The gear I actually use
Some links on this page are affiliate or referral links. If you buy or apply through them, I may earn a commission or bonus at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
No brand paid for a spot on this page. This is the exact setup I use to travel cheap, stay comfortable in airports, and fund more trips from everyday spending.
The airport hack I actually use
Budget flights plus lounge access means a real meal, a shower and a quiet seat on long layovers. For me that replaced a lot of $30 airport meals, but whether the card pays off depends on how often you fly.
Travel Cards
How I use the two together. Savor for everyday spending, Venture X for travel and lounges. I waited about 4 months between the two applications. That's just what I did, not a Capital One rule, and approval depends on your credit.
Capital One Venture X
What I carryThe card that made long layovers bearable.
- Capital One Lounges plus Priority Pass (1,300+ lounges), when there is space
- $300 yearly credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel
- A free GigSky eSIM through Visa Infinite: 3GB for 15 days, once a year
Referral link: Capital One may pay me a bonus if you're approved. Rates, fees and terms on Capital One's site (Venture X) (opens in a new tab). Benefits checked September 2026.
Capital One Savor
My everyday cardThe travel fund you build every grocery run.
- 3% cash back at grocery stores
- 3% on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services
- 1% on everything else
Referral link: Capital One may pay me a bonus if you're approved. Rates, fees and terms on Capital One's site (Savor) (opens in a new tab). Benefits checked September 2026.
Other Travel Tools
Links marked "Affiliate link" earn me a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
Holafly
My eSIM pickAffiliate linkUnlimited-data eSIMs that work as soon as you land if you install one before you fly. "Unlimited" can still be slowed under the local network's fair-use policy.
Going (Cheap Flights)
Flight deal alertsDeal alerts when fares to your bucket list drop, plus the odd mistake fare
GigSky
Visa Infinite perkMy Venture X is a Visa Infinite card, which gets a free 3GB GigSky eSIM once a year (good for 15 days), plus 30% off other plans. Checked September 2026; terms change.
Airalo
Pay-per-GB eSIMs for short trips or several countries. My backup option
Hostelworld
How I find hostels. I read the newest reviews first
Rome2Rio
Plan any route: shows transport options with typical prices
12Go Asia
Book buses, trains, ferries and flights across Asia
Essential Gear
These are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Universal Travel Adapter
Easy to forgetCountries use different outlets. This is not optional. Most people realize they need one after they land.
Travel Towel
Hostels often rent theseA lot of hostels don't include towels like hotels do. They rent them. Bring your own. The one I use packs down small and dries fast.
Osprey Farpoint 40
My main bagFits everything for weeks-long trips and is sized to carry on (check your airline's limits). This is the bag I bring for longer trips.
Alpaka Elements Travel Backpack
Shorter tripsCleaner and more minimal than the Osprey. My go-to for shorter trips where I want to move fast and light.
Packing Cubes
Organize your bag and fit more in it. Less is more: you can always do laundry at the hostel. These make packing and unpacking fast.
AirTag (put in your luggage)
Slept onIf your bag gets lost or stolen you can track it. I always put one in my luggage. Cheap peace of mind.
AirPods (noise cancellation)
Essential on planesNoise cancellation on flights is genuinely game-changing. Play music, brown noise, a podcast, whatever gets you through the screaming kid two rows back.
Credit card disclaimer
Only get these cards if you pay your balance in full every month. Credit cards are tools, not extra income. If you have a history of overspending or carrying balances, skip this. The interest costs will wipe out every benefit listed above.
Used that way (spending only what you already have, paying in full), they've been some of the most useful tools I have for travel. This is what I do, not financial advice.
Card details checked September 2026. Rates, fees and benefits change, so read Capital One's current terms before you apply. The card links are my Capital One referral links, and Capital One may pay me a bonus if you're approved. The eSIM and gear links marked above are affiliate links. None of it changes how destinations are ranked.