Stuff We Use

People often ask us about what we travel with—whether it’s the credit cards we use, how we stay connected, or the gear that makes life on the road easier. So, we’ve put it all together in one place.

These are the things that work for us, and we’re sharing them here in case they help you too. Some of the links below are referral links, which means if you decide to check them out, we might earn a little something—at no extra cost to you. No pressure, just sharing what we actually use and love.

Money & Travel Essentials 💳

The financial and logistical stuff that keeps our journey smooth and stress-free.

  • Capital One Venture X – Our go-to travel credit card. Solid rewards, travel credits, and lounge access perks.

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve – Our other go-to travel credit card for points, perks, and travel insurance. Great lounge access too.

  • Schwab Debit Card – No foreign transaction fees and ATM fee reimbursement worldwide. Excellent customer service and great brokerage! Always decline conversion on the ATM so you get the market rate.

  • Lounge Access – Essential for long layovers and travel comfort. Our cards help with this.

  • TSA PreCheck & Global Entry – Speeds up airport security and immigration, cutting down wait times and making travel smoother. Free with Chase Saphire or Capital One Venture X.

  • Traveling Mailbox – A virtual mailbox for receiving and managing mail while abroad.

Travel Planning Tools 🗺️

Planning our adventures takes more than just luck—we rely on a few key tools to stay organized, find the best deals, and make informed decisions.

  • ChatGPT & Custom GPTs – Our go-to for quick travel research, itinerary planning, and brainstorming ideas. Custom GPTs help tailor advice to our travel style.

  • Google Flights – The best way to track airfare deals, set alerts, and compare routes to save money. Research here but book through portal or direct.

  • Booking Flights & Hotels – We book strategically using the Capital One and Chase travel portals to maximize points, but when it makes sense, we book directly with airlines and hotels for added benefits and flexibility.

  • Second Brain (Apple Notes, Notion, Trello) – We use these tools to organize trip ideas, itineraries, and must-visit spots, keeping everything in one place.

  • Google Maps & Apple Maps – Essential for navigating new cities, finding local spots, and planning routes with real-time traffic updates.

Staying Connected 📱

How we stay online, call home, and work from anywhere.

  • Google Fi – Our primary phone service for travel. It works almost everywhere with no data fees, free texts, and affordable calls—making it a simple, hassle-free solution for staying connected globally.

  • Airalo eSIM – Affordable international cell data without the hassle of physical SIM cards. Local SIM Cards are cheaper than eSIMs for long stays.

  • Starlink – Reliable satellite internet for remote locations.

  • WhatsApp – Our go-to for staying in touch with friends and family worldwide.

  • ChatGPT – Handy for on-the-go translation of text from images and live conversations, making communication easier while traveling. It’s a must-have!

  • Google Translate – A reliable tool for translating text, speech, and even menus with offline capabilities.

  • Duolingo – A fun way to practice local languages daily and pick up key phrases before or during your trip.

  • Preply – Connect with local teachers for personalized language lessons to improve conversation skills.

    Google Cloud (or other storage options) – Keeping our photos and important files backed up.

  • VPN (Virtual Private Network) – Essential for security and accessing content abroad.

Getting Around 🚗✈️

Apps and services that make transportation a breeze.

  • Uber – For quick and easy rides, especially in cities.

  • Airbnb – Where we usually stay for a more local experience.

  • Hertz – Our preferred rental car service with great loyalty perks.

  • Bounce Luggage Storage – Handy service for storing bags while exploring.

Gear We Love 🎒

The stuff that makes packing, organizing, and living on the road easier.

Tech & Entertainment 📚🎧

Staying entertained and productive while traveling.

  • Kindle – Lightweight and perfect for reading on the go.

  • Libby – Our favorite way to access free eBooks and audiobooks from libraries around the world. Perfect for downtime without adding extra weight to our bags.

  • Spotify – Music, podcasts and a huge library of audiobooks to keep us going.

  • Journal – Because some things are better written down.

  • GoPro & DJI Osmo – Capturing our favorite moments in action.

  • DJI Mic – Compact and high-quality wireless microphone, great for recording videos or podcasts on the go.

  • Apple Earbuds – Simple and reliable for travel.

  • Portable Second Monitor – Helpful for remote work setups.

Health & Comfort 🏕️

Staying prepared for anything the journey brings.

  • Costco Clothing – We keep things simple by getting most of our clothes from Costco. It’s good quality, affordable, and helps reduce decision fatigue. When we find something we like, we buy multiples—making packing and outfit choices effortless.

  • Medical Kit – Packed with essentials for minor mishaps. We now travel with a few things in a ziplock bag as this is rarely used. You can buy stuff anywhere.

  • Water Filter – Staying hydrated no matter where we are. Better than LifeStraw.

  • Personal Hygiene Kit (nail clippers, tweezers, etc.) – Small but essential.

  • Travel-size Toiletries – Compact toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner for easy packing.

  • LED Inflatable Light – Perfect for camping, nightlight or power outages. It’s one of our favorite travel finds.

Hopefully, this list helps you as much as it’s helped us. If you have any questions about any of these items or how we travel, feel free to reach out. We’re happy to share what we’ve learned along the way.

Happy travels! ✈️