Who doesn’t like getting perks while traveling? While some of the most exclusive travel benefits are reserved for top-paying customers in airline and hotel elite loyalty programs or folks with a premium credit card, there are a host of other perks that are available to all types of travelers — and that don’t require you to shell out anything extra. Here are seven of the best free travel perks anyone can ask for. 

Free Pooling of Frequent Flyer Miles 

Saving up frequent-flyer miles to redeem them for a free vacation? It can take a while. But if you participate in an airline program that offers free pooling with family or friends, those points can add up much more quickly. Say you’re sitting on a stash of 50,000 miles, but you’re eyeing a ticket to Cancun that costs 75,000 miles. With this handy perk, you’d be able to combine points with other members of your family to top off your account and secure an award ticket faster. While restrictions vary from program to program, JetBlue’s TrueBlue points pooling is among the most generous — any member over 21 years old can create a pool to share points with up to seven family members or friends for free.

Free Wi-Fi by Signing Up for a Loyalty Program

Getting online is a priority for many travelers, but many airlines have been slow to roll out reliable onboard Wi-Fi. When they do offer it, it often comes at a steep cost and can be painfully slow. Ground-based hotel Wi-Fi is a better bet, but it often isn’t free, either. However, many hotel chains — such as Marriott — will offer guests free basic in-room Wi-Fi simply for being a member of their free loyalty program. And in the sky, Delta Air Lines recently announced it was installing faster satellite-based Wi-Fi throughout its fleet — and all you have to do to access it completely free is be a member of its SkyMiles frequent flyer program.

Free Hotel Happy Hours

Sure, you’ve probably seen the free pot of coffee sitting in the hotel lobby in the morning, but did you know some hotels go above and beyond when it comes to free beverages? Kimpton Hotels, in particular, are known for hosting complimentary wine hours for guests each evening, so if you’re a wine lover, it could be worth going out of your way to book a stay with them. If you’re not interested in wine, just ask the front desk what other free amenities they might be able to provide, such as a personal hygiene kit if you forgot your toothbrush or a complimentary bike rental. 

Free Access to a Faster Airport Security Line

The airport security line is seemingly never easy to navigate, with queues that can often snake around terminals and force travelers to show up to the airport earlier than they’d like. Enter: RESERVE, a program offered by biometrics company CLEAR. With RESERVE, any traveler can make a free reservation at the security checkpoint for select airports. There are dedicated lanes for appointment holders at airports where the service is offered, which means the lines typically move faster and the experience is more predictable. To find participating locations and to make a free appointment, visit the RESERVE website.

Free Airline Perks for Families 

It’s no secret that flying with young children comes with challenges, but many airlines offer family-friendly amenities onboard if you simply ask a flight attendant. For example, United Airlines offers a “Children’s Travel Kit,” designed by the people behind Sesame Street, which includes crayons, an activity book, a puzzle, and a sensory strip to calm anxiety in young ones. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines has a secret trading card program, in which passengers can collect card designs featuring different aircraft in the airline’s fleet. All you have to do is ask your pilot if they’re available — and they’re just as fun for adults as they are for kids.

Free Meals or Hotels for Flight Delays

Flight delays and cancellations can happen to anyone — and sometimes they result in an unexpected overnight layover if you miss a connecting flight. But if the delay wasn’t due to weather and falls within the airline’s control, you shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for meals and accommodations. Be sure to ask customer service staff not only to cover your hotel stay but also for a meal voucher to be used at airport restaurants. Some airlines even offer a portal where you can choose a hotel and receive free ground transportation to and from, without having to pay out of pocket. Rules vary by airline, so read up and prepare yourself in case you encounter any travel disruptions. 

