I’ve traveled extensively and have tried every travel resource out there. From years of experience, I figured out which tools and travel resources work best and which you actually need. The below recommendations have saved me money, time, and headaches, and they’ll do the same for you!
I personally use all of these travel resources and highly recommend them. I never recommend anything I don’t fully support and use myself.
✅ Best Accommodation Deals
🏨 Expedia – I book all my hotels through Expedia because they offer cash-back rewards and some of the lowest rates online. Bonus tip: Book with free cancellation for flexibility! If you activate Rakuten, Expedia almost always has a few percent of cash-back you can get for free.
🏡 VRBO – When I want a home rental (great with bigger groups), I always check VRBO first—it’s perfect for finding unique stays, and especially for longer trips! I prefer VRBO over Airbnb because VRBO lets you collect rewards, whereas Airbnb does not. Learn how I get VRBO discounts here. Bonus tip: If you activate Rakuten, VRBO also almost always has a few percent of cash-back you can get for free.
🎒 HostelWorld – For solo travel (hostels) I recommend HostelWorld—it’s the best way to find affordable stays and meet cool people along the way. Just choose based on the reviews and you’ll be golden.
🛎️ Marriott Bonvoy Rewards – I’ve scored so many free hotel nights just by using Marriott’s rewards program. Their perks (like late checkout and free breakfast) make every stay even better. Brand loyalty sometimes can pay off!
✅ Best Flight Deals
✈️ Google Flights – I use Google Flights to check fares, and the price tracking feature is a game-changer—it’s saved me hundreds on flights! It is the only flight searching software I use. Hands down the best. Once I’ve found the flight I want, I book it directly with the airline.
🔥 SecretFlying – Some of the best deals I’ve ever booked came from SecretFlying—they find insane discounts and mistake fares that you’d never spot on your own. Just plug in your city—you won’t believe it.
✅ Best Tour Deals
🎟️ Get Your Guide – Want to avoid long lines and overpriced tourist traps? I use Get Your Guide to book skip-the-line passes, private tours, and hidden gem activities in every city. Bonus tip: If you activate Rakuten, Get Your Guide also almost always has a few percent of cash-back you can get for free.
✅ Best Car Rental Deals
🚗 Discover Cars – I use Discover Cars to compare car rental prices—it’s really easy to find the best deal, and they actually show you all the hidden fees upfront. It’s my go-to for car rentals.
✅ Best International Phone Service
📱 Airalo – For phone service when traveling internationally, you used to need to buy a physical SIM card. But not anymore. I use Airalo’s cheap, reliable eSIMs to stay connected instantly in over 200 countries. Just download, activate, and go. In my opinion, this is the biggest game-changer to the travel industry in the last decade.
✅ Best Travel Credit Card
💳 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – This is my go-to travel credit card! I earn tons of points on flights and dining, plus it has no foreign transaction fees. Super easy to redeem them for any travel purchase (hotel, flights, car, or activity). They have great sign-on bonuses and a low fee that easily pays for itself each year.
✅ Other Essentials You Forgot About
🔒 ExpressVPN – As a cyber security nerd, I don’t trust using public wifi when traveling—whether at hotels, Airbnbs, or coffee shops. Instead, I recommend using a VPN to keep your connection secure, and ExpressVPN is the best. It’s fast and easy to use. Learn more about why I recommend VPNs in my article here.
✅ Thinking About Getting a Tesla?
🚗⚡If you’re considering buying a Tesla, you can get up to $2,500 off your purchase by using my referral link! It is highly recommended to purchase a Tesla through a referral link—it saves you money at no extra cost.
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