Why Travel Matters: Building Empathy, Perspective & Meaningful Connections

Our Perspective

Travel is one of life's greatest privileges. It has the power to cultivate meaningful connections, build empathy and deepen our appreciation for the people, places and cultures that make our world so wonderfully diverse. More than simply visiting new destinations, travel becomes an important part of our own journey of self discovery.

Everyone should travel if they have the opportunity, whether that means crossing the globe or exploring somewhere close to home. There is no right way to travel and no age that's too late to begin. Start where you're comfortable, then gradually step beyond your comfort zone. Some of life's most unforgettable experiences are found just beyond what feels familiar.

Travel broadens our perspective in ways few other experiences can. It introduces us to different customs, traditions and ways of life while deepening our understanding of history, culture and the world around us. It reminds us that there are countless ways to live, celebrate and see the world, each with something valuable to teach.

Travel also encourages gratitude. It offers a chance to disconnect from the routines of everyday life, reset our perspective and appreciate both the places we visit and the lives we return to. Along the way, we build friendships, share stories and discover that our differences are often what bring us closer together.

The more we travel, the more curious we become. Every journey sparks new ideas, challenges old assumptions and inspires us to keep exploring. Our travels have strengthened our passion for discovering the world, introduced us to lifelong friends and continually reminded us that embracing different cultures with openness and respect is one of travel's greatest rewards.

Responsible Travel Guide: How to Travel with Respect, Curiosity & Purpose

Our Perspective

As a citizen of the world, a level of responsibility comes with traveling to different destinations. You should be open-minded of other cultures, peoples, ways of living and perspectives. Travel allows us to step outside of our comfort zone, build empathy and expand our world view. In our opinion, it’s what makes every trip so memorable. We’ve learned a lot about how to travel responsibly and meaningfully on our adventures. There are many lessons that hold true no matter where we travel. 

Respect Local Culture

Customs, Traditions & Laws.  Many regions of the world have vastly differing customs, traditions and laws that may not seem obvious. Read up on local customs, traditions and laws prior to traveling and be respectful of them while there. Having an understanding of the culture before arriving will make your experience more authentic.

Be Open-Minded.  Many cultures and societies live differently than our own. Our differences are what makes us all so unique. Use these opportunities to learn, build empathy and expand your world view. 

Language & Conversation.  Knowing a few words and phrases in the local language goes a long way. Simply learning how to say hello, thank you and goodbye shows locals you have an interest in them and their culture. Don’t be afraid to mispronounce a word or let a local correct you. Often, people in the tourist or hospitality industries will enjoy conversation and practicing speaking your language with you. Be patient and open to the conversation.

Local Food & Cuisine.  Seek out and try the local dishes, food and cuisine while traveling! Shop at local markets, try the street food, take a cooking class and ask locals where they like to eat for recommendations. Depending on the location, forget the Western utensils and use the chopsticks or eat with your hands. 

Get Cultured.  Visit local museums and learn about your destination’s history, art and heritage. Take a walking tour or bike tour with a local to experience a place through a local’s eyes and point of view. Find restaurants with live music. Get outside of the resort or hotel to experience local life. Break away from the large tour groups and get lost exploring on your own. 

Photography & Videography.  Always be cautious when taking photos or videos of people, government sites, infrastructural landmarks, sacred or religious places and inside of museums. You should ask first if you’re unsure. Watch for no photos signs.

Support Local Communities 

Support Local Businesses.  Whether a family run cafe, a neighborhood hostel, local tour guide or small boutique, local communities often thrive on a healthy level of tourism. Avoid mass produced souvenirs and buy something handmade. Avoid staying at large hotels or dining at non-local chain restaurants. 

The Road Less Traveled.  Try to visit off the beaten path places to avoid over tourism or consider traveling to trendy destinations during the off season. Get out of the tourist zone of city center. Stay in a local area for more authentic experiences. 

Avoid Poverty or Disaster Tourism.  Avoid traveling to places to see how impoverished they are or the lingering results of a disaster. Only visit these places if you plan to engage with locals, give back to the community or offer genuine support. 

