Here’s a quick top five tip-list of our best travel hacks for aspiring travelers!

Brooke is here to present our Top 5 Travel Hacks/Tips for Travelers Thinking of Joining us!

1.The Money Saver

My recent trip to Newark, NJ included a hotel stay in a suite which came to only $410 USD over 3 days at an $800 USD per night value! My top tip for finding the best value for hotels is two-fold.

Avoid AirBnBs like the plague. They provide little to no value and have no guest contract; they are simply a homeowner (at best) with a spare room.

Search various sites such as Trivago, TripAdvisor, Leading Hotels of the World, etc., for excellent values but do not book through them. I recommendbooking through the United Airlines app to streamline your airline and hotel experience. And with the Chase credit card options United provides you with, the connected hotel listing through Small Luxury Hotels of the World, you have access to value deals and experiences most could never dream of.

-I stayed at the Renaissance Newark Airport recently which is not luxury but is still high-end and reasonably exclusive. United often offers members of their MileagePlus program discounts and exclusive perks and MileagePlus is free to join/sign-up for.

2. The ‘Game-Changer’

There are many travel items I could recommend but to be honest? Most are kitschy novelties and unless you’re a travel pro, they will be a waste of money, or at best an underutilized toy/comfort item. One item I will always recommend to all travelers, regardless of experience level, is one nearly all of us have on our person at all times. The cell phone. Hear me out. With this handy tool, you’re taking photos/videos of the airline areas in the airport, the airline’s seat you paid for, the hotel, the room itself or suite itself, the dining area/restaurant, the check-in/check-out counters, etc. This is imperative to keep travel and hospitality companies honest or at least accountable. Companies, like any company, hate bad PR worse than court cases, and no one contributes more to this than a guest who is willing to expose airlines/companies for deceptive/dishonest/greedy or foolish.

3. The “Hidden-Gem” Location or Locale

This is best exemplified through my stay at the Hotel Palace Berlin in Germany. This was not a cheap stay but it was a great value. This seven-day stay was delightful and a fantastic experience; caring staff, courteous front desk, hotel-to-airport and back private transfers; the Hotel Palace Berlin offers a limousine service from BER airport (Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport). The spa is incredible as well. This hotel is all about maximizing value without breaking the bank and without being “cheap” in all senses of the word.

4.Traveling Hack

This one is simple. While packing for any given trip, put a basic dryer sheet (Downy works best though any will do) in your checked luggage. This will guarantee your luggage arrives with fresh clothes and fresh wearables/items. This is a “hack” that nearly everyone can emulate and otherwise replicate as long as they have access to a grocery store.

5.Philosophy: Why I Travel the Way I Do. Your Travel IQ

I believe, regardless of status, everyone has a right to travel. I also believe, as United Airlines’ CEO Scott Kirby does, everyone has a right to travel smarter. This differentiates me from basic travel agents and groups like Delta Airlines whose CEO is incredibly classist and effectively declared war on the poor. American Airlines caters to the masses with next to no “traveler IQ.” The business model in 2025/2026 is best distilled as this: Delta Airlines caters to the wealthy. American caters to the masses who don’t know any better. United caters to the tech savvy and high traveler IQ. That is why I travel the way I do: To show ways to improve your travel IQ and generally travel better.

1. GENERAL AVIATION / TRAVEL FACTS

   The longest flights on the planet!

   Imagine spending nearly 19 hours in the air, crossing entire continents and oceans without a single stop. These routes push modern aviation to its absolute limits, testing the endurance of both the aircraft and the passengers on board. From the moment you take off to the moment you land, you'll be soaring through the skies for almost an entire day! Can you imagine the breathtaking views of the curvature of the Earth, the stunning sunrises and sunsets, and the mesmerizing cloud formations? These ultra-long-haul flights offer a unique experience like no other, allowing you to see the world from a perspective that few people have ever had.

   Here are some of the longest flights in the world:

   Perth → London (PER-LHW): 17h 20m - a journey that takes you from the western coast of Australia to the heart of England, covering a distance of over 9,000 miles!

   Houston → Sydney (IAH-SYD): 17h 30m - a route that spans the Pacific Ocean, taking you from the southern United States to the iconic city of Sydney, Australia. ️

   Auckland → Doha (AKL-DOH): 17h 40m - a flight that connects New Zealand's largest city to the capital of Qatar, crossing the Indian Ocean and passing over several countries in Southeast Asia.

   And the current record holder is... Singapore → New York (SIN-JFK): 18h 45m - an incredible journey that takes you from the vibrant city-state of Singapore to the city that never sleeps, covering a staggering distance of over 10,000 miles!

   History Fact:

   "Fly One. Get One Free.” — when flying Pan Am meant MUCH more than just a seat.

   In the 1980s, Pan Am did something that seems surreal today: First Class or Clipper Class passengers arriving at JFK received a free helicopter transfer directly to Manhattan or Wall Street. From the Boeing 747 jumbo jet to the heart of New York in less than 10 minutes. Imagine stepping off a luxurious wide-body aircraft and being whisked away to your final destination in the city that never sleeps, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. It wasn't exaggerated marketing — it was reality. Travel was luxury, status, and experience, not just transportation. The thrill of flying was elevated to new heights, with personalized service, gourmet meals, and fine wines. Today the question is inevitable: Have airlines evolved… or regressed in what really matters? Have they lost sight of what truly makes travel special? Do they still prioritize the passenger experience, or is it all about filling seats and cutting costs? Subscribe to our blogs for the answer! Hint: Fly Business class!

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