Pre-ABD trip rituals?

[AquamarineSteph]

Do you have anything you do (or don't do?) as you prepare for an upcoming ABD?

I find myself breaking everything down into little segments. Waiting for The Box to arrive. Contacting bank, phone company, etc., to let them know I'm traveling if we're going out of the country. Making sure I have the right electrical adaptors (if we're traveling outside the US to a place with different plugs). And making sure I have enough cash to tip the guides at the end.

And THEN I read the boards here, the ABD website, and count the days...

But maybe someone has better pre-trip rituals? Anyone want to share?

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

No rituals but I do have standard to do list that I go through. I also enjoy reading through the book (when they send it with enough time to do this!).

 

[kristilew]

I always search for novels set in whatever country we are touring. Oh, and buy a new carry on - always looking for the next better bag, lol

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I always search for novels set in whatever country we are touring. Oh, and buy a new carry on - always looking for the next better bag, lol

lol! That is one of our family jokes--I must have 5 carry-on's. I'm always looking for that perfect bag.

 

[figment52]

If you guys ever find the perfect carryon please post a picture or link. I have a collection as well.

 

[sayhello]

Are you talking a carryon or personal item? Because I *love* my carryon (except when I have to carry it down external steps from the plane. I don't think there's any such thing as a carryon that's good in that situation...)

Sayhello

 

[Woodview]

Have you thought about Travel Insurance

 

[AquamarineSteph]

I just bought a new carryon for our next trip. I keep thinking that if I buy one more, it will be THE PERFECT bag.

 

[sayhello]

I'm actually looking to buy a new checked bag. I've had my old one for like 7 years, and it's still in decent shape, but it's just so heavy! I think if I get something lighter, I won't stress so much about going overweight. I'll still get a relatively small 25" suitcase, but hopefully can get a few more pounds of leeway.

Yep. That's my pre-trip ritual. Stressing about packing and flying...

Sayhello

 

[figment52]

Are you talking a carryon or personal item? Because I *love* my carryon (except when I have to carry it down external steps from the plane. I don't think there's any such thing as a carryon that's good in that situation...)

Sayhello

Either one. I have a couple carry-on bags that I alternate between depending on the trip. it is the "personal item" that I still struggle with.

Bank on point, my final check list includes ordering foreign currency, stopping the mail, contacting the bank(s) that I will be travelling (credit cards and debit card) and adding the temporary international plan for my phone.

 

[sayhello]

Either one. I have a couple carry-on bags that I alternate between depending on the trip. it is the "personal item" that I still struggle with.

My personal item, which I love, unfortunately isn't available any more. It's the Vera Bradley Metropolitan bag. I'm not a big Vera Bradley person; in fact this was my first one. But I saw a friend's and just fell in love. I can fit a ton of stuff in it, but it still fits under the seat in front of me. If it has any faults, it's that it sometimes can hold too much, and gets heavy. But that's my fault, not the bag's! It has lots of pockets and dividers, and has an outside pocket that doubles as a sleeve to go over the handle of my spinner carryon, so I can just roll the two together.

My carryon was on the expensive side, but I really, really love it. It's the Briggs & Reilly Torq International Spinner Carryon. (NOT the one with the laptop pocket, which takes up way too much real estate).

(PS, I did NOT pay this much for it!!)

https://www.outlandusa.com/p/briggs...XUE0APjNbApCthicM3iKaeJylVD6Bu3PuUaAiv88P8HAQ

Sayhello

 

[AquamarineSteph]

Y'know what carryon bag I've tried out now on one flight that worked well? It's by Rick Steves, and it's this lightweight carryon bag with wheels. https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/rolling-carry-on

It looks HUGE in the photo, and to give it credit it holds an incredible amount for its size. What I love about this bag is that it's SO lightweight. Yes, I can lift my bag up to the bin on the airline, but this bag is SO MUCH EASIER to lift. Seriously. And it made it through some very rough conditions in Costa Rica.

The reason I want to replace it - maybe - is that it's not the prettiest bag I've ever had. And, yes, I am shallow. I want a pretty bag. ;-)

 

[AquamarineSteph]

Either one. I have a couple carry-on bags that I alternate between depending on the trip. it is the "personal item" that I still struggle with.

Bank on point, my final check list includes ordering foreign currency, stopping the mail, contacting the bank(s) that I will be travelling (credit cards and debit card) and adding the temporary international plan for my phone.