Leave Reviews.  Tourism thrives on helpful and positive reviews. Make sure to let restaurants, hotels, guides, etc. know if they provided a great experience. Avoid leaving negative reviews or comments for things outside of a person or place’s control. 

Research Your Destination

Entry Requirements.  Don’t just show up in another country without knowing the entry requirements. Know if you need a visa, ETA, vaccine or proof of departure. 

Stay Informed.  Keep up-to-date on recent headlines and news in the country or destination you’re visiting. It often helps provide context to cultural events, current affairs and natural disasters. 

Don’t Talk Politics.  Going hand in hand with staying informed, it’s best not to talk politics or about a country’s leadership as a guest in their country. Always be open to listening to people’s opinions, beliefs and experiences. 

Avoid Comparisons.  Don’t compare everything to your home country, especially with locals. It can come off as judgmental or resentful of their unique culture, history or cuisine. 

Cash & Currency.  Always carry some denominations of the local currency on hand. Have some US Dollars or Euros but don’t assume you can pay in those currencies by default.

Credit & Debit Cards.  Know if your credit or debit card will work in a foreign country. Carry local cash for times when credit or debit is not accepted or available. 

Tipping.  Know if it’s acceptable to tip after meals or drinks. Research how much to tip. Always make sure to tip your tour guides for their service. 

Take Care of the Environment 

Leave No Trace.  Don’t litter or leave waste behind, especially in the outdoors. Don’t take rocks, shells, soil, plants, etc. while visiting natural places. Never touch or feed wild animals to avoid harming yourself or them.

Waste Management.  Recycle, compost, and manage your personal waste responsibly. Pollution is a serious issue around the world and we can all do our part to reduce it. Avoid single use plastics like water bottles, cutlery and straws. 

Electricity Usage.  Be mindful of your energy usage. Turn off the lights, air conditioning, heaters, etc. before leaving your room or accommodation. 

Water Usage.  Be mindful of your water consumption, especially in drought stricken regions or places with water scarcity. Take shorter and less frequent showers and don’t let the faucet run. 

Don’t Waste Food.  Order or take only what you can eat and take away any leftovers.

Healthy Travel Habits 

Disconnect.  Put down your phone and pay attention to everything happening around you. Practice being present and truly experiencing the moments that make travel so important. Remember that you may never be back at this destination again.

Have Patience.  Service in many places of the world is slower than what you might be used to. Have patience during check in, placing orders, waiting for meals or paying for services. Always allow yourself extra time. 

Stay Hydrated.  Carry a re-usable water bottle and stay hydrated while traveling. Whether in transit or at the destination, drinking water is key to staying well. 

LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Guide: Tips for Traveling Safely

LGBTQ+ Travel Safety

Traveling as a same sex couple is an incredible way to explore the world, but it often requires an added level of awareness to plan confidently and stay safe while traveling. While many destinations are becoming more LGBTQ+ friendly and recognizing the rights of the queer community, others still have restrictive laws or lower levels of social acceptance.

The Statistics

As of 2026, more than 60 countries still criminalize same sex relationships, making it important for LGBTQ+ travelers to understand the legal environment before visiting a destination. In some places, same sex relationships can result in serious penalties including fines, deportation, imprisonment, forced anal examinations or even death sentences. Many countries do not recognize same sex marriage or nonbinary gender markers on identification documents, which can create additional challenges when passing through immigration. 

Our Experience 

In our travels as a same sex couple, we’ve visited many welcoming places as well as some that were less accepting. That doesn’t mean you should avoid destinations that are more challenging, but it does mean being informed and prepared. Even in LGBTQ+ friendly places, situations can arise. Through our experiences, we share recommendations and resources to help LGBTQ+ travelers navigate destinations respectfully and safely. 

Do Your Research

As travelers in a marginalized group, it’s important to research the laws, cultural norms and general attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people before visiting a new destination to avoid unexpected challenges. Legal protections, religious beliefs, and social attitudes toward LGBTQ+ individuals can vary widely from country to country. Taking time to research your destination, including any layovers, in advance is one of the most important steps LGBTQ+ travelers can take to plan a safer and more informed trip. Here are some of the resources we reference before and during our travels.

