23 Best Tools & Travel Resources

Travel can be as complicated as you make it. Just like anything, your life will be easier if you have the right tools at your disposal. Travel is precisely that. This piece will cover my favorite travel resources to keep in the back pocket.

I say that travel can be complicated because there is a lot of noise with trips. Many different service providers offer many other things, ostensibly to make your travels easier.

Some are incredibly helpful, and others are just sunk costs. If one thing is always tried and true, you need the right tools to make travel more affordable and accessible for you. People ask me all the time, how do you travel so much? Or, how can you afford to go to all these places?

Well, if there is a will, there is a way – and a little travel hacking doesn’t hurt either. There are many excellent travel tools out there that help you find amazing travel deals and make your travel experiences more accessible.

I’d instead make each dollar count and see more places than go to 1 site each year on an extravagant budget! Here are some of the several different services, software, apps, and websites I make use of the following options:

• Travel Credit Cards
• Travel Insurance
• Flight Search Engines
• Online Booking Travel Agencies
• Cheap Flight Newsletters
• Tour Operators
• Tour Agents
• Rewards Points & Loyalty Programs

The list goes on. I’ve tried them all. I was a test dummy for all things travel. So I’m here to consolidate this into one list of what you need and the best examples of these resources.

Best Travel Insurance

World Nomads Travel Insurance

World Nomads travel insurance is a must-have for any traveler. They offer many features essential for anyone planning a trip, whether for business or pleasure.

Their plans offer medical and evacuation coverage, lost luggage, and personal belongings insurance. They also have 24/7 access to a team of medical experts, so you can get the care you need if you become ill or injured while abroad. In addition, you’ll get trip interruption and cancellation insurance, so you can be reimbursed if your plans change unexpectedly.

With all of these features, World Nomads is the best option for travel insurance, and it’s an essential part of any trip. It’s also one of the best nomadic resources you can have if you live a location-independent lifestyle. Like what you are hearing? Read our full World Nomads travel insurance review for a full breakdown of what they offer.

InsureMyTrip

InsureMyTrip is a website that offers travel insurance. There are many reasons someone might purchase travel insurance, such as to protect against lost luggage, canceled flights, or medical emergencies.

InsureMyTrip allows users to compare different policies and choose the one that best meets their needs. They also offer 24/7 customer support if you have questions or need to file a claim. Whether you’re looking for comprehensive coverage or just a basic policy, InsureMyTrip can help you find the right travel insurance for your next trip.

Cheap Flight Alerts & Newsletters

Going (Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)

Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) is a flight deals newsletter travelers can use to find and book incredible flight sales. This cheap flight newsletter is free to try, and members receive daily flight deal emails with discounted flights to destinations worldwide.

For an extra cost, Going offers a premium membership for an annual fee of $49, which gives members access to even more discounts, a personal travel consultant, and exclusive flight deals. Going.com has helped millions of travelers save money on their flights and is one of the best resources for finding cheap airfare.

Or, read a written review of Going (Scott’s Cheap Flights), where you can learn how this website can be a resource for finding incredible flight deals. Remember, when you pay for premium, use the coupon code VIA20 for 20% OFF your membership.

Thrifty Traveler Premium

Are you looking to travel on the cheap? Thrifty Traveler Premium can help you save big on your next trip. With Thrifty Traveler Premium, you’ll get access to their team of travel experts who scour the web for the best deals on flights. They will send you customized alerts so you can book your flights at the perfect time.

Plus, they will guide you on when to fly and how to maximize your savings. And if that’s not enough, Thrifty Traveler Premium members also get exclusive access to potential mistake fares. This is where Thrifty Traveler will find all the significant mistakes airlines make – like mispriced flights and programming errors – so you can snag a great deal.

So why wait? Sign up for Thrifty Traveler Premium today and start saving on your next trip!

Dollar Flight Club

Dollar Flight Club is a subscription-based service that helps travelers find and book airfare deals. For a monthly fee, members receive access to a list of flights significantly cheaper than the average fare.

