Travel Luvv Guide – Cheat Codes to Fly With Ease

Traveling expands our world in every way, and to be able to do it for work and play is a privilege I don’t take for granted. And like everything else in this topsy turvy world we live in, it’s gotten increasingly expensive and wildly chaotic. So it is especially important that we know how to navigate it in the best way possible, creating ease wherever we can.

As someone who has traveled to about 27 countries, and averaged over 110,000miles a year before the COVID-19 pandemic started, I’ve learned many of the tricks to create as little chaos as possible as I’m hopping on planes.

This guide exists to pass on some of my cheat codes. Note that this isn’t a guide on how to travel on a budget. This is simply a guide on how to travel with peak ease. It’s a guide I would write for a friend, if she asked me what I would want her to know about flying in a tin can to random places without losing her mind.

You’ll find tips, tricks, packing lists and more. Most things linked in here are affiliate links, but I only stamp the things I believe in and vouch for. They’re all Luvv-List Approved, otherwise, they wouldn’t be here.

Enjoy!

1. Get Global Entry

When I was coming back into the United States from Greece, the customs line ended up being 3 hours long. But I was done in 10 minutes because I have Global Entry, which is a Trusted Traveler program with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. When you register for it, they do a background check, you go in for an interview and if approved, you get a Known Traveler Number. Coming back into the U.S., all you have to do is go to a kiosk and get a receipt.

What makes it even more amazing is when you’re approved for Global Entry, it automatically includes TSA PreCheck. Signing up just for TSA Precheck is a waste of money because for $100,and one interview, you get both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck (which is $85 by itself).

The best part is, this can actually be free, if you use the right credit card to sign up for it (a lot of travel credit cards offer that as an incentive). Which brings me to:

2. Use a Credit Card (never debit) for Travel

When booking travel (hotels and airlines), use a credit card. Do not book your travel with debit cards! Credit cards offer points and protection that debit cards don’t. Hotels especially will penalize you when using a debit card to book, by holding a higher security deposit that they won’t return until 5-10 business days after your trip. Also, credit cards offer protection in case of cancellations or in case you get delayed or bumped. A debit card could NEVER.

If you have a credit card that is travel specific, you get reward points by booking your gallivanting details with them. And those reward points can be used to pay the card itself back, or shop elsewhere. It’s amazing.

My two favorite travel credit cards:

• American Express Platinum

• Chase Sapphire Reserve

 

IMPORTANT: To avoid paying interest on any purchases you make on your credit cards, pay the balance of the card off that month. You get reward points, you have a buffer and you pay nothing extra. Plus, your credit will thank you.

3. Become Loyal to One Airline

It’s tempting to buy the cheapest ticket for a trip, but in the long run, this short term saving costs you more. In an increasingly chaotic travel world, where delays, cancellations and everything in between are becoming more common, airlines are doubling down on serving the customers that are loyal to them. Everyone else? Good luck.

If a flight gets overbooked, and they need to bump people, you know who they will ensure has a seat? Their statused customers. The person who bought the cheapest ticket might get left behind, and told to figure it out. It sucks, but it’s where we are.

If you fly the same airline consistently, and become a member of their program, they reward you with perks like free checked luggage, priority seats if a flight is ever canceled, free standby, free upgrades and more. Plus, the big 3 (Delta, United, American) have international partner airlines and some of those perks transfer.

Pick an airline. When you’re traveling, prioritize those tickets as much as you can, because the $20-50savings a ticket might save you could end up being more expensive in the back end.

 

 

 

4. Get Travel Insurance

We should hope for the best and plan for the worst. This is why we need travel insurance. Trip delays, cancellations, bags lost. They are all covered under a good travel insurance policy. We got some before our Euro trip, and our bags ended up getting to us 1 day late. Because of it, we will be getting reimbursed $1,000.

And at its most useful, travel insurance comes in handy if you (God forbid) get hurt or incapacitated on your trip. I have a friend who went kayaking in South Africa, and broke her leg. She got airlifted to the hospital and had to spend 2 weeks there before she could fly back. Her medical bills were covered because she had travel insurance.

With any other insurance, we often think we will be okay. And we often will be. But in the instances when things pop up, it’s good to know that you are covered. The peace of mind is worth it and it’s actually not as expensive as you think. A GREAT annual policy (covering all the trips you take that year) is as low as $400.

Company I got my policy with: Allianz Travel Insurance

5. Only Pack a Carry On Luggage

I stopped being an overpacker years ago and it changed my travel life for the better, saving me countless hours in time. If I’m going on a trip that is 7 days or less, I am guaranteed to betaking just a carryon and a backpack. On my European trip, I decided to challenge myself and do the 11 days in a carryon, especially because there are airports with mountains of unclaimed luggage right now. It’s the Hunger Games: Luggage Edition. When I land where I’m going, I get off the plane, into the car and keep it moving.