Equal Dex. A valuable resource for understanding how a country or region currently compares in terms of LGBTQ+ equality. The Equality Index tracks the status of LGBTQ+ rights, laws, and freedoms, along with public attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people around the world. 

Amnesty International.  An international organization dedicated to preventing and ending human rights abuses worldwide. They publish current articles and reports on human rights issues across the globe, making it a useful resource for finding the most up-to-date information about a country.

IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association).  An organization dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ tourism and promoting equality worldwide. They offer LGBTQ+ tailored travel guides, safety recommendations as well as highlight events, tours and accommodations that are welcoming to the community.

Western Governments.  Many Western countries provide detailed and up-to-date guidance for LGBTQ+ travelers. We often review multiple sources before a trip to compare perspectives and gather the most current information.

• US Department of State 

• UK Government Guidance 

• Government of Canada

• Smart Traveller Australia 

Precautions for Unfriendly Destinations 

When traveling as a same sex couple to destinations that may be less accepting, especially in places where being gay is criminalized or punishable by law, we have taken a number of difficult but necessary precautions before and during our trips to help maximize our safety.

Review Accommodations.  Book stays with well reviewed hosts or at international hotel chains. Make sure accommodations have separate beds or multiple bedrooms. This raises fewer questions and prevents assumptions. Make sure both beds or bedrooms look utilized. 

Expect Personal Questions.  Expect people to ask personal or insinuating questions. Plan responses and rehearse them for times when it could be dangerous to share the truth. If traveling as a  same sex couple, decide who responds to avoid answering at the same time. Here are some common questions we’ve been asked and the responses we’ve given:

• Question 1. “Are you gay?” 

• Response 1. “No” Respond firmly and seem insulted. Quickly change the subject, end the conversation or remove yourselves from the situation. 

• Question 2. “Are you married?” 

• Response 2. “No. I prefer to be single.” This answers the question and redirects the conversation away from related follow up questions. 

• Question 3.  “Are you a couple?” 

• Response 3.  “No. We’re step siblings.” This answers the question and creates slight moment of awkwardness for the person asking. It helps explain why you seem close, look different and have different last names.

Never Volunteer Information. We enjoy meeting people while traveling, but in certain places it’s important to keep your distance and be careful about what you share. Avoid volunteering personal information, as there is a risk of entrapment, miscommunication or someone overhearing.

Have A Code Word.  When traveling as a same sex couple, we often use a code word or phrase to quietly raise our alert or let the other know we’re uncomfortable in a situation. Choose a phrase that can be easily woven into conversation. Often, we would say something related to “ice cream.” Some examples being, “I’m craving ice cream.” or “Let’s find somewhere to get ice cream.” 

Avoid PDA. Avoid all displays of public affection such as standing too close to one another, making long eye contact, holding hands, kissing, using pet names, etc. 

Manage Your Appearance.  Remove wedding rings or leave them at home before traveling. Dress modestly, either try to blend in or look like the average tourist. Avoid wearing shorts, most of the world wears pants. Don’t wear anything with rainbows or LGBTQ+ symbols. 

Social Media.  Make social media accounts private and log out before entering or exiting immigration. Avoid sharing profiles with strangers. Avoid tagging locations if posting while in the country. 

Stay In Contact.  Maintain contact and communication with close family or friends back home. Share your itinerary and travel documents before traveling and send daily updates with selfies while traveling. 

Register With Your Embassy.  Register your travel plans with your country’s embassy or consulate prior to traveling. Save their location and keep their contact information accessible during your travels. 

Purge Devices. Remove photographs together from home and lock screens. Hide or remove photos and certain apps. Turn off fingerprint and Face ID. Lock devices and apps with passcodes. Turn off devices when transiting immigration. Do not completely wipe your devices. All of this helps if your device is lost, stolen or confiscated. 

