Travel Planning
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Planning for travel can be overwhelming. Even just choosing where and when to go can be difficult to decide with so many options available. Below are some suggestions to help plan your travel for the upcoming year.
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Determine Travel Priorities
First determine your travel priorities. Is there a milestone or special occasion occurring this year you'd like to take a trip to celebrate? Or a bucket list trip you want to finally experience? Also think about what you want to take away from the trip to help prioritize where to go, for how long, and what to do while there. Prioritize any must do trips first and go from there, depending on how many trips you'd like to take this year.
Photo Credit: Google
Utilize booking tools like Google Flights and Hotels.com to filter and compare flights and accommodations to book. Apply filters to narrow down options to meet your needs. If your dates are flexible, check the calendar on both to see prices for each day to choose the best option. Hotels.com has filters for fully refundable and reserve now, pay later options to provide flexibility. Along with filters for ratings, amenities, and others to find the best option for your stay.
Utilize Miles & Reward Points
Utilize miles and reward points to reduce costs. Check mileage requirements for flights using flexible dates. Use a credit card that specializes in travel, like the Chase Sapphire to accumulate points transferable to airlines as miles or to book travel directly on their booking platform. Book accommodations through a booking site like Hotels.com that allow users to accumulate credits to use on future bookings.
Photo Credit: Hotels.com
Book Transportation
Book transportation in advance to increase the likelihood of smooth sailing. Everything from transportation to and from the airport or train station and how to get around once there. This is especially helpful when traveling internationally when language differences or limited data access may exist. It's also beneficial to book tickets in advance for trains, buses or ferries to know timing and ensure availability. Viator is a resource for transportation options.
Travel is a great opportunity to do something you wouldn't typically do at home. It's worth booking at least one activity when traveling to make the trip more memorable. It can be as adventurous or low key as you like, or maybe a bit of both. I use Viator to book my activities, everything from food tours, to boat rides, and transportation to lavender fields. Viator also provides ideas on top excursions by destination.
Once your trip is selected, make a list of everything needed to purchase any outstanding travel products in advance. Travel can be a reason to purchase new items to have on the trip. Check out a short list of personally selected travel products compiled here. This includes luggage and luggage tags, comfortable shoes, hats, and sunglasses. As well as a camera, camping gear, powerbanks, purifying water bottle, umbrella, neck pillow, and more.