We all like to save money. Especially now we can travel again. However, flights are getting expensive, hotels are sometimes ridiculously pricey, and we are all looking to save money. What tips do flight attendants have to save cash on the next vacation?

1. Booking a flight

Flight attendants don’t always have staff travel availability, so we will have to pay the normal going rate for flights. Of course, booking in advance and off-season is always the best way, but as crew, it is impossible for us to do that when we don’t know our schedule. The low-cost airlines are much cheaper, as a rule, but the airport they fly into might be further out of the city than expected. If you have checked luggage, this can also push up the price. It is worth looking at flights during unsocial hours or that have a connection, which saves money but is not as convenient. Another alternative would be to look at traveling overnight by train or bus – it could be an adventure.

2. Airline loyalty cards

It is always worth joining an airline loyalty program, although it can take time to benefit. Once some air miles have been accumulated, you can get free flights or use them for an upgrade. If business class seats are available, some airlines will send a reduced rate email 48 hours before the flight. Even if you have just a few air miles, some airlines will offer you the chance to use miles for cash when booking the flight, so it’s another saving. Occasionally airlines offer extra points when you stay at an affiliated hotel, which also helps build extra points. Sometimes, an airline will offer free entrance to local attractions or offer a ‘culture pass’, which saves money too.

3. Hotel discounts

Although the usual hotel booking websites have their perks, such as free cancelation, it’s always a good idea to check the original hotel chain’s website. They often have three nights for two deals and special rates out of peak season. If working in the travel industry, many hotels offer a discount, so it’s worth an ask if you can provide an airline ID. Why not check if the hotel includes airport pick-up – it all helps. When checking in, ask if breakfast is included. Some hotels will throw it in for free or at a reduced rate. Secondly, if they have lounge access, see how much it costs as often it is very reasonable and gives you access to a light breakfast and snacks and drinks all day and a light dinner.

4. Hotel loyalty card

Staying regularly at a hotel chain builds points quite quickly in order to get free or discounted nights. However, not all crew are allowed to collect points for their stays, as the airline has paid, it depends on the hotel. Loyalty often helps with getting free or discounted upgrades. Some hotels sell off their more expensive rooms with lounge access, at a highly reduced price the day before arrival, to loyalty members. This can make a big saving for upgrading to a suite from a standard room. Signing up for loyalty emails gets you the offers when they give you double or three times the points for your next stay.

5. Other ways to save

It’s not unusual these days, for credit card companies to have affiliations with hotel groups and airlines, where you can receive extra miles/points for joining or double miles when you travel. It’s an easy way to build up your miles/points for later use. If you are just a few points short of a free night or free flight, you can often buy miles or points for cash at a reduced rate. This can bring the price of the flight or room down considerably.

6. Top tip

If you have the time, price matching can be beneficial. Check the hotel website and see if they offer to price match. If you find a regular travel website offering the room cheaper, they will often match the price plus give extra points, which could pay for a night itself. We learn from our travel, and flight attendants love to collect points and miles. It’s always nice to have the option of an upgrade or free flight or night when we finally get to travel as a passenger.

Solo travel has been on the rise for the past few years now. While growing up, I too always had a hankering for exoloring the world on my own. Twenty years down the line, when I finally did get an opportunity, I couldn’t contain my happiness and excitement. The follow-up days were spent packing and surfing the internet looking for options for stay, places to eat and destinations to see.

Soon, as the travel date started approaching closer, I was extremely thrilled to be finally able to travel alone for the first time. Yet, somehow, I also found myself in a state of worry. From the how-to’s to the what-if’s relating to the trip, my mind was all over the place. However, even though the idea in itself seemed challenging and scary, the eagerness to explore my favorite destination kept me going. First, I sat down and started working on a mind map. Away from home, I knew I would have limited resources and so, a solid travel strategy would be needed to sail through the trip smoothly.