Have A Burner Phone.  Purging devices takes a lot of work. The easiest alternative is bringing an old phone with minimal information stored on it. 

Final Thoughts… 

We’ve learned not to let who we are keep us from exploring the world and experiencing new cultures. Safety is always a priority when we travel, especially in destinations that may be less accepting. These precautions have helped us many times, but ultimately it comes down to your own judgment and comfort level. To quote Anthony Bourdain, "Travel isn't always pretty. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that's okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind."

Traveling During Covid: Lessons from Pandemic Era Travel

Reflecting on Lockdown 

Early during the lockdown, we remember looking into the sky and not seeing a single airplane for weeks. The Covid pandemic induced travel bans, flight cancellations and lockdowns seemed to cause the world to stand still. Eventually as lockdowns eased and countries re-opened, we managed to travel domestically and internationally once more. Looking back on those days, there are several habits that have become routine each time we travel. 

Travel Precautions & Considerations. No one likes getting sick before or while traveling. Having traveled during the Covid pandemic, some precautions became routine. 

• Don’t Travel When Sick.  It should be obvious but don’t travel when sick. You risk getting those around you sick, getting sicker while traveling or not being able to access medical care. 

• Carry PPE.  We often travel with multiple KN95 masks, hand sanitizer, sanitary wipes and cold/allergy meds. These all come in handy while traveling in the case of encountering a sick passenger or coming down with a cold while traveling. 

• Travel Etiquette.  Cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing and/or wear a KN95 mask. 

• No Shoes Indoors.  Don’t wear shoes indoors. They track in germs, bacteria, dirt, etc. Leave them at the door when entering your accommodation. 

Entry Requirements & Vaccines.  Though the pandemic is over, many countries have specific entry requirements for travelers including vaccines and regional regulations.

• Vaccines.  Stay up to date on required vaccines and recommended medications, especially while traveling to tropical zones. Many countries require the Yellow Fever Vaccine and recommend antimalarial pills. 

• Stay Up-to-Date.  Though the Covid pandemic is over, there are often regional outbreaks of other diseases (M-Pox, Ebola, Hantavirus). Be aware of what’s happening in the world prior to traveling. 

• Thermal Scanners.  Many airports have thermal scanners to temperature check arriving passengers and potentially quarantine them. 

Protect Your Travel Bookings.  Play it safe and book the refundable option, pay for travel protection and get travel insurance while planning trips and making bookings.

• Book the Refundable Option.  Whenever booking travel, opt for the slightly more expensive “refundable option.” Even post-pandemic, this has saved us from losing out on bookings we’ve needed to cancel. 

• Pay for Travel Protection.  Many airlines and booking sites offer the option to “protect your flight/stay” during check out. We frequently purchase this for peace of mind. It’s been useful on cancelled flights and re-booking accommodations. 

• Credit Card Insurance.  Complete bookings with travel credit cards. They often include insurance that can help rebook a flight/stay or get full refunds for situations out of your control. The Chase Sapphire Reservehas been our best friend in tough situations. 

• Travel Insurance.  For extended trips, we’ve used World Nomads. It’s more cost effective than other travel insurance agencies though not well reviewed. Thankfully we’ve never needed to file a claim. 

• Pro Tip.  Download the insurance policy and read through it thoroughly before traveling to have an understanding of what’s covered, how to document an incident and how to file a claim.

Alternatives to Travel.  Unable to freely travel abroad during the pandemic, we began exploring other ways to experience other cultures and different parts of the world. These are some of our favorites that we still do today:

• Online Cooking Classes.  Virtual cooking classes are great ways to connect with other cultures and people around the world without having to travel. During the pandemic, we took multiple cooking classes to experience the food and culture in other countries. 

• Travel on Google Maps.  Choose a random location on the map and tour the streets of a foreign city or countryside, popping into places with photo spheres or street views. Start here and explore the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena.

• Plan Future Trips.  Read travel blogs and magazines, watch travel shows and YouTube videos, scroll social media for travel content, plan itineraries for future travel. 

