Top 10 Travel Tips from a Travel Agent

Being a travel agent who travels quite a bit, I have learned a lot about travel. I’ve learned travel hacks, the best time to visit destinations, packing tips, money-saving tips, and so much more. I thought I would break down my top 10 travel tips that I think will get you far in the traveling world. I’d love to hear what your favorite travel tips are! Comment below.

Top 10 travel tips from a travel agent.

1. Plan your trip sooner than later

My number one travel tip is to plan your trip sooner than later. There are many benefits to planning your vacation in advance. Often times resorts will have early bird pricing in hopes to book up their rooms. There are a lot more options for airfare, hotels, and excursions early on because you are looking ahead of everyone else. Also, when working with a travel agent, if you book in advance, you are able to pay in installments, instead of paying the trip all at once. It can really help financially to plan and book your vacation sooner than later.

2. Travel during shoulder or low season

Traveling during the off-season is my favorite time to visit a destination, for example, Aruba during hurricane season! 

One of the main reasons I love traveling during the low season is to save money. When you visit a destination when it isn’t peak season means hotels, flights, and activities can be less expensive. 

Click here to find out more reasons why it is the best time to travel during off-season and also see great destinations to visit during the off-season. 

3. Use a credit card with great travel rewards

If you’re not using a credit card with great travel rewards, you’re throwing money away. First, obviously don’t spend more than you have, but if you are able to use credit cards responsibly, then make sure you are taking advantage of all they have to offer.

Some benefits offered by credit cards that focus on travel are access to airport lounges, free TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, free and discounted travel, and so much more. Two of my favorite credit cards that give amazing travel rewards are Chase Sapphire Reserve and Venture.

4. Get TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

Before I got TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, I didn’t think I needed them. But now that I have both, I will never NOT have them! The convenience and time saved is worth every penny.

TSA PreCheck is used when traveling domestically in the USA and Global Entry is used when re-entering the USA from traveling internationally.

For TSA PreCheck, you get to go through an expedited TSA line where you don’t have to take off shoes or belts or take out anything from your carry on/personal luggage. If you live near a busy airport, this will save you so much time and energy! 

Global Entry is basically a fast pass lane through Customs when coming back into the USA. You don’t have to talk to a customs agent or stand in those long lines. You just walk up to a kiosk, scan your passport, answer a few questions, take a picture and you are good to go. After a long international flight, it feels so nice to just breeze through this tedious process. 

When you purchase Global Entry, you automatically get TSA PreCheck. That is the route I suggest going. Currently, it is $100 for a 5-year membership, and that included TSA PreCheck. If you purchase TSA PreCheck without Global Entry, it is $85 for a 5-year membership. If you are planning on traveling internationally once or twice in the next five years, get Global Entry. 

Another benefit to some credit cards that have great travel rewards is your Global Entry and TSA PreCheck costs are paid for! Then it really is a no brainer to get both if they are free.

5. Know what flight category you’re purchasing

With budget-friendly airlines, like Frontier, now showing up more than ever, other airlines are looking for ways to compete. Most major US Airlines are now offering Basic Economy airline tickets. There is a big difference between Basic Economy airline tickets and Economy airline tickets. Make sure you know the difference before clicking “purchase” or you could be kicking yourself down the way.

Before purchasing your next airline tickets, click here for the details on the differences between basic economy and economy airline tickets.

6. Get travel insurance

Since being a travel agent and working with many families and couples on various different types of vacations, I have learned that travel insurance is crucial. You just never know what is going to happen before or during your vacation that you will need to be covered for. 

Different travel insurances cover different things, so make sure you are purchasing exactly what you need. Travel insurance can cover anything from having to cancel a trip for unexpected health reasons, death in a family, jury duty, medical and dental issues while on the trip, lost luggage, and so so much more. When you are investing a good chunk of money on a vacation, it is a good idea to protect that investment as well as your health and belongings while traveling. 

If you have questions about travel insurance or need to purchase some for your next vacation, email me at hello@thekeystotravel.com.

7. Notify credit card company of travels

If you plan on using a specific credit card while on vacation, make sure the company knows you will be traveling. When credit card companies see charges on your card in an area you normally a not located, they will put a lock on your account. If you are traveling internationally and don’t have an easy way of approving your charges or proving you are located where you are using your credit card, you could be without money while traveling.

The good thing is that a lot of credit cards know when and where you will be traveling depending on what you purchase with your card. For example, Venture One and Chase cards will make note that you are traveling if you purchase your airline tickets with their credit card. Then when they see you are making other purchases within that time frame in the location your airline tickets are for, they won’t put a hold on your card.

It is always a good idea to double-check with your credit card company that they know you will be traveling and to expect charges on your card from that location. 

8. Share your travel itinerary with family or a friend

It is always a wise choice to share your travel itinerary with a friend or family member. You never know what could go wrong or when you will need help, and having someone know where you are in the world can come in handy.

9. Renew or get a passport early

If you are planning on traveling internationally this year, or hope you will be, renew or get your passport now. The processing time for getting passports has extended from 4 weeks to now an average of 6-8 weeks. Don’t wait longer than you have to and risk having to pay more money to expedite your passport to get it in time for your international vacation. If you are getting your passport for the first time, follow these easy steps to make the process easier.

If you already have your passport, check the expiration date. Many countries require your passport to be valid six months AFTER you return from your trip. That means, if you are going to Mexico in January, your passport must be valid through July. If it expires within the 6 months after your trip, you will not be let on the plane.

10. Contact a travel agent for help!

Travel agents are experts in travel and many specialize in specific types of travel, like honeymoons, family vacations, destination weddings, or locations, like Hawaii, Caribbean, or Europe. To save yourself time and money, talk to an expert! It is so helpful to be able to ask your travel questions to an actual human, and not just a Google search. Travel agents can answer all your travel questions, plan your vacation, book your vacation, coordinate all the travel, recommend the best excursions, and so much more. 

Some types of vacations are more worthwhile working with a travel agent than others. Click here to see when you should work with a travel agent. 

When you are ready to plan and book your next vacation, email me! I specialize in honeymoons, couples trips, and group trips, but I have also helped many families travel all over the world. Simply put, I am here to help you travel more and stress less. Email me at hello@thekeystotravel.com to get started on planning your next vacation.