From my personal experience, here are 7 tips for solo travel that will help you if you are planning to go on a solo trip and feel your anxiety kicking all over about it.

Share your trackable location

First things first, your family and friends must know about your whereabouts. A trackable location is a good option in case you’re unavailable and cannot use your cellphone. With this, you can send them important information, like where you’re staying, the contact number of the person in charge of the stay, the travel agency’s name and number, etc. Doing this saves you and your family a lot of time and unnecessary worry. If they can’t get a hold of you, they can still know that you are safe and sound.

Always have an emergency plan handy

Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. It is essential to always be on your toes and be prepared if in case a worst-case scenario occurs. Search for nearby hospitals, doctors, and police stations for emergency visits or calls. Consult your doctor before leaving for any medical issues or allergies and accordingly carry your prescribed medicines so you don’t have to face any hassle there. It is always good to be ready with preventive measures, this way you can travel freely without fretting about anything.

Carry out a safety review before you leave

Travelling to a new place can be a daunting thought. Being the first visit, it is obvious that you will not know what is good or what is bad. Search online or get in touch with locals to learn more about the location and what is doable there. You can inquire about safe places to stay, modes of transport that can be used, and the time till when it will be safe to wander off alone. Your safety comes first so always keep that in check and do not engage with anything that seems or sounds shady to you. Even with hotels, try to book a room that is preferably nearby to other tourist families or solo travelers to be on the safer side.

Invest in travel insurance

Stop unplanned incidents from ruining your travel plans and investment. Travel insurance that covers interruptions and canceled plans can help you get paid back for your covered losses like those brought on by inclement weather, disaster, certain medical conditions, or any other issues. The travel insurance plan can protect you against unforeseen personal or other losses as well as dissipation of luggage misplacement, theft, and others.

Check the weather forecast

Knowing the weather forecast can help you plan ahead for your day out. According to the weather conditions, you can stay prepared and carry suitable valuables. In an instance of rain, get an umbrella and a jacket so that the weather does not put a hold on your plans. Carry extra pair of gloves, socks, and caps too, if required depending upon the place you are going to. Since your trip schedule is limited and you can not waste time staying in, it is best to plan before to avoid any weather-related trouble.

By taking a look at the weather condition you can also take a call on whether you want to go out at all or not. Some places might get closed due to certain weather and if such a situation arises you can either stay in and chill or switch any other day’s following plan with this one.

Carry cash

Always keep some cash handy or in your purse. There will be locations where your internet will not work, or where the shops or local vendors will not accept online payments. In that case, you must go prepared and carry a suitable amount in cash. Do not waste it unnecessarily so that when it is needed, you can wisely spend it on necessities.

These are just some of the efficient travel tips you can inculcate in your to-do list. Make sure you eat well and keep yourself hydrated. Feel good about the trip and get an early start to explore in length. We get your wanderlust high so worry not, a well-organized travel plan will make your trip a perfect and memorable one.

The holidays are right around the corner, and you may be making plans for travel this season. With unexpected flight delays, COVID-19 infections lurking around, and other disruptions to your itinerary, traveling during one of the busiest times of the year can be stressful.

Understand that it’s completely normal to feel anxious and overwhelmed during your trip, especially with so much outside of your control, said Nina Vasan, chief medical officer of the mental health platform Real.

Whether you are traveling home for the holidays or taking a vacation to a new destination, here are some expert-approved tips to make holiday travel less stressful this year.

Plan ahead

If you’re worried about sudden changes to your travel itinerary, it may be helpful to make a plan ahead of time.

Vasan recommends thinking of potential situations like flight cancellations, weather changes and lost baggage. You can then incorporate steps such as knowing alternate flight options or taking only carry-ons, if you have the option to do so.

“Having a ‘crisis plan’ in place can decrease your feelings of anxiety because you already know what to do if something disrupts your itinerary,” she said.

Balance your itinerary

Trying to fit everything into your trip, from visiting multiple family members to touring new places, can be a lot.