Free City Tours on Long Layovers

Have a long layover between international flights? Sitting at the airport and twiddling your thumbs for hours isn’t your only option. Some cities, in partnership with local tourism boards, offer travelers free city tours during a longer layover. For example, if you’re flying Turkish Airlines through Istanbul and have longer than six hours before your connecting flight, you can sign up for a guided tour of some of the city’s most famous sights, such as the Blue Mosque or the Grand Bazaar. Other airports offer free hotel stays for overnight layovers, making them an attractive option for your next long-haul layover. 

In many places, sustainability has become an integral part of the collective identity. That’s increasingly true in popular destinations such as Venice and Amsterdam, which are looking to combat the effects of overtourism. As a result, a new crop of destinations are now encouraging not just residents, but also out-of-towners to embrace that eco-friendly attitude. Earlier in 2024, officials in Copenhagen established a new program to offer up cultural and culinary perks as an incentive for participating in sustainable practices. Find out what to expect from this innovative program and explore destinations around the world that are offering similar perks for eco-friendly tourists.

What Is Copenhagen’s CopenPay?

Introduced in July 2024, CopenPay was designed as a rewards program to encourage both residents and tourists alike to engage in sustainable behaviors. To take advantage of the program, all participants had to do was partake in an eco-friendly activity, such as taking public transportation or riding a bike. They were also asked to provide evidence of their participation if possible, which could be as simple as a receipt or photograph.

After completing an eligible and sustainable activity, individuals could cash in for a number of benefits at one of 24 different attractions. The rewards included experiences such as a free beer at the Zoku rooftop bar, a complimentary kayak tour through the city’s coastal waters, or even free access to the historic gardens at the Karen Blixen Museum.

Though the pilot program ended in August, officials are hopeful it will be implemented again as soon as next year — and possibly on a grander scale throughout other parts of the country. But Copenhagen is just one of several locations around the world that have embraced the idea of rewarding tourists and locals who show interest in preserving the environment. Below are a few other examples that are currently ongoing or set to debut soon.

Florida Keys

The Florida Keys Eco-Experience Trail is both free and simple to use. The pass is texted directly to your phone, and once you’ve signed up, you can show it at a number of businesses located along the entirety of the 125-mile-long stretch of the Florida Keys. The pass can be used for discounts with fishing companies, at scuba diving facilities, or to acquire free merchandise. It’s part of a larger initiative to bring eco-minded tourists to the region and convince them to take action to help preserve the environment.

Hawaii

On the opposite end of the country, in Hawaii, you’ll find a program called Malama Hawaii, which is derived from the Hawaiian word for “to care for.” This eco-friendly initiative offers visitors the chance to volunteer with any number of sustainable organizations, which may involve tending to a tropical garden or helping to clean up the coastline. In exchange for this support, participants can swap their volunteer hours for perks such as free meals and up to 15% off hotel rooms.

Palau

Palau is a Pacific microstate that, despite its small size, is hoping to make a big impact in preserving the environment. One of the key initiatives is a program set to launch later in 2024 called Ol’au Palau. Individuals are asked to partake in activities like visiting culturally significant sites or patronizing businesses that pride themselves on sustainability. In return, those volunteers are rewarded in the form of unique experiences that aren’t normally available to the public. This may include gaining access to a private taro farm for a tour or even a local meeting house to gain a deeper understanding into local culture. If you find yourself in this stunning, off-the-radar Pacific island nation, consider downloading Ol’au Palau once it’s available and experience the country in a way that few other visitors have.

Squamish, British Columbia

Squamish, a small Canadian town located about 40 miles north of Vancouver and known for its beautiful scenery, has seen a huge boost in tourism in recent years. In an effort to mitigate the impact of tourism on the local environment, the town of Squamish has implemented a new Red Bag Program through September 2024, which could be reintroduced in the near future if deemed successful. As part of this eco-friendly initiative, ambassadors are stationed at popular trails and parks in the city to hand out red plastic bags. Those who receive a bag are encouraged to pick up any trash they create or find along the way. Then, they return the bags to the information center in exchange for tantalizing free rewards such as a beer, coffee, or ice cream cone.

