The “How to Travel Like You’re Rich, Even If You’re Not” Issue

Vol. 07

Welcome Aboard, Jetsetters!

You know we’re all about the luxury. But just because we like Dom Pérignon doesn’t mean we’re out here pouring our savings down the departure gate.

This issue? It’s for the savvy travelers who want to live well and spend less. Because believe it or not, travel doesn’t have to be expensive... especially if you know the hacks.

So buckle up. We’re about to drop the most glamorous penny-pinching tips you’ve ever read. And yes... you’ll want to screenshot these.

Feature: 4 Luxe Travel Hacks That Save (and Make) You Money

1. Fly Now, Points Later

You’re spending money anyway... might as well let it take you to Morocco.
Get a travel rewards credit card (think Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Preferred) and put all your monthly expenses on it.
That sign-up bonus alone could be worth $800+ in free flights or hotel nights. Just make sure you pay it off in full (we said JetLag & Chill, not JetLag & Debt).

TL;DR: Points = free travel = very you.

2. Sleep Like a Local (For Free)

Hotels are nice. Free villas are nicer.
Try TrustedHousesitters or Couchsurfing for zero-cost lodging. You watch their dog; you get their pool. It’s a fair trade.
Bonus: you’ll meet real locals, not just the guy in the gift shop selling fridge magnets.

Pro tip: Housesitting in Tuscany? Yes please.

3. Fly When No One Else Wants To

Want $400 off your flight? Book on a Tuesday. Fly on a Wednesday. Pick the 6am departure your bestie said sounded "unholy."
Flights are always cheaper midweek, off-peak, and at ridiculous hours. That’s the magic zone.

😴 Hack the clock, not your bank account.

4. Work a Little, Wander a Lot

Who says you can’t make money on the beach?
Teach English online, start a freelance gig, or partner with a remote-friendly company.
If you’re already working from home, congrats—you’re one VPN away from sipping matcha in Tokyo while filing those reports.

The goal is freedom. The secret is income you can take anywhere.

JetSet Spotlight: Favorite Tools for Money-Smart Travelers

• Remote OK: Find real remote jobs, fast.
• TrustedHousesitters: Free global housing for animal lovers.
• Skyscanner: The OG flight hack engine.
• Revolut / Wise Cards: Beat international bank fees like a boss.
• Chase Sapphire: Our go-to card for earning points like a rockstar.

🎙️ Podcast Drop of the Week

“Luxury on a Budget: How to Jet Lag & Still Chill”
This week we break down exactly how some of our favorite globe-trotters save serious money while living their best lives. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, you’ll probably book a flight.

→ Listen now on Spotify

Volume 1 of our JetLag & Chill Money Hack Series:

“How to Outsmart Airlines & Still Look Cute Doing It”

(a.k.a. The Flights Edition of our 40-Point Checklist Deep Dive)

Fly Genius.... JetLag & Chill Style

If you're not flying smarter in 2025, you're basically just donating your money to the airlines... and unless they're offering in-flight massages or a rooftop pool, we say hard pass. This edition is all about flying high… while keeping your bank account firmly grounded.

SECTION 1: FLIGHT HACKS TO FLY FIRST & PAY COACH

1. Use Points, Not Pity

What to do: Sign up for travel credit cards that give a huge bonus for hitting minimum spend.
The trick: Use those bonus points for business class flights — not hotel rooms.
JetLag & Chill Tip: Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and Capital One Venture X are our top tier.

2. Google Flights = Your New Travel BFF

What to do: Use Google Flights to search flexible dates and track prices.
The trick: Prices often drop Tuesday–Wednesday. Set alerts.
JetLag & Chill Tip: Type in your departure city, then leave destination blank. You’ll see the cheapest places you could fly.

3. Use "Skiplagging" (but like a secret agent)

What to do: Use sites like Skiplagged to find “hidden city” tickets.
The trick: Book a flight with a layover in your actual destination, and just don’t board the second leg.
JetLag & Chill Tip: Don’t check luggage. Don’t make a scene. Discretion is the flex.

4. Buy Flights in Other Currencies

What to do: On international airline sites, sometimes prices are cheaper in the local currency.
The trick: Use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card and compare currencies with Google.
JetLag & Chill Tip: You might save hundreds on long-haul flights. Cheers to booking your flight in rupees.

5. Fly Budget... But Pimp It Out

What to do: Book a budget airline, then upgrade only the parts that matter.
The trick: Bring your own snacks, sleep mask, neck pillow, and download the playlist that makes you forget you're in seat 34E.
JetLag & Chill Tip: You’ll save money and still be the most moisturized person on board.

6. Use a VPN to Book Flights Cheaper

What to do: Turn on a VPN, switch to a different country (try India, Mexico, or Singapore), and refresh the booking page.
The trick: Airlines show different prices based on where they think you are.
JetLag & Chill Tip: You didn’t lie. You just… relocated virtually.

7. Book Two One-Ways Instead of a Round Trip

What to do: Search for one-way flights separately — even with different airlines.
The trick: Mixing and matching can slash prices and give you better departure times.
JetLag & Chill Tip: Use sites like Kiwi.com or Hopper to play flight DJ.

8. Take the Red-Eye... and the Refund

What to do: Book refundable flights or flights with price guarantees.
The trick: If the price drops, some airlines let you get a refund or travel credit for the difference.
JetLag & Chill Tip: Apps like Hopper or Capital One Travel monitor this for you automatically.

9. Sign Up for Flight Deal Alerts

What to do: Use sites like Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going), Secret Flying, or Dollar Flight Club.
The trick: Set your departure airports and get alerts for mistake fares or wild deals.
JetLag & Chill Tip: Our subscribers have flown to Tokyo for $340 round trip. You snooze, you overpay.

10. Airport Lounge Hacking

What to do: Get a card that gives lounge access... or buy a one-time pass.
The trick: Airport food is robbery. Lounges save you money and sanity.
JetLag & Chill Tip: Priority Pass + Amex = Champagne before takeoff. Thank us later.

TL;DR: Top 3 Flight Money Moves

• Points Are Power: Sign up for that card, rack up the miles, and fly like a boss.
• Tech is Your Travel Agent: Google Flights, VPNs, and alerts = full control.
• Cheap Seats, Bougie Experience: Budget airline + your own luxuries = best of both skies.

UP NEXT IN THIS SERIES:

Stay tuned for the next edition: How to Sleep in Style Without Selling a Kidney (Lodging Hacks)

Until Next Time...

Remember: you don’t need a million bucks to live like you have one. You just need good taste, clever timing, and this newsletter.

Want to live location-independent, financially free, and covered in sunscreen in some dreamy, off-grid beach town?

Then keep reading, keep exploring... and always JetLag & Chill.

Forward this to someone who needs to travel smarter, not harder.
Follow us for more hacks, laughs, and secret lounge doors @jetlagandchill.org