“Don’t feel obligated to make a fully booked travel itinerary or feel like you have to be productive at all times. Focus on spending quality time with others and make sure to spend some time for yourself to take care of your mental health,” said Katie Duke, a nurse practitioner and member of FIGS’ health care advisory board.

If you’re traveling for an organized event like a holiday, give yourself some space before or afterward to take a relaxing break. Duke recommends doing something that gives you joy, like taking a walk outdoors or grabbing your favorite drink at a local cafe.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness, the ability to be present in the moment, has been associated with reduced anxiety. There are many ways to practice mindfulness, like focusing on your breathing, journaling how you’re feeling, or engaging in a guided meditation.

“The physical action of taking a few deep breaths can be really useful in releasing stress and promoting a state of calm,” Vasan said.

Entertain yourself

During your journey, you may find yourself spending more time waiting than planned due to delays. While this may be stressful, think of it as an opportunity to do something fun and entertaining to boost your mood, Vasan said.

Be creative and engage in an activity you enjoy, like finding a new book to read, starting a new TV series, drawing or even listening to a podcast episode.

Stay hydrated

It’s easy to forget to drink water throughout the day, especially during the colder months. Make sure you’re drinking enough water this holiday season, said Supriya Lal, a registered dietitian based in New York City.

“Staying hydrated will not only help our bodily functions, but also help improve our mood and energy levels,” Lal said.

Rest

Whether you are on the road or taking a train, the journey to and from your destination may make it difficult to get enough shut-eye. Prioritize sleep while traveling by aiming to get at least the recommended seven hours of rest each night.

“Getting enough rest is essential to be able to regulate your stress and channel healthy coping mechanisms,” Vasan said.

Give yourself some positive self-talk

The unanticipated changes you may experience during your travel journey can feel overwhelming, but remember that it’s out of your control. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

“Tell yourself that your emotions right now are completely valid. Engaging in positive self-talk can uplift your mood and decrease stress,” Duke said.

The winter is finally upon us and though there are a lot of people who revel in this time of year, there are a lot who despise the cold nights and short days. These people usually enjoy heading away somewhere in the wintertime to enjoy some sun in another country. If this is you and you are wondering how best you can prepare for this trip, then be sure to continue reading as the below article is going to go into more detail about the different ways that you can properly prepare for some traveling this winter.

Be Ready for Delays

When it comes to flying in the winter months, the sad fact of the matter is that the chance of a delay increases exponentially. The poor weather and strong winds mean that a lot of the time a plane will need to wait before taking off or it may be that the flight has to be rescheduled all together. This isn’t the end of the world, delays are a possibility regardless of the time of the year that you are travelling, what’s important is that you are ready for them. There are a number of ways you can do this. The first is to keep chargers in your hand luggage. You don’t want to use up all of your battery and then be unable to get directions when you land because of that – you could even consider a portable charger for this purpose.

You should also make sure you have plenty of activities to do in these periods of delay. One of the most popular options at the moment is to play on different online casino games. The top paying online casino websites are easy to access, and airports usually have excellent WIFI you will be able to use to go on these.

Take Out Travel Insurance

Again, because of the delays that can often occur as discussed above, you want to ensure that you are covering your back by taking out sufficient travel insurance. There are a number of excellent providers available to make sure that you are fully covered. When you take out such insurance, it means that if there are any issues, you can rest easy knowing that all of the expenses which could be incurred as a result are going to be catered for.

Drive Safe

If you are going to be driving to the airport, then you need to make sure that you are keeping safe when doing so. The roads can be a lot more slippery at this time of year and as such, you need to stay alert whenever you are driving anywhere. This applies to if you rent a car in your holiday destination as well. Even though you might be going to get some winter sun, there is always the risk of potential storms that could lead to the driving conditions becoming more dangerous. As such, make sure that you are staying alert, no matter where you are driving to and from on your winter holiday.