I don’t agree about the early flight rule. Usually the earlier flights are the most reliable in getting to your destination on time and have the least chance of being delayed or canceled.
I agree. Also depending on time zone changes you get more time at your destination with those early morning flights. I do admit I sleep well on planes so the early wake up doesn’t bother me.
Yeah first flight out is your best bet on having a smooth travel day. I have zero issues with waking up early to save money and guarantee I'm on the first plane to my desination bc there is liky to not be aby delays. Hotels have baggage hold and nicer ones have hospitality suites that you can use if your room isn't ready. When I traveled in France and got to the hotels at noon our rooms were ready. It's not a big deal.
Major mistake is booking international flights through 3rd party booking companies like Priceline and Expedia. When there are changes you want to make as the traveler, you could be in a world of hurt. The airline doesn't want to make the changes send you to your 3rd party agent like Expedia and then Expedia is sending back to the airline, it can be a nightmare. It happened to me and it has happen to friends on other flights.
Absolutely! I have always booked directly with airlines, but had a complicated multi-city itinerary that was available only through Orbitz. A week later one of the airlines (4 total) cancelled my first leg. After two months of calling and writing for an alternate flight or refund, I initiated a credit card chargeback. In the four months from the cancelled leg until the flights, Orbitz gave the same excuse "we have contacted the airline and will reply to you within 72 hours". NEVER AGAIN will I reserve flights for which I do not have direct control. P.S. Even though I completed a CC chargeback in mid-September, the airline sent me reminders of my flights (of course minus that missing first leg which was transatlantic) the day before and day of my original departure. The whole thing was a frustrating clustercluck that I will never forget.
I agree with you about not scheduling anything on the day of arrival. We arrived in Rome at 0830 after a 9 hour flight with a tour of the Colosseum scheduled for 3 pm. Needless to say we were so tired and had to wait hours to get into our hotel so we missed our tour. The day we arrive now is airport hotel dinner bed and start fresh the next day. So much better.
This is why I always make sure that the hotel/accomodation I am traveling to has luggage storage. So if we arrive before check-in they will hold onto my luggage until I choose to check-in. This allows me extra time at my destination without having to carry my luggage around. So red-eye flights or earlier flights that arrive before check-in are not a concern to me. I agree 100% on the data now. I used to do offline maps but now I get the local SIM cards or eSIMS and just treat it as a cost to the vacation. I also will never book any flight that has more than 1 stopover. Unless the destination is so remote that there is no other way, I will never book any flight more than 1 layover. The amount of flying, take off, landing and transfer is so taxing on the body and mind and usually extends the travel time considerably does not make it worth it for whatever savings.
I make lists post-travel also: didn't use/wear/need, didn't use but might (ex: rain jacket), forgot to pack, probationary item that was/wasn't worth the space. I also keep a list of EVERYTHING that Hubby asks me for while on a trip. When he starts his whining (often in the presence of others) about how I overpack, I start reading from the list. Naturally he tries to deny that he ever asked for or needed those items recorded on my list. Needless to say, I pack whatever the duck my past travel experiences have taught me to have at hand. Overpacking* is less annoying, inconvenient, or costly than underpacking. (*as perceived by a lazy Hubby)
Great tips. So true on not spending extra time travelling by using the cheapest option. We were happy we used private transfers for a lot of the stuff that public transit was recommended because it just made it so convenient and felt comfortable, safe, temperature controlled, and needed no thinking on our part lol
Hey Dana, I just got approved for Global Entry. You can do the interview upon arrival from an International flight, if you have Conditional approval from the TSA. You don't have to wait for your appointment. Just be sure to ask when you go through US Customs. I felt like Royalty the first time I used TSA Pre Check LOL.
Be sure to confirm the available hours of your USA-arrival airport. I completed an Interview on Arrival when arriving from South America on a flight to MIA landing at 5 AM. Fortunately MIA hours begin very early. Be flexible with a long layover time; even if you arrive during the published open hours, a qualified officer may not be immediately available. I was lucky with only a 15-minute wait. It depends on staffing and the number of arriving flights.
Making dinner reservations is a game changer when traveling! I started doing this a few years ago. It’s so easy to cancel if plans change or if we’re being spontaneous but more often than not we are soooo glad we have the reservation and can eat dinner without a wait.
My biggest travel mistake was taking "checked" baggage. So many times I was dragging that stupid huge piece of luggage over cobblestone streets or up 4 flights of stairs in boutique hotels with no elevators in Europe. No more. The freedom of traveling with just a carry on is so wonderful!
I couldn’t agree more about not waking up for early flights…until trying to book tickets back to the US from Italy in the fall and realizing we had to schedule a car service pickup in Positano at 3am. Hey sometimes it’s just not easy to get from point A to point B LOL.
I threw in an Apple AirTag in my luggage and so glad I did! My luggage was delayed and it gave me peace of mind knowing that it was being returned to me.
