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I love traveling.  That’s no secret.  As much as I love it for myself, I also find joy in seeing others out there crisscrossing the globe for themselves. Unfortunately, I don’t see many people of color traveling; especially those who are middle-aged like myself. I’d like to help change that.  So I’ve compiled a list of action items detailing how to start traveling for beginners, which will help lay the groundwork and give you the tools you need to get started.

It’s not lost on me that traveling is a privilege.  There are some for whom financially, traveling is just not an option right now. I get that.  However, there are some who do have the means but just need a little help and guidance getting started. 

For the traveling newbie who is ready to get out there and really see the world, here are some tips that will help lay the foundation for a lifetime of travel:

How to start traveling for beginners

Get Your Passport

A passport is necessary for all international travel.  This should be your first step as a newbie traveler.  Your U.S. passport is your ticket to the world!  The total cost of a passport for adults is $145. 

It takes approximately 4-6 weeks for your passport application to be processed and sent to you. You will need proof of your citizenship and proof identity to apply.  Click the link to get the process started.

Start a Travel Savings Account

Get your coins up! Travel ain’t free!  These travel tips for beginners are useless if you don’t have the funds to travel. So the majority of us will need to set a budget and save for our travel goals.  A great way to do this is through an online automatic savings account by which you deposit a small amount of money each pay period into that account AND DON’T TOUCH IT! 

You will only withdraw from that account for travel-related expenses.  Online accounts are easy to set up and should not be with the banking institution you primarily use for your day to day transactions.  Here are the two that I use: American Express Personal Savings (you don’t need an American Express card to open an account) and Ally Bank. 

I certainly am not offering financial advice, but I’ve found that saving in this way is an easy set it and forget it. Let the travel savings begin!

Apply for Global Entry

Once you receive your passport you should go on ahead and apply for the Global Entry program. I love having Global Entry!!! When arriving back into the United States, the global entry program reduces wait times by allowing check-in at the Global Entry kiosk.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve returned from traveling internationally to a customs line snaking through the terminal.  But with Global Entry, I breeze right past to a kiosk and I’m usually done and out in less than 5 minutes. 

Here is the icing on the cake, Global Entry members are eligible to participate in TSA Pre-Check.  Believe me, YOU WANT THIS!  It allows you to move quickly through the checking/screening process prior to boarding.  You DO NOT have to remove your belt, shoes, liquids, laptops, or jackets.  You can read about the TSA Pre-Check here.  But remember it comes as a benefit of Global Entry.  So don’t apply separately.  Pretty cool, huh? 

Once you complete the application process you’ll be scheduled for a face-to-face appointment with a Custom and Border Patrol (CBP) officer.  Just know that appointments as scheduled pretty-far out.  This is normal.  Go ahead and get the ball rolling. 

Please note: You can get Global Entry FOR FREE!  Several credit cards reimburse (applied credit) for the global entry application fee.  For example, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Platinum Card from American Express to name a few.

Create a Travel Destination List

I think everyone should have a travel bucket list.  A list of locations that you want to visit.  Have fun with this part.  What immediately comes to mind?  Write that down.  This is not the time to be rational.  Have you thought about going to Africa?  Write it down.  Would you love to see Prince’s home in Minneapolis?  Write it down.  There is nothing too near or too far.  International or domestic, it does not matter.  Write it down. 

What are some of your hobbies, or passions projects?  Is there any particular place in the world that is home to those things?  Put it on the list.  I know women who run and have run marathons all over the world.  Do you want to see Serena Williams play tennis at the Australian Open?  Put it on the list.  The point here is dream big. 

You can create this list on your phone in the notes section so it’s always handy.  But don’t stop there.  Research your list and make notes.  Here are examples of what to include in your notes:

• When is the high season (most popular time to visit, the weather is nicer, the prices are higher)?  Low season (fewer tourists, weather not the best, cheaper airfare and accommodations, etc.)?
• Usual airfare from your hometown airport
• Things you’d like to see/Restaurants you’d like to try

Sign Up for Email Flight Deal Alerts

Travel deals, more specifically, airfare deals have a very short half-life.  In just a couple of days, that out of this world cheap airfare deal can disappear into thin air.  Being in the know early when deals are released is vital.  The way to be in the know EARLY is to sign up for travel deal alerts. 

The great flight deals I got to Tokyo, Vietnam, and Sydney Australia were all due to being signed up to these kinds of travel deal alerts. This is how I plan most of my trips. If a flight deal comes along to a location that is on my travel list, I grab it.

I’m signed up for the following. You can sign up for the email and/or follow their social media accounts:

• Fare Deal Alert
• Scott’s Cheap Flights
• Travel Pirates
• The Flight Deal
• Airfare Watchdog
• Secret Flying

Sign Up for Frequent Flier Mile Programs

You will need to be a member of the airlines’ frequent flyer programs to accumulate miles to earns free airline tickets.  You can certainly sign up for all of them (since an airfare deal might come through any of them).  The best way to capture most of the major airlines is through the major airline alliances. Most major airlines belong to one of these three large alliances:

• Star Alliance (United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, plus 23 others). By signing up for one of the airline frequent flyer programs (e.g., United) you will be able to earn and redeem miles with that one airline program across all Star Alliance member airlines.
• Oneworld (American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, plus 10 others). Join one member airline frequent flyer program then book a trip with any member airline and your points will start adding up.
• Skyteam (Delta, Alitalia, KLM, plus 16 others). Join one airline program and enjoy the benefits of all the 19 airline programs.

Download Airfare Search Apps

Mobile phones are pretty much an additional appendage these days.  They often get a bad rap but the truth is they certainly can be utilized to make your life easier. One way is to use your mobile phone to search for airfare prices.  You can even set search results notifications straight from your phone. 

Say you need a flight in a couple of months leaving Charlotte to Los Angeles.  You can search through any one of these apps and if the price is acceptable, just purchase the ticket.  But if the price is a bit high, you can set a reminder to notify you when the price changes.  What could be better than that? 

Here are the apps that I use most often and they can be downloaded from iTunes or Google Play:

• Momondo
• Skyscanner
• Hopper
• Hipmunk

Join Facebook Travel Groups

Want some inspiration to travel?  Well, Facebook travel groups have plenty of it and more.  There is a dizzying amount of travel groups on Facebook.  If you have a specific travel passion, there is probably a Facebook group for it. 

Facebook groups come in all shapes and sizes, just find the one that’s the best fit for YOU.  Facebook travel groups are great places to be inspired by travel pictures, get information about accommodations, be encouraged by travel stories, and connect with like-minded individuals. 

Here are a few of the Facebook travel groups that I’m a part of:

• Girls LOVE Travel®
• Black Travel Movement
• Sisters Traveling Solo™

Okay, so we’ve laid the foundation. We’ve covered everything you need to know about how to start traveling for beginners. For the travel beginner, implementing any of these action items will move you closer to your goal of traveling more often and getting out there and seeing the world.  Perhaps, you’ve already implemented most of these action items, booked a flight and are ready to go. So what’s next?  There are some things you should know before you go. I’ve got you covered with Part 2 of our travel series on what to do before traveling internationally.

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