After thirteen years of supporting jet-setting families, we’re all too familiar with the excitement and anticipation that comes with job opportunities that offer travel - particularly with the rising popularity of fly-in/fly-out ROTA roles! While any new opportunity will offer some “learning on the fly” moments, the ins and outs of traveling like a pro have quite a few shortcuts to help you breezing through the jetway in no time at all - and help you earn points and status that will allow you to travel in style during your off time as well.

Please note: We are not members of any affiliate programs and do not receive commissions or any type of treatment from any of the recommendations made below - they are just our personal favorites.

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How to get rewarded for traveling

Loyalty Programs

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For most loyalty programs, it doesn’t matter who picked up the tab - on hotel and airline points systems, the awards go to the traveler (that’s you!) 

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My preferred airline always and forever is Delta (“if Delta doesn’t go there, neither do I” has become a bit of a catchphrase) but United may be a better option if you’re doing more international trips due to their membership in the Star Alliance, with more options for getting to Asia and South America than Delta currently has. 

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The most important thing when choosing a loyalty program is looking at the nearest hub. For example, Delta’s major US hubs are Atlanta and Minneapolis, so since my closest airport is tiny and adorable (AVL), nearly every flight I take connects through Atlanta. Charlotte (CLT) is about 90 minutes away, and it’s a major American hub - so if I was starting over with airline points, I might choose American for the ease of having more direct flights, which equals less travel disruption.

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Points and loyalty programs can be used for getting to skip baggage and TSA lines, board the flight earlier and avoid having to check your carry-on roller bags, getting access to airport lounges (and in turn healthier, free food, free beverages, and comfier spaces to relax), free or points upgrades to premium seats, and much more. Signing up with a loyalty program every time you’re flying or staying at a hotel is a great idea, but as you start traveling more frequently, choosing one to prioritize (the main hotel programs are at Marriott and Hilton) will lead to longer-term rewards and benefits that follow you through the rest of your life! 

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While loyalty programs and amassing points is a fun way to make traveling in more luxury free, remember that points are essentially a form of currency and it generally isn’t worth hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars just to get the equivalent of $30-100 in points. 

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How to recharge while traveling

Finding places and ways to recharge before, during, or after your travel is often a make-or-break in how you feel once you finally get to your destination. It can also take some of the pressure off to get all of your human needs met as you settle in - there’s nothing worse than getting in a Lyft to your final destination on an empty stomach, or with an empty water bottle. Here are a few of my recharge tips:

Airport Lounges - 

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I mentioned them a bit earlier, but airport lounges, especially if you’re in a loyalty program with an airline that has a nearby hub that has lounge access, make travel a lot less stressful. Not only do you have a comfy place to settle in, charge all of your devices, and access high-speed WiFi, but you also typically have access to a free buffet with better veggie, gluten-free, or other dietary options than you’ll be able to find elsewhere in the airport. The bathrooms are typically larger, cleaner, and nicer, without any lines. Most airlines with lounge access at this point are reserved for credit card holders or premium loyalty members (or both) and the cards that get you lounge access typically come with much higher annual fees. The Delta Reserve Amex, for example, is $499/year but gets you access to both Delta and Amex Centurion lounges for the year - so if you’re finding yourself at an airport TGI Friday’s once a month or more, it will likely pay for itself, but if you’re traveling quarterly or less frequently, it likely isn’t going to have a great return on investment

Minute Suites - 

These are in several larger airport hubs and are essentially private (albeit not super cozy) rooms you can rent for 1-5 hours. They typically have a sleeper sofa or a small bed, a TV, and plenty of places to plug in your devices. Some travel or points-based credit cards come with free Minute Suites access, otherwise you can expect to pay between $20 and $50 for hanging out in one of these small rooms. I typically prefer lounge access, but when flying internationally and dealing with 4-6 hour layovers, it can be nice to have a place to lay down and try to get some actual shut-eye without being worried that someone may disappear with one of your bags. (The lounges are great, but sleeping/napping in them is generally highly discouraged unless they are equipped with nap rooms, which most aren’t.)

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Hotel Day-Use Rates - 

Many hotels offer a “day rate” for someone who is not spending the night, but looking for a place to relax, shower, and recharge for a few hours - generally in between check-out (11am-12pm in the USA) and check-in (3pm-5pm in the USA) times. If you’re on the go, have a LONG layover, or are heading to an event that starts near check-in time, it is always worth going old-school and calling a hotel to ask about day rates and availability for that day or the following day. At many hotels, it ends up costing less than an early check-in fee, if one is available! Bonus points if they have a pool, a spa, a gym, or other on-property amenities.