Some travelers are highly organized when it comes to packing, even going so far as to create a customizable packing list. Others tend to rush around at the last minute, throwing things in a suitcase. If the latter sounds familiar, at some point you’ve probably forgotten something important when packing for a vacation. It’s not always a big deal if you’ve planned a city getaway where you’re likely to find yourself close to a shopping mall, but if you’re heading somewhere small or remote, that missing item could prove to be pretty inconvenient. To make sure your next vacation goes off without a hitch, we’ve rounded up six of the most common things people overlook when packing, so you can make doubly sure you haven’t left them behind.

Passport

If you’re heading overseas, you won’t get far without your passport. Without it, you risk being denied boarding and having to rework your plans at the last minute — sometimes at considerable expense. So, before you leave, tape a note to the inside of your front door (or another highly visible location) to remind you to pack it. Before the return leg, place it with something you’re absolutely certain you won’t forget, such as inside the shoes you plan to wear on the journey home or with the keys to your rental car. That’s especially important if you’ve tucked it out of sight for safekeeping. (And if you happen to lose your passport on vacation, here’s a helpful guide.)

Phone Charger (and Adapter)

Nothing reminds you how much you depend on a smartphone as much as a low battery and no way of charging it. These days, cellphones are far more than a tool for keeping in touch; they act as a place to store boarding passes and hotel confirmations, a method of payment, a navigational aid, a camera, and so on. To make sure you don’t find yourself in a sticky situation, check that you have remembered to pack your charger and cable. If you do forget, the hotel front desk might be able to lend you one. And if you’re traveling overseas, always check the type of electrical sockets you’re likely to encounter and make sure you pack the correct adapter, too.  

Toothbrush

A toothbrush is another commonly forgotten item when packing. Unless you’re sufficiently organized to have a dedicated travel amenities kit — a must-have if you’re a frequent flyer — then it’s likely that at some point you may have forgotten one. The same goes for other personal care items that you’re likely to use right before you leave home, such as a comb, deodorant, or razor. The good news is that many hotels will be able to supply replacements free of charge if you ask, and even if they can’t, it’s usually fairly easy to locate a nearby drugstore and stock up on what you’re missing. 

Swimwear

Whether you’ve just arrived at a Mexican beach resort or are about to soak in one of Iceland’s luxurious geothermal lagoons, nothing will spoil the mood faster than the realization that you’ve forgotten your swimsuit. Though in most cases you can purchase one in the resort, prices tend to be higher on property. And in any case, you’ll want to avoid wasting precious vacation time searching local stores for better-value alternatives. Sun seekers should also double-check they’ve packed other poolside essentials such as sunglasses, flip-flops, and sunscreen. 

Over-the-Counter Medicines

Not every traveler packs a first-aid kit out of habit. However, if you’ve ever been sick on vacation, the thought of forgetting your stash of basic, over-the-counter medicines will fill you with unease. It’s easy to develop a headache or pick up a cold while traveling, but fortunately, both are straightforward to deal with if all you have to do is reach for your bag. But without it, you’ll potentially find yourself confused by local brand names. For example, ask for Tylenol at the front desk of a British hotel and you’ll be met with a blank look — on the opposite side of the pond, acetaminophen is known as paracetamol.

Spare Eyeglasses or Contacts

Whether you wear contact lenses or rely on glasses to help bring things into focus, on occasion, you’ll need a spare pair. At home, you’ll reach for them without a second thought, but on vacation, you don’t want to find that they’re thousands of miles away if you lose, break, or otherwise damage your main pair. However, if you do forget to pack your spare, you might be able to fashion a temporary repair, though it’s also wise to carry a copy of your prescription in case of an emergency. If all else fails, see if you can locate an affordable pair of reading glasses as a temporary measure. They should partially correct your vision, allowing you to get by for a few days until you return home. 

