10 Travel Tips From Someone Who Logs 200,000+ Miles Each Year
One of the best things about travel is getting to meet other people. And every now and then, you luck out and meet someone who starts a conversation that leads to amazing travel advice — I was once seated next to an older Italian woman on a train from Florence to Rome who heard my New York accent, said she'd lived there for 25 years and proceeded to give me her list of favorite Italian food markets, gelato shops and bakeries in NYC, which I eagerly wrote down and visited as soon as I got back home.
On a recent flight from Sydney to Miami via Los Angeles, TPG's Chief of Staff Adam Kotkin had a similar experience when he met up with Cory L. of Palm Beach, Florida, an international corporate consultant who logs 200,000 miles per year. The two chatted in the lounge and during the first leg of the flight from Sydney to LA and were seated across the cabin from each other on the second leg, but later met up at baggage claim. Being that he's such a frequent flyer, we were curious to see if he had any travel tips to share. Here they are, paraphrased below.
1. Talcum powder takes any stain — including tough ones that are oil or cream based — out of anything, even suits.
2. Given the opportunity, always go with a multi-pocket jacket.
3. Shower every chance you get to stay hydrated and fresh.
4. Pack your clothes with dry cleaner plastic between items to avoid having them wrinkle.
5. Always travel with an extra shirt, socks and underwear — even if it's just a day trip.
6. Order wine as soon as you can after takeoff, as the good stuff tends to go fast!
7. Be nice and respectful to all staff and fellow passengers no matter what.
8. Hang onto any foreign currency that's left over at the end of a trip and save it for next time. This way, you'll avoid losing money on transaction fees when you exchange back and forth.
9. Always keep a $20 bill folded up in your passport, as it may come in handy in certain countries.
10. Never travel without your workout stuff — stick to your workout routine, even if you're away from home.
What are your best tips for being an all-star frequent flyer? Let us know, below.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit.Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account openingEarn 150,000 bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit.Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month