It’s almost February, have you been able to stick to your resolutions? If your resolution for 2019 is travel related, you’re not alone. Maybe you’re interested in going somewhere you’ve never been, immersing yourself in a culture for longer, learning a foreign language, or getting skilled in cooking a new cuisine. No matter what it is, we all know that New Year’s resolutions can be hard to set and even harder to stick to as the year goes on. So here are 3 tips worth keeping in mind to make your 2019 travel resolutions come true so that you can have the most adventurous year yet.
Make 2019 the year you see the world.
Start Planning
According to CheapAir.com, the best time to buy flight tickets for the lowest price is 70 days in advance. Want to make sure you’re getting the absolute best deal? Download apps like Hopper, which analyze flight prices and keep you updated on the cost and best time to buy based on their predictions for fluctuation. Not only will planning in advance help you maintain your budget, but it’ll allow you to make an itinerary. You can schedule as loosely or as thoroughly as you please, but it helps to have an idea of what you want to see and do so that you can get the most out of your trip.
If you find yourself with an unexpected break and don’t have the luxury of planning in advance, cross-reference flights on multiple websites to make sure you get a fair price – and do it in a private browser!
Join a Travel Rewards Program
If you’re able to use a credit card, find one that has travel rewards best suited for you. Forbes declared that the best card for 2019 is the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which has a current sign-up bonus of 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $4,000 in 3 months. This is equivalent to at least $625 in redemptions, and the card has great flexibility among travel partners. If the Chase card doesn’t work for you, Forbes outlines other cards with great travel benefits that might be a better fit.
If you aren’t looking for a new credit card, there are plenty of travel brand loyalty programs that you can join. According to U.S. News, the best hotel reward program is Marriott Rewards, and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan offers the best airline rewards. If you’re loyal to another brand, check out the rest of the rankings from U.S. News or search to see if your preferred hotel or airline has a program.
Be More Flexible
This may sound like it contradicts tip #1, but they actually go hand-in-hand. Planning ahead of time allows you more flexibility with travel dates; if your schedule isn’t jam-packed yet, you can choose dates based on their price instead of your own limited availability. And of course, flexibility doesn’t just apply to booking flights and accommodations. Traveling should be fun and enlightening, not stressful. In 2019, don’t worry about planning your trip down to the very last second. Allow yourself time to explore, to get lost – both physically and emotionally. Let yourself discover things you might not have otherwise about both your travel location and yourself! Let plans and activities and preconceived notions change. You might be surprised at just how much you gain when you let go.
What’s your 2019 travel resolution, and how are you planning to achieve it?
Ready to Explore the World in 2019?