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These days, it can seem like phones are as essential as oxygen — especially when traveling. But if you’re in a far-off country, using your phone as you normally would isn’t so simple. For starters, you may find yourself dealing with unreliable service and hefty charges for international data usage. The good news is that those problems can easily be avoided if you plan ahead and know what apps to download and products to buy. Here’s a helpful guide to using your phone during your next international vacation.

First, Talk With Your Cell Provider

Before departing on your trip, it’s important to contact your cellphone provider and know exactly what your existing plan offers in terms of international coverage. Some U.S.-based plans come with unlimited free calls and texts if you’re traveling to a neighboring country such as Canada or Mexico, but they may tack on roaming charges if you’re traveling to another continent. Review your plan details in your online account, or call and speak to a customer service representative who can explain your current benefits in greater depth.

If your plan doesn’t include international calls or texts, you might be able to add that capability for the duration of your vacation for an additional fee. For example, Verizon offers users the ability to purchase a TravelPass for $5 per day in Canada and Mexico, and $10 per day everywhere else. For $100, you can purchase an International Monthly Plan, which is ideal for longer trips. AT&T sells an International Day Pass for $12 per day, while T-Mobile offers up one of their own for $5. Once you’ve enrolled, you can use your phone abroad without incurring any unexpected charges, but beware of potential data limits with international plans.

Or Buy a SIM Card

Cellphones contain a SIM card (which stands for subscriber identity module) that allows the user to connect with local mobile networks, whether at home or abroad. But when you’re traveling internationally, using your phone’s standard SIM card can incur hefty fees if you don’t have international phone coverage. This is why you should consider purchasing an international SIM card before your trip (as an alternative to buying an international plan directly with your phone provider). You can easily install a new SIM card in your phone for temporary use, allowing you to make calls and texts without incurring those pricey roaming charges.

To purchase an international SIM card, contact your service provider and ask what they have available or purchase a prepaid travel card at the airport once you’ve landed. Either way, once you’ve acquired the card, check your phone’s instruction manual to see how to shut down your phone, remove the current SIM card, and replace it with the new SIM card. If you’d rather not deal with physical SIM cards, another option is to purchase an eSIM instead. These digital cards download all necessary information wirelessly, so you don’t have to worry about installing anything.

Rely on Wi-Fi

If you mainly need internet access instead of the ability to make calls and send texts, then relying on local Wi-Fi networks is another option for using your phone abroad. Just be sure to turn off cellular service or your phone’s roaming feature, so you don’t accidentally incur any charges. Then, turn on Wi-Fi and connect to any available networks. 

This allows you to use apps such as WhatsApp or iMessage to communicate with people you’d normally call or text. WhatsApp is one of the most popular communication apps in the world, and its messages are encrypted, ensuring added security in the event you’re sharing sensitive info. Best of all, it doesn’t cost you anything to use Wi-Fi, as long as the network is free to access wherever you’re visiting — just beware of any potential security risks with public networks.

Pre-Download Maps

Cellphone apps such as Google Maps or Apple Maps are invaluable for navigating unfamiliar cities, but if you don’t plan on paying for international service, there’s a useful hack to know about. Both Google Maps and Apple Maps allow you to pre-download maps using a Wi-Fi connection, storing them for future use when you’re out and about exploring a new city. While you’re at your hotel, take time the night before to download any maps you might need for sightseeing the next day. That way, you won’t have to worry about finding good service or asking a stranger for directions if you get lost.

Just Use the Camera

Don’t forget about your phone’s camera. Even if there’s no internet connection or cell service, it’s still worth bringing your phone on your trip to capture special moments. Phone cameras have come a long way since those low-quality flip phones of yesteryear, and they now have some of the best lenses available on the market. If you don’t plan to use your phone for communication or navigation, at least bring it to chronicle the memories you’ll make.

