Greetings, Travel Tip-Seekers!

Here are this week’s tips curated for you from our reliable sources in the travel industry and from general interest newsletters, websites, and publications.

Two basic travel tips that bear repeating. One, nobody cares if you wear things more than once. And two, stop worrying about leftover foreign currency.

Most hotels have laundry service, most AirBnBs and private apartments have washer/dryers and even in developing countries there’s always a way to get clothes cleaned. As for the extra local cash, you can use it for tips, for last minute gifts in local markets, and even to pay your hotel bill.

Not all airport lounges are created equal. Zach Helfand writes in this week’s New Yorker that some are no better than the waiting room at the DMV. They’re huge moneymakers for the airlines and credit card companies and the competition to offer better food and services is heating up, even as the bar for entry is high. Million milers on American, for example, do not automatically get access to the Admiral’s clubs. But not all hope is lost. Here are some ways to get away from the riff raff on your next flight.

A power strip. And if you travel overseas frequently a travel strip with a plug that fits your destination is ideal. I used one in Vietnam that I just plugged directly into the wall and charged my phone, iPad, Oura ring, electric toothbrush and sleep headband all at the same time.

I’m always looking for better deals on airfare. And here’s the thing: no matter what the experts say about buying tickets on Tuesdays at midnight, or 4 months out for international flights, nothing beats setting up a price alert. I had decided against going to San Miguel de Allende for Christmas because airfares were too high. Then yesterday the price just dropped, even though we’re three weeks closer to departure than when I first started looking. Now I’ll spend la Navidad in Mexico! Here are three experts’ tips on cheaper flights for your upcoming trips..

And that’s why I don’t use them. But many of our international travelers do. I still pay the $12 a day to ATT because I need something reliable 100 perce t of the time, and I’ve heard some horror stories about e-Sims. The Points Guy is pretty reliable and here’s what he has to say about them.

Who doesn’t love a quick getaway to New York? If you don’t have a friend with a big apartment, you need a place to lay your head. Here are a few recommended by our friends at AFAR magazine. Beware, though. Sometimes these trendier, more affordable hotels attract a rowdy crowd!

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is best known for its Faberge egg collection, the most exquisite and extensive outside of Russia and it’s a must-see. Last week when I was in Richmond the museum was also hosting GIANTS, works from the Dean collection of two iconic artists from the music world, Alicia Keys and her producer husband, Swizz Beatz. If you’re anywhere near Richmond before it closes in March, buy a $10 ticket and go see this eye-popping exhibition.

An eagle-eyed reader informs us that some states—including Texas—don’t let you add your driver’s license to your digital wallet. It’s available to all states but DMVs have to set up software to provide the data. Proving that Texas is bass-ackwards in more ways than we thought! But I still love it here. Sue me. :)

Enjoy the journey!

Jeannie Edmunds
Chief Operating Officer

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