As an avid traveler for the past 6 years, I’ve learned the value of top travel resources. From packing essentials to budget airlines to the best travel credit cards, it’s always easier to have a list set out in front of you.
These are the resources I use and love. I would never recommend something I do not believe in.
What To Pack
Away Suitcases – The ultimate travel suitcases. Away has thought of your EVERY travel need. We use the Away Bigger Carry-On for all of our world travels. Use the link above for $20 off your purchase.
Thermarest Pillows – Useful for airplane travel, camping, or even just using on your hostel bed if the provided pillows look sketchy. These pillows pack to the tiniest size and can fit in the smallest spaces. They bulk up to be the coziest travel pillows around.
Simple Modern Water Bottles – With all the Hydroflask hype, we decided to take a cheaper approach. These water bottles are the knock-off brand of Hydroflask but way cheaper. Luckily the quality is just as good.
Zensah – One of the most versatile clothing brands. I highly recommend the long sleeve t-shirts, but I also frequently wear the sports bras and long leggings. They are perfect for active travelers.
ENOhammock – Our Enohammocks come with us around the world. They pack small and light and can be set up anywhere with trees.
Flight Search Engines
Skyscanner – Skyscanner has the best deals. Use their “Whole Month” and “Everywhere” options to get the lowest prices on flights around the world.
Skiplagged – Our secret weapon (that VERY FEW travelers know) when it comes to booking airline tickets.
Momondo – Another search engine I often use when I feel Skyscanner could do a better job. Sometimes Skyscanner even redirects me to Momondo.
Vayama – Vayama is very similar to Momondo.
The Ultimate Travel Hack
Be sure to pick up your free guide to buying business class tickets for the price of economy below!
Budget Airlines
Budget airlines can be quite controversial and oftentimes passengers complain about the service and quality of the airline. However, budget airlines are perfect for the bargain traveler.
AirAsia – For budget flights in Asia and Australia.
Ryanair – For budget flights in Europe and the USA.
easyJet – For budget flights in Europe
Best Travel Credit Cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred – Currently offering 50,000 bonus points
American Express Platinum – The ultimate traveling credit card WITH AIRPORT LOUNGE ACCESS!!
Capital One – A quick and easy way to cover $500 worth of travel (after spending $3,000 in the first three months).
Alaska Airlines – An amazing card offering 30,000 skymiles after spending $1,000 in the first three months. They also give credit card holders a companion fare each year and if you don’t know what a companion fare is… you should know!
Pro-Tip: Plastiq – Use Plastiq to pay bills with your newly opened credit card. Plastiq pays bills that cannot be paid for with a credit card. For example, our car payment must be paid by check or debit card. With Plastiq, I can pay our car off with credit cards.
Earning More Skymiles (Without A Credit Card)
Opening up credit cards and spending money isn’t the only way to earn skymiles. Below you will find two alternative ways to earning skymiles.
The Opinion Terminal – This is a website that allows you to take surveys in exchange for Alaska Airlines skymiles.
Opinion Miles Club – These are surveys in exchange for United Airlines skymiles.
EMiles – EMiles will reward you with Frontier, Southwest, or US Airways skymiles for completing surveys.
RocketMiles – Booking a hotel? Using RocketMiles to book your hotel will earn you skymiles to the airline of your choice. Use the link provided to get 1,000 extra skymiles with your first reservation.
Best Accommodation Resources
Airbnb – Airbnb, our go-to travel resource for accommodation. Very often Airbnbs will be cheaper than hotels and much more comfortable. Use the link provided to get $40 off your first Airbnb reservation.
Homeaway – A company very similar to Airbnb.
VRBO – Ditto.
Hotels.com – Hotels.com will reward you with a free night after every 10 nights you book through them. Use the link provided for $50 off your first booking.
HotelTonight – Get amazing last minute hotel deals with HotelTonight. Use promo code: LAPETERS11 for $25 off your first booking.
Hostelworld – The best hostel search engine when hotels and other accommodation options are just too expensive.
Couchsurfing – A free way to stay on locals’ couches, meet new friends, and save loads of money.
Trusted Housesitters – Looking to housesit? Housesitting is a way to “babysit” other people’s houses. You get free accommodation, they get someone to take care of their house, pets, and plants.
Aussie Housesitters – This is a platform dedicated to housesitting in Australia; a very popular trend down unda!
Kiwi Housesitters – This is a platform dedicated to housesitting in New Zealand.
WWOOF – WWOOF is a way to learn a thing or two about organic farming around the world. Room and board is provided for you in exchange for a few hours of help on the farm each day.
Camping Essentials
iMoova – iMoova is an awesome website for renting campervans or cars. Instead of paying a fortune, iMoova rents you campervans or cars for $5 or less per day. The only catch is that you relocate the vehicle for them.
Campendium – Campendium will show you every boondocking site in the USA. Free camping? Don’t mind if I do!
Campermate – An app geared toward New Zealand camping. This app will show you every campground, free, cheap, or paid.
Thousand Trails – If you’re an RVer like us, the Thousand Trails membership is a MUST. We paid $400 for a yearly membership that allowed us to LIVE at thousand trail campgrounds around the US.
Passport America – Like the Thousand Trails membership, Passport America is another membership that HAS to be in your pocket as an RVer. They offer 50% nightly discounts to campgrounds and RV resorts around the USA.
Transportation Resources
Zipcar – Zipcar was invented by the rental car companies. With Zipcar, you can rent a car for just a couple hours if needed.
Uber – If you haven’t used Uber yet, do it. Here is $5 off your first ride. Uber is much cheaper than taking a taxi.
BlaBlaCar – A MAJOR ride-sharing app. Finding a cheap ride has never been easier.
Grab – The Uber of Southeast Asia. Grab will save you from the taxi drivers ripping you off for all that you’re worth.
GoJek – We’ve noticed that GoJek is also a very popular taxi application. In Bali, GoJek’s can be ordered and used for taxi service, food delivery, and so much more.
Rome2Rio – Rome2Rio is a website that will detail each of the ways to get between two destinations. It will also show you a general price for each transportation option.
Phones And Internet Abroad
Google Fi – By far the best phone service for avid travelers. We use Google Fi even in the United States. We only pay for data we use and the price remains the same no matter where in the world you are ($10/GB). We’ve used Google Fi in countries all over the world. Highly recommended.
TEP Wireless – The TEP Wireless device will provide you with internet all over the world. You will be paying for data by the day, so this is a device used mainly for emergencies or for a short travel period.
Miscellaneous
MeetUp – The MeetUp app is great for solo travelers or travelers looking to make friends all over the world. Use this app to find groups with similar interests, events, or meet-ups around the globe.
Want To Start A Travel Blog?
Mike and I have been able to take our small hobby blog and turn it into a thriving 6-figure business.
If you want to take the plunge and start a travel blog, be sure to sign up for our free course where we show you exactly how to start our travel blog the RIGHT way so that you can monetize it in the future.
Blogging Resources
Bluehost – The first step to a successful travel blog is self-hosting your site. We use Bluehost because they have affordable prices and excellent customer service.
SEMRush – A bit more advanced in your SEO game? We use SEMRush to find the best keywords for our blog posts.
Keysearch – Looking for keywords? This affordable keyword research tool is perfect for beginners.