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At TPG, we strive to provide expert advice on how to maximize miles and leverage hidden tips to get the best out of your travel planning. We also aim to help new travelers get a sense of what to expect so they can be prepared no matter what may come up during their travels.
Here are some key learnings for less-experienced travelers:
- Make digital and hard copies of your important documents. When traveling, do as TPG editor Kristy Tolley does and store the hard copy in a separate place from where you're keeping your passport in case you lose a bag. "I also leave a copy of it at home if I'm traveling alone," she says.
- Double-check your passport to make sure it won't expire soon. Some countries require six months of future passport validity to allow entry. Be sure to look at the dates far in advance of your trip and build in plenty of time for renewing your passport (if needed), as there have been delays in getting passports renewed.
- Purchase travel insurance, even if you already have credit card travel protections. This is to ensure you're covered no matter what situation you may find yourself in.
- "If you check a bag, make sure to have extra medicine or medical supplies in your personal bag in case your luggage goes missing or is delayed," advises TPG senior writer Tanner Saunders. "As a diabetic, I keep a tiny emergency kit in my backpack with enough supplies to keep me going in an emergency."
- Regarding baggage, TPG credit card writer Ryan Smith suggests that "the last items you pack in your carry-on will be most accessible, so use this for your passport, ID, ticket, headphones or whatever else you need during the trip." By making sure those items you'll use most are easiest to reach, you'll save yourself the hassle of having to dig around (or partially unpack) your bag to grab what you need.
- After a summer of baggage delays and luggage disasters, TPG senior director of marketing and communications Becca Manheimer suggests you put Apple AirTags (or the Android equivalent) into your luggage so you can track your items if they go missing.
- Becca also suggests using Google Flights or another preferred flight search engine to manage the fluctuation of prices. "Always turn on notifications for these engines so that you can jump on any price drop or a good deal — they go quick," she says.
- Try to find a nonstop flight rather than one with connections, even if it costs a little more. You'll eliminate the risk of missing connections and lessen the chance of losing your luggage during a transfer.
- For beginner cruisers, TPG principal cruise writer Gene Sloan suggests arriving in port at least a day in advance (if not several days ahead of time) to eliminate the risk of missing your ship's departure time. This will also help you get acclimated to the local time zone.
