When you’re traveling for months at a time and have a loose itinerary, you’ll likely utilize a combination of planes, trains, boats, and buses. Here are a few travel rules we’ve developed that may help you save money and time along the way:

1. Prebook your major flights and long-term accommodations six months in advance, especially if you plan to be in popular tourist destinations, attending a specific event, or need to arrive at a particular location by a certain date. You can be more opportunistic with shorter trips and last-minute bookings.   
2. Consider checking prices for overnight trains and ferries as alternatives to flights. These options can often be more cost-effective when you factor in luggage fees and airport transportation costs. Train stations and ferry terminals tend to be more centrally located, and the overnight journey itself can count as a night’s accommodation, saving you the cost of a hotel. Additionally, overnight trains and ferries usually arrive in the morning, allowing you to start your day refreshed at your destination. Besides, the scenery you encounter along the way can be priceless. Aside from the almighty Google, Rome2rio.com is a great tool to see different recommendations on how to get from one country to another.
   
3. Capture all your points! Airline points are like gold when you travel for a living. There are many ways to maximize your points earning potential. Collecting points with airlines that are partners with your preferred carriers can be a quicker way to earn a free flight. If your goal is a trip to Australia for example, collecting those United miles on an ANA account may get you your free ticket faster than collecting in on United. Or, if you tend to fly American Airlines domestically, consider collecting those miles with British Airways’ Avios program instead. British Airways flight redemptions are typically based on distance, while American Airlines’ are based on dynamic pricing. This means the number of miles required to travel form point A to point B can fluctuate significantly depending on the flight’s price with American Airlines, whereas with British Airways, the cost in miles remains consistent based on distance traveled. The Points Guy or Nerd Wallet is a great resource to calculate where you should be saving your points.
   
4. Similar to #3 above, having the right credit card can significantly enhance your travel experience. We use the American Express Platinum card to cover the cost of Global Entry and Clear memberships, certain airline baggage fees, and to access Priority Pass Lounges (and to a lesser extent, Centurion Lounges in the United States). While some may consider these perks luxuries, we find that they offer significant value. For example, enjoying a meal in an airport lounge, not to mention the occasional shower or a moment of peace and quiet in a hectic airport, can save you money and significantly reduce stress. We maximize all the card’s benefits, including the monthly Uber allowance and credits for entertainment subscriptions. Given our extensive travel, the relatively hefty annual fee is easily offset by the value we receive. However, if you’re not a frequent traveler, this card may not be the best option for you. Some travelers swear by the Chase Sapphire Reserve instead. As always, resources like The Points Guy and Nerd Wallet can provide valuable insights into choosing the right travel credit card for your specific needs.