Dollar Flight Club offers several features to help travelers save money on their next trip, including fare alerts, price comparisons, and travel tips. In addition, members can contact customer support for help booking their flight or for any other questions they may have.

Whether you’re looking for a last-minute deal or want to save money on your next vacation, Dollar Flight Club can help you find the cheapest flight possible. Please read our full Dollar Flight Club review for more information on how to use this platform.

See Related: Best Websites for Cheap Flights and Hotels

Flight Search Engines

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a comprehensive search engine for flights, hotels, and car rentals. It offers various features, making it an excellent resource for voyagers.

Skyscanner’s flight search function allows you to compare airfares from different airlines, both direct and indirect flights. You can also search for flights by date and time to find the cheapest flights that fit your schedule.

Their hotel search allows you to compare prices from different hotels in your desired destination. You can filter your results by price, star rating, amenities, etc.

In addition, the car rental search provides a wide selection of rental cars worldwide. This is an excellent resource for travelers looking for the best travel deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals.

See Related: Essential Travel Safety Tips for Trips

Momondo

Momondo is a flight search engine that helps travelers find cheap flights. Momondo searches hundreds of different airlines to find the best travel deals, and it also offers a variety of features that make it an excellent choice for travelers.

For example, Momondo offers a fare calendar showing the cheapest flying days to specific destinations. Momondo also has a “price alert” feature, which notifies users when the price of flight changes. This flight search aggregator offers an easy-to-use website with a clean design and is available in multiple languages. Overall, Momondo is a great option for travelers looking for cheap flights.

Google Flights

Google Flights is a flight search aggregator that allows users to search for and book flights online. If you travel frequently, this is an essential cheap travel resource and is our go-to resource for booking cheap flights (I think plenty of other travel bloggers would agree). The simple interface makes it so easy to find cheap flights anywhere worldwide.

Google Flights offers multiple features that can be helpful for travelers, including the ability to search for flights by destination, date, and airline. Google Flights also provides a fare calendar that shows the cheapest days to fly and tips for saving money on airfare.

In addition, Google Flights allows users to track flight prices and be notified when prices drop. Budget travelers can use Google Flights to find and book flights easily and quickly.

Accommodation Booking Sites

Booking.com

Booking.com is a travel website that helps you find and book hotels, flights, rental cars, and more. They offer a variety of features to make your trip planning more accessible, including:

• Price comparisons: Booking.com shows you the prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars from multiple providers so you can find the best deal.
• Booking management: You can manage all your bookings in one place on Booking.com, making it easy to track your plans.
• Trip suggestions: Booking.com offers suggested itineraries based on your interests, budget, and desired travel dates.
• Rewards program: You can earn rewards points with Booking.com that can be used for future travel discounts with their Booking Genius Levels.

Please read our full Booking.com review to learn more about how the platform works for accommodation.

Hotels.com

Hotels.com is a hotel booking site that offers a wide range of hotel accommodations worldwide. You can search for hotels by location, price, amenities, etc.

Hotels.com also offers a “Deals” section where you can find discounts on hotels and a “Rewards” program where you can earn points towards free nights.

For budget travelers, Hotels.com is an excellent resource for finding cheap accommodation. You can often find rooms for significantly less than the listed price by using the “Deals” section and being flexible with travel dates. This is one of the best ways to find great deals on accommodation.

Hotels.com also offers a “Price Match Guarantee,” so you can be sure you’re getting the best deal on your hotel room.

VRBO

VRBO is a popular website for travelers looking for vacation rentals. The website offers various rentals, from apartments and houses to villas and cottages. VRBO also offers multiple pricing options, making it an excellent choice for travelers on a budget.

One of the critical features of VRBO is the ability to book directly with the rental property owner. This allows travelers to avoid paying booking fees and will enable them to ask the owner questions about the property and the area. VRBO is an excellent option for travelers looking for vacation rentals and offers various properties.

