Travel Tip from an Amateur: The “Plus One” Rule

Travel has a funny way of exposing the one thing you forgot to bring along.

I have personally spent hours (if not days) planning for a trip including the following.

  • researching destinations
  • checking the weather
  • investigating flight options
  • documenting local hot spots
  • evaluating hotels
  • scheduling activities
  • requesting restaurant reservations
  • noting cellular coverage

The later I discover, at the worst possible moment, that I am missing something that is required for the trip. Or even that I packed exactly enough clothes for the flight, until a delayed flight happened, unexpected rainstorm came occurred, a day trip to a water park, or spilled cup of coffee changed my plans.

After visiting over 30 countries and 20 states, basically plenty of trips under my belt, I have noted a few avoidable travel headaches. Not only have I adopted these myself, but I want to share a simple philosophy with “you.”

Always work to bring one more of everything than you think you need.

Caveat, this is not a suggestion to overpack or bring one extra sock, when they are worn in pairs… I am not suggesting bringing a second suitcase full, that matches your primary suitcase… I am suggesting to bring along just enough to create a safety net when travel inevitably throws a curveball your way and it will, on every trip.

The Plus One Travel Rule

When preparing for and packing for a trip, consider adding one extra of things like the following to your luggage:

The goal is not to pack for every possible disaster or happenstance, but it is to eliminate the most common inconveniences.

  • That extra book or magazine can save you when one gets misplaced in a hotel room or seat-back-pocket.
  • The charger comes in handy when the primary is packed away in the belly of the plane, while you sit idly in an airport during a delay with a phone battery at 10%.
  • That extra shirt becomes invaluable when a flight delay turns a three-day trip into a four-day trip, to make sure you do not stink.
  • That second credit card can be the difference between enjoying your vacation and spending hours resolving a banking issue when you lost the primary card or.

The “plus one” rule creates flexibility, and flexibility is one of the most valuable things you can take along with you on a vacation, a getaway, a sleepover, or even to work.

One Extra “Copy” of Everything Before Leaving Home

One of the easiest travel habits I’ve adopted takes less than five minutes. It is to screenshot or take a photograph of everything that is important before leaving for the airport. Really this is just another “plus one” item for your list.

  • Travel schedules
  • Boarding passes
  • Hotel confirmations
  • Visas to enter and exit countries
  • Passports
  • Drivers’ licenses
  • Vaccination cards
  • Credit cards (front and back)
  • Prescriptions and their containers
  • Rental car reservations
  • Event tickets
  • Train or bus passes

Technology is wonderful right up until your phone loses service, the airline app refuses to load, or airport Wi-Fi becomes unusable. Having screenshots or photographs stored directly on your device provides a simple backup plan. Sometimes the old-fashioned solution of using the original is not the most reliable one, so a copy can be a headache and heartache saver.

Keep Your Travel Purchases in One Place

Whenever possible, book your transportation and travel arrangements through a single website or service. This isn’t always possible because many venues have their own private ticketing, but when it is possible, it makes life significantly easier.

Having flights, hotels, ground transportation, rental cars, and activities organized under one account means:

  • Fewer confirmation emails
  • One place to check schedules
  • Easier cancellations and rebooking
  • Less searching when something goes wrong
  • They are aware of changes when something goes awry

Organization isn’t exciting, but it becomes very exciting when you’re standing in an unfamiliar airport trying to find a reservation number from a list of six providers that you might have used.

Bring a Small Comfort from Home a Your Plus One

Travel is exciting, but it can also be exhausting when long flights, unfamiliar beds, changing schedules, weather, perspiration, and different foods can wear you down faster than expected. Consider packing one of each of the following items in your carry-on that can support in allowing you to feel more comfortable:

It may seem insignificant when packing, but after a long day of travel, a little familiarity can make an airport feel much more like home because you have stuff with you, rather than stowed away in checked baggage.

Download Maps Before You Need Them

Many travelers discover they need maps only after losing internet access, leaving your navigation software useless. Before leaving your house, download the areas you’ll be visiting into Google Maps… this is simple because the emails you received at your gmail.com account will automatically trigger Google to alert you to download the maps.

This is a simple and crucial step that allows you to:

  • Navigate without cell service
  • Reduce data usage
  • Understand travel times and distances without even being onsite
  • Review plans even when off grid or on the plane
  • Find your hotel more easily
  • Continue traveling even in weak signal areas

Whether you’re exploring a foreign country or driving through a rural area, offline maps turn a stressful situation into a minor inconvenience that you have already solved for.

Know Which Credit Cards Travel Well

Paying additional fees on every purchase is an unnecessary expense that can add up quickly during a trip. A few minutes of research before departure can save both money and frustration later. Not all credit cards are created equal, especially when you are strategic about it. Before traveling internationally, before sure to verify the following in preparation for cost savings and cost avoidance.

  • Which cards charge foreign transaction fees
    • How much the fees are
  • Which cards offer travel protection(s)
  • Which cards provide emergency support service(s)
  • Which cards are widely accepted at your destination
    • Visa?
    • Mastercard?
    • American Express?
    • Discover?
    • Store (private) credit cards?

Separate Your Essentials

One small habit can prevent a major travel disruption: never keep all of your important items in one place.

Consider splitting up:

  • Cash
  • Credit cards
  • Identification
  • Medications
  • Travel documents
  • Undergarments
  • Clothing layers

If your backpack gets lost, stolen, or accidentally left behind, you’ll still have alternate access to the things that matter most. I typically keep two credit cards in my wallet, and another secured elsewhere in my luggage, just in case. It is another form of the “Plus One” Rule, not just having a backup, but keeping that backup somewhere different.

Add One Extra Power Bank

Phones have become literal lifelines for billions across our planet. While traveling they act as boarding passes, maps, translators, hotel keys, cameras, payment methods, organizers, and emergency contacts all rolled into one portable item. Running out of or low on battery can create far more problems than simply missing a few text messages.

Consider adding one extra power bank and charging cable compatible in a separate location from your primary travel electronics pack. Much like the extra credit card, you may never need it, but if your phone battery dies at the wrong moment, you’ll be glad you packed your “plus one.”

Pack a Basic Medical/Medication Kit for Flights

Most trips do not require a pharmacy, but nearly every traveler eventually encounters a headache, upset stomach, blister, sunburn, minor injury, or just needs a bit of help getting to sleep on a plane.

A simple “plus one” medical pouch might contain:

The goal here is not to prepare for a medical emergency at all. The goal is to avoid spending your first evening in an unfamiliar city searching for a store that sells something as simple as aspirin. A tiny medical backup kit takes very little space, but it can save a surprising amount of time, stress, and money when something minor disrupts your plans.

The Real Secret to Better Travel

In my previous article, Packing Tips from an Amateur, I discussed planning ahead, packing intentionally, and avoiding common travel mistakes. The lesson I’ve learned since then is that successful travel isn’t about perfection… It’s about planning and preparation…

  • You don’t need to bring everything you own with you.
  • You don’t need a suitcase the size of a small apartment.
  • You simply need enough redundancy to handle life’s inevitable surprises.

Sooner or later, something will go wrong during your time away.

  • A flight will be delayed
  • A charger will stop working
  • A bag will arrive late

When that issue happens, you’ll be very happy you packed just one more than you thought you needed. I want everyone to travel smarter, pack lighter, and always remember the “Plus One” Rule.

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