Visiting a new country is a privilege, but heading abroad — especially for the first time — can also be overwhelming. With so much to discover, tourists may find themselves experiencing sensory overload. Though your new surroundings are bound to have a profound impact in such circumstances, it’s important that your reaction doesn’t provoke annoyance among the local population. Take a look at six of the most annoying things tourists do abroad so that you can try not to follow suit. 

Clog Up Tourist Hot Spots With a Photo Shoot

While there’s no harm in grabbing a quick selfie or souvenir photo, some tourists take the concept to extremes. It’s not a problem, so long as others aren’t impacted. But in popular spots, roads and sidewalks can quickly become clogged, and the lack of respect shown for others can really start to grate. Sometimes, locals fight back: In 2023, the city of Portofino, Italy, introduced no-waiting zones; later the same year, a road was closed in Pomfret, Vermont, to deny visiting fall foliage selfie-takers the chance to disrupt local traffic. 

Confuse Your Heritage With Your Place of Birth

Travelers often seek to find common ground with those they encounter along their journey. United by shared interests or backgrounds, they feel an affinity to the place they’re visiting, and those valuable connections create lasting memories. However, a word to the wise: Having a great-great-grandfather who was born in Ireland does not make you Irish. Your family might, of course, enthusiastically and diligently maintain certain traditions and customs that celebrate your heritage and have helped mold your identity. Nevertheless, semantics matter — being Irish American (of Irish descent and living in the United States), for example, is different from someone who was born and still lives there. During a visit, don’t be shy about revealing your heritage, but be clear where your own story began — the locals will appreciate you for it.

Try To Cover Too Much Ground in Too Little Time

If you live in North America, you might be aware that the amount of paid time off employees receive is typically stingy in comparison to what people get in other parts of the world, such as Europe. Chances are, you’ll also be used to making long journeys. So, when your vacation allowance is dwindling, it can be tempting to plan as much sightseeing as possible on a long-haul trip. However, where population densities are higher, so too is the concentration of visitor attractions and the traffic you’ll encounter between them. Thus, you may want to reconsider if your planned itinerary covers six European countries in only two weeks — hurriedly rushing from site to site not only will cause stress, but also might irritate those who realize such places are far more rewarding when given more time.  

Tip Where It’s Not a Thing 

Adding a tip for your server is routine in some parts of the world, and in the U.S., many service sector workers have come to rely on gratuities. However, this practice is not universal, and elsewhere, a higher minimum wage means that employees aren’t so reliant on tips to top up their wages. In some countries, tipping not only is not expected but also can be considered rude. but in places where international travelers have repeatedly ignored this cultural norm, businesses have often sought to capitalize on the practice. To locals, however, a newly installed tip jar in a café can feel unwelcome. After your check has been settled, generously depositing a fistful of notes or coins could annoy the regular clientele if they think they might be judged for not following suit. 

Complain There’s No Ice

If you’re used to being presented with a large glass of iced water at a restaurant or filling your cup full of ice cubes at a soda fountain, it can feel strange to be in a place where that’s not the norm. In Europe, for example, if you want a glass of water, you’d be expected to ask for it, and if you don’t specify that you mean tap water, you’ll be charged for a bottle. And though a cold drink is likely to be served chilled, don’t expect the glass that accompanies it to contain more than a few cubes of ice (if any). Instead of complaining about it, politely ask for ice, and locals will usually be happy to oblige. 

Be Too Loud

Culture and background have an influence on how loudly it is deemed appropriate to talk. A volume that’s normal to one nationality can be considered rude by another. Being unaware of your indoor voice can be a huge faux pas when traveling overseas on public transit, dining out, or visiting quiet attractions such as museums. Likewise, no one wants to relax beside the pool and have to listen to other people’s conversations over their own. Avoid incurring the wrath of fellow tourists and locals alike by respecting the fact that it’s their space, too. Listen for a minute and gauge what’s appropriate for where you are, then set your own volume to match.