How do I manage to pack 11 days worth of clothing and essentials into a carryon? Packing Cubes! You roll up your clothes and underwear and put them in packing cubes to fit more and get more organization. Also, when you open your suitcase, nothing will come flying out. They are a game changer. A really good set, with good price is from Shacke Pak.

My favorite carry-on luggage is the DELSEY Paris Titanium Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels. It is durable, lightweight and fits A LOT of things.

Bonus tip: If you are checking in luggage, pack 2 days worth of clothes and toiletries in your carryon in case your luggage is lost. I wish someone had told me this on my trip to Nigeria in 2011 where I was without clothes for 3 days. Check the FAQs for my other key tip on how to know where you checked luggage is even when it’s not with you.

My Trip Prep Checklist

Finalize itinerary
Whether you’re creating an itinerary yourself or have a trip advisor, it’s good to know what you’re getting into BEFORE you land. You don’t have to know what you’re doing every minute of every day, but you want to have your essentials booked: flights, hotels, tours. Doing it when you get there only adds more stress to the trip.

Prior to boarding my plane to Greece and Italy this summer, my trip advisor provided me with an 82-page document outlining EVERY. SINGLE. DETAIL. of our trip. We didn’t have to make any decisions when we got there if we didn’t want to. It was all planned out. Here’s an abbreviated version of our Greece and Italy itinerary.

Download Itinerary

Ensure your passport or ID is in good standing

Check the expiration date on your form of identification so you can get it renewed if needed. For international travel, the standard is that your passport’s expiration date Should not be within 6 months of your trip. So if it’s February, and your passport expires in July, a country could turn you back at their border because it’s too close to expiration. Having up-to-date documentation will ensure hassle-free traveling. Stay ready so you ain’t gotta get ready! Related:

Ensure all documentation and requirements are met

Does a country require vaccinations or a visa? Know that! For example, Ghana requires you have a yellow fever vaccine before entering. So landing there without one will not be good for your pocket or day. I’ve witnessed people finding out the day of their trip that they need one, and they were refused boarding on their flight and their trip never even started. I don’t want that to be YOU.

Make a packing list

As humans, our brains are a little more fickle than we think. We can only hold so much information, even in full-confidence that we will remember everything important. Get it out of your head and on paper. Every item that is essential to your trip, write it down.

Charge all electronics

Start your trip at 100% for your phone, laptops, headphones, and power banks. Travel days are hectic enough but running out of juice is the last thing you need. Also, if you enjoy listening to music in-flight, make sure to charge your headphones and any other devices you have. I’ve had mine die in the middle of a flight and I was salty AF.

Download Template Here

To ensure that my in-flight experience is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, these are my must-haves any time I’m on a plane.

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Carry-on Luggage – Again, Delsey luggage is durable and lightweight. Everyone needs a trusty carryon bag, and this is it.

My fave: DELSEY Paris Titanium Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels

Packing Cubes – You will be surprised at how much you can fit into your carry-on with the help of packing cubes.

My fave: Shacke Pak – 5 Set Packing Cubes – Travel Organizers with Laundry Bag

Backpack – You need a good, comfortable travel backpack that has multiple compartments, because it is the major key to ensuring you have what you need and can navigate the airport without your back hurting.

My fave: TUMI Backpack

Scarf/Travel wrap – Airplane cabins are cold AF and in addition to the jacket or sweater I wear, I always have one of these. As a bonus, I also throw mine over my head to keep my hair and skin from drying out completely with the dry air.

My fave: Jacquard Paisley Pashmina Shawl

Noise-Cancellation headphones – We don’t realize how noisy airplanes are (even when there aren’t crying babies). The sound of the jet engines is real, and our ears naturally adapt to the constant noise around us. Find peace by putting on a pair of noise canceling headphones or earphones. Even when you aren’t listening to music, they suck the sound out of the plane.

My fave: Bose QuietComfort 35 Bonus: AirPods Pro

Lotion and hand cream – Your hands will look like you’ve been playing with powdered donuts if you don’t have good lotion with you on a flight.

My fave: Burt’s Bees Honey & Grapeseed Hand Cream

Lip balm – Dry plane air and long hauls = chapped lips. Always keep this in your pocket.

My fave: EOS Natural & Organic Sphere Lip Balm

Face Moisturizer – This seals in moisture in your face, so you can step off the flight without looking like you lost a fight.

My fave: Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask

Facial Mist – This is an INSTANT in-flight and post-flight refresher.