• Go Near.  Explore your own backyard, walk down the road less traveled, go on urban hikes or visit nearby nature sights and parks. It’s fun to reacquaint yourself with your local surroundings. 

• Start a Travel Blog.  With the spare time, we started Afar Atlas as a way to remember and relive our past travels. Since then, Afar Atlas has grown into a full travel site with travel guides and resources from our adventures around the world. Pick out a Squarespace template and start blogging!

Post Covid Travel.  Though the Covid pandemic is over and lockdowns feel like a distant history, we’re continually reminded to be smart and safe about how to travel. It’s given us a stronger appreciation for being able to travel to far away places, experience different cultures and interact with other travelers. 

Sustainable Travel Tips for Lower Impact, More Meaningful Trips

Our Impact

No matter the reason for traveling, there is always a reason to do so sustainably. Traveling sustainably is a great way to lower our negative impact on the environment and help preserve the ecosystems around us. Knowing how to do so and putting it into practice is not difficult, nor does it have to be expensive. Even small changes to how we travel can minimize our impact in a big way and help build more sustainable habits.

Travel & Transportation 

Air travel is often the most efficient way to get to a far away destination but it’s easily the largest contributor of emissions while traveling. There are multiple ways to help reduce or offset your emissions on a global and local scale. 

Use Google Flights.  Google Flights allows travelers to search for flights based on emissions. Each departing and returning flight option lists the percentage of increase or decrease in emissions depending on the flight you choose. 

Choose Direct Flights.  The more times you take off, the more fuel is burned resulting in extra emissions. Choose direct flights whenever possible, especially for traveling short distances. 

Purchase Carbon Offsets.  Carbon offsets do not reduce emissions but are designed to counteract them by investing in green energy, planting trees and funding the protection of vulnerable species and environments. Most major global airlines offer ways to purchase carbon offsets separately from your tickets either on their site or through a partner company.

Travel by Bus or Train.  If you’re traveling regionally, look into buses or trains. In some cases, these are often comparable in time, more cost effective and result in fewer emissions than air travel. 

Bike, Walk or Hike.  Once at a destination, opt to bike, walk or hike. In addition to being the best way to see and experience a new place, it results in little to no emissions. 

Take Public Transit.  Use local public transportation like buses, metros or shuttles as opposed to renting a car. 

Eco Car Rentals.  If renting a car, choose the eco model or electric option. 

Choosing Where to Stay

Research your destination and the options available. We often stay at small and communal accommodations like hostels, eco-hotels, campgrounds, treehouses and bed and breakfasts. They typically have the least negative environmental impact and often benefit the local community. 

Stay at a Hostel.  Hostels often have a low environmental impact. They typically consume less energy and produce less waste than traditional hotels. In many cases, they’re run by locals who care for and promote their community, culture and environment. Hostel World and Booking are great places to discover hostels while traveling. 

Book an Airbnb.  Our favorite place to search for accommodations is Airbnb. You can search by property types including houses, apartments, guesthouses and hotels. It’s common to find hostels, private rooms and entire spaces as well as more unique stays like earth homes, cabins, huts, tents and treehouses. These types of listings are often sustainable and make for unique places to stay.

Look for Eco Ratings.  Many hotels, whether large chains or small boutiques, may have eco ratings for certain environmental policies such as using renewable energy, low flow fixtures or simply recycling. Some booking sites allow travelers to search and filter by eco ratings such as Booking andExpedia. 

Accommodations to Avoid.  Avoid booking cruises and stays at mega resorts or big hotels without eco-friendly ratings. These accommodations tend to generate higher emissions and more waste, especially in developing areas. 

Sustainable Habits & Activities 

Outside of getting to the destination and where you stay, there are a number of ways to minimize your emissions, waste and negative environmental impact while travel planning and at your destination. 

When to Travel.  Travel to a place during the shoulder or off seasons. This helps limit the strain on the environment and local community. We’ve found you’ll often have a much more enjoyable time with fewer crowds, better service and be able to make stronger connections with local culture and other travelers. 

