Having previously worked in the travel industry, I get a lot of emails asking which credit cards to get, which websites I use to book travel, what companies and products I recommend, and even how to start a blog. So I created this travel resources page to help you plan your travel, save money, start a blog, and more.
All companies listed here are resources I personally have used and recommend.
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. You help support this blog in an easy, no-cost to you, “Hey, we love ya” way. Thanks for your support!
Travel Rewards Cards
Search for the best Travel Rewards Cards
Accommodations
Hilton
You can book your Hilton reservations through my Hilton affiliate link.
Pro-tip: Prices are exactly the same because it’s through the Hilton website.
Expedia
If you’re looking for easy, Expedia is one of the easiest sites to use to book accommodations, airfare, car rentals, and more. Read my review of Expedia review The How to Guide on Expedia Best Price Guarantee.
Pro-tip: Use Expedia’s low prices to get the Best Price Guarantee if you booked on the hotel website.
Hotels.com
You can find low prices on hotels on Hotels.com.
Pro-tip: You get 1 free night for every 10 nights you book.
Airfare
Expedia
I like Expedia because they’re a good place to book cheap flights. You’ll get a $50 travel coupon and price difference refund if you find a lower price. Read my review of Expedia review The How to Guide on Expedia Best Price Guarantee.
Pro-tip: Be sure to read our weekly travel deals for airfare discounts.
ExpertFlyer
Got airline miles but can’t find any award seats? ExpertFlyer is what travel hackers and savvy travelers use to find award seats, upgrades to First Class and Business Class, and more. It’s simple and easy to use.
Pro-tip: Pony up for the ExpertFlyer Pro plan. You’ll get notified when award seats are available for flights.
Shopping
Amazon
I love Amazon. Where else can you shop from the comfort of your home, hotel, campsite, RV, or vacation rental worldwide? And two-day shipping with an Amazon Prime membership can’t be beaten.
Pro-tip: Amazon Prime and prime services like music and video streaming are available in other countries.
TopCashBack
Before shopping online I check TopCashback to see if there’s a rebate offer.
Pro-tip: Use my link to sign-up for TopCashback and get $10.
TripAdvisor
I use TripAdvisor to help plan my trips and book tours that aren’t available through some tour companies.
Pro-tip: TripAdvisor has a huge database of reviews.
Viator
Viator is my go-to tour company for booking excursions and activities. Rates are reasonable and Viator offers tours in 110 countries.
Pro-tip: Because of time zone differences, book 48 hours in advance if you’re outside the US.
Transportation
Uber
In some cities, Uber is more convenient and cheaper than a taxi. Plus you don’t have to fumble for your wallet because your ride is charged to your account.
Pro-tip: Get a $20 Uber credit when you sign-up using my link.
Travel Clothing & Travel Gear
You can find some of the travel clothing and travel gear I have, use, and recommend in one of the gift guides:
- The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for People Who Love to Travel (2016 edition)
- 5 Great Travel Gifts Under $5 (2016 edition)
- 25 Great Travel Gifts Under $25 (2016 edition)
- Gift Ideas for the Graduate Who Loves to Travel (2016 edition)
- 25 Travel Gifts for $25 (2015 edition)
- Top 5 Travel Gifts for $5 (2015 edition)
- 25 Travel Gifts Under $25 (2014 edition)
- 5 Travel Gifts for $5 or Less (2014 edition)
- Top 5 Travel Gifts for $25 (2012 edition)
I’ll update this page later with a complete list of all my travel gear.
prAna
prAna has the best selection of casual clothes for women and men. While they don’t consider themselves a travel clothing brand, prAna clothes are perfect for traveling.
Pro-tip: You can mix and match styles and sizes of all prAna swim tops and bottoms. Ladies, you know how important this is!
Smugmug
Smugmug offers unlimited storing of your photos. Having an offsite spot to store your photos when traveling or at home is a blessing. Because you never know what can happen.
Pro-tip: Protect those memories and upload your photos every night.
Travel Insurance
Travel Guard
I’ve bought travel insurance exclusively through Travel Guard since 1998. They have the best policies and pay claims promptly.
Pro-tip: Avoid deductible and buy a comprehensive policy.
Blogging
Whether you want to start a travel blog, fashion blog, mommy blog, lifestyle blog, or some other type of blog. Here are some resources to get you started.
Bluehost
You can start a blog for $2.95 per month through Bluehost. It’s easy to use, they have a toll-free customer service number, and sign-up is a breeze.
Pro-tip: You get a free domain if you sign-up for a 12 month or longer hosting plan.
Restored 316
Restored 316 is another company that designs blog themes. Restored 316 themes are feminine and adorable. I’m switching this blog’s theme to Restored 316 Thyme theme.
Pro-tip: Restored 316 offers a variety of themes for every type of website.
Aweber
Having an email list on a service like AWeber is a must. My biggest dork move when I first started blogging was not realizing that my subscribe here buttons didn’t go anywhere. Yep, those first three years, people thought they were signing up for a newsletter, but it didn’t go anywhere. I’ve since figured that out and started an actual email newsletter.
Pro-tip: You can try AWeber for free for 30 days.
ShareASale
You can earn money as an affiliate when you join an affiliate network like ShareASale.
Pro-tip: You don’t have to blog to join ShareASale. Share your favorite links via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, even email.
Grammarly
If your fingers type faster than your brain, you have a lot of typos or need a little help with sentence structure, consider Grammarly. Grammarly is an online tool that checks your grammar, spelling, etc.
Pro-tip: If you’re planning on publishing a book or an e-book, sign-up for a Grammarly subscription.
Extra Income (Side Hustles)
Looking for extra income? There are lots of different side hustles to make extra money. Here are a few of my favorite ways to earn money.
Proofread
Earn extra money as a proofreader. Proofreading lets you can travel the world as a digital nomad. Or you can proofread from home.
Pro-tip: Sign up for a free workshop (only 45 minutes) to learn how to proofread anywhere.