My fave: Caudalie Beauty Elixir Face Mist

Sanitizer wipes – There are germs everywhere and airplanes harbor them. Don’t take the risk! Wipe down seat and tray table and your hands.

My fave: Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand and Face Wipes Singles

Eye mask – Makes sleeping easier, even when your rude seat mate has the window up.

My fave: Natural Silk Sleep Mask

Compression socks – To help with blood circulation and prevent blood clots. This is especially important for long flights. It can help prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (aka blood clots), which can be dangerous or fatal.

My fave: Laite Hebe Compression Socks

 

Travel FAQS

Do I need a travel agent?

I’m a pretty seasoned traveler and for most of my trips, I don’t use a travel agent. I’ll usually plan my own trip and handle my own bookings. But I know when to hand over the reins.

When I’m going on a trip that is focused on my wellness and relaxation and pampering, I tap on a travel agent/concierge. It’s not that I CAN’T book the things myself, it’s that I want the extra ease that comes with utilizing someone else’s service and expertise, to make the trip delightful. I don’t wanna worry about anything on those types of trips, and that’s where the agent/concierge comes in handy.

3 more reasons to use a travel agent:

• They save you a lot of time and energy
• They have vetted recommendations of places to go, see, eat
• They can help if chaos ensues

For our Euro trip, we used a luxury travel concierge. What sets them apart from travel agents is that they are literally your trip’s right hand, providing high level service to you as this trip goes on. A travel agent works on commission, but travel concierges work on flat fees, making them truly at your service.

So you could use a travel agent, who you don’t pay, but they create your itinerary. But for high level trips, I recommend a travel concierge.

How do I make sure I don’t lose my luggage (cuz I’m still an overpacker)?

Right now, the travel industry is seeing numbers they haven’t seen, and baggage handlers are overwhelmed. Airports are overwhelmed. And a lot of people who check in luggage aren’t getting their bags once they land and are having to wait a few days.

Sometimes, you can’t avoid checking in luggage, which I understand. So what I HIGHLY recommend you do is buy a tracker for each piece of luggage you’ll be checking in. They work by Bluetooth, and when you put them in the bag, it pings the networks around it to update you on location.

When we were going to Europe, we didn’t check in our luggage. We didn’t want the hassle and didn’t wanna start our vacay with lost luggage stress. BUT we knew we were going to shop so we bought Tile Pro Trackers with us (they’re comparable to AirTags). When we bought more luggage in Florence, Italy to head to Santorini, Greece –requiring us check in our luggage –we threw a Tile in each luggage.

We made sure our carry-on had 2 days worth of things we needed, and took off with the peace of mind. We landed in Santorini and surely our luggage didn’t land with us. But we recovered them a day later because our Tiles notified us that they had arrived at Santorini Airport, even though the airline was like “we don’t know where they are.” All was well.

GET SOME TILES and track your luggage and put essentials in your carryon!

What’s your favorite travel app?

The app I’ve been using for travel since 2011 is Tripit. It prides itself on being the “All-in-One Travel Organizer” and it really is. Tripit is like a personal assistant when you’re traveling. First of all, it scans your email for travel itineraries, hotel confirmations or ticket details and it automatically pulls all of it into the software. Once it does that, it tracks trips for you. On the day of your flight, you can get notification of any changes or delays. Every time one of my flight sis delayed, I get a text from Tripit before I get it from the airline itself. No joke. THAT is one of the reasons why my love for the app runs deep.

If your flight is cancelled, Tripit will show you alternate flights you can take. The app also keeps the running list of trips you’ve taken and gives you a snapshot of your traveling habits. How many total miles have you traveled? How many countries?

Other features:

• Tracks airline and hotel reward points
• Calendar integration
• Flight refund tracker (to alert you if you’re eligible for a refund for your ticket)

I pay for the Pro version of the app, which is $49 a year. More than worth it for me.

 

What’s the best website to book my plane ticket?

It’s actually best to book a ticket directly from the airline’s website, instead of a 3rd party site like Expedia. Here’s why: purchasing a ticket from the website of an airline cuts out the middleman and simplifies the process of it being issued. This also means it makes troubleshooting easier. If you need to cancel, make changes or anything, having to go directly to the airline gives you a higher chance of getting it done with minimal (or no) fees. Also, most airlines will give you a 24-hour grace period after buying your ticket to cancel it and get a full refund. Yes, even the tickets marked “non-refundable.”

So if you book your flight from Priceline, for example, and you need to make changes, the airline will throw their hands up, unwilling to help because that’s not where you got it from,

You can still use external sites to check tickets and price compare. In fact, what I really like about Kayak is that when they find you tickets, they also send you to the airline’s website to complete your purchase.