Water Usage.  Be mindful of water usage, especially in regions of the world with water scarcity or supply issues. Some helpful habits are to take shorter showers, turn off faucets while grooming and wash full loads of laundry.

Electrical Usage.  Turn off the AC, heater, TV and lights when not in your accommodation. 

Hotel Laundry.  Avoid requesting new/extra towels or sheets until your third or fourth day to avoid an extra wash and dry cycle. 

Water Bottles.  Bring a reusable water bottle and metal straw to avoid using plastic bottles and single-use straws. 

Waste/Recycling.  Recycle when possible. Pay attention to waste/recycling bins and what products are actually recyclable as they often differ from country to country.

Clean Ups.  Participate in a beach, trail or roadside clean up. Whether on your own or with a local organization, bring a bag and collect as much waste as you can carry in it. Recycle what you can.

Low Impact Activities.  Participate in low impact activities like visiting museums or parks, go on a picnic, take a snorkeling lesson, go hiking or stargazing. Avoid high impact activities like jet skiing, quad tours and scenic flights. 

Souvenirs & Shopping.  Search for locally made souvenirs as opposed to mass produced ones seen everywhere. Try visiting vintage shops, local markets, art galleries and boutiques. Bring home handmade, useful or edible items instead of tchotchkes. 

Use Eco-Friendly Toiletries.  Wear reef safe sunblock and eco-friendly insect repellent free of harmful chemicals and aerosols, especially when visiting bodies of water. Use travel as an excuse to research the products you use regularly for eco-ratings.

Eat Plant Based.  Eat more plant based and locally sourced meals. Visit a farmers market for local produce. Don’t waste food, always take home leftovers or give them to someone in need. 

Back Home

Many of these sustainable efforts can be practiced back home and continue to minimize our negative environmental impact on a daily basis. The privilege to travel is a wonderful thing, and doing it sustainably helps ensure that the environment, as well as the cultures and species it supports, have a better chance at being preserved for future generations.

How to Find Cheap Flights: A Practical Flight Booking Checklist

Cheap Flights Checklist

Finding cheap flights can be hit or miss but persistence and flexibility are key to finding the best fares. Follow our checklist for well learned tips and travel hacks to book the most affordable flights.

Where & How to Track Flights 

Websites to Track Flights.  We always begin tracking flights on Google Flights. The search by map and calendar features make it easy to visually choose a destination and time to go. We also like comparing across travel search engines like Skyscanner and Hopper. Lastly, search directly on the airline’s websites. Some airlines have better routes and prices that don’t always show up on flight tracking websites.

Track Multiple Destinations.  If you’re like us and have a travel bucket list, track flights to multiple destinations around when you’re planning to travel. This also helps us learn what prices are considered low or high to various places during different times of the year. This method works for near term and distant travel dates. 

• Tracking Ahead.  If you plan on traveling in several months from now and want to go somewhere tropical, track flights to various tropical destinations during that time and book the most affordable option. 

• Tracking Last Minute.  The same method works for spontaneous trips. If you’re planning a getaway this weekend, track flights from your nearest airport to any destinations reachable from there. Sometimes you’ll be surprised to find a very affordable last minute flight.

Know The Best Dates & Times to Travel

Have Flexible Dates and Times.  Be flexible when searching for flights. Sometimes departing a day earlier or later can mean spending hundreds of dollars less. This is true of the time of day, especially on well traveled routes. 

Book the Red Eye Flight.  It might not be the most comfortable time of day to travel, especially if you can’t sleep on airplanes, however the prices almost always cost less in the middle of the night than during mornings or afternoons. 

Travel on Grim Dates.  Flights are almost always cheaper on days like Friday the 13th or September 11th, especially if booking months out. 

Travel During the Shoulder or Off Seasons.  The weather might not be “perfect” but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy your trip. We’ve often enjoyed smaller crowds, better service and made stronger connections with local culture and other travelers during the off season.  

Plan a Season Ahead.  Track and book flights months ahead of time, ideally the season before most travelers have even given it any thought. For example, we begin tracking spring break trips around Thanksgiving, summer travels during the holidays before the New Year and fall getaways during the late spring and early summer.