We get an international driver’s license at our local AAA office . Even though nobody really checks, it’s good to have for emergencies. They are good for a year and cost very little. Plus always rent from a company they also have in your own country . Then you for sure have someone to help you when a problem arises. No off site rental locations. And a key drop off a must if returning after business hours. I was fined $600 euros ( auto Sicily) for coming in 17 minutes late in Venice. I was told to park it in the multi level lot and bring keys to airport. They took their sweet time retrieving it and all charges were accrued to me$$$$$ we now rent at the airport there . Ugh! Expensive mistake.
This is why I love your travel vlogs! I’m all about the food, drinks, and experiences! The pretty pictures are nice to have but the way a place makes you feel is why you go back ❤
I flew United from Canada to Newark and then Singapore Airlines from Newark to Singapore and my bag was checked the entire way. I only had to re-check it when I landed in Newark coming back which is a given. That was super easy.
That is my experience, tuneman6212. Your luggage will not transfer for connecting flights if you reserved separate tickets OR if the two airlines don't have an interline baggage agreement. On all airlines you must collect and recheck baggage when entering USA. When connecting through Toronto (US CBP Preclearance) we didn't see our baggage, but waited for remote screening to be completed. Other countries may have similar customs requirements (collect & recheck) but I haven’t been to them... yet.
My only comment would be to have your suitcase waterproofed? LOL. I was on a flight from Orlando to Reno, with a connection in Denver. Well, our incoming connection flight was delayed and my luggage sat on the tarmac with a heavy wet snow covering it! I actually stood there at the window and saw my suitcase get saturated!
The first thing in my checked bag is a giant trash bag to line my suitcase and wrap around the contents. If wet weather or leaking who-knows-what from other suitcases soak my luggage, the contents stay dry-ish and I don't have to wash everything at my first destination. We rarely walk more than a block outdoors with our luggage, but if we did, I would protect items in our cabin baggage, just in case of an unavoidable downpour.
With the whole no super early flight thing - what’s frustrating is when the airline I want to fly has two options…one leaving late afternoon, so I basically waste the day, or a super early flight, which means I get up by 3 a.m. 😳🛩️
I ALWAYS bring my portable water pot! I have the same one you so but I pink. And I bring all my own tea, my special cup and everything. I live in Italy and tea isn't really a thing here, so this is my process.
FYI Global Entry gives you Pre access as well. Some international carriers like British Airways also acknowledges it. When you book your flight, enter the number. Good tips, but being a Californian, I love red-eye flights. I can easily sleep on the plane. It’s rather get into NYC at 7am, instead of 11pm. Also, getting to Europe in the early afternoon, is great. But, it’s because I can sleep.
I also refuse to be dependent on coffee but mainly because I'm very fussy about the quality of my coffee, and some places don't have good specialty coffee. So I weaned myself off coffee so I don't stress myself out getting coffee (and getting it by 12nn so I don't have a caffeine withdrawal headache), and when I do find a nice specialty coffee shop, it's a treat. :)
Great tips Dana and I love your lessons learned! Thanks for being real about how being a travel vlogger can be more than just taking pictures and actually being in the moment of the experience. We typically take one special trip each year and one thing I've started doing recently is picking a specific scent to carry throughout my toiletries (body wash, lotion, fragrance) for each trip so that each scent is connected in my memories to that trip. I wish I had thought of it sooner, but I think it will be a great way to relive the memories of those special locations since scent is so strongly connected to memory. Hope that helps someone!
For the international wifi situation, I'm going to Japan soon and they actually have pocket wifi devices so that's another alternative to a sim card or international data plan
Excellent tips especially for young people beginning to travel and do all the mistakes you mention! Passed thismon to my nieces who are just starting to work and make money and love to travel! Thanks
We always fly in the day before a cruise. Our LA flight for a Mexican Riviera cruise was cancelled last October. Fortunately, we were booked on to another flight later that day. We got in super late to LA but were still able to make our cruise the next day.
Even before the current unreliable and chaotic state of aviation, I always reserve flights with a 3- to 5-day buffer before embarkation and 1 to 3 days after disembarkation. I usually book cruises with different endpoints, allowing us to enjoy exploring &/or relaxing in two different destinations pre- and post-cruise.
Great video…I love the red eye back from the West Coast…but I understand the cost perspective and why you don’t. You really need a solid plan for the day…and use lounge access at the airport to offset the cost of meals prior to departure…
LOADS of great information!! I'll definitely start a post traveling note taking such a clever idea. Usually when the next trip comes we forgot the little details of the last one. Also idk which phone carrier you have but Tmobile has been a breeze for us. Last time we're in Spain they offered us 2G for free or the option to upgrade at any time before or during we opt out and had 4G the whole time...didn't spend a penny extra. We also have the America Plan (I think that's the name) which cover us from Canada to Uruguay for $15/month including regular calls. Awesome video videos as always! 🎉🎉
Ciao 😊Fabulous info brava 👏 yes I totally agree with Coffee ☕️ I need coffee to think . If I can’t see the coffee machine or kettle in the hotel photos I recently rang two hotel one in Italy and one in Switzerland and ask if you could at least provide a kettle and they did so that was super helpful. Ciao have a great day 😍
I bought the Travelpro suitcase that Wirecutter recommended and the zipper broke the first use. In the comments on their site, I noted I wasn't the only one that had that problem.
