"Traveling in 2024 feels more stressful and overwhelming than ever. Gone are the Pan Am days when travelers donned their best for a flight and relished every step of the process. Now, I gawk whenever I see someone in jeans at the airport (talk about dedication to the fit), and I’m doing well if I arrive at my gate on time with my phone battery higher than 20 percent. Understandably, when paying an arm and a leg for a flight, we all want to reach our destination as quickly and uneventfully as possible. However, just because travel can be exhausting doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to make the experience more enjoyable. We’ve rounded up the best secret travel hacks to make your travel day almost as good as the vacay itself. Read on for our best little-known tips to save time, money, and unnecessary stress while traveling.
1. Join an airline loyalty program and stick to one airline
I fly often because I go back and forth from the West Coast to the Midwest and East Coast to see my family and my boyfriend’s family. I used to buy the cheapest flight I found on Expedia or Google Flights until my brother (who is a pilot!) told me that having miles with an airline is worth the more expensive flight—and he was so right. Now, I only fly United whenever possible (even when it is slightly more expensive than other flights). I get multiple free checked bags, free upgrades, free seat assignments, first boarding group, premier access TSA lines, priority baggage, and more benefits just from racking up miles from sticking to one airline. It makes the travel experience so much easier and more enjoyable. – Josie Santi, Podcast Host & Senior Wellness Editor
2. Bring vacuum-sealing bags for dirty clothes
I always pack a couple of plastic vacuum-sealing bags in my carry-on for dirty clothes. They are super inexpensive, easy to pack, and a lifesaver when it comes to repacking your suitcase efficiently at the end of a trip. Plus, they keep any smells or dirt contained and away from the rest of the stuff in your suitcase. – Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
3. Text your flight number
This is a new travel hack that I love! Instead of constantly updating the person who is picking you up from the airport on your flight status, you can text them your flight number through iMessage, and it will then become a clickable link and allow them to access your flight information. By selecting “Preview Flight,” they can see all the details on your flight status, gate departure, arrival time, baggage claim area, and more. If your loved one is waiting for you in the airport pickup line, all they have to do is tap on the message and see how far away you are. I’ve even sent this to myself to have all my flight info readily available and easy to access. – Keely Geist, Senior Social Media Manager
4. Always pack an extra outfit in your personal item
I don’t know what it is, but the travel gods are out to get me with how many times my luggage has been lost while traveling. I now always try to squeeze an extra outfit into my personal item that works for whatever is on the itinerary for the first day or two of the trip, along with an extra pair of socks, underwear, and even some light accessories if I really want to play it safe. It will save you from the stress of having to go shopping for a whole new wardrobe as soon as you arrive at your destination and will hopefully keep you somewhat intact until your airline gets your luggage back to you safe and sound. – McKenna Pringle, Branded Content Editorial Assistant
5. Drink peppermint tea on a flight (and bring your own tea bags)
As much as possible, I always try to drink some peppermint tea during a flight. For one reason, I’m always cold on flights and tea helps me warm up. But mainly because the reduced oxygen level in the airplane cabin can slow down the activity of digestive enzymes, meaning eating any food may cause digestive upset (especially if you tend to have a sensitive stomach like me!). Peppermint tea helps with digestion by helping food to digest, and it’s also good at calming an upset stomach if you’re prone to nausea or stomach aches during travel. Bring a bag of your own tea bags, and all you have to do is ask for a cup of hot water (which is usually free and helpful if the airport restaurant options don’t offer peppermint tea). – Josie Santi, Podcast Host & Senior Wellness Editor
6. Wear compression socks on the plane
I never used to struggle with poor circulation or puffiness, but on my first super-long international flight, my ankles swelled so much I could hardly walk the next day. Putting my legs up on the wall is not going to cut it for me after a long flight in terms of reducing swelling, so now, I never get on a plane without a pair of compression socks, just in case. Even if you’re taking a short flight and don’t usually struggle with swelling during travel, trust me—you don’t want to risk feeling uncomfortable the next day. Just make sure to put the socks on before you get to the airport because dogs out at the airport or on the airplane is simply unacceptable. – Emma Ginsberg, Editorial & Podcast Assistant
7. Skip the personal item on long flights