Travel Abroad on Thanksgiving.  If you’re traveling from the United States, international flights are frequently more affordable on Thanksgiving while most travelers are flying domestically. 

Don’t Wait to Book.  If you feel good about a ticket’s price, don’t wait to book it. Chances are the price won’t be available 24 hours later, especially if it seems too good to be true. Most flights, even if non-refundable, are fully refundable within 24 hours if you change your mind of find a better flight elsewhere. Alternately, some airlines offer the option to “freeze” a price for up to 72 hours for a small fee. 

Consider Your Departure & Destination Locations 

Check Multiple Airports.  Many major hubs have multiple airports. Flights to and from the smaller or lesser desired airport may be the more affordable option. If you’re based in-between multiple regional airports, flights from one vs the other may make all the difference, even if more distant than your nearest airport.

Book One Way Flights.  If you plan it right, one way flights with separate airlines are occasionally cheaper than round trip flights with the same airline. This is especially true if traveling between multiple destinations before returning home.

Avoid Skiplagging.  Skiplagging is when you book a flight with a layover but stay in the connecting city. Travelers do this when the connecting route costs less than the direct route. While not illegal, airlines often impose hefty fees, cancel remaining legs of the journey or ban passengers from flying with them. 

Choosing An Airline 

Book the Budget Airline.  We’ve all heard of or have our own horror story from booking with a budget airline. Though there’s usually less leg room, higher baggage fees and less flexibility, most flights depart without issue. The biggest risk is an overbooked flight, a risk worth taking for booking at a significantly lesser cost. If unfamiliar with the budget airline, research recent customer experiences on review sites or Reddit.

Be Aware of Baggage Fees.  We rarely check a bag however we always verify baggage fees and restrictions. They frequently change between airlines and countries. Before booking, confirm how many bags are included, what the weight and size restrictions are, if they can be carried on or have to be checked. Fees can quickly add up if you’re not paying attention. 

Check for Stopover Programs.  Several airlines offer free stopovers, discounted stays or city tours when stopping over in their home city or country. Taking advantage of them is a great way to fit in an additional destination en route to your planned destination.  

Lottery Upgrades.  Some airlines offer a lottery to upgrade flights to a premium seat up to a week before the flight departs. Place a bid, usually a few dollars higher than the recommended bid to win a chance at upgrading for significantly less than the actual cost. 

Volunteer if Asked.  We’ve earned hundreds of dollars in flight vouchers and Visa cards on multiple occasions by volunteering to take the next flight on overbooked flight. Though not common, it can really pay off if not in a rush.

Earn Points by Traveling 

Sign Up for Frequent Flyer Programs.  Most airlines have their own frequent flyer or mileage program to earn points towards booking future flights and covering baggage fees. Several airlines are part of the same network or alliance making it easier to consolidate points if booking with different airlines. Though it can take years to accumulate a meaningful amount of points, simply signing up comes with perks. We’ve received free upgrades, been assigned better seats and received refunds or travel credits on otherwise non-refundable flights.

Use Travel Credit Cards.  Sign up for a travel credit card to earn points that cover the cost of flights and other travel related expenses. We have multiple travel credit cards but routinely use two over others. 

• Chase Sapphire Reserve.  A premium travel credit card with steep annual fees but generous travel credits. Amongst other perks, it comes with a Priority Pass that offers access to many airport lounges. Any travel related expenses earn 3 points per dollar spent on the card. Over time, it adds up and more than pays itself off. 

• Capital One Venture.  A travel credit card with minimal annual fees and easy ways to build a bank of points. Any travel related expenses earn 2 points per dollar spent on the card. Their daily shopping offers provide generous points multipliers on various purchases including car rentals and booking platforms like Viator, Get Your Guide, Booking and Expedia. 

Persistence & Flexibility

If you’ve read this far, you can tell there are many ways to find the most affordable flights. It’s often a combination of methods on our checklist, the most important of which is persistence and flexibility. Being persistent about finding cheap flights and willing to be flexible to book them is often what lands us the best fares.