How I Roll: TPG Senior Credit Cards Editor Benét Wilson
Welcome to a special COVID edition of How I Roll, an airport routine series with a focus on health and safety while traveling. Today, we're asking TPG travel expert and Senior Credit Cards Editor Benét Wilson a shortlist of questions about how she travels during the pandemic, covering everything from how she preps for a trip to what she wears on the plane. Here's what she had to say. Safe travels!
The itinerary:
TPG: What is the last flight you caught?
BW: San Antonio to Baltimore on my beloved Southwest Airlines.
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TPG: Was the trip for business or pleasure?
BW: Pleasure. I was coming home after sheltering in place for four months with my family.
TPG: With whom were you traveling? If you had a travel companion, what conversions did you have to align on safety precautions? Did you need to reassure them?
BW: It was just me.
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TPG: Did you plan this trip pre-pandemic, or were these new travel plans?
BW: New travel plans.
TPG: What’s a trip you’re hoping to take in the future, that’s been put on hold?
BW: I was planning a trip to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in October. It’s been replaced with a trip to Cancun. I’m looking at spring trips to the Caribbean and Dubai.
Related: A country-by-country guide to Caribbean reopenings
Pre-departure prep:
TPG: What does your pre-travel to-do list entail?
BW: I don’t check bags, so I plan my wardrobe carefully. I download books and movies on my iPad just in case inflight Wi-Fi doesn’t work.
Related: Face shields and sanitizer: 5 things we’re packing for flights during the pandemic
TPG: Are you getting a COVID test? If so, what kind?
BW: Yes, the rapid test. I’ll also take a test when I get home.
Packing strategy:
TPG: What items are you packing to protect yourself from coronavirus?
BW: I’ve always traveled with wipes and hand sanitizers (and small treats for the flight attendant crew.) I have a face shield and fly with an N95 mask to be extra safe.
TPG: Is there anything you are leaving at home that you would normally take?
BW: No.
TPG: What are your carry-on essentials?
BW: Along with my iPad and iPhone, an extra charger (Southwest doesn’t have outlets).
TPG: What’s your go-to travel outfit, and has it changed at all during the pandemic?
BW: Black jeans, a t-shirt or blouse and a sweater or blazer. Soda slip-on shoes.
Before boarding:
TPG: Are you getting to the airport early or with just enough time to spare?
BW: Early. I like to wander and see what’s new.
TPG: Has that changed at all?
BW: No. It’s actually increased since there have been so many pandemic-related changes at airports.
TPG: How do you normally prefer to kill any extra time at the airport?
BW: Just walking around and snapping photos for my #avgeek Flickr account.
TPG: What is your airport food strategy?
BW: I bring my own food. Smoked salmon from Baltimore’s Neopol Smokery, crackers and a wedge of brie cheese. I fill my Swill water bottle after security.
TPG: What differences have you noticed at the airport since the pandemic began?
BW: How eerily empty they are. Most concessions are closed. TSA is a breeze to get through.
Inflight routine:
TPG: What is your strategy for choosing your seat on the plane?
BW: I’m strictly an aisle girl. I like sitting close to the front of the plane.
Related: 7 tips for picking the perfect airplane seat every time
TPG: Were you able to work or relax during the flight?
BW: Yes. I make it a point to watch a movie or read a book. NO WORK!!!
TPG: Do you eat or drink on the plane? Has that changed in any way?
BW: Yes (see above). No, that hasn't changed except for the water bottle.
TPG: Have you noticed any changes in in-flight service?
BW: No alcohol is served on Southwest right now. We do get a small snack and bottled water.
Everything else:
TPG: Overall, did you still enjoy traveling during the pandemic?
BW: Yes. I love to travel, even now.
TPG: Any travel pearls of wisdom or hacks for flying right now?
BW: Be prepared. Have your mask, hand sanitizer and wipes. Bring your own food, especially for longer flights. Be nice to the airline crews. They’re working hard under extraordinary circumstances.
Rapid-fire questions:
Are you Team Ask or Not Ask when it comes to fellow travelers who aren't wearing a mask? Team Ask. We’re trapped in a metal tube circulating air.
Airline blanket & pillow — take 'em or leave 'em? Leave ‘em. I know too much after working for two airlines.
Latex gloves — yay or nay? Nay.
Favorite hand sanitizer brand? Bath and Body Works Eucalyptus Stress Relief.
Favorite mask brand? I make my own, although I also love my TPG and Southwest Airlines mask.
Favorite pandemic travel gear innovation? Face shields. (Hat tip to Summer Hull!)
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Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023
Rewards Rate
10X | Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
5X | 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. |
2X | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
Intro Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel75,000 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 card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary.
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023