I maintain a list on my phone with handy tips that simplify my travels, making them more affordable and enjoyable. Previously, I shared five helpful hacks and am excited to continue with six more. As travel can be hectic, these suggestions aim to ease your journey!

1. Verify Your Boarding Pass. TSA PreCheck is fantastic, but you must ensure it's printed on your boarding pass to skip long lines. It's often absent on international boarding passes since it's a U.S.-specific program. If you're flying internationally back to the U.S. with domestic connections, request your boarding passes be reprinted upon arrival or through your airline's app. A bonus of getting your pass printed abroad is that they usually don't include boarding group numbers, so I board right after first class.

2. Use Airline Apps. While it's well-known, airline apps truly streamline the process of changing flights and checking in. They also alert you to delays faster than airport personnel, helping you adjust plans before others scramble.

3. Explore Credit Card Perks. Utilize credit cards for all travel costs rather than debit cards. Many offer benefits like trip cancellation and rental car coverage that save you money. For instance, my Chase Sapphire Reserve provides excellent rental car insurance, so I don't need to pay extra when renting. When my trip to the Philippines in December 2019 got canceled due to a typhoon, I received a full refund for my non-refundable flights and accommodations, which you can read about here.

4. Check Your Downloads. Before a flight, switch your devices to airplane mode and ensure all downloaded content like books or movies loads properly. I've had issues with the Disney+ app, so I verify everything beforehand. Content can expire after a specific time, so double-checking is wise!

5. Adjust Device Charging Settings. Apple devices have a setting called Optimized Battery Charging that delays charging past 80% based on your usage. While it's helpful for daily life, it's not ideal for long trips. Turn it off to ensure your devices are fully charged before a flight, avoiding the mad dash for outlets. I also pack a pair of traditional wired headphones just in case!

6. Stay Hydrated with Electrolytes. I drink electrolytes before and after long flights since I struggle to drink enough water while flying. I prefer Nuun's sports electrolytes (affiliate link), which contain only 1 gram of sugar. I always carry a tube during my travels!

Enjoy these travel tips and safe journeys!