Jet Setting With Me | Luxury Travel Hacks and Tips for Unique Traveling Experiences and Dream Destinations

134. Master Holiday Travel Without Being a Karen

• Michele Schwartz

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Holiday travel doesn’t have to turn you into that traveler. In this episode, I’m sharing how to master holiday travel without being a Karen. You’ll learn how to prep your mindset before you even leave the house, how to keep your cool (and your class) in crowded airports and tin-can cabins, and which travel hacks and gadgets can actually make your trip feel effortless.

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Connect with Michele on IG: @jetsettingwithmichele or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/MMTinsiders

Contact Michele to plan your next vacation: www.makinmemoriestravel.co/contact, michele@makinmemoriestravel.co, or schedule a 15 minute consult: https://tidycal.com/texasmfs/15-minute-meeting

This episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

Hello jet setters. Welcome back to another episode of Jet Setting with me. The me here is Michele with Making Memories travel company, your memory maker and your wanderlust instigator. The holiday travel season is upon us. It's absolutely the busiest, most hectic time of the year to fly, drive or really just get from point A to point B, even in the parking lot at your local post office. Without losing your mind, did I just share a little bit of my frustration with you? Well, you know, tis the season. If you have ever found yourself thinking you would not be alone. How do I not become that traveler? You know, the one that everyone dreads sitting next to.


 

Then this episode is your go to guide. Today we are diving into how not to be a Karen in the height of holiday travel. That's right. I'm going to share my own savvy tips, my etiquette essentials, and a few smart hacks that I have learned along the way to help you maintain your cool, stay extra AF and glide through the chaos with confidence and class. So let's take a deep breath and let's get into it. Mindset and preparation. Set yourself up for success. Tip number one.


 

I have said it before, I will say it again. I keep saying it in my head. My husband reminds me that when I do it, not to pack it in my overnight bag, excuse me, in my checked luggage, but to pack it in my carry on. What am I packing? My patience. That's correct. Pack your patience. Holiday travel is notorious for testing your patience. Actually, travel during a government shutdown is also notorious for testing.


 

Testing your patients. Really? Travel at many US International airports are notorious for testing your patients. So as Mr. Jett, sitting with me, likes to remind me, I love to vacation and I hate to travel. Truth. From long security lines to unexpected delays, finding your patients can be difficult. But the truth is, Gabby Bernstein, you're on my heart and mind right now. Your mindset can make or break the experience.


 

So let's approach all of our journeys with grace and flexibility. Yes, that does even go for the parking lot in your local post office when you expect hiccups. As we all do know they're coming, they become easier to handle without the frustration bubbling over. So think back to that harried holiday moment from last year when your patients felt scarce. And instead of letting frustration win, choose kindness. Simple smile. See yourself helping a stressed traveler in line. The tiny act won't just shift your energy or my energy.


 

It shifts the entire energy around us. Yes, I did say I was channeling Gabby Bernstein and it's a little woo woo, but still, I buy it. Shifting the energy in the universe spreads goodwill. It reminds us travel is a shared adventure. And one of the things that we all love most about it is meeting and connecting with other people. Strangers who may have stories that we want to hear. So a little compassion goes a very long way. A subtle Mind Shift Shift can help turn airport chaos into calm.


 

When it is at its peak, it does bear repeating. Pack your patience. Tip number two of mindset and preparation. Plan ahead and harness all your tools. Your phone. I'm talking about your smartphone. You know that thing that's attached to your arm? That thing? It can be your greatest ally or it can be your worst frenemy. Sometimes both on a travel day.


 

So download those apps. Sign up for those alerts. Get cozy with airline chatbots. They're your modern magic wand. My secret weapon, however, is the Starbucks mobile order app. Whether I'm on the shuttle from Fast park or after I'm touched down crossing terminals, I snag my coffee ahead and I dodged the endless Starbucks airport lines. Trust me, if you have ever walked past that airline Starbucks, you have seen that cue snake like a dragon. You will appreciate this hack.


