My Best Travel Resources
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November 8, 2022
I get asked constantly about travel and how I do it. It’s probably the most common question I get. So I decided to put together a travel resources post & pin it to my menu. These are the sites I use and recommend to fellow travelers. Remember, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”
Flight Deals (all free newsletters!)
First and foremost, you need to get there. This is how I plan the majority of my trips. I wait for a good deal from Atlanta and when I see one, I jump on it. I have 2 rules: it has to be Delta and it has to be under $500. If I see a super cheap flight from say Miami, I’ll still check out the prices on getting there to take advantage of the deal. A lot of times it’s stll under my $500 limit.
The Flight Deal
This was the first flight newsletter I signed up for. I get it every day and I have found a lot of my flights through them. You can set your country of origin so you get flight deals from there.
Secret Flying
I think Secret Flying might be my new favorite, but I feel bad since I found The Flight Deal first! They never miss the best ones that The Flight Deal shares, but they also have more on top of that. It’s great for US travelers.
Scott’s Cheap Flights
This one has a paid option, but I can only comment on the free one. I like it a lot. There’s only one deal per email, but it’s always a good one. The paid option lets you target it to your region for your origin flight, so it’s more specific. I personally like to see the deals from everywhere though. If they were to add an airline-specific option, I think I’d sign up for the paid one.
Travel Credit Cards
Chase Sapphire Reserve
I signed up for this bad boy when they were having the 100,000 point bonus and it’s amazing. Points are worth 50% more when you redeem for travel, so 100,000 points gets me $1500 in travel credits to any airline or hotel! Definitely great if you’re a traveler. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees and they have great customer service. There is a yearly fee of $450, but you get $300 in travel credit every year, so it ends up being just $150 really.
Delta Platinum American Express
This was the first travel card I got and the bonuses are amazing. You get one skymile for every dollar spent + double miles on all Delta purchases. It’s perfect for me since Delta is based out of Atlanta and pretty much any flight I would even want to take is Delta anyway. This is a great card to achieving gold, platinum, or even diamond status with Delta, which gets you free upgrades + more. With this card, if you spend at least $25k/year, the dollar spend requirement is waived for all status tiers. More than worth it for sure!
Where to Stay
Airbnb
For the most authentic experience of living like a local and truly traveling as opposed to vacationing like a tourist (although it’s great for vacationing too!), I recommend Airbnb. Use my link for $40 off your first booking!
Hotels
Hotels are great when you’re just looking to relax and not worry about anything. My all time favorite site for the best hotel deals is booking.com. They always have the lowest prices and a great selection. I have never had an issue with the reservation. Can’t recommend this site enough!
What are your best travel tips?
Pin for Later:
Top photo by Katie Donnelly. Bottom two photos by We are Origami Photo.
July 6, 2017 @ 9:21 am
Thanks for sharing these tips! I really like Airbnb and Booking.com. I’ve never heard of the flight newsletter you talk so I will check them out xxx
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July 6, 2017 @ 10:01 am
Yes, definitely check out the flight newsletters/emails! They seriously help so much!
July 6, 2017 @ 11:34 am
Such a great idea for a post! I get ribbed so much for our travel but so many people don’t realize how you can save if you are willing to work for it!
July 7, 2017 @ 7:40 am
Omg, right!? It’s so true! So glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂
July 6, 2017 @ 4:41 pm
Brilliant idea for a post ! I use very often Airbnb and Booking.com to search where to stay when I’m travelling. I will definitively sign up for The Flight Deal’s newsletter. Thanks for sharing yours tips 🙂
July 7, 2017 @ 7:41 am
No problem! Happy to help! Yes, definitely sign up for the newsletter 🙂
July 6, 2017 @ 5:33 pm
Great tips Megan! Booking.com is also my favorite and now that I’m “genius” even more 🙂
July 7, 2017 @ 7:41 am
Lol, yes! Love Booking.com 🙂
July 7, 2017 @ 5:11 am
Those credit cards sound amazing! Unfortunately I don’t live in the US so won’t be able to apply for them, but we have similar cards here in Hong Kong. Booking.com is also my favourite site for booking accommodation – I love that they have such a flexible cancellation policy!
July 7, 2017 @ 7:44 am
Perfect! Definitely apply for some! They really have some amazing perks, especially if you’re a frequent traveler 🙂 Me too! I don’t like to plan things too much so flexibility is key for me.
July 7, 2017 @ 5:42 am
Newsletter is a great tip though i feel too overwhelmed to check all of them everyday! And i always airbnb on majority of my travels.
July 7, 2017 @ 7:43 am
I know, I can understand that feeling! But finding the amazing deals make checking frequently so worth it 🙂 Yeah, I really love AirBnb!
July 7, 2017 @ 7:47 am
Scott’s Cheap Flights is my huge obsession! Only problem—it makes me want to go everywhere! And I pretty much fund all my non-work travels with that awesome Chase card. Surprised everyone doesn’t have it!
July 7, 2017 @ 8:46 am
Lol you’re so right!! And me too! It’s the best <3
July 7, 2017 @ 2:00 pm
I was going to say the same thing! Damn you, Scott and all of your cheap flight alerts! 🙂
July 11, 2017 @ 9:14 am
Lol, right?!
July 7, 2017 @ 12:29 pm
Thanks for sharing these resources! I had never heard of a cheap flights newsletter before. I will remember to sign up for the ones you mentioned once I can (hopefully) afford to fly again after grad school.
July 11, 2017 @ 9:14 am
You’re welcome! Yep, the newsletters are super helpful!
July 7, 2017 @ 4:17 pm
I’ve been using the Chase Saphire for years now and think it’s totally worth it! One of my favorite cards! Thanks for the other tips too.
July 11, 2017 @ 9:13 am
It’s the best!! You’re so welcome! 🙂
July 9, 2017 @ 2:45 pm
These are really great tips – I normally go to skyscanner to find cheap flights or lastminute.com
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July 11, 2017 @ 9:13 am
Oh, those are great ideas! I’ll definitely have to check those sites out 🙂
November 2, 2017 @ 9:32 am
Thank you for your information.
B DOR
April 30, 2018 @ 8:14 pm
This is such great information Megan!! Since chatting with you on Get to Know Podcast, I have signed up for cheap flights and have found some amazing deals! Love all of your suggestions!
You’ve done great homework!!
May 1, 2018 @ 8:48 am
Omg yay!! I’m so glad you’re having luck! So awesome!
April 30, 2018 @ 11:56 pm
Love these tips! Have been looking for a new credit card option so love your suggestions. Thank you!
May 1, 2018 @ 8:47 am
You’re so welcome!! 🙂