How to Make Your Life Easier as a Traveler (Part 2)

 Welcome Back, Traveler! 

In this continuation of "How to Make Your Life Easier as a Traveler", lookout for some new tips and tools that we use as pro-travelers 😉

Here are 4 NEW Tips for How to Make Your Life Easier:

1. NO CLUTTER! (Wallets and Luggage Version) You probably always hear "it's best to travel light", but HOW is that really possible for a two-week trip to Europe or a trip to an island where I need at least 20 outfits?! 

Checked bags cost extra and they are a pain to carry around, way too much clutter... SO what are we supposed to bring with us?! In my previous post, I mentioned my AWAY suitcase ($40 discount code HERE). I highly recommend the flex suitcase when it comes to avoiding clutter, because this allows the flexibility to add or consolidate as needed. Now, I am going to add that the matching backpack is the most compact and easy-to-use item with this suitcase! It has a pocket to attach it to your suitcase and you can fit all of your necessary small items inside, but it stays compact and is easy to carry! 

All you need is a backpack and a small suitcase and you are ready to go! No airport purse, no extra wallets... but WAIT, we need a wallet don't we? 

Well, Kenny and I use the slim Yesiiw wallet found on Amazon for only $12.(LINK TO WALLET HERE)  It comes in 19 different colors and fits everything we need for travel. We stick that directly into our passport holder. The ONLY thing we really need to keep track of in the airport or while in a foreign country is our PASSPORT (the most important thing) because it has EVERYTHING inside!! 

2. Global Entry Now, in part one, I talked about TSA Precheck and gave the info on how to get that. Here, I will talk about Global Entry which may not be for every type of traveler... Global Entry includes TSA Precheck, but has some added bonuses for people who travel out of the country a couple times per year! 

Global Entry costs $120 instead of the TSA Precheck $75 fee and is also valid for 5 years. Certain credit cards, like my Capital One Venture Card, will reimburse you for these fees! So, it does cost more and is more a hassle to obtain. Here is How To Apply: it requires an in-person interview at a participating international airport, background check, and 20-minute online application. After the short interview, if approved, you will receive your Global Entry access. BUT Global Entry's benefits include little to no wait times at the US Customs, Expedited Entry to participating global locations, and no Processing lines and paperwork. There is also a special Global Entry app that allows you to send your documents electronically through your phone when needed. After completing the process, you will travel with ease internationally and domestically. NO MORE WASTING TIME ON LONG LINES!!

3. Use Apps as Resources (Out of Office and Beli Eats) "There's an app for that!" No, seriously, there is! Here are two app recommendations for making traveling less work! Out of Office is like a social media but for travel itineraries! You can go on there for FREE and keep your plans organized or you could completely steal someone else's! This app is fun to use and will have you love planning trips with no travel agent or extra money spent! Beli Eats is one of my new favorite apps to date! This app is also set up like a social media, but for rating restaurants. You can search restaurants in the area you are going to see which ones have the highest rankings and which dishes people enjoyed! You can add points for ambiance, service, etc. SUCH a great idea! When you are in a foreign place, sometimes all you want is good food, and Beli has your back (and stomach). Feel free to follow us @sktravelbloggers as we begin to implement these more often!

4. Airline Accounts Get those airline apps and quickly make all of the accounts! Your smartphone is such an important tool for traveling for things like the apps mentioned above and the airline apps. When it comes to airline accounts, first of all, you get MILES and points for traveling! Accounts also give you the ability to level up like JetBlue has "tiles" where you can move up for each flight you take until you reach certain perks like free checked bag or free seat upgrade. As you travel more, you will reap the benefits of these accounts. You do not want to wish all of those JetBlue flights from last year were accounted for when it is too late. (If you recently flew, you can call the customer service number and they will still acknowledge your flight if you make an account now!!) The airline apps also make the flight and airport process SO easy. Your boarding pass pops up on your lock screen, you can add bags before arriving to the airport, and you can even add your TSA Precheck or Global Entry numbers to your ticket on there. This means less time and hassle at the airport, YAY! Pro Tip: United Airlines has a special perk where you can go to the designated "shortcut line" and check your carry-on before going through security, we LOVE this option. SO... get the apps and make those accounts even if you fly a different airline every time because I guarantee you will be happy you did in the future!

Bonus: Follow us @just.travel.now on TikTok for all the travel tips and hidden gems! AND follow our brand new Instagram account @sktravelbloggers for captions loaded with info!

Thanks for reading along! Comment with any questions and read Part One HERE!