Let's see if we can get a general collection of tips for travel hacking together. All the basic ones:

- TSA Precheck / Global Entry
- Chase Sapphire / Marriott Bonvoy / Amex Platinum
- keeping all your stuff in a carry-on makes it easy to avoid baggage claim
- Loungebuddy / Priority Pass for airport lounges

What else am I missing? What are the basic things everyone should be doing to save time / get a more enjoyable experience while traveling?

likesmart
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Get CLEAR to add to the precheck/global entry

like

Front of the line?! *Googles CLEAR immediately*. Lol, thanks KPMG!

like

Book airport hotel the night before if you have a morning flight next day; also book airport hotel if you arrive late after a long flight. This avoids hassle of taxiing or driving to hotel in city for a minimal stay, or stress and expense of trying to get to airport early am

like

I just wrote a guide on this topic that I was planning on publishing to my site I’m creating.

Here’s a top 10:

1) Travel in off-season and shoulder seasons to save money on travel and accommodations.

2) Carry a backpack for your essentials in addition to your carry-on.

3) Invest in a high-quality backpack. Some come with a lifetime repair or replace warranty.

4) Learn the “ranger roll” or use packing cubes

5) Always carry a pen/pencil and notebook. Depending on where/how you’re traveling you can’t always rely on an electronic device.

6) Use luggage with unusual patterns or colors to make it easier to spot on the carousel.

7) Always keep your chargers and cables packed with the device(s) they charge.

8) Keep an extra cable in your bag for charging mobile devices. Electric grids vary from country to country but every USB port around the world uses a standard voltage.

9) If packing OTC meds make sure they’re not illegal/regulated in the locale you’re traveling to. Example: you can’t take Vicks to Japan because it contains banned ingredients.

10) To prevent toiletries from leaking due to pressure changes put a small piece of Saran Wrap over the bottle opening then tighten the lid down over the plastic.

Plus a few extras…

Post Photo
likehelpful

Excellent

like

If you travel a lot, I recommend having your carry-on bag and toiletries bag always packed. When I get home, I throw everything in the wash, and immediately repack my bag. That way when my next trip comes up, my bag is mostly ready to go (maybe aside from adding or replacing a few things).

Also, for Canadians, get Nexus (the Canadian version of Global Entry).

like

Wear a shirt with zippered front pockets large enough to hold passport and tickets and money. Don't leave these items in bags, coats, back pockets, or anywhere else.

like

Email a color scan of your travel docs and passport to yourself and save in Google docs for offline retrieval (don't just save on your phone un case your phone is stolen or lost)

like

Password protect the PDFs...

like

If you do have to check put air tags in your bags

like

Carry some fiber powder when you travel as your digestive system might not agree with the sudden change in foods

Carry a basic first aid kit, travel off season, ask the hotel if an upgrade is possible/available - I always ask if I can get a room with a view. Visit tourist sites early morning, during lunch, or before close - you’ll not experience much crowds.

I’ll add to the first aid kit-I work in emergency management and typically I’m in the field and I carry this thing everywhere (except, stupidly, on my current deployment to KY).

I put all my drugs/salves into contact-case containers. Small and water resistant and refillable. (Sunscreen is the only thing I constantly run out of using this method).

In these contact cases I have:
-day/night decongestant that you like
-lotion/face cream you like
-bug spray
-after bite
-antiseptic (Neosporin)
-sleep aids (melatonin/etc)
-etc.

Note: medical scissors (can get through TSA- and they can cut everything including internet cables).

I typically don’t use bandaids anymore (they just peel off or get ruined). I use athletic tape and/or superglue for most things.

Ensure you’re up to date on all your vax! Especially tetanus and hep a/b.

like

Related Posts

Reason #101 why noise canceling headphones & drinks are critical (when status can’t solve travel nightmares)

Post Photo
likefunnysmart
like

Hi,
Is Amex and Amex GBT same?
As a business analyst how is Amex GBT in terms of culture, WLB and projects?

Looking to move to usa with visa sponsorship any opportunity's.

like

Yosemite JFK to SFO

Post Photo
like

Hi, i am currently working as a Head of Digital Marketing in B2B space in Toronto. I am hoping to relocate to US for vetter pay and opportunity, Can i apply for job from Canada itself or now companies are hiring from US only. I can get TN visa.

Any feedback is appreciated, thank you

like

All the reimbursement and other stuff which goes to partner for approval , does partner actually sits and review all those and approves it or does he have any secretary or assistant to approve all that.

