This app is my secret weapon.

TripIt is a travel planning app that helps organize all your trip details in one place, making it easy to access your itinerary, reservations, and important travel information on-the-go. You can forward all of your details: flights, dinner reservations, museum tickets, hotel reservations, and car rental confirmations can all be stored in one place and presented to you in the correct sequence as they are booked. With features such as real-time flight alerts, directions to your accommodations, and weather updates, TripIt simplifies the planning process and allows for a stress-free travel experience.

Kayak is a useful app for trip planning that allows users to compare prices across different travel sites to find the best deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars. It also offers travel alerts and trip management tools.

I also like to look at flights on Google as well to compare. The more information and flight options you are able to research- the easier you can make a decision.

*Tip: View websites in incognito mode to prevent creating demand and potential price increases at the flights you are researching

Rome2rio is a super helpful app for trip planning that provides a range of transportation options and routes to your desired destination. If you are contemplating whether a train, bus, or car would be best, this app is the best place to compare all of your options. Rome2Rio compares prices and travel times across different modes of transportation, including flights, trains, buses, and rental cars, to help find the most efficient and cost-effective way to travel.

I am not sure if it is a result from COVID times, but I prefer to always book the “big” flights (International flights) via points. One reason is to gain status with the airline to reach higher benefits (i.e. multiple checked bags/ upgrades), but another is to be able to cancel and rebook a flight if I need to without losing money.

Also, when you book with points it allows you to book a flight across all of the partners in the Airline Alliances (Star Alliance, OneWorld and SkyTeam). It enables us to compare whether pricing is the same when booking via American Airlines or their partner, Japan Airlines, when trying to find the best points deal from LAX to NRT.

And the best reason: being able to book a business class seat for $50. There is nothing better than sitting in business… besides knowing you paid $50 for your seat. :)

*Tip: The earlier you book your flights/ hotel the better off you will be! Pricing for cash and miles is much better when booked 6-9 months in advance! Most of our trips are booked at least 6 months in advance.

It is dependent on where we are traveling, but I typically prefer to choose to stay at hotel chains. Staying at hotel chains offers several advantages, such as consistency in service and amenities across different locations, loyalty programs that offer rewards and discounts, and the ability to book online and manage reservations easily.

The easiest way to accumulate points for Hyatt, Bonvoy, or Hilton are via their credit cards or you could also transfer points from AMEX or Chase. If you are low on points, purchasing Hyatt or IHG points when they are on sale- provides the best value for your $.

*Tip: Also best to book wayyy in advance. I was able to book a overwater bungalow in the Maldives for 30k points/ night with Bonvoy and the Hyatt in Paris for 25k points/ night. When booked 3-4 months ahead, these rooms can easily reach $1,000-$2,000/ night.

Rick Steves says it best: “You can't travel heavy, happy, and cheap. Pick two.”

Anywhere from a 2 day to a 2 week trip, we always travel with a carry-on and a large backpack. You never know if your flight is going to be delayed when you have a tight connection, or whether the airport is on strike. There is no faster way to put a damper on your trip then lost luggage. Navi and I travel quickly and having to wait for our luggage to catch up with us would make things too difficult.

If you feel like you cannot convert to the carry-on life- you are over-packing (side not: people traveling with children are exempt from that statement). A few tips:

• packing cubes!

• everything you pack should be worn at least twice - sticking with a color palette helps

• no more than 3 pairs of shoes (you wear one and pack 2): walking sneaker or sandal/ workout shoe/ nice pair for dinner

• do laundry as you go

• place toiletries and one outfit in your backpack (makes it easier to pull out for the stricter TSA lines (LHR) and ensures you have a change of clothes within reach if you spill something