Travel Guide For Beginners
Never traveled before? ..or never traveled without your parents or family?
You’re at the right place. Kris has been traveling since she was 4 months old, and had her first plane ride alone at 13. Alex has been traveling frequently ever since he got out of high school. So we got you!
First thing is first, if you are 18, please do yourself (and future self) a favor and get a credit card. Yes, a credit card. They will make your life easier, trust me.
If you’ve never had a credit card before, or if you do not know details on credit cards for traveling, please read our post: credit card tips.
The reason we highly suggest getting credit cards is because they will actually benefit you while traveling.
Many hotels, airlines, and car rentals, are starting to switch over to credit cards only. Yup, that means a big fat no to debit cards (there are reasons behind this, they aren’t trying to be mean). So if you do not have a credit card on hand, you might get stuck without a rental car and a hotel room in a foreign country.
Credit cards also usually give some sort of incentive - whether it is cash back, points, or miles. Many cards now days also do a hefty sign up promotion, that will gift you enough miles or points for a free flight or free hotel stay (various factors for this, not a guarantee). So every time you swipe that card to buy your lunch, or pay your phone bill, you are adding on rewards for future travel. How fun!
Now that you have your travel credit card ready (if you plan on applying for a new card for traveling, check our cards list for extra sign up bonuses!), it is time to start actually planning your travels! Think about if you are a spontaneous creature, or if you like having everything planned ahead on a timetable. How you go about planning your travels will help make your experience even better. The last thing you want to happen on your trip is for you to stress over something that could have been avoided.
What should you book first?
Where should you start looking?
There is no right or wrong way to start booking your travels. But this is what we like to do: clear laptop of all open tabs and programs (please use a computer and not a smart phone, it’s just way easier).
You want your only focus to be on travel. Then, it begins.
First question: Do you know where you want to go? Cus that is pretty darn important. Or are you one of those people who do not care where you go, as long as you are away from home?
Yep me too. So if you want to sign up for like a flight scanning program, you can definitely check those out. Really popular ones are Scott’s, Next Vacay, and Sky Scanner. Or you can see what Google, Expedia, or Travelocity has to offer.
BUT STOP… before you book anything! Did you know you can get cash back from booking your own travels?! (and no, you do not have to be a travel agent)
Keep reading below!
Travel + Get Cash Back?!
Whaaaat?!
We are so serious right now. We have been earning cash back on
every. single. travel. accommodation.
First, we use online travel agents like Expedia and Travelocity. For certain things like a cruise, a live travel agent can be really helpful. But for random and spontaneous travel, which is usually how we roll… online agents is our fave.
So before you even start looking, head over to these sites:
- Rakuten (previously known as Ebates)
- BeFrugral
These sites offer cash back on a variety of transactions! Travel, online shopping, restaurants, and more. You can redeem for easy cash back via Paypal, or you can even redeem for gift cards (sometimes as an incentive, they will give an additional bonus for getting the gift cards).
Be sure that the sites are activated before purchasing, or your cash back may not get credited to you.
With that said, let’s start booking!
Time To Start Booking!
Now that you have your credit card, and your laptop is open with fresh tabs, and you activated your cash back site, and you created your membership account…
YOU ARE READY!
Here are some tips to keep in mind when starting your bookings:
Do not book during the peak of summer in a popular tourist location like Hawai’i or Greece.
Do not book during the weekends like Friday night. You will pay significantly more than simply traveling on a Wednesday instead.
Be sure to compare the flight prices between different online agents, and even compare to the flight on the airlines direct website. Sometimes, just sometimes, you will catch a notable price difference for the exact same flight (this is why I like having my laptop empty with fresh tabs for booking my travel).
Remember to book everything with the credit card that gives you the most travel incentive, that way you earn cash back on both your card and the cash back site.
Also check surrounding cities close to the destination you want to see. Sometimes a 10-minute drive outside the city can get you a nicer hotel at half the price!
For one last tip that not too many people know about, read our working online post and read the last paragraph on VPNs ;)
Do I Save My Miles/Points?
Or Do I Spend It?
Now that you have accumulated a bunch of points and miles from your credit card sign up bonuses, and you are now booking your travel accommodations…
The question arises: to spend, or not to spend?
Every single travel blogger out there will recommend something a little different according to their opinion and their travel habits.
Personally, unless I am saving for something big, like a grand water bungalow villa in the Maldives that cost like $20k…
I will spend it.
Why?
I am saying this not as fact, but as pure observation as a lifelong traveler- points and miles lose value over time.
It’s no secret that 10,000 points/miles could have gotten you a lot more travel accommodations about 10 years ago.
So in my opinion, I will spend it. I don’t wanna hoard onto them, only for the conversion rates to get worse as time goes on.
***
Also once last tip, check if your travel credit card gives you incentives for TSA Pre Check, or Global Entry! It’s worth it, believe me. You will save yourself hours at the airport. It’s a great benefit and peace of mind.
Travel Makes Us Less Ignorant
Learn the culture and the people of where you are going. Remember that you are in THEIR home now. Respect it, and respect the locals. Share nothing but love.