Currently 4 expenses(1 internet, 2 Cab, 1 Flight) which are awaiting partners approval and I am really concerned if he's gonna come shouting at me 😂

like

Has anyone tried to sell miles or points through one a site. I have a family member looking to do it and I had never looked into. Any experiences? Pros cons

like

Why won’t AA let me book business class flights with points if they’re available to buy cash? (Qatar flight on AA site)

like

Do you think the US will issue a 100% travel ban (aka nobody can come in or get out) similar to some other countries? When and how long?

like

Might have to leave the “all things points” bowl soon if these creepy ant/roach/bug posts continue. Making me so paranoid to stay in a hotel now smh

likesmartfunny

Joining Deloitte in 2weeks. What Deloitte send laptop, do they send extra monitor, keyboard and mouse? Or does it need to be purchased using $1000 productivity subsidy? And do we need to use Amex card to purchase and then reimburse?

like

I was thinking that the rise of driverless cars could mean no more car chase movies. Robots not only taking our jobs but also our movie plots

like

Hi I've just graduated with a Master's Degree and and am currently on a Temporary Graduate Visa. I've been applying for jobs in Management consulting, Audit & Assurance and similar areas but it doesn't seem easy to land one.
I recently got referred at PwC for a graduate advisory role and I was wondering how it works. Will my resume still go through the ATS ? Any help and guidance will be appreciated

like

26th Sept - Advisory Odyssey
Question to Leadership of PwC India - Do you think people would visit a hotel(4-6 PM) just for high tea?
No Lunch, No Gifts?
Why have you even wasted money in booking the hotel, just for high tea? Do you think, people would care about the townhall & go?, if you just give high tea?
Seriously man! I don't even know, why PwC is even coming under Big4! Shame!!

upliftinglikefunny

I join tcs by changing my profile and my previous exp was in 5 yr pre-sales.
I am giving my best in work but still escalations are raised against me by client.
My husband is also in tcs he is moving to onsite in Jan and my travel is also planned mid next year.
I am giving 12hour daily in my job to adjust in new profile. And affecting my health now.
Shall I quit the job and move with my husband with on dependant visa? Or i shall continue to get pressurized and wait for my onsite?
Plz suggest.

Can someone rank all marriot properties for me. I don't use marriot and don't know the different between a Fairfield inn, residence inn, courtyard, etc.

like

Does anyone has a United GPU/RPU that is expiring on Jan 31st that I can use?

like
like

Hey, I am planning to visit India for H1B Visa stamp. I am yet to pay fee for booking the Interview slot.
Anyone who is able to see the slots available can you please share of dates are available in early May for any consulates in India?

Thanks in advance!

like

More Posts

Freshly groomed and feeling fine !

Post Photo
likeuplifting

Just got out of the Army and transitioned to the business world. I have no clue how to dress. I’ve worn a uniform almost everyday for 7 years. Anyone have any advice for how to dress in the workplace?

like
like

Hey guys, need some advice. I was fortunate enough to get the Consortium fellowship at Ross but am also stuck on the CBS waitlist and am still planning to apply to Wharton in R3. Assuming I get into CBS/Wharton, is there that much of a difference between them to forgo scholarship money? For context, I want to get into product management at FAANG/fintech with pursuing MBB as a plan B. Thanks in advance!

like

For partners with kids ~13 and up. How many sporting/music events do you find yourself missing? I’m making it work with weekend stuff, but I know as they get older more happens during the week.

like

From where do the EY HRs procure the resumes?

like

Any good side gig recommendations for a main gig Cloud Support Engineering Job

like

What were some circumstances where you have had to to let go of an internal company offer after accepting it?

like

Been single for 7 months from a long term relationship. I still don’t feel motivated to date, I just don’t think I’m ready. I also don’t know if I’ll be ready soon. At what point should I be “worried"

like

Any F in the Bay Area wana have some exciting time?

funnylike

I keep watching Schitt's Creek reruns now and then. It makes me feel warm and mushy, but also super lonely. So tired of being perpetually single. I know it's been posted about here a bunch of times before but it still sucks. Venting and knowing you're not alone, helps a tiny bit. =) Also does anybody else thing Patrick is essentially just a 'too good to be true' fantasy boyfriend Dan Levy dreamed up and put on the show?

like

Bengali Male here, single. Living in Pune.
Is anyone interested to be friends?

