If you haven't read or at least skimmed Part One of this guide please go give it a look otherwise some things may not make any sense. But if you have, YAY welcome to Part Two of How to Start Traveling in 2025! Just want to include that this is not financial advice and based on my own mistakes and experiences.
post contains links that I may earn kickback from
Make Your Expenses Worth It!
So you are saving up but you obviously still have expenses aka rent, groceries, gas and so on and so fourth. If you are going to spend the money anyway might as well get a little kickback from it which is why I recommend opening up a credit card that will get you rewards and miles from spending this money.
Pay off in full every month
It is very much not free money
For your first one get one with no annual free
Find a travel one with no foreign transaction fees
Start spending to build credit and credit limit
PLEASE WATCH THIS IS YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TAUGHT HOW TO USE A CREDIT CARD RESPONSIBLY (its okay we should be taught in school but aren't)
For my first travel credit card, I got the Capital One Venture One because it had no foreign transaction fees, no annual fee, and seemed to be a good starter credit card since I had never had one before. Before going on my trip, I was able to build up my credit limit as well as miles that I could use on flights, hotels or entertainment (sports, shows etc.)
Things I Did Wrong...
My biggest mistake in all of this was that I didn't have a big enough credit limit. Because I had never had a credit card before, they only gave me a limit of US$2,300 and because I wasn't making any substantial purchases while I was at home (lived rent and grocery payment free with my parents) it did not help in building a high credit limit.
Because of this, I booked my flights, got to Europe and started spending money but had reached my credit limit... Luckily I had my debit card with me but that took about $5 out of my account every time I wanted to use it so... babe spent a LOT in foreign transacation fees.
Cards That I Recommend Having With You
Main travel tredit tard (no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee || book all flights through here and hotels when possible)
No ATM fee card (Charles Schwab)
Backup credit card
What Travel Credit Card Should I Get?
Companies are always coming out with new credit cards so check the website above as well as Nerd Wallet for the best cards!
My Beef With Some Credit Cards Abroad
So, it is not all glamorous in the world of credit cards becasue with my current card (Capital One Venture One) when I make purchases online, it typically needs to verify that it is actually me making the purchases which they do through sending me a code of my phone number... but babe is traveling (hence the travel credit card) so I don't have my American phoone number that is connected to the card. I am usually able to tap my card to my phone but damn does this system not make any sense in my opinion!
That's It For Part Two!
Subscribe for part three!:)