Every time I come back from a trip, I feel an even stronger pang of wanderlust for more.  And while travel is always so rewarding, the trips can add up FAST.  Luckily there are plenty of travel hacks and tips out there to help lessen the damage to your back account…you just need to know how to work the system. Whether that’s taking full advantage of the best loyalty programs with the leading travel credit cards, finding last-minute (I mean last, last, last-minute) flight deals, or even scoring access to the airport lounge during a hellacious flight delay, there are ways to get the most bang for your buck and enjoy even more comforts while you’re on the go. 

You may remember my 11 tips for traveling like a pro, but today I’m sharing five of my most recent tricks in the slideshow above.  Check out five easy travel hacks below, and get ready to say hello to smarter travel for your next trip!  What are your favorite travel hacks?  Cheers, Kat

No. 1…Score Access to the Airport Lounge. If you find yourself with a lot of time to kill thanks to a hellacious layover, cancellation or flight delay, consider checking out LoungeBuddy to see if it’s worth it to book one-day access to an airport lounge. The app partners with lounges in some of the busiest airports in the world, making exclusive members-only airport lounges a thing of the past.

No. 2…Choose the Right Travel Credit Card. The right travel credit card can offer fantastic benefits and rewards for your next trip. This list offers a comprehensive look at the pros and cons of the best options in 2016, and urges customers to look beyond the initial signup bonus to choose a card that works for them.

No. 3…Work the In-Flight Seating System. If you’re traveling with someone, and can select your seat assignments, book the aisle and window seats. You’ll then leave the middle seat open, which may deter someone from booking that seat at all (if the flight is not fully booked), thus leaving three seats at your disposal. If someone does book however, a simple request to switch seats can allow for you to sit with your travel partner as planned.

No. 4…Make Same-Day Changes. To most, the thought of changing your flight the day-of is either a) impossible, b) nerve-racking or c) unnecessary. But contrary to popular belief, same-day changes can be easy to do and can actually save you some money. By calling your airlines the day-of, you can inquire about cheaper reservations at different departure times. The change is free on airlines like Southwest and only $50 on other airlines to change the day of your flight.

No. 5…Land a Free Stopover (& Double Your Vacation). As many travelers discovered last year, creative planning can sometimes lend itself to a free stopover in an amazing destination (think Iceland, Casablanca, Istanbul, Sydney, Aukland and more). By landing a free stopover, you’ll be able to visit two cities on one ticket for almost the same price to fly directly to your destination. Though it does take a little research, it’s definitely worth the reward. You can find stopover information via search engines like this site.

If you’ve been following along, you got a peek at the beginning of our 3-day road trip adventure with Garden & Gun Magazine, where we taste-tested and toured around South Carolina…Greenville and Pawleys Island to be exact.  

For our final stop, we had one last city in our sights, but after talking to the owner at Pelican Inn on Pawleys, we planned for a quick impromptu stop at the Old Sheldon Church ruins.  It was here where we saw the hauntingly beautiful remains of a pre-Revolutionary church dating back to the 1700s, the same church which was also razed by Sherman during the Civil War. History buff or not, you can’t deny the beauty of these ruins tucked away amidst the Spanish moss, off a quiet road outside Beaufort. 

After we had time to explore the hallowed grounds, the crew piled back into the car and headed to our final destination: the charming city of Beaufort, South Carolina’s second oldest seaside town.  It’s safe to say that Beaufort immediately stole our hearts as we meandered through its sleepy streets covered in Spanish Moss and lined with the most stunning Antebellum homes.  Can we talk about that curb appeal?  Just a dream.  Add a few cruiser bicycle rentals and some sunshine on our backs, and you have four ladies as happy as clams. 

Upon checking in at the Beaufort Inn, we immediately knew we were in for the most pleasant night’s stay. Its peachy pink facade and cheerful green and white striped awning beckoned us into this B&B-meets-boutique hotel. We had a quintessential lowcountry experience, as the four of us enjoyed the entire Fisher House and ended our last stop with a glass (or two) of wine and chit chat on the porch until the wee hours of the night. 

The next morning we got an invitation from Frank and Amy Lesene, owners of Anchorage 1770 a newly-renovated historic inn, to pop in for a little Southern hospitality before we prepared for the long journey home.  Anchorage 1770 was opening merely days after our visit, but to our delight, we were able to see hints of the Lesesne’s finishing touches on the impressive 15-bedroom inn. And as Amy invited several of her girlfriends over, we joined them for cool cucumber sandwiches, homemade pimento cheese bites, and strawberry cupcakes from Sweet Vivis on the sweeping front porch.  One of the beautiful things about a road trip is the spontaneous additions to your itinerary, and whenever they happen, it’s always a reminder that you should live in the moment and allow a trip’s moments simply unfold.  

A big, big thank you to Garden & Gun Magazine, Discover South Carolina and Travel South USA for making this dream road trip a reality for us.  We absolutely adored sharing our adventure with all of you, and what fun having it featured in the October issue of G&G! Truly, MKR