Last Updated: 3/12/2022 | March 12th, 2022
I fly a lot. Rarely a month goes by without me stepping on a plane these days. Even though I’ve settled down a little in recent years I still find myself wandering through airports regularly. Whether I’m traveling for fun, to visit friends, or to attend conferences, chances are a flight ticket is waiting somewhere in my inbox.
While my travel schedule is not nearly as hectic as it used to be, I am definitely still racking up a lot of frequent flier miles each year.
While I may not fly 100,000 miles a year like the true elite fliers, I’m up in the air enough to consider myself a frequent flier. Here are some signs that you might be too:
You have your passport number memorized by heart.
You refer to cities by their airport code.
The flight attendants know you by name.
You have elite status on every airline alliance.
You think airplane food isn’t that bad.
Airplane wine? Yes, please!
You shop for flights more than you shop for clothes.
You have multiple airline credit cards.
You have Clear.
You have TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry.
Immigration greets you by name.
You earn over 1 million airline miles each year.
You don’t spend money if it doesn’t give you airline miles.
You sign up for new credit cards if they offer mile deals.
They named a plane after you.
You know exactly how to conquer your jet lag.
You know the type of food each airline serves.
Even pilots don’t fly as much as you.
You are in airplanes more than you are in cars.
You know exactly how long it takes from your house to the gate…to the second.
You actually know the names of the in-flight magazine authors.
You know the interior layout for every plane type.
You have airport layouts memorized.
You know all the words to the airline safety demonstration.
You can identify plane types just by looking at them.
You know airlines just by looking at the logo on the tail.
You’ve written a travel hacking guide.
You subscribe to airline news updates for fun.
You know people’s flight routes based on the times they tell you they’re landing.
You know flight times by heart.
You have so many stamps in your passport that you’re on your second passport…this year.
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- SafetyWing (best for everyone)
- Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.