AMA: Answering All Your Travel Questions
Balancing travel with vacation, packing a carry-on, and planning a trip around your ancestral roots.
It has been another heavy week in the world, and I hope you’re all hanging in there.
Earlier this week, I opened my Instagram DMs and the subscriber chat for AMA on all things travel. We used to do these when we first launched Departure, and I thought it’d be a nice source of levity (and a helpful resource) to do one today.
This email gets a little long so you may have to open it in your browser, but it will be full of useful information. If you’re feeling nice, I’d love if you can “heart” this edition—it helps others find my work. 🥰
“My family of 4 will be traveling in Europe for 4 weeks. We plan to take one carry on bag of one week’s worth of clothes and wash them every 5-6 days. Does this seem realistic? And if our hotel doesn’t have laundry options, how do we search for laundromats in the cities (Copenhagen, Catania, Rome)? Also, is global entry worth it?” —Kristin G.
This definitely seems doable—it makes the process of transit much easier, particularly on Rome’s cobblestone streets. (Ask me how I know.) Most of the hotels will have suggested laundromats they recommend or regularly send out to if they don’t have an in-house option, though I’d trust anything with solid ratings on Google Maps.
One note to keep in mind: Many laundromats in Europe do not have dryers and are air-dry only, so you may have to think ahead. Additionally, depending on how humid it is, air-drying might take longer, so plan accordingly.
As for if Global Entry is worth it: I recommend running a cost/benefit analysis. If you don’t travel frequently out of the country—or when you do, there aren’t ever long lines—then it may not be worth the $120 fee every few years. Because remember: You’ll want to get it for everyone in your party that you regularly travel with, and you’ll renew that cost every few years.
For me, I find it worth every penny, as my husband and I often breeze through upon landing back in Atlanta versus waiting in line for hours (a common occurrence at the busiest airport in the world). Long travel days are hard when you have chronic illness like plantar fasciitis, so any time I can avoid standing around is money well spent.
“My fiancé and I are thinking of honeymooning in New Zealand next January! But it’s been a while since I’ve traveled that far. Any advice for surviving the flights, jet lag, or passport woes?” —Emily E.
The dream! The most important pieces now are to ensure your passport is ready to go: New Zealand requires US passports to be valid at least three months after departure and at least one blank page for stamps. If neither of those apply, I’d start that process as soon as possible.
The second is to understand the visa requirements, if any. (You’re in the clear for NZ unless you plan on staying three or more months, in which case, what a honeymoon. Mazal!) But you do have to request an Electronic Travel Authority visa-waiver and pay the traveler fees, conservation fees, and tourism levies, so get that process started sooner rather than later.
As for surviving flights and jet lag: I have a much larger post on sleep coming with my hacks, but for now, I’d say: Use a jet-lag prevention app like TimeShifter, invest in a good neck pillow, consider upgrading for more comfort (it’s your honeymoon after all!), download media you know you can watch or read for hours on end, and think about requesting a prescription like Xanax if you need it. Longtime readers know I swear by Dramamine, so that’s a great OTC alternative that will knock you out for several hours at a time.
“I recently just signed up for the AmEx Platinum since I feel like we can get a lot of use out of the benefits. My question is, how do you best pair it with a card like the Chase card, and if you could only have two travel rewards card which two would you pick?” —Tallie E.
Great questions! I actually made a quick spreadsheet for my husband and myself listing out the benefits throughout the year (i.e., AmEx’s lululemon $75 quarterly credits, the $200 airline fee credits, the $200 hotel credits, and so on; repeat with Chase), and, crucially, if/when those benefits reset.
I check the benefits off on the spreadsheet as we work through them, and then my husband and I just split the AmEx and Chase in our everyday spending. Some folks like to do it based on points multipliers (3x on dining or 2x on travel), but that’s a lot of mental effort for me and money to add authorized users.
If I could only have two travel rewards cards: I’d pick the American Express Platinum and the Chase Sapphire if there’s a good signup bonus. If not, I’d go with the new Bilt just so I can rack up points on my exceedingly high mortgage (6.49% interest, baby!). Way fewer benefits, but I use points regularly so that’s my sweet spot.
“I’m obsessed with all things packing, so anything related to that. Also, travel insurance. What are the things to look for?” —Jeannie K.
If you take nothing else away from this AMA, please hear this: If you have planned an expensive or invaluable experience, you need to have travel insurance. I did a full primer on trip insurance here, but the most important non-negotiables for me are: Cancel for Any Reason, Trip Interruption, Baggage Delay, Emergency Medical, and Medical Evacuation. If you have a premium credit card, some of these might be covered like baggage delay, but it’s worth the piece of mind to have one comprehensive policy.
As for packing, I’m someone with a pretty minimalist capsule wardrobe so I often pack the same items over and over again in a carry-on bag. Then I put toiletries, medications, my laptop, and trip necessities (gum, Dramamine, headphones) into a backpack, where I also attach my neck pillow. Is this of interest to more folks? I’m happy to do a breakdown if so, but don’t want to bore y’all!
“What do you think are some lesser known destinations that one should visit before they become over-touristed?” —Kristen A.
I’m always wary of answering this question, if only because I do not want to contribute to any destination’s over-tourism. I would say, in general, I’m seeing a lot of chatter around Taiwan, Senegal, and Georgia (the country), but I also love the idea of visiting even lesser-known destinations in your own home country or state. There are so many parts of Georgia (the state) we haven’t yet touched that I think it’s time for some weekend trips!