Thank you, your travel tips are so helpful. I really appreciated the tips on not booking the cheapest flights and keeping with the same airline for loyalty and perks. Also so helpful to keep with the same airline company on connecting flights. 💛🥰
There used to be tons of travel videos of people getting those airlines tickets that were hundreds of dollars off that had multiple stops with multiple airlines. Those were nightmare videos. 😮😮
Happy to have the suitcase recs. We’ve been traveling with Eagle Creek rolling backpacks, which are basically indestructible. Hubby thinks the 4 wheel cases are sure to lose a wheel, but I find myself not wanting to drag the backpack behind me for a mile in the airport. Good to know there are some that are reliable! Thanks for all the great tips. I only carry on, so I’m never as stylish as you, but I’m working on it! 🤣
A lot of great advice Dana. We finally made the leap and went the TSA precheck route. And I agree with you on those early 6 am flights. Waking up at 3 am to get to the airport for a 6 am flight was not fun!❤❤😮
Most places will hold your luggage. Pack a change of clothes in carryon to freshen up. You can book a spa day that morning or hang out at the pool or beach until your room is ready.
I learned, in France most restaurants don't care about reservations bc locals just seat themselves. Only 2 of the restaurants that we'd booked actually looked up our booking before seating. Otherwise when we walked up and said we had a reservation, they just looked at us funny and then told the sit wherever. If there is a wait or a line to enter, it's a tourist trap anyway because the French don't wait in lines lol!
I really enjoyed your video. I agree with much of what you say I have a habit of taking the earliest flight out. I ran into the same situation that you mentioned. I arrived at my Hotel in Brussels Belgium at nine in the morning. . No room was ready for me . Luckily I was able leave my luggage at the hotel, but then I had to walk around and kill a few hours on a cloudy damp and drizzling day . I was not an happy camper. I will break that my habit of booking an early flight. Thanks for sharing. Happy Independence Day.
Hi Dana, loved your video. I don't think it's about you getting older just more experienced. Your video is valuable for any age demographic. I don't travel during the high season. Instead, we travel during shoulder months (Mar-April-Early May) and (End of Sept-Oct-Nov). Of course, not as happening as in high season but from a travel budget perspective great value for money, ll the attractions and restaurants are open and the weather is still quite pleasant around the world. What I haven't conquered yet is over-packing! Enjoy your travels.
Girl yes to all of this especially the Wi-Fi. My data plan thankfully has unlimited data and texting internationally but even with that it was just bad. It took me forever to get to where I was going cuz google maps just kept buffering.
If you have an international flight from somewhere else to the US, once you get in the US you have to recheck your bags ANYWAY, and my airlines to get to the US do not operate inside the US except to leave it. So my flights are all Star Alliance, I take Lufthansa or SAS to the States,, and then United inside the US. I have to recheck bags upon entry to the US.
I love this video and all your other videos❤ a lot of tips and information. I usually do almost all the things you mentioned just because I feel I don’t enjoy anything if I am tired , and if you don’t enjoy your vacation it defeats the whole purpose of traveling!!!!
I found myself nodding along to almost everything. The other travel mistake I made is getting a hotel farther out from where all the attractions are because it was cheaper. Total mistake because I spent more in transit and time to get to the attractions I wanted to see. From then on, I said I would rather pay more and have the convenience. As a Canadian, I can't get Global Entry. TSA Pre✅ is not really a thing in Canada either. I have always used a data plan from my phone carrier, but this time when I travel, I'll be getting a European SIM (in Canada, the carriers have to unlock your phone on request and for free).
Three of us traveled to Italy in May. I was the only one that purchased an International phone plan. If we did not have that we would have been SCREWED!
My phone worked in Italy and the Dominican. I had more trouble in London. I had no service outside of the "bubble" of the typical tourist areas. So I think coverage area is key.
Re: carry-on luggage recommendations, specifically the Samsonite Freeform hard side… have you ever been “told” it’s too large? After recently purchasing a set, I now realize the dimensions are inches more than allowed for most domestic and some international airlines 😬 Should I look to return or exchange them before it becomes a problem? I’d appreciate any/all feedback. Happy travels to all!
Hi Dana! I love your channel. I was looking at the samsonite suitcases. Do you have a silver and gold one? Are they the same size? How have they held up. I am trying to decide on a new one and saw it looks like you have both? Thanks! Xx
Love all your tips! One of your tips was not to wait to book a trip due to cost...how much in advance would you say you need to book a trip for domestic and international? Thank you!
My phone service is thru Google (Google-fi). I pay $70 a month & have 50gb 5g data almost anywhere in the world. It's such peace of mind, especially as a solo traveler. I've only used it in Europe & Canada, but it's been very reliable and I'm connected to fast data within seconds of landing.