Might end up dating, if we get along well!

likefunny

Hi EY folks,
I am joining EY GDS as senior.
Do EY GDS do background verification for all my previous employers ?
They have asked me to submit document only for last employment for BGV which first advantage is doing. And offer letter mentions to submit only exp/relieving letter for last 2 employers as applicable while joining.
Little confused as I am have bad experience with one of my employer.

Kindly help me out.

like

Having worked with energy now for a decade, I find myself enjoying the craziness of it all: You're always two decisions (in Moscow or Riyadh) away from prices halving or doubling. War or no war is quite often a sensitivity, and adoption of EVs/renewables/biofuels will be between X and 10X. Find it hard to imagine doing strategy work in the less volatile/crazy domains - what could be more exciting than this 😋

like

Why the resource team is wrongly mapping to higher level management role project proposals. Like 4 yr experienced people are being proposed for 10 year experience requirement.
Does anyone else faced this? LTI

likefunny

I’m a new contracts lawyer and am trying to learn how to harmonize indemnification with LOL. Any tips or resources? I know this is a broad question, but would appreciate any direction on what questions to ask when reviewing a K to do this.

like

@wipro
Tata Consultancy

Hey guys, Since I am working in Deloitte and right now, I am working from home. I want to go Nepal for 2 months and I want to work from there. Do I need to tell my manager or simply I can go there and start my work. Is there any obligation?

Note- I don't want to tell anyone. Since it may backfire sometimes

like

Any pregnancy safe vegetarian collagen recommendations?

like

When you get comfortable enough with your teammates to make jokes and they don't know how to feel about it

Post Photo
likefunny

Are other Docs at Teaching Hospitals experiencing Resident fatigue?

like

Additional Posts in Travel Tips & Secrets

What are currently the best Canadian credit cards for travelers? Looking for Aeroplan or bonvoy points or companion tickets

like

Anyone want to do apt swap for a weekend or longer - NYC here for LA, Chicago , London

like

I’m loyal to delta, but I’m moving to a city where American is the main hub and Delta has practically no non-stop flights to/from there. It’s time for me to open a new credit card, so I was considering the Citi/American one. Any thoughts?

like

My friend and I were hoping to do a quick getaway to warmer weather this weekend (we live in Maine, so we're already freezing)! Our usual getaway is a quick trip to Florida but that's obviously not happening this week. Any suggestions for an awesome warmer place on a budget?

like

Looking to book two Iberia tickets using avios NYC to MAD business class in March but can't seem to find availability - can anyone help?

like

Anyone know a good company to get local sim or esim card for The Netherlands and Belgium? I don’t need too much data I will only use it to navigate around and for emergency call. I have Verizon as my provider. Thank you all!

like

Best New Years trip for two

like

I only have limited time in Copenhagen, and can only choose between Glyptoteket or National Gallery of Denmark. Which one would you recommend and why?

like

When traveling for business how do you find while eating out alone enjoyable or the food doesn't taste as good as being surrounded by friends and family?

like

What's the longest vacation you've taken and where did you go? Thinking about capitalizing on my unlimited PTO and want some ideas.

like

For the 🐠 that have traveled to Egypt, can I get some recommendations on tour companies? I’m traveling with my partner (two females) and would like to have something arrange. 🙏

like

Anyone know of a fast track program for status on American Airlines or is it just the challenge you have to pay for?

like

Does anyone know a discount code for Omni Hotels?

The wife, baby and I are moving to Greenville SC in the spring.

Would love to hear anyone’s experiences about the city and where you’d suggest we start our house search!

like

Is there any way to preserve/sell a Spirit airline reservation credit? Mine expires at the end of the year. Had to cancel over the summer due to extreme delays and uncertainties.

likefunny

What are the most underrated destinations in Canada?

like

I’m trying to decide on a hotel in the Maldives - currently choosing between the W Maldives and the Park Hyatt Maldives.

Does anyone have a perspective based on experience?

Will Amex restricting guess access for Centurion Lounge actually make any difference?

I can see short term changes but the way Amex has been aggressively marketing Platinum card, we just will have overcrowding of primary card holders 🤷🏻‍♂️

What's next, everyone has to spend min. 50k a year to get Centurion lounge access or pay per visit.

likeuplifting

Any tip on places to see or restaurants in Helsinki other than the typically found in top 10 lists on the internet??

What's the requirement to travel back to the US?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal