6 tips to enhance your travel experience before you step out the door

I prioritize minimizing stress and avoiding hassles on my way to my destination. I want to skip long lines, dodge unexpected fees, and refrain from unnecessary spending.

Before you head out for your trip, no matter where you're headed, there are steps you can take to enhance your travel experience. Here are my top strategies to ensure a smoother journey from the start.

Ensure your checked luggage is insured and familiarize yourself with the steps to take if it gets lost or delayed.

If you're checking a bag on a flight, ensure it has some form of baggage insurance. Many credit cards provide coverage for delayed or lost luggage. If you've booked your trip (or at least the flight) using one of these cards, you should be protected if you find yourself in Panama City, Panama, while your bag is in Panama City, Florida.

Indeed, airlines are obliged to reimburse you for "reasonable expenses" incurred while they locate your luggage. Each airline has different policies. The longer your bag is delayed, the quicker those expenses can accumulate. What happens if you have a business presentation the next day and your suit is in the checked luggage? Using the right credit card can safeguard you when costs begin to rise.

What should you do if your suitcase doesn’t arrive with you? Before leaving the airport, visit the baggage assistance desk to file a report. Inquire about which expenses the airline will cover while they work to find your bag and deliver it to you. Make sure to request that they deliver your suitcase to your accommodation. If they’re unable to do so, keep receipts for any expenses you incur while retrieving your bag from the airport when it arrives.

Always pack essential items (like medications, house keys, or anything else you can't do without) in your carry-on. My wife and I also include a shirt, a change of socks, and clean underwear in our carry-on bags, just in case our luggage is lost or delayed.

Take advantage of free checked bags and priority boarding to alleviate stress.

I’m a carry-on enthusiast. I aim to avoid checking bags whenever possible, as I’ve encountered too many problems with delayed luggage. However, there are times when I have to reluctantly check a bag (like when my snowboard doesn't fit in the overhead compartment!).

If you must check a bag, there’s no need to pay out of pocket with all the options available today. While checked bag fees continue to rise, having a cobranded airline credit card typically allows for a free checked bag when flying with that airline. Additionally, premium cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card can reimburse certain airline expenses, including checked bag fees. Just keep in mind that this benefit usually applies only to your selected preferred airline with American Express.

Of course, if you hold any form of elite status with an airline, you can enjoy free checked bags as well.

These two strategies can also help you board the plane earlier. If you're concerned about finding overhead bin space—especially if you’re traveling with young children and their gear—getting on the plane early is crucial. Having an airline-specific credit card can facilitate priority boarding. While elite status helps, I find that simply having the right credit card is much easier than achieving elite status.

Streamline the security process to move through lines more quickly

Ah, the lines. Can we all agree that the security checkpoint is the most frustrating aspect of visiting an airport? Wouldn't it be great if those ahead of you got their items ready before it was their turn?

Fortunately, there are numerous ways to expedite your security experience, applicable whether you're traveling by air, land, or sea. Many credit cards offer complimentary membership to programs like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear, which are accepted at an increasing number of airports.

For those not flying, remember that Global Entry can also be used for land and sea entries into the U.S. Additionally, Nexus is available for flights from select Canadian airports and for crossing the U.S.-Canada border by land, sea, or air—regardless of direction. Several credit cards will cover your Nexus application fee.

The quicker you navigate the security screening, the sooner you can reach your desired destination. Make the most of any free or discounted memberships available for these programs.

Enhance your airport experience by gaining access to lounges

Waiting at the airport can be a blend of questioning the absence of common courtesy, shocked by the high prices of food and drinks, and enduring the cacophony of constant announcements.

I always make a beeline for the lounge as soon as I clear security. Besides complimentary food and beverages, the seating is significantly more comfortable.

The waiting experience should be much quieter, and some lounges even provide shower facilities. If you've taken an overnight flight and have a layover before reaching your final destination, this can be a fantastic perk.

While I appreciate having access to airport lounges, I would never pay for a membership out of my own pocket. Many credit cards include lounge access as a complimentary feature, so you shouldn't have to cover the cost of membership yourself.

Be sure to know two important details about your lounge membership: the number of visits allowed per year and how many guests you can bring for free, if any. Some credit cards grant lounge access with unlimited visits and allow multiple guests, while others provide a limited number of passes each year, with guest access counting against those passes.

Sign up for car rental loyalty programs to bypass the line

After you arrive at your destination, the last thing you want is to spend more time in the airport. I view the line at the rental car counter as the "final boss" of my journey.

You don’t need any special status to bypass the rental car line. Amazingly, simply signing up for that company's rewards program and booking directly through them (rather than through a third-party site) should let you skip the line and head straight to your car outside.

Depending on the credit cards you carry, you might qualify for free rental car elite status and potentially match that status across other programs. This allows you to skip the lines while enjoying perks like a free second driver or complimentary car upgrades—all at no extra cost, making your travel experience smoother.

Learn how to score free breakfast whenever you can

Enjoying free breakfast can significantly reduce your vacation expenses. Just take a look at how much hotels charge for breakfast these days! If you're traveling with family, these costs can really accumulate throughout your stay.

Some hotels provide complimentary breakfast for all guests. If your hotel isn’t among those, it’s time to explore other options.

First, consider your loyalty status with that hotel chain, if you have one. The way breakfast perks work varies widely among different hotel chains. For example, Marriott's system can be quite complex. However, holding mid-tier or higher status with a hotel chain usually entitles you to some form of complimentary meals each day.

Next, think about how you're making your reservation. Programs like American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, Chase's Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection, Signature Travel Network, and Virtuoso provide complimentary breakfast for two when you book through them.

Lastly, consider using club lounge certificates at Hyatt or booking during special promotions that include breakfast. While these options may not be free, it's worthwhile to check "breakfast included" rates. Calculate the cost of breakfast at the hotel, multiply it by the number of travelers in your party, and see if these savings justify opting for a room rate that includes breakfast.

If your hotel doesn’t offer complimentary breakfast, consider this unconventional tip: skip the hotel dining altogether. Hotels often charge exorbitantly for breakfast. A nearby café might serve the same meal for half the price, simply because guests are paying extra for the convenience of room service.

In summary

As the saying goes, "Proper planning prevents poor performance." Thoughtful planning can significantly enhance your travel experience.

Before you even step out the door, you can enhance your trip by addressing common hassles like lengthy rental car queues, security delays, and overhead bin battles. Additionally, planning ahead can save you a considerable amount on breakfast each day of your trip, as well as on food and drinks while you're at the airport.

These advantages aren’t something you can recall at the last moment while trying to get your kids settled in their car seats on the way to the airport. However, by preparing in advance, you can greatly enhance the overall travel experience.