Spa Day Passes - 

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If you’re less concerned about taking a nap and are just looking for a spot to relax and not lug your bags around for a few hours, think about hitting up a spa or amenities at another hotel through ResortPass. Day passes to spas typically grant you access to the spa’s amenities (locker rooms, showers, saunas, steam rooms, pools, etc) for a specific amount of time, or for the full day. ResortPass typically grants you access to a hotel or private club’s pool, other amenities, loungers, cabanas, or more. These are perfect for those situations where you are just thinking “ok, my flight isn’t until 5pm but I’m bored/tired/stressed about all of these logistics so I’ll just go to the airport at 8am.” PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS!

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As a last-minute reminder - you can ALWAYS check your luggage at the hotel you stayed at, and often at other hotels if you are planning on visiting an on-site restaurant or have access to their facilities. There is nothing worse than trying to navigate city blocks, tiny restaurants, or other crowded spaces with roller bags - and it adds so much wear and tear to your suitcases. I avoid it at all costs!

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How to pack while traveling

Suitcases / Luggage

My pro tip (after losing wheels, zippers, and a few bags along the way) - for your carry-on roller bag, get a hard-

shell suitcase. They’re more durable, you can store another bag on top of them to avoid straining your back while lugging your bags again, and tougher for someone to just grab something out of on a long-haul flight.

For your larger checked bag, get a soft-shell suitcase. Those baggage conveyor belts are brutal and it’s easy for hard-shell bags to get dented, scuffed, and cracked.

I always pack a reusable shopping bag or tote, and on longer trips, I generally pack an empty duffle (because I’m a “shopper” and know I’ll end up coming home with more than I brought.)

Snacks

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Eating food you’re accustomed to when traveling can be difficult - I’m married to a picky eater and always try to pack some PG tips and a few of their favorites when we’re traveling to help ease some of the tension and immediacy of needing to find healthy, familiar food as soon as we land. When I’m traveling solo, here are a few of my go-tos:

• Overnight Oats - these are to-go flavored oats packets that you can add water or your favorite milk or malk to, through in a mini-fridge overnight, and voila! In the morning, you have a protein-packed breakfast. They are super easy to pack and travel with.
  
  
• Salt tablets - I initially purchased these when training for a half-marathon because I’m not a fan of Gatorade, and the electrolytes in these tablets have saved many a post-travel migraine.

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• Bars - Bars, bars, bars. One type of bar is likely to be very prevalent at your destination - the other type may be a little harder to track down. Especially if you have food intolerances or allergies and are going to be relying on room service or catered conference food, bars are your new best friend. I eat meat and not gluten, so I typically go for some energy bars and some jerky to tide me through any low-energy or hangry emergencies.

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• Adaptogens - I try to bring something (gummies, Mud/Wtr, etc) with adaptogenic mushrooms in it. These are not the “magic” mushrooms, but they are…magic. They improve your mood, energy, focus. They’re amazing!

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• Thesis Vitamins - this company puts together packets of vitamins to boost whatever you may need during your trip - confidence, energy, focus, motivation, and creativity.

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What’s In My Travel Bag?

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At the risk of sounding a little high-maintenance, I typically have two suitcases packed at my house - one carry-on for a 3-4 day trip, and one checked piece of luggage for a 7-12 day trip (with temperate weather in mind - clothes need subbed out pretty frequently depending on the occasion and the weather at my destination.)

Here’s what I always have:

• A Flight Flap (a little piece of bendy material that you can use to hold your phone up by bending it around the seatback tray. This is a game-changer!)
• A back-up pair of Bluetooth headphones (I generally travel with $20-$30 pairs just based on how many AirPods I’ve painfully lost over the years.)
• A travel pack of melatonin gummies
• dWhen sharing rooms, mouth tape, nose strips, ear plugs, or all three (I’m a good roommate, but an exceptional snorer!)
• A Lullaband or eye mask with built-in headphones
• Sunscreen - always!
• Zirtec
• Tums
• A sheet mask or eye mask - something to be able to do a little pampering in a hotel or help me refresh after a tough day
• Hand sanitizer and sanitizer wipes
• A printed copy of the address and phone number of my destination

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Conclusion: 

Travel tastes best when treated like a game - there are hidden “level ups” throughout your travel experiences, and it’s all about choosing the games you want to participate in! If you enjoy a cocktail or some gluten-free/paleo/non-McDonald’s meals during your transit, lounges may be your new favorite third place. 

If you want a little more space and stretching room during your flights, picking an airline and sticking with them will lead to upgrades and opportunities for leveling up your leisure travel pretty quickly. And if you’re a travel newbie and are feeling intimidated, don’t fear - geeking out about travel is the pastime of several hundred thousand folks on the Internet who are full of resources and tips, down to how to collect your Delta airplane trading cards from pilots and what secret menu items to order off a lounge bar menu. You can always also reach out to us - we love travel hacking for nannies on the go!

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Got travel tips of your own to share? Let us know at marketing@adventurenannies.com

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Have questions about how to create positive and professional relationships with your home’s employees, or experience shares about what’s worked well for you? Feel free to drop us a line at hello@adventurenannies.com - we’d love to hear from you!

Shenandoah Davis is the owner and CEO of Adventure Nannies.

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