6 Secrets of Women Who Are Always Traveling (And No, Not Just for Work)

It feels like every time you open up Instagram, you see that Lindsay is on yet another vacation. Wasn’t she in Portugal a month ago? And Charleston before that? If you’re wondering how she—and about 12 others—are seemingly able to travel so often, you’re not alone. And we’re getting to the bottom of it. Below, six secrets of women who know how to maximize their PTO.

They Are Hyperaware of Their Time Off

Between weddings, baby showers, graduations and last-minute obligations, it’s amazing anyone has any time to themselves—let alone time to travel. The key is organization. At the beginning of the year, fill in a calendar with all the events you know you have to attend, in addition to all of your company holidays. Then, working around those dates, add in the trips you’d love to take and figure out when it would make the most sense for you to go. Seeing the entire year laid out will allow you to find extra time here and there (for a long weekend in Sonoma, perhaps?).

They Use Their Credit Card Wisely

Of course, everyone knows you can use your credit card to maximize airline points, but did you know you could also get earnings on car rentals and other travel expenses? Take the BuyPower Card, for instance. With each purchase, you get 5 percent in earnings for the first $5,000 you spend on purchases every year and an unlimited 2 percent in earnings on every purchase after that. Earnings are redeemable toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle. Plus, there’s no limit on how much you can earn or redeem, and you get all the benefits of a World Elite Mastercard®.

They Take Inspiration From Others

One of the best ways to discover new places is through recommendations…even if they’re from people you don’t personally know. Open up your Instagram app and start following a slew of travel accounts. Every time you see an image that strikes you, bookmark it to a designated Instagram collection. Once a month (or as often as you feel like it), go through the collection and write down all the locations, hotels and excursions that sparked your interest. As time goes on, you’ll start to collect your own little database of travel information to refer to whenever you’re ready to plan a new vacation.

They Take Advantage of Price-Tracking Apps

The key to scoring relatively cheap airline tickets is to be smart about when the prices will drop. And how is this possible, you ask? By tracking flights (somewhat obsessively) using theHopper app. Hopper lets you “watch a trip” and notifies you when the airfare changes or when it’s deemed best to buy. Then, go a step further and crosscheck their ticket prices with sites like CheapAir to save even more. And the savings don’t stop there. You can save money on local travel too. Before renting a car, be sure to check out AutoSlash, a website that tracks car rental prices and automatically applies the best coupons and discounts to your rental. 

They Prioritize What’s Valuable to Them

Some women choose to spend one month’s rent on a new handbag. Women who are constantly traveling will save that money for, well, travel. If that’s also important to you, make the same sacrifices. Cut back on ordering takeout and spending your money on things that don’t qualify as a necessity. In addition to reducing your spending, we recommend setting up an automatic transfer of money into a designated travel savings account each month. You’ll be well on your way to relaxation in no time.

They Always Say Yes

Their number one rule: Say yes to every trip you’re invited on (pending availability, of course). Hiking in Utah may not be on your travel bucket list, but once you’re there, you’ll feel grateful for getting to experience it firsthand. In the same vein, it’s important to be flexible with travel dates. Instead of booking a trip smack in the middle of the busy holiday season, opt to go before or after. You’ll not only save yourself money but also avoid the crowds. Empty beaches? Yes, please.

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