Thread by @bryt_alozy

TRAVEL HACKS 2 - from my experience to 22 countries & >150 hotel stays so far.

Heard of Tripit app? Allows you to keep itineraries, tickets, reservations etc in one place instead of scrolling thru endless emails. Just import all your confirmation emails.

https://twitter.com/bryt_alozy/status/1341462410427838465?s=21

My Best - bougie on a travel budget hack; private jet vibes. Fly Boutique Air -surprisingly cheap & unique option for domestic travel within the US on a small jet. I flew Baltimore to Pittsburgh & had only 2/6 filled & was only $42 (one way). Fly private at the cost of commercial

Hotel Hack: Get all the perks of a luxury hotel for a fraction of the price by staying at a sister hotel

The hack: Many hotels have sister hotels in same area; cheaper but still allow guests to use all the amenities like pool, restaurant, free breakfast etc at the 5-star hotel👇🏾

1) Find the luxury hotel you wish you can afford
2) Go to their official website & click on "Our Hotels."
3) See their chain & stay at the cheaper option
I stayed at the sister hotel of a main hotel that was $360/night. I only paid $76 and still enjoyed 5-star privileges. Cool?👇🏾

Free Upgrade Hack: If at a check in & you're asked if you would like to pay (a fee) for an upgrade to another room, you should decline. Chances are they will still give you the room for free. Hotels do this as a last effort when they've oversold the room you originally booked.👇🏾

A hack to unlocking this trick is arriving late into your check-in. I once arrived at my hotel in California at 10:30pm & they offered to upgrade me for a fee. I declined & after few minutes, I was upgraded from basic suite to executive suite for free -- 3 nights royal treat.👇🏾

Use airline miles to purchase hotel rooms. I'm a frequent Delta Airways flier & I've used my points to book rooms. Those miles don't just count towards flights.

Avoid third party; book directly on their website. Hotel chains often lower prices directly on their website.👇🏾

Learn the art of negotiation; it works. Never say yes to the first price. So, I checked into Lucas Hotel in Birmingham, the UK & asked what the price of an upgrade would be. The lady replied with the £90/night listed price.👇🏾

And I asked if that was the best price she could give for the room. And after some seconds, she said "Actually, I can do it for £40." Bingo! I paid a base rate + £40 more per night for a suite that retails for £250 more than my booking. The Igbo boy in me activated Lol.👇🏾

Ever heard of Roomer or Cancelon? My hacks to snag up cheapest hotel prices of traveler's unwanted rooms. So, with Roomer you can reserve a hotel room that someone else has booked but no longer use for a massive discount. Btw, you can also resell your room. I use them always.👇🏾

You're on a budget but hoping to upgrade your room, check in as late as possible. A friend & I once had our basic room upgraded to a suite for free cos' someone canceled last minute. Due to cancellation or stay unbooked, it's possible a hotel might have a better room, for free👇🏾

Ask for deals. I always do. Before booking online, call the hotel & ask if they have any deals they can offer. It never hurts to ask. At the very least, they will repeat what they have online or say no. Best case, they will offer you a free room upgrade or a price reduction👇🏾

Just as with flights, travel in off season. Also, consider your trip midweek rather than weekend. Bookings are cheaper.

For the juice: Don't use those tiny foxy cups they provide next to the juice machine. Go grab a coffee cup.😁👇🏾

Avoid cancellation fees; learned this hack years ago. So if your time for free cancellation has passed, dodge the cancellation fee by changing your travel dates. Once you have adjusted your dates to within the cancellation time without a deposit, you can cancel without penalty.👇🏾

Take advantage of hotel's supplies -- shower cap, toiletry bottles etc. I use the shower cap as a shoe cover when I need to toss in dirty footwear into a crowded bag; soap bars as luggage air freshener. I usually empty the toiletry bottle & fill them with my regular soap/lotion👇🏾

No money for hotel? Opt for a hostel instead; gives you the chance to make new friends. Btw, most hostels offer private rooms if dorm style isn't your thing. 2017 trip to Heidelberg, Germany, I stayed at a hostel private room for a week; saved over €200. Airbnb another option👇🏾

Travel solo. There are many perks to it. You're way more likely to get that free seat or room upgrade when you are alone. I got upgraded from economy to business class on my flight from Istanbul to DC mainly because I was alone & had a very light luggage. Sweet sweet upgrade!😜👇🏾

People are also more willing to help you out, give you a discount, get you special access to places etc as a solo traveler.

Btw, Boutique Air doesn't even charge baggage fee, not even for extra check-in bags. If it operates in your city, fly them. Another is Southern Airlines👇🏾

Packing: Y'all should know this -- roll your clothes instead of folding them. It saves space & prevents wrinkles. Also, pack light clothes. Put heavier things near wheels. Place solid items like shoes at the bottom & edges to sandwich more delicate items on the inside (see pic)👇🏾

Pack versatile clothing items that you can wear multiple ways & styles. Unless strictly official, I leave my Oxford shoes & suits behind & get kn with my casual utility wears & sneakers. Preplan outfits & separate using packing cubes. NB: black sneakers go with everything.👇🏾

Weigh your bag first; you don't want to pay extra fees for just a small excess. But if your check-in bag exceeds the allowed size & the out these heavy sweaters or jackets, wear them even if its five. No one will air you. Once on air, you can remove them & put under your seat.👇🏾

Trust your gut, always. It knows what your head hasn't figured out yet. This goes for everything from your safety to your itinerary. Read up on local scams (every country has their own). Dress like a local so you don't stand out -- this isn't the time to be flashy.👇🏾

Always be polite.

Have a go-to emergency number on your speed dial if 911 or official emergency contact isn't available in the visiting country. This is important! Remember, safety first.

Tips & hacks from my little experience traveling the world. I hope they help. Questions?🙇🏾

If life was meant to be lived in one place, we all would have roots instead of feet. But travel and adventure shouldn't be too expensive, we deserve better.

Retweet so others can learn. There is love in sharing. #Travel #travelblogger #adventure