Come Fly With Me!
Have you been wishing your trips could be a bit fancier, yet still easy? Then you’re definitely in the right place. I have always had a love of travel, and one thing that’s made it more enjoyable recently is having a solid routine. Let’s talk about it!
Planning
I’ll dive much deeper in a future post, but basically I begin by checking Pinterest (yes, really!). It’s so easy to make a board for your travel destination. Then as you come up with ideas (sightseeing, restaurants, transit) you have a quick place to organize them. Wanderlog is another fabulous resource for longer trips. You can use the app or website, and plug in all reservations, points of interest and things you want to research further. If you are going with a group, it tallies expenses to make them easier to split. Wanderlog even gives you an email address to forward things to (like the aforementioned reservations) so you can keep them together.
Things to Remember
Stop your mail! Do this on the USPS website. They’ll either deliver all of it in one chunk when you get back or you can go the nearest post office to pick it up.
House keys- do you need an extra set? Use a KeyMe kiosk to make one for your house or pet sitter. Note: some keys can be copied on the spot. Other must be shipped (takes 3-5 business days) so plan accordingly!
Do a Big Clean. It’s nice to come home to a fresh, clean house. Pro tip: take out your garbage, clean out your fridge and put on a fresh set of sheets before you go.
Be safe: don’t post on social media until you get back to avoid being a target for thieves. But you should tell someone you’re leaving your home unoccupied- whether it’s the superintendent of your building or a trusted friend, make sure someone is keeping an eye on the place in case of something like a burst pipe.
Packing
Make detailed packing checklists and save them on your phone. I have them for various types of trips like ‘Long Weekend-Fall’ or ‘Overseas Trip >1 week’.
Take a photo of the contents of your suitcase. If you end up needing insurance reimbursement this will make quick work of the claim.
Apple AirTag or Samsung Galaxy Smart Tag. These help you keep track of your luggage if you happen to check it or leave it behind at your hotel while out sightseeing. The battery lasts ages and it connects to your smartphone.
Away Luggage is my absolute favorite brand. They’re so thoughtful with details like built-in compression panels and laundry bags. Try to visit one of their retail locations if you can; they’re always willing to show you the features of the suitcases and overnight bags (I have the Weekender and it’s so good for short trips).
Vacuum bags save space for longer trips (bring home more souvenirs!). Avoid rolling and squeezing by buying these that have a tiny electric vacuum attachment.
Airport
Invest in TSA Precheck/Global Entry. On a recent trip to Chicago we made it through security in less than five minutes. At busier airports, this can mean the difference between making your flight and…not.
Lounge Access. This revolutionized travel for me. Click the link to see a list of different lounges that you could access at various airports with Priority Pass. We get access to all of these and the Centurion lounges using American Express Platinum. Chase Sapphire Reserve is another option to get these types of perks. In the lounge, you’ll find spotless bathrooms, free WiFi, free food and drinks (including alcohol) and plenty of places to sit and unwind.
Check your airline app frequently and enable notifications. Gate changes can sneak up on you. Once you arrive at the gate, politely sidle up to the desk and ask about free upgrades.
On the Plane
I don’t like to take too much out for fear of losing it when it’s time to deplane. So I have a little pouch where I can keep my AirPods, lip balm, Aesop Ginger Flight Therapy (an essential oil roll-on that keeps me calm on the flight, and is good if you have a bit of upset stomach) and gum. I also like to use a nasal sanitizer just in case someone sitting near me appears to be ill.
What Should You Wear?
I’m partial to a wide-legged yoga pant, comfy top (don’t worry, this option isn’t as cropped as it looks) and a long cardigan or trench coat. I also wear compression socks on any flights longer than a couple of hours to help with circulation and reduce the possibility of a blood clot. Be sure to get up and stretch and move. For shoes, wear your heaviest pair that you’re bringing along. I’m partial to Doc Martens.
Passing the Time
Download library books via Libby ahead of time. You can search multiple libraries with this app and shoot books right to your phone as ePub or Kindle books. Pro tip: NYC residents get free access to NYPL, Queens and Brooklyn’s public libraries. For longer trips I like to pick a book series to get into (last time I read all the Little House on the Prairie books).
Get WiFi. TMobile offers 4 free full-flight sessions per year or unlimited 1-hour sessions. For flights that are around 2 hours, I just wait until about a half hour after the WiFi is available to log in. Then you basically get it for the whole flight until they turn it off. Use the longer sessions for long flights. Don’t have TMobile? Check with your carrier to see if they offer something similar to this offer.
Reflect. For at least a little bit, turn off your phone and close your eyes. Think about what’s been bothering you, what’s been making you happy and what you’d like to do next with your life. You have quiet time so why not use it!
What do you do when you fly? Which of these suggestions stood out to you? Tell me in the comments below!
