SkillPop Travel Class — Sealevel Agency® | Brand Management, Design, and Marketing Strategy

What we’re going to cover today:

Mindset Changes

Being unafraid to talk to strangers, ask for directions, advice on activities and where to eat. You’ll learn how to make friends for those times you want to get to know the local culture a little better.

Choosing your Destination

Based on your budget and interests, we’ll talk about where in the world to choose your destination.

Brief Credit Card Review

We’ll briefing break down a few credit cards that are best for international and domestic travel. No foreign transaction fees and great sign up bonuses are the start of #travelhacking.

Tips, Tricks, and Resources

We’ll break down specific products Allison uses to make her travel experiences epic. From what to pack and what suitcases to buy, adapters and gadgets to make your life easier on the road.

Mindset Changes

Changing the way you interact with the world.

Let Go

Allowing yourself out of your comfort zone opens up opportunities to limitless adventures. From meeting the locals, to having a fresh cooked meal with a family, even to buying a motorcycle in Vietnam and driving it up the entire length of the country.

Try New Things

I never would have done this three day trek in the jungle of Northern Laos had I not been coerced by new friends I met on a ferry across the Mekong River.

Talk to Strangers

Talking to new people allows your perspective to broaden and your idea of what is possible to grow. Strangers aren’t scary! They can turn into the best of friends.

Choose Your Destination

How to choose your destination based on your interests and budget

Rhetoric and Fear Mongering vs. Real Danger

There are many dangerous parts of the world. But most of what we hear is unnecessary fear of the unknown. Allowing yourself some courage, without being stupid, can open you up to new locations you wouldn’t otherwise consider.

Knowing the on/off seasons, holidays, and climates.

If you want to go to the Caribbean in the winter you’re not alone. Everyone else does too, which means that everything is more expensive. If you go in the summer, prices drop in half, sometimes more.

Understanding the cost of living in different parts of the world.

Southeast Asia as opposed to Europe, is extremely inexpensive to travel. It’s also a much longer flight. If you only have a week, SEAsia isn’t the best option. But with a little more time, you can save a ton of money.

Credit Card Overview

Brief Credit Card Overview and Intro to “Travel Hacking”

Chase Sapphire Preferred $95/yr

Sign up bonus 50,000 – 60,000 points. I purchased a round trip flight to Bali with 44,000 points.

Chase Freedom Unlimited $0/yr

Companion Card for Chase Sapphire Preferred. Sign up bonus $150 – $300, can be converted into points to add to your Sapphire Ultimate Rewards.

American Express Gold Card $250/yr

Additional Travel Card to continue earning points outside of Chase. Best at grocery stores, booking travel directly with American Express.

Aspiration $0/yr

This is a debit card – not a credit card. You get reimbursed for all ATM withdrawals on this cards. Offers 1% APY on checking accounts and offers socially conscious investing options.

Chase Ink Business Cash $0/yr

For small businesses. If you’re self-employed, this is a great card for business expenses that can also supplement your Sapphire Preferred points.

Tips, Tricks, and Resources

Carry-on Only

Skip check in and baggage claim. Have your hands free and be on the move with carry-on only size backpack. No rolling suitcases.

Register with the State Department and get Travel Insurance

In case of natural disasters or any other threats, register with the state department so the American governments knows where and when to find you.

There’s a Facebook group for that.

No matter what kind of experience you’re looking for, there’s a Facebook group for that full of people ready to connect, even meet up at your next stop.