You could also consult the UN’s certified rural tourism villages, Atlas Obscura for truly off-the-beaten-path destinations, or smaller areas outside of regional hubs (think Porto versus Lisbon).
“How did you plan your honeymoon to balance a trip and a vacation?” —Allison
We opted for a two-week honeymoon in Kenya, where we split the first week in Nairobi and on safari, and the second half on a beach on the coast in Watamu. I knew that after hours of flying, I’d want a chill break so we planned for that in the first two days, then sped up for the safari for five days, and slowed back down afterwards. It was a really perfect balance that felt like both “vacation” and “travel”, and I think you have to recognize your own energy patterns.
You might be someone who’s so energized about the trip that you’re willing to hit the ground running right after a red eye, or maybe you’re so burned out from wedding planning that you know you need a few days to rest first before you can be fully present. Give yourself that flexibility and grace, and try to plan accordingly.
“What tips do you have for maximizing Bilt and Chase Sapphire Reserve and AmEx Platinum (P2)? Too much?” —Allison
Fair question, but I don’t think it’s too much because my husband and I have the same three! We are doing Bilt for our mortgage and then 25% of that amount each month so we can get the points, the remaining major/joint purchases on our AmEx Platinum, and my individual spending on the CSR.
I really value Chase points so it’s worth it for me, and I used up the credits already for this year, but next year I might downgrade to a Preferred so I’m not paying $1,600+ in annual fees across them all.
“How to choose loyalty programs! We’re building points, but there’s so many options we can’t commit.” — Erin M.
Do you have a preferred airline or do you live in a specific hub (i.e., Delta’s based in Atlanta, United has hubs in SFO and EWR)? I would go based on that if you’re primarily picking a loyalty program for flying, or based on where you most often travel to and which airlines go to that destination.
Frankly, I’m not really a loyalist to any one airline or hotel program, because I like to have options wherever I am, but I’m a fan of Delta, Alaska, Virgin, KLM/Air France (great redemption values), or United. I am less picky about international airlines—whatever gets me there! I avoid Spirit and Frontier unless I have to, though I’ve flown them in a pinch.
So TL;DR: Pick the alliance (oneworld, Star Alliance, Sky Team) you most align with and don’t lose sleep over the rest.
“Checked baggage or just carry on?” — Katie E.
I’m a carry-on girl through and through. I don’t pack much both as a principle and as a preference, I wear layers because I’m cold on flights, and I don’t like wasting time waiting at baggage claim if I can avoid it. A part of me also withers away when I pay baggage fees in addition to my ticket (and seat and and and).
That said, for longer trips, ones where I know I’ll shop a lot, or milestone travel (like our destination wedding and our honeymoon), I’m happy to do checked baggage so I don’t have to overcomplicate my packing.
“What is one of your most memorable travel meals?” —Chelsea F.
Ooh, what a delicious question—no pun intended. There are meals that have stayed with me long after the fact, like the first time I had mushroom ravioli in a black truffle sauce in Rome, but most frequently, I’m reminiscing about a food tour.
We always try to do one local food experience on every trip, and that’s ranged from a chili pepper workshop and salsa making class in Mexico City, to a pasta and pesto class in Pienza outside of Florence, to a street food tour in Cartagena.
There was also the divine dinner cruise in Paris where I still dream of the mushroom gravy, a $3 sandwich I remember devouring in Moorea, and the best banh mi of my life in Hội An. Local cuisine is a staple of slow travel, and I hope everyone experiences it as much and as deeply as they can.
🇮🇹 A slow travel brand I adore is The Travel Folk, and their new Italian itineraries curated around culture, food, and design are such helpful guides to planning your own trip. A worthwhile resource under $30 if you’re planning to go any time soon!
😭 I’m not typically a romance reader, but I saw so many posts about Lily King’s Heart the Lover that I finally grabbed it from my TBR pile over the weekend…and proceeded to read it entirely in one sitting. A tender coming-of-age love triangle that plays out over several decades.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Visiting my family’s ancestral villages last January became a core memory. If you want to explore your own roots, here’s how to plan a thoughtful heritage trip. (New York Times)
💪 If you’re like me and feeling disheartened around current events, The Financial Diet’s Chelsea Fagan is hosting a free workshop on 3/17 about turning that frustration into political action. I’ll be there as an attendee—join me! (And on a similar note, Amanda Holden is hosting an ethical investing workshop on 3/11 if you’re interested in divesting from ICE, climate criminals, and war funds.)
🥗 Spring’s arrival means new seasonal produce, and it got me thinking about the fruits and veggies I’ve encountered in specific destinations: Pluots I first tasted at a farmer’s market in California (typically found in the San Joaquin Valley), lulos in Colombia we savored last summer, tindora from India that I grew up eating. A fun weekend activity for you (or with your kids): Scope out the seasonal produce near you and turn it into a “Chopped” challenge.
Phew, that was a long one! But I hope this was helpful, and I’ll see you back in your inbox next Thursday. Stay well and stay safe. x —Henah
I'm a chronic overpacker, so I'd love to hear more about how you developed a capsule wardrobe for carry-on packing, and how you plan for different types of climates and activities in one bag!
Would love to get a glimpse of the spreadsheet you and your husband use to track your credit card credits that you use. I'm trying to find a way to track all of mine.