3 Easy Ways to Have the Best Holiday Ever

3 Easy Ways to Have the Best Holiday Ever

Wanna have the best holiday ever? Let’s face it. Travelling is one of life’s most beautiful privileges. I feel so lucky to have had a life filled with lots of travel. From Australia to Dubai, and almost everywhere in between, I can’t imagine being who I am today without having had those amazing experiences abroad. Travel is a time to learn about other cultures and customs, but it’s also a time to relax and treat yourself. Believe me; I’ve developed a whole arsenal of strategies. From choosing American Express Gold Rewards Card as my preferred travel companion to make travelling the most comfortable as possible. Comfort, to me, means I can enjoy myself and feel at-home even when I’m on the road.

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I have been searching for the perfect travel credit card for over a year. Partnering with American Express gave me the opportunity to learn more about the Gold Rewards Card, which has become my go-to for trips and everyday life. It is so easy to have the best holiday ever when I have my Amex in my wallet because it is just so flexible, consistent and dependable. Sometimes I travel for work, sometimes I travel for play. No matter where the road leads me, I can use the new Fixed Points Travel Program to book travel without seat restrictions or hidden fees – FINALLY. The number of points required for flights in each destination category is fixed – every day of the year, regardless of peak travel seasons!

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That’s one thing I hate about booking travel: the time it takes to find the best flight, the best price and paying for it accordingly. The easiest way to book your next holiday?  New Gold Rewards Cardmembers earn 25,000 Membership Rewards points when they spend $1,500 in the first three months. And you can turn around and use these points for travel with the Fixed Point Travel Program , and even use them to book business class (so necessary!). If you can cut down the time spent planning your vacation, that’s definitely an easy way to kick start your next best holiday ever. More time for making memories and doing stuff like deciding what to pack!.

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One thing I’ve learned is to never pack last minute. Also, don’t feel you have to bring everything along with you. Once I realized that less is more (and trust me, I used to be a 3 suitcase minimum type of gal), it totally made traveling way less stressful. I had less to worry about, less clothes, less accessories, and that was fine. Sure, there have been moments when I wish I had brought that t-shirt or those jeans. However, overall, planning outfits in advance and wearing the same dress or jacket more than once, has literally added years to my life. Years with which I plan to do more travelling!

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Another tip I’ve learned that is a super easy way to have the best holiday ever? Everything you do in everyday life should somehow be working towards travel rewards. Really, the reason I’ve been looking for the perfect travel credit card is because I want my regular everyday spending to count towards flights, hotels and other travel expenses. Why not! If I’m going to be buying gas and groceries anyways, might as well have a card that earns me 2 points for every dollar I spend on eligible everyday spend and travel. I can then use my points to pay for all kinds of travel that I charge on my Amex Gold Rewards Card. When I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to pay for my next flight – or maybe say yes to an extra trip like last minute to Art Basel (which seems to be a theme in my life) – I can continue to be as jet-set as possible.

Either that, or I’m going to have to change the name of this blog! LOL.

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So, in summary, here are 3 Easy Ways to Have the Best Holiday Ever:

  1. Get a travel companion that is flexible, consistent and dependable so you don’t have to worry about converting points or flight restrictions or hidden fees. Just pack your bags and go!
  2. Speaking of packing you bags, do so in advance to avoid over packing. Less stress is a carry-on. Wear items more than once. (HINT: pack all your favourites and you’ll never be stuck for outfits).
  3. Get into “travel mode” right now. Use your Gold Rewards Card to earn points on everyday purchases that can then translate to hotel stays and flights. Just live as though you’re next dream trip is around the corner – and with the new American Express Gold Rewards Card, it very well could be!

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This post was sponsored by American Express, however the opinions and travel tips are my own.

8 Comments

  1. December 5, 2016 / 5:13 pm

    We are going to Hawaii in January and I keep thinking of outfits that I should wear/bring. I hate packing, and keep thinking that I should pull all these ideas together now, before I forget! I need to be more strategic and bring LESS!!! Love reading your blog ;)… miss Toronto every day. XOX Chantsy

    • Justine Iaboni
      December 6, 2016 / 10:20 am

      Aw hey!! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment!!! So, my strategy for holiday packing is to stick to one colour palette with 2 accent colours. For example, for Hawaii, I would do a base of let’s say white – and then accent with camel and pink, accessories in straw (like a straw bag and straw hat – a bitch to pack so I would wear it on the plane regardless of how eager you look!!). A pair of white sneakers, a pair of flip flops and one pair of dressy espadrilles (hawaii is fortunately/unfortunately? super casual). 2-3 bikinis. A pair of denim shorts. 1-2 long dresses (I live in them in tropical destinations). And you’re done! Bring one set of jewellery and maybe like, a statement necklace or cocktail ring to dress up a nighttime look. If you wanna wear something new but not break the bank, I just go on an H&M shopping spree to grab a few new items in my restricted colour palette. And always bring something fun and totally impractical (like a crochet vest or beaded pants) you never know where your vacation will take you!!!! Hope that helps! xoxo J

    • Justine Iaboni
      December 6, 2016 / 10:20 am

      Thank you!!! xo J

  2. December 6, 2016 / 1:14 am

    I actually agree with how tricky it is to find the perfect credit card for traveling, cus some just give you more headache than convenience. Thanks for the recommendation!

    xx Margaret
    http://www.maleemaleehong.com

    • Justine Iaboni
      December 6, 2016 / 10:22 am

      Yes! I love that the Gold Rewards Amex has a flexible point system. To my understanding you just book whatever travel you want, and pay for it using your points online. How easy is that! xoxo J

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