track your points. Almost every rewards program is free and your points can last for years in some cases.
You may receive priority treatment. If you run into any issues or want to ask for that extra upgrade, companies are normally more willing to help or negotiate with someone who is a part of their loyalty program. So, even if you aren’t sure if you will ever stay at that brand of hotel again or that discount airline you found - still sign up!
Sign up for that hotel, airline, or rental car loyalty program. You never know if those points will add up later or if you can transfer existing points from a credit card to that loyalty program. Plus if you live near a major airline hub, you can accumulate enough airline points to have status for upgrades with more leg room, earlier boarding, and free checked bags.
Use Rewards Programs for their Flexibility & Transferability: Many programs allow you to transfer points between partners or extend their validity, giving you greater flexibility.
Keep an Eye out for Exclusive Deals & Discounts: Access special member-only rates, promotions, and partner offers.
10. Don’t forget to learn a few phrases in the local language
While you don’t have to be an expert in a foreign language, knowing some basic phrases and words can really help out. First, it shows that you care about the other country’s culture and second, it can help with communication, even if you stumble through words or phrases. We have found that trying out a language can create such a warm and positive effect with another person and really makes the connection much more meaningful. Even if we butcher through the language, we have found that people are more receptive and willing to help. Plus you may even learn a couple of fun colloquialisms in a new language!
Give the following apps and sites a try to brush up on your foreign language skills:
Hopefully these tips will make your travel experience even more enjoyable! Happy Traveling!