Pre-boarding tips to save you time & money and avoid stress!

Hey fellow wanderer,

I’m glad you’re here!

You have probably heard many travel enthusiasts jokingly say; the preparation for the trip costs more than the trip itself. LOL. But it won’t have to be unexpectedly costly, if you are well prepared! Here are some helpful tips that will have you stepping into the airport with complete peace of mind. That’s what trips are all about in the first place; relaxation, enjoyment and ease!

Budget like a pro

Tickets, accommodation, transportation, activities, food & beverage, shopping money…check! But not so fast!...What about travel insurance, deposits, gratuities, wardrobe shopping, baggage fees etc.?

Let’s break it down quick and easy:

- Set a budget for wardrobe shopping.

- Set a budget for beauty/grooming; hair, manicure, pedicure, hair removal, drug store errand.

- Inform the cost of travel insurance; make sure you are well covered.

- Have a separate (credit) card for miscellaneous funds and fees; PCR/Antigen tests, baggage fees, preferred seat fees etc.

- Inform about deposit amounts for your accommodation and/or car rental. These can go up to a few hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

- Research the destination’s gratuity culture and budget accordingly.

Early birds gets the worms

I know waking up super early to go on a trip is a no-brainer to many. Besides the fact that you’ll want to get to your destination asap, it also has its practical benefits.

It is recommended to always book the first flights of the day; reduces chances of delays or cancelled flights due to plane malfunctions or too behind on schedules, overworked crew/understaffing, and I’ve learned that storms are most likely to form at night which is also a major reason for cancellations and delays.

Secure the bag

And I really mean your bags this time! LOL. The post-pandemic travel journeys have brought immense joy to many but has also left many people to cope with stressful situations, with lost baggage being a common reason.

The reasons are known and there’s very little we can do ourselves about staff shortage, the airline’s/airport’s team, broken planes etc., so let’s focus on what’s within our control.

First of all, you may want to check out the airport’s busy periods around the dates you want to travel and if inconvenient choose a nearby/alternative airport if possible. Search the airport in travel groups on Facebook, on Twitter or Tiktok and find out what people are saying or watch what they’re experiencing at the moment to manage your expectations and avoid disappointments. Believe me, if it’s messy enough, you WILL find warnings.

In any case, busy or not, direct flight or not, it is highly recommended to put a GPS tracker on your luggage. You can buy Apple’s Airtag, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag or a universal Tile tracker. These devices promise to give a real-time update on the location of your luggage, making it easily found in a messy baggage claim area or in case it gets stranded at the wrong destination.

Emergency wardrobe

With that being said, it is always handy to keep an emergency wardrobe for a day or two at hand. Pack extra small toiletries (remember the liquid lowdown), a sewing kit to save the day when needed, and a pair of comfortable slippers or sandals. Genius tip: pack your clothes in a pillowcase, this way you’ll have a “pillow” to rest in case of extra long delays or layovers at airports.

We don’t over pack over here

If you’re the “just in case” packer, this tip is definitely for you.

I’ll give it to you short and sweet; plan your outfits! This will not only help you save unnecessary space and avoid excess weight fees, but it is also way less stressful when you know what you’ll be wearing to which activity. Two or three extra tops and an extra pair of bottoms is totally fine and even recommended.

Other helpful tips:

- Maximize your space by using packing cubes.

- Roll you clothes to minimize creases.

- Use zip lock bags for all liquid items, even perfumes.

- Size down toiletries, hair products and perfumes. These mini perfume containers and travel bottles are my go-to.

- If after applying these tips you’re still concerned about the luggage weight, pack heavier items like shoes and jeans in your carry-on. (Even though carry-ons have maximum weight too, they hardly check the weight if the size is okay to fit the overhead bin).

Find a list of my travel-must-haves here.

Finally yet importantly, organize your journey!

- Keep all your travel information in one place by using apps like TripIT, where you can consolidate your flights, itinerary, travel documents etc.

- Download the map of the destination from Google Maps so you’ll be able to use it offline.

- Download a currency convertor and/or language translator.

- Keep a digital scan/photo of all your official documents; passports, ID’s, driver’s license, medical insurance card.

And now…take flight and stay safe!

Bon voyage,

Juliska