I order foreign currency before I travel as well. It was a lifesaver once in Ireland. We were there (non ABD) and had arranged for a ride. The flight was diverted and delayed which means the ride didn't appear. We had to take a cab to our hotel and the cab did not take credit cards. I was so glad that we had the correct currency!

 

[sayhello]

Y'know what carryon bag I've tried out now on one flight that worked well? It's by Rick Steves, and it's this lightweight carryon bag with wheels. https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/rolling-carry-on

It looks HUGE in the photo, and to give it credit it holds an incredible amount for its size. What I love about this bag is that it's SO lightweight. Yes, I can lift my bag up to the bin on the airline, but this bag is SO MUCH EASIER to lift. Seriously. And it made it through some very rough conditions in Costa Rica.

The reason I want to replace it - maybe - is that it's not the prettiest bag I've ever had. And, yes, I am shallow. I want a pretty bag. ;-)

I had a Rick Steves carryon similar to that, and what I really didn't like was how floppy the lid was. If I had to live out of my suitcase (not able to unpack it for whatever reason) the top compartment was pretty useless.

Sayhello

 

[White Rose]

I just got a new personal item, it will be my only carry on. It is elleven™ Modular 15" Computer Backpack. It has a removable front tech pouch and the larger backpack can go in the overhead or is small enough to fit under my seat and the tech pouch with my iPad, kindle, etc can go in the seat back.

 

[calypso726]

I start with determining how I will travel hack our way to the destination and back plus any pre or post stays involved. Working on China right now and have our flights booked on miles/points from JFK to HKG on Singapore Suites class We are doing a post stay in Japan to go to Tokyo Disney Sea so I have to get flights from Tokyo back to Miami. Once I've got that nailed down, I will work on getting from Miami to JFK and from Shanghai to Tokyo and then post stay hotels.

Once my flights/hotels are secured, there's find some excuse to buy more packing cubes for the new trip or more luggage. Scour TripAdvisor for pre/post stay and OYO time ideas of what to do and where to eat. Read through trip reports here to make sure I armed with as much info as possible on what to bring, see, experience etc.

Strategize on the best ways for replenishing the points and miles we just used so we can have them in place for the nest trip. Anxiously await for ABD to release dates and trips in May. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Working on China right now and have our flights booked on miles/points from JFK to HKG on Singapore Suites class .

So jealous about those suites--they look *amazing*! Definitely on my list, but I'll have to wait until there aren't four of us. I should have mentioned in my China recap, but we totally owe you for all the miles hacking info. For our China ABD, all four of us flew the new United Polaris Business to Hong Kong and from Shanghai home we had United First Class. It was an amazing experience. My kids looked at me like I'd been holding out on them, LOL. Going to be hard to get them back in steerage Both services were awesome, but I loved the jammies and turn down with mattress pad in First Class. I also might have done the wine flight I have flown almost every trip since I started with some kind of miles--either coach or upgrades. It's totally addicting and SO worth it. Thank you again! [P.S. Have to throw a complete unrelated plug out there for the Southwest Companion pass. One of the best mileage things ever! Basically I fly anywhere on southwest with one person free for almost two years. It's already saved me thousands of dollars.]

 

[calypso726]

So jealous about those suites--they look *amazing*! Definitely on my list, but I'll have to wait until there aren't four of us. I should have mentioned in my China recap, but we totally owe you for all the miles hacking info. For our China ABD, all four of us flew the new United Polaris Business to Hong Kong and from Shanghai home we had United First Class. It was an amazing experience. My kids looked at me like I'd been holding out on them, LOL. Going to be hard to get them back in steerage Both services were awesome, but I loved the jammies and turn down with mattress pad in First Class. I also might have done the wine flight I have flown almost every trip since I started with some kind of miles--either coach or upgrades. It's totally addicting and SO worth it. Thank you again! [P.S. Have to throw a complete unrelated plug out there for the Southwest Companion pass. One of the best mileage things ever! Basically I fly anywhere on southwest with one person free for almost two years. It's already saved me thousands of dollars.]

You are welcome I'm always glad to hear that sharing my travel hacking hobby has helped others to travel for less or in more comfort. It is addicting and definitely spoils you. We just got back from long weekend in Scotland and flew BA business class for the first time. DH said he wasn't sure if he wanted to continue slumming it in business Granted, BA business class and even their first class product isn't as good as many other airlines, according to the experts. United's Polaris looks really nice though so we may be giving that a try at some point. Glad to know it was a good experience!