See Related: Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Agent

Booking Rental Cars

RentalCars.com

RentalCars.com is a leading provider of rental car reservations for leisure and business travelers. This rental car booking website offers various car types, from economy to full-size SUVs, minivans, and more.

They also offer exclusive discounts on many top rental car brands. Their traveler services include: 

• Finding the best price on rental cars worldwide with their Price Promise  
• Paying for your rental car upfront or at the counter 
• Printing your contract 
• Roadside assistance 
• Rental Cars Rewards program to earn points toward free rentals 

If you need a rental car, RentalCars.com should be your first stop.

See Related: Rental Cars That You Can Take Out of State

KAYAK

KAYAK is a leading travel search engine that helps travelers find the best deals on flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. The platform aggregates and searches hundreds of travel sites to help travelers find the best deals on airfare, hotels, and more.

We particularly like KAYAK for its rental car search. It’s simple, sleek, and easy to use. You’ll get the best car options from hundreds of sources, so you’ll likely find the best possible price for a car during your trip. KAYAK also offers exclusive deals on travel packages, hotels, and more.

If you’re looking for the best deals on travel, KAYAK is the place to start. KAYAK travelers can also benefit from the following:

• Price alerts for flight and hotel deals 
• The ability to compare prices across multiple travel sites 
• Exclusive discounts on travel packages 
• The option to book directly with airlines and hotels 

See Related: Our Favorite Black Friday Travel Deals

Booking Tours

Viator

Viator is a website that helps travelers find and book the best tours worldwide. Viator offers a wide variety of international travel resources and provides a comprehensive list of terms and activities in each destination, as well as user reviews and ratings.

By partnering with tour companies directly, Viator offers the Best Price Guarantee, so travelers can be confident they are getting the best value for their money. Viator is an essential resource for anyone planning a trip abroad that features historical sights or museums and is easy to use.

Simply enter your travel dates and destination, and Viator will show you a list of available tours and activities. You can then read reviews, compare prices, and book tours that best suit your interests, such as food tours, history tours, walking tours, and even multi-day excursions.

GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide is a website that offers a wide range of tourist activities and attractions worldwide. What sets this platform apart from other travel websites is its focus on providing unique experiences that cannot be found anywhere else.

They partner with tour companies, both small group tours done by locals and full-on global tour operators. For example, GetYourGuide offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the Vatican Museum, which includes access to areas that are usually off-limits to visitors.

This tour booking site also offers a variety of walking tours, bike tours, and other outdoor activities that allow travelers to explore a destination intimately and unusually.

In addition, GetYourGuide offers special discounts and promotions on many of its activities, making it an excellent option for budget travel. Overall, GetYourGuide is a excellent choice for travelers and even more so for solo travelers, as it’s a great way to meet new people.

Best Travel Credit Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best travel credit cards on the market, offering a variety of perks and rewards that make it an excellent choice for travelers.

This travel credit card offers 2x points on travel and dining purchases, making earning rewards on everyday spending quickly. In addition, Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with a robust sign-up bonus.

Plus, Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a range of valuable travel benefits, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance and primary car rental insurance. Chase Sapphire Preferred is a perfect choice for travelers looking for a credit card with great rewards and perks.

See Related: American Express Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best travel credit cards for its slew unique perks and rewards. For starters, The Platinum Card® gives you access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide through the complimentary Priority Pass™ membership.

This means you can relax in style at any number of airports, no matter where you’re traveling. In addition, The Platinum Card® also comes with up to $200 in Uber credits per year, which can be a lifesaver when you’re trying to get around a new city.

The card also offers a variety of other travel-related benefits, such as free membership to the Boingo global Wi-Fi network and a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

If you’re a frequent traveler, then The Platinum Card® from American Express is worth considering. The annual fee may seem steep initially, but when you consider all the benefits and rewards that come with it, the card more than pays for itself, especially if you travel frequently or internationally.

Travel Planning Resources

ViaTravelers Printable Travel Planner

Planning a vacation can be overwhelming – so much to think about! This printable vacation planner will help relieve the stress of planning your next trip.