If you’re on a long-haul flight, you’re going to need all of the legroom you can get. Forego your personal item and instead bring a small sling bag to your seat (and I mean small) that holds your phone, charger, headphones, and one other piece of in-flight entertainment if you have it (like a book or your Kindle). Put everything else in your carry-on and stuff it in the overhead bin. This way, you’ll have just the essentials on your flight and can maximize the space underneath the seat in front of you. When it comes time to rest on the flight, you’ll be thrilled there isn’t an over-stuffed backpack preventing you from spreading out. – Garri Chaverst, Senior Managing Editor
8. Make a very extensive packing list
I am known as the over-packer of my family, and as much as I like to be prepared, the prospect of paying extra for overweight luggage or my shoulder hurting from lugging too much stuff finally got to me. Now, before every trip, I categorize and write down every item I plan to bring with me, down to the specific pairs of underwear. I plan out every outfit and try to make sure everything I’m bringing works together (similar to our travel capsule system). Seeing everything you’re packing on your trip visually written out also prevents you from forgetting certain things (you know that one bra you have to wear with that one top?). This tip may be a no-brainer to some, but if you’ve ever stuffed pieces of clothing into your coat pockets because your luggage weighed too much (guilty!), list-making is a must. – Bella Gil, Associate Commerce Editor
9. Use an Airtag to keep track of your luggage and passport
During my recent trip to France, I was SO thankful to past me for putting an Airtag in my luggage because it ended up getting stranded in the Philadelphia airport after our flight home was canceled. As hectic as the situation was, I was so thankful that I could at least see where my bag was hanging out instead of just leaving it to the American Airlines gods. – Ashley Selleke, Branded Content Managing Editor
10. Eat a clementine on the plane
Plane air always tends to make me nauseous, especially if one of your plane-mates decides that mid-flight is the best time to eat their airport cheeseburger. I always bring a couple of clementines on board with me that I can peel open and fill the air with a fresh citrus smell! They are a refreshing little snack and usually ease any queasy feelings I am experiencing. – Kaia Grobe, Video Content Editor
11. Book the early morning flight
I know it’s a pain to wake up at the crack of dawn, but the benefits of an early morning flight far outweigh the lack of sleep. There are no airport lines to hold you up, and when you’re on the first flight out, you will rarely experience any delays. You also get a full day at your destination instead of wasting precious PTO on a whole travel day. To make up for the shut-eye you lost, pop a magnesium or melatonin gummy before you board, and you can sleep on the plane. – Lauren Blue, Editorial Intern
12. Chew peppermint gum to relieve ear pressure and help with motion sickness
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always hated the feeling of your ears collecting air pressure when a plane ascends or descends. I learned from my mom that chewing gum would help with “popping” your ears to relieve the pressure. If you chew peppermint-flavored gum, it can also help relieve the symptoms of motion sickness in the case that you don’t have quick access to any medicine, which is an added bonus! – Isabella Kicklighter, Editorial Assistant
13. Use mesh laundry bags
Staying organized while traveling is the only way for me. I find it easier to sort through my clothing by dividing my dirty and clean clothes. Whether I do laundry once I’m home or while still traveling, the laundry bags are there to make it easier. – Aryana Johnson, Graphic Designer
14. Pack your own meals and snacks
It’s a well-known fact: Airport and airplane food are not only expensive, but they’re also usually not the healthiest or tastiest. So do your wallet and taste buds a favor and pack a meal and snacks that you know will keep your digestion in check (because digestive drama, especially 40,000 feet up in the air, is no fun) and help tide you over until you reach your destination. – Katherine Chang, Wellness Staff Writer
15. Try jet lag relief
I always fear touching down abroad and being too tired from my travels to make the most of my first few days, so I was willing to try just about anything to avoid it (because I didn’t pay thousands of dollars to nap). So, when I came across a TikTok about a homeopathic jet lag relief medicine, I ordered it ASAP and never turned back. These quick-dissolving plant-based pellets help with jet lag-related nausea, muscle pain or stiffness, and drowsiness, which means you can hit the ground running as soon as you land. And the biggest perk of all: They don’t taste bad, and that is coming from a picky eater. – Maddi Goodwin, Account Manager
16. Bring a pillow of some kind
Whenever I am on a longer flight, I always make sure to bring some kind of pillow to keep me comfortable. It is the ultimate setup, especially if I want to sleep for a while. I recommend a neck pillow for a middle or aisle seat, but if you’re in the window seat, a full-size pillow or a medium-sized Squishmallow is the key to getting some serious Zs. Not to mention, if you’re running tight on space, a few extra items can fit in the pillowcase. A win-win situation! – Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant
