Top Travel Hacks All The Pros Are Already Doing

If you travel frequently you'll know well that it can sometimes be the extremely stressful, however if you are a pro you'll know some top travel hacks to make all the stress disappear, or at least some of it.

By following these simple tips and tricks, your next trip will be a breeze and might even include some sexy perks you never thought you'd be able to enjoy.

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1. Apply for Global Entry (or similar)

Ok, this one is different in each country where it is available, but the service essentially means you have a badass little card that lets you bypass 99% of the security lines. In the US you just need to apply for the Global Entry program, which only costs $100 and will save you a buttload of time. If you are only flying domestic, for $85 you can get the TSA Pre Screen pass, which allows you the same advantages.

All you have to do is fill out a simple application which essentially just states you aren't a terrorist, includes your fingerprints and other info and no more waiting in lines for you!

Many countries have similar programs so for all you (lucky) non US citizens, look it up at your local airport.

Top Travel Hacks All The Pros Are Already Doing

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2. Clear those cookies

This one doesn't seem fair, but it is something all of you should know about. In this new digital age there are simply endless ways to keep track of not only what we are doing, but how many times, what we are looking for, what we like, don't like, etc. A "cookie" is a little bit of information stored on your browser which stores information about your habits.

If you don't clear your cookies often enough, websites will start to learn how many times you have been visiting their sites and adapt certain variables based on that info. Does that seem fair? Hell no, but its important to know.

For example, if you keep looking up that flight to Paris, but continue not to buy it, don't be surprised if the price keeps going up and up a little each time - they are messing with you because they know you want to buy it. To avoid all this nonsense, go into your browsers settings and delete the cookies, or better yet, search for flights from an incognito window before you do.

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3. Ask and you shall receive

This one seems too good to be true, but surprisingly it works a lot of the time. By simply asking for a free upgrade when you check in to a flight, your ticket will be marked with a "Y" or "B" on it. This lets the gate and cabin crew know that you would love to fly in business or first class for free - if there is an open seat.

While this will work mostly for you if you are a frequent flyer with elite status or hold a credit card associated with that airline, it never hurts to ask. See, you're already becoming a pro!

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4. Pay for the lounge

So few people take advantage of the airport lounges, for fear that they are only reserved for the rich and famous. Truth be told, access to the majority of airport lounges only requires a few bucks and many can be accessed for as little as $20. You can even get an annual Priority Pass which will give you access to some 700+ airport lounges around the world, starting from just $99.

Think back to the last time you were rushing through an airport and spent $32 at Starbucks to get that over priced latte and absolutely horrific sandwich. Now imagine you had just spent $20 for the first class lounge and not only enjoyed free food AND drinks (yes, including alcohol most times) but also a quiet and peaceful setting, free wifi, comfortable lounge chairs, couches and sometimes even beds, and a clean bathroom to clean up in - some which even come with showers.

If you have more than an hour and are going to grab a meal, this one is a no brainer huh?

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5. Book one way tickets

When searching for a cheap flight it just seems like common sense to select "round trip" and check out all the flights - assuming this way you'll get the cheapest options, but when you think about it you're wrong. Most airlines want you to, of course, fly both legs of any trip with them, but when you search by one way tickets and combine airlines you will not only find better prices on the flights, but also probably a better schedule with less waiting time.

Many airlines offer special rates on one way tickets, which often get under advertised, so take advantage of the airlines here and search for one ways tickets, one of the top travel hacks out there.

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6. Change your location

This one is a sneaky one and a top travel hack all the professional travelers out there use. Based on where you set your location, different airlines will change the price of the ticket the offer you. This is called "regional pricing", and while it sounds like bullshit, here is the rational.

Airlines are always trying to expand into new regions, cities and parts of the world. If you look for a flight on kayak.com you might find a more expensive flight than on kayak.au - this could be attributed to an airlines new offerings going to Australia, which they want to promote. They will also offer cheaper rates to lower income countries to try and bring in new customers.

I know, I know, this seems unfair and while we aren't agreeing with it, at least you know how to beat it now. Search airlines websites directly and change your location to see if it affects the price of a ticket.

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7. Embrace the layover

It makes sense that most travelers just want to get from point A to point B with as little pain and stress as possible. However, if you want to increase your travel experiences and have a few extra hours to kill, look for flights with long layovers. While you might not want to be forced to spend the night in a free cold Army barracks, if you are willing to take longer traveling, you can see some pretty amazing things.

I have enjoyed 15 hours layovers in Hong Kong multiple times as well as complete 24 or 30 hour layovers in cities like London or Copenhagen. As long as you can get a free visa on arrival you can spend a full day exploring a new city or country you have never been to, and we think that is pretty frickin cool.

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8. Volunteer to get bumped

This one, again, assumes you have time time to kill, but is a top travel hack that most easy going travelers are always willing to do. If you are traveling either during busy times of the year or in and out of busy airports around the world, chances are that they have oversold your flights - after all, some airlines oversold their flights by over 30%, which means a lot of people are getting bumped off flights.

But worry not! As long as you are eager and willing to be the first to give up your seat, you will be paid a handsome reward which will include a free round trip ticket voucher worth the price of your flight, food coupons for meals at the airport and sometimes even first class lounge access and a complimentary hotel stay if you need to stay overnight in the departing city.

Imagine all that for just being willing to wait around a few extra hours? I have a friend who did this one THREE consecutive flights and now have free roundtrip airfare to visit home the next 3 times he decides too, how cool is that?

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So there you have it, our favorite top travel hacks that all the pros use. If you don't want to be left in the dust and want to make your travels a whole hell of a lot more comfortable and stress-free we suggest you idiots do the same.