This 24-page printable packet includes everything you need to find the right destination, find the best things to do, book your flights and accommodations, plan your itinerary, set a travel budget, and more. It’s our goal to make this the ultimate travel resource to make travel easier.

Plus, there’s even a packing list to help you make sure you don’t forget anything important. All you have to do is print it out and start filling it in.

• Keep your travel plans organized
• Record your flights, hotels, and packing list
• Plan your route and daily travel itinerary
• Set a budget and track expenses
• Journal through your trip for memories

So why wait? Get started planning your dream vacation today. It just takes 5 seconds to download the planner directly to your email inbox.

Travel Hacking Spreadsheet

Anyone serious about travel knows that organization is critical. With so many details to keep track of, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where travel hacking comes in. Travel hacking is all about using credit card points and miles to save money on travel expenses.

And this travel hacking spreadsheet can help you do just that. It includes eight different tracking tabs, so you can be sure you’re on your way to success.

Credit card tracking, hard pull credit inquiries, rewards points balances – you name it, this spreadsheet has it. Start planning your next trip – and save money while at it.

Best Travel Gear

GoPro for Video & Photos

GoPro HERO9 Black is the most powerful GoPro ever, thanks to its 5K video, 20MP photos, and live streaming. Its built-in touch display lets you easily frame shots, swipe between modes, and playback footage. And a new voice control feature allows for hands-free camera control – perfect for selfies!

With SuperPhoto, HERO9 Black automatically applies intelligent filters to bring out the best possible photo quality in any situation. HyperSmooth Video makes capturing super-smooth footage easy, whether on the move or standing still.

And with GoPro’s new Max Lens Mod, you can now capture immersive footage in true wide-angle without distortion – perfect for landscape shots and action sequences.

Shacke Pak – 5 Set Packing Cubes – Travel Organizers with Laundry Bag

Packing cubes are super important, especially for long-term travelers when you are constantly on the move. You save time you have to pack up and unpack, but also, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that everything is in the right spot.

With the Shacke Pak, each bag size in this set was tested, designed, and selected to create the perfect packing cube kit for up to a 14-day vacation. The included laundry bag helps you separate soil clothing from the rest of your clean clothes, which is particularly useful when traveling to multiple locations.

This packing starter kit contains five pieces: one large (30 x 20 x 10cm), two mediums (20 x 15 x 8cm), and two smalls (15 x 12.5 x 7cm). It

Travel Tips for Beginners or Expert Travelers

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just getting started, there are several things to think about as travel tips to help you plan your next adventure:

• Popular Travel Destinations: Research popular travel destinations before narrowing down your list of places to visit. This will help ensure you choose a destination that interests you and has the desired amenities.
• Packing Tips: Packing efficiently can be a game-changer for travel. Avoid overpacking by following packing tips from experienced travelers. This will help you save space in your luggage and make packing/unpacking a breeze.
• Money-Saving Tips: Travel can be expensive, but there are ways to save money. Research tips and tricks for saving money on travel before you book your next trip. This will help you stretch your travel budget further.
• Travel Resources: Utilize travel resources to help plan and book your trip. These resources can provide helpful information about destinations, packing tips, money-saving tips, and more.
• Travel Insurance: Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before your next trip! This important coverage can protect you financially if something goes wrong while traveling. Don’t forget to compare policies and choose the one that best meets your needs.

How do I choose the right travel destination?

There are a few things to consider when choosing a travel destination. Think about your interests and what kind of experience you want to have.

Do some research on different destinations and read reviews from other travelers. Talking to a travel agent for more information and recommendations can also be helpful.

What are some tips for staying safe while traveling?

You can do a few things to stay safe while traveling—first, research before you go and familiarize yourself with your destination. Secondly, always carry your passport and other essential documents in a safe place. Finally, be aware of your surroundings and trust your gut instinct if something feels wrong.

Subscribe to our free travel newsletter for tips and resources to help you plan your next vacation. This newsletter contains information about popular travel destinations, packing tips, money-saving tips, and more.

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