I don’t know about you, but I love to travel. Sadly my bank account doesn’t share this love as often as I would like it to and it definitely only allows me to travel waaaay down the back of the plane, which is a less than ideal situation for all concerned but as Scott tells me on a regular basis, “If it’s the difference between going on a holiday and not going, which would you choose?”
Of course I usually answer that question with, “Um, do I LOOK like I’m meant to fly economy?!” which is usually met with a laugh (from me) and an eye roll chaser (from him).
But enough of me and my first world problems. Today I’m bringing you my Top 5 Travel Tips, which I’m also entering in the Virgin Australia Pro Blogger Voyagers competition.
So if you could kindly put your seat into the upright position and fasten your seatbelt, I’ll get started with today’s travel tip demonstration. Thank you and enjoy your flight!
1. Buy the lightest suitcase you can afford.
I don’t know why, but it seems that the lighter the suitcase the higher the price. However, it’s well worth the investment, especially if you like to do a bit of shopping while you’re on a holiday.
A couple of years ago I ditched our heavy 4 kilo suitcases and invested in a set of super lightweight (hello 1 kilo each!) suitcases which means that a) they’re MUCH easier for Scott to fling onto the scales at check in and b) they don’t give him back pain when he has to grab them from the conveyer belt when we land!
It also means that the pesky weight allowance that airlines insist on enforcing isn’t taken up with 4 kilos of suitcase, which leaves you a good 3 kilos of shopping purchases to jam in there. Winning!
2. Think about your carry on luggage
It’s a controversial subject because I know a lot of people out there are lovers of a hard roll on carry on luggage set up, but I’m not one of them.
I actually endorse a soft bag approach when it comes to carry on luggage for two reasons.
1. It gives you more flexibility when it comes to storing it. You can shove it in the overhead locker or under the seat in front of you and either way it’ll mould into your chosen storage facility with ease.
2. It will fit really easily into any car, should you need to hire one when you reach your destination. Which brings me to my next tip.
3. Become an expert at Suitcase Tetris
This is one of Scott’s many hidden talents. Just quietly, it drives me a bit nuts, but he can arrange 4 suitcases and 4 soft carry on bags into the back of any hire car like some sort of Suitcase Tetris Ninja.
Scott would like you all to know that the soft carry on bags are vital to the Suitcase Tetris approach and that placing your wife’s very heavy shopping filled suitcase on the bottom is also an important step that should never be overlooked (cheeky!)
4. Join an airline rewards program
Just about one of the only perks of having a husband who travels all.the.time is the fact that he’s now some sort of Kyrptonite level with Virgin Australia and as a result whenever we fly as a family, we are all VERY well looked after.
Having access to priority check in, the very fancy Virgin Australia lounge prior to boarding, a glass of champers upon boarding, staff who go above and beyond to make sure you’re comfortable during the flight and your luggage coming off the plane first, definitely makes taking a hard right every time you board a plane for a long haul flight much less painful!
5. Check your passport!
Finally, if you’re heading overseas, check the expiration date of your passport BEFORE you book your tickets. There’s nothing worse than paying for tickets and then realising that your passport has expired or worse yet, you’ve lost it. Make sure everything’s up to date and you’ll be good to go!
Got any travel tips you’d like to add? Do you love a good game of suitcase tetris? Are your fingers crossed that I’ll win this comp too?!
Leave a Reply