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6 Travel Hacking Tips to Save Time
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Travel hacking can help you save time and hassle on your next vacation.

6 Travel Hacking Tips to Save Time

Published February 1, 2023
5 min read

Key Points About: Travel Hacking to Save Time

  1. Travel hacks help you save time before and during your trip so you can get more out of your vacation.

  2. One way you can save time is by packing similar items together instead of packing them by person.

  3. If you sign up for a pre-screening program, you can potentially save time going through airport security.

Have you been wanting to travel, but dread the hassle of packing and navigating through the airport? Travel hacking is a way to get more out of your travel experience without the extra stress. With these time-saving travel tips, you can spend less time at the airport and more time doing the things you love on vacation.

Did you know?

If you want a travel credit card where you can redeem Miles for cash, plus earn Miles for everyday purchases (including souvenirs on your trip), the Discover it® Miles credit card may be right for you. You can earn unlimited 1.5x Miles for every dollar you spend on purchases. At the end of your first year, we’ll match all the Miles you’ve earned.1 Plus with zero foreign transaction fees, you can travel the world with ease.

1. Use a checklist as you’re packing

Whether you’re taking a plane or going on a road trip, you should create a checklist of items you need to pack before you go. Be sure to include things like clothes, documents, passports, credit cards, electronics, and food on your list. And as you are packing, check off the items. Not only will this save you time, it will also prevent you from forgetting essential items that can delay your travel plans.

2. Pack less and pack similar items together

You should pack what you would need to get through the same amount of time at home, rather than planning to buy things when you arrive at your destination. This can save you time and spare you an extra stop on your trip.

And if you’re traveling with a friend or partner, you can coordinate (shampoo, toothpaste, phone charger, etc.) to make sure you have what you need, while also saving space (and avoiding airlines, train, or ship over-weight luggage fees). When you pack similar items together, you will have a less time-consuming, stressful, and uncomfortable time doing through TSA. You can use packing cubes to help organize you and your flight partner(s) luggage, for example, bundling liquids and electronics into packing cubes. (Tip: You can buy your packing cubes and other essential items when you redeem your Miles on Amazon or PayPal).

3. Use vacuum storage bags

According to the TSA, compression bags (also known as space bags) are allowed, and these can save you time when you’re looking for specific items or repacking at the end of your trip. Compression bags are a type of plastic bag that you can vacuum seal. These bags can help you pack more clothes and keep space in your luggage for other things you may want to bring on your trip or take home as a souvenir. They can also help you keep your luggage within the right weight limits and avoid added fees. 

4. Use TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry to expediate security wait time

Waiting in airport security lines can be time-consuming, but what if you could shorten it? With TSA PreCheck® that may be possible. TSA PreCheck® is a special screening program to make going through airport security faster, if you have a domestic flight (you can sign up for Global Entry for international travel).

Not only that, but you also typically won’t have to rummage through your carry-on for liquids, gels, or electronics, making your time going through security shorter. Plus, you can pay for these screening programs with your travel credit card and get back some points from it too.

5. Use a service to ship your clothes ahead of your trip

A luggage shipping service is a great travel hack if you have a lot of clothes or heavy luggage that you really don’t want to carry around with you everywhere. A lugging shipping service also means less stops being made inside the airport and more time to relax prior to your flight. A shipping service will deliver your luggage to your destination prior to your arrival, so make sure that your luggage is double tagged and securely locked.

6. Get an airport transfer to and from the airport

Having your ground transportation booked in advance can make your travel experience more stress-free. You can schedule through ridesharing apps or with a taxi company days in advance so you’re not scrambling at the last minute for a ride to the airport or to your lodging after you land. Plus, when you buy your ride with your travel credit card, you can earn rewards points to redeem during your vacation on food, souvenirs, and more.

Travel hacking is a great way to get more out of your next vacation. You’ll be able to see more of the world while spending less time at an airport or going through security. Not only can travel hacking help you get to your destination quicker, but it can also take some of the stress out of planning your vacation, too. If you’re interested in saving time during your next vacation, give the above travel tips a try the next time you hit the road.

Q: How do I qualify for a travel credit card?

A:  The type of travel credit card you get depends on several factors. Your income, current credit use, credit score, and other criteria can impact your ability to qualify for a travel card. Some premium travel cards may require excellent credit.

Q: Why get a travel credit card?

A: With a travel credit card, you can earn Miles you can redeem as a statement credit for a travel purchase. Eligible purchases include airfare, hotels, restaurants, gas stations and more.2

Q: How do I qualify for a travel credit card?

A:  The type of travel credit card you get depends on several factors. Your income, current credit use, credit score, and other criteria can impact your ability to qualify for a travel card. Some premium travel cards may require excellent credit.

Q: Why get a travel credit card?

A: With a travel credit card, you can earn Miles you can redeem as a statement credit for a travel purchase. Eligible purchases include airfare, hotels, restaurants, gas stations and more.2

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Discover Match®: We’ll match all the Miles rewards you’ve earned on your credit card from the day your new account is approved through your first 12 consecutive billing periods or 365 days, whichever is longer, and add it to your rewards account within two billing periods. You’ve earned Miles rewards only when they’re processed, which may be after the transaction date. We will not match: rewards that are processed after your match period ends; statement credits; rewards transfers from Discover checking or other deposit accounts; or rewards for accounts that are closed. This promotional offer may not be available in the future and is exclusively for new cardmembers. No purchase minimums.

Redeem Miles: Starting at 1 Mile, you can redeem your Miles as a credit to your account to pay for all or part of your bill, for cash as an electronic deposit to your bank account, or for a credit for Travel Purchases made on your statement within the last 180 days. Travel Purchases include airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, travel agents, online travel sites, commuter transportation, restaurants and gas stations. Restaurant purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and restaurant delivery services. Gas Station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible.

Even if a travel purchase on your statement appears to fit in a Travel Purchase category, the merchant may not have a merchant category code (MCC) in a Travel Purchase category. Merchants and payment processors are assigned an MCC based on their typical products and services. Discover Card does not assign MCCs to merchants. Certain third-party payment accounts and digital wallet transactions may not be eligible for credit redemption if the technology does not provide sufficient transaction details or a qualifying MCC. See Terms and Conditions for more information.

Legal Disclaimer: This site is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. The material on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and does not indicate the availability of any Discover product or service. It does not guarantee that Discover offers or endorses a product or service. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.

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