🏃‍♀️ How to avoid missing your connection

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Well helloooo, weekend crew! 💛

Gosh, I just miss ya during the week, ya know?

Not to alarm anyone, but summer is right around the corner.

Flights are being booked, group chats are getting increasingly active, and calendars are filling up…

As we approach all the fun, let’s chat about a few quick travel things.

🤝 There’s a rare 20% transfer bonus to Air Canada Aeroplan (ends April 30!).

🛍️ Earn points (or credits) back on everyday purchases with these merchant offers.

🏨 Hyatt fans can score 500 bonus points per night right now.

🌸 Try something new and check out this spot for cherry blossoms (for cheaper).

🤘 Want to see a concert in another city for FREE? Here’s how.

🎥 Learn how to maximize Marriott’s hotel program in this week’s Daily Drop YouTube video.

🏆 Our Favorite Pick: Let’s talk about tight layovers

There are two types of travelers.

The “45-minute layover is totally doable” people…

And the “I’d rather sit at the gate for two hours than risk it” people.

I’ve lived both lives. I’ve “Hannah Montana-ed,” if you will.

Unfortunately… I’ve learned the hard way.

Gather ‘round, kids — quick storytime with Aunt KayKay. 👵

A few years ago, I had a tight connection in Dallas Fort Worth Airport on the way to Amsterdam. It looked fine on paper. In reality, it turned into a full sprint across the airport with everything I owned for the next few weeks strapped to my back.

We made it to the gate as they were basically closing the door, and my friend and I were the last two people to board. Fully out of breath. Sweating. Then immediately sitting down for an 8-hour flight like my heart rate wasn’t just pumping in the 185-range. Humbling. Truly.

Since then, I’ve had some thoughts on layovers.

The annoying answer is there’s no perfect rule.

You can do everything “right” and still get delayed, stuck taxiing, or caught in a slow-a** security line.

You’re not eliminating risk… you’re just trying not to ruin your day.

If you want a loose starting point, here’s what I’d go by:

Domestic to domestic: 60 to 90 minutes
International to domestic: 90 to 120 minutes
International to international: 2 to 3 hours

Yes, you could go shorter.

But you’re basically betting your entire day on everything going perfectly, which, in air travel, is bold.

And if you’re like me, you might end up doing some involuntary cardio in an airport you didn’t plan to explore that way.

By the time you factor in deplaning, walking (or speed-walking), security, immigration, and gate changes, that 75-minute layover disappears fast.

A couple of things I’m way more careful about now:

One ticket vs. separate tickets

If everything’s booked on one ticket, the airline has to help you if you miss your connection.

Separate tickets? Good luck, soldier.

You’re on your own, and that could mean buying a last-minute ticket.

Positioning flights

Same idea-ish here.

If you’re flying to a major hub to catch a better long-haul deal, give yourself plenty of time.

Or even yet, turn it into a little stopover, which is way less stressful (and way more fun!).

👀 Helpful Guide: If you want a deeper dive on which airports are easiest for that, this guide breaks it down really well.

Why the actual airport matters

Some places are easy. Others… are not.

If you’re connecting through somewhere like London Heathrow Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, or John F. Kennedy International Airport, just assume everything will take longer and plan accordingly.

At this point, my philosophy is pretty simple: I’d rather have extra time and not need it than be sprinting through an airport with my entire wardrobe on my back again.

Once was enough. 🙃

☝️ One More Pro Tip: Lounges change the game here. Once you go lounge, you never go back. And, several top credit cards give you lounge access, like this fan-favorite and this other one we love.

Ok, sorry, one last thing!

When you’re thinking about connections, it also pays to have (1) travel insurance and (2) some good apps downloaded on the old cellular device.

I linked some guides to both of those for you in case you’re craving even more weekend reading time. ❤️

📲 On the subject of practical travel

Ok, one more quick thing… because it’s genuinely so helpful!

Earlier this week, Mike dropped the words, “single favorite travel tool.”

Naturally, we all simultaneously pressed our ears to the door. 🙂

What was he talking about, you ask? eSIMS!

What the heck is an eSIM? It’s basically a digital SIM card built into your device that lets you connect to mobile networks without swapping a physical card.

Our friends over at Airalo eSIMs have it going on, with things like:

An elite status program
Their own portal
Stacking opportunities
And tons more!

If you’re traveling anytime in the future and plan to use technology (so, like… everyone?), prepare beforehand with an eSIM. You’ll be so glad.

👀 This Week’s Must-Reads

3 Best Ways To Use 75,000 UR Points

In this article, we’re looking at all things travel portals, high-value hotel and airline transfer partners, and what discounts you could snag along the way.

Can You Get a Business Credit Card Without a Business?

You don’t need an LLC or employees to get a business credit card. If you’ve got a side hustle, you might already qualify — here’s what you need to know.

The Easiest Way to Turn Capital One miles Into a Free Trip

See how to use Capital One miles at one cent per point to cover flights, hotels, and more in these three popular destinations, all from one welcome offer.