 

I even have a whole episode on travel apps. It's number 96. The link is in the show notes if you want to be truly travel tech savvy, number three of preparation and mindset. Choose flights strategically for your maximum calm. I prefer for you to take the earliest flights. They are less likely to be delayed. You can buffer your connections generously and book non stop whenever you can. Small choices when you are purchasing your flights can yield huge, huge dividends in a peace of mind.


 

Later when I have to select a connecting flight or I'm returning to the US and know I'll have to clear customs, I am very choosy about my airport. For example, I know that TSA Precheck and the international rivals at DFW closes early, creating a significant backlog of passengers who are trying to connect to domestic flights. So having to navigate that after a long flight, it truly does turn me into a Karen and I have to remind myself to keep her firmly in my brain. Therefore, I hate to connect through dfw. These three mindset and prep tips create the foundation for calm, confident holiday travel. But really all travel, even in the busiest airports and the longest lines. 2nd overall tip travel Etiquette. Let's all elevate our behavior and stay extra af.


 

Can you say that in your inside voices please? Now that your brain is in Holiday travel mode. It is time to elevate your behavior. Your poise is your power, especially in crowded cabins and packed terminals. So tip number one under this section, respect the crew and your fellow passengers, flight attendants and airline staff, and TSA and air traffic controllers. These are frontline superheroes. They keep us safe, they make the ride safe. They might even serve us a few snacks along the way, but really, they keep it bearable. And a little kindness and gratitude just go such an enormous way, especially right now.


 

On my last trip, I forgot my treats. I was gonna bring them and all I said to the tsa, it was traveling during government shutdown. I just looked at her and I said, thank you so much for being here right now. And she looked at me and she said, thank you for saying that. It really means a lot. We appreciate it. So just having the moment to say thank you for being here. We know you're keeping us safe.


 

Even though at the time that I said it, she was not being paid to be there. That's just a really nice thing. On a recent trip to Europe, I've talked about this trip before. Our flight hit a snag with mechanical delays and kudos to United. They kept us hydrated with water and then snacks. And then they upgraded us to meal vouchers when the weight continued to stretch on and on and they couldn't get an update in order to update us. So, you know, yelling at them, which some people were just would not have been productive. But since Mr.


 

Jett setting with me and I had lounge access, we didn't actually need our meal voucher. So we went to Starbucks and we bought coffee and treats for the great crew because their calm good humor helped keep the whole terminal bingo hall vibe in check. And crew compliments actually for how they handled the situation actually, actually were flooding the app. And honestly, really, we figured staying up late and getting a late departure on an overnight flight meant we would sleep well on the plane. And really that's the real way to fly to Europe. Anyway, tip number two, manage this section. I should say tip number two under travel etiquette, manage your conduct in small shared spaces. I mean, come on, we're literally flying in a tin can.


 

People. Nix the stinky foods. Hello, Tuna fish, I am looking at you. Moderate your drinks, it is not an open bar. And keep your headphones on. Yes, that even goes for your two year old. Headphones. Headphones.


 

Inside voices. These simple actions are the unsung heroes of peaceful flight. You can tell from the frustration in my voice. These ones get on my my nth nerve very quickly. So now if you would have told me last holiday season that I would be the one called Karen. Yes, I said it. I'd have laughed until the tipsy group behind me, tipsy overserved, sitting in the exit row, nothing worse, decided that I needed to shush them. While I was blissfully half asleep in my window seat, I went sh.


 

It was very soft, it was very subtle. But yeah, I said the quiet part out loud. So they called me Karen, which was news to me. But I was a row in front of them and when they had to seriously dash off the plane later to use the rooms of rest, I took my sweet time deplaning. You could have thought I was on a Runway the way I was strutting just for a little good natured payback. Moral Sometimes you're only caring if someone calls you one. But I happily took the last laugh. Number three under etiquette.


 

Wait your turn and follow proper boarding etiquette. Rushing or cutting in line. It only sparks the chaos. Honor the process. It actually does work best when we collaborate with patients. There are actual, you know, scientific and college studies on how to properly board aircraft in the right way. I know all of you think we're not going to have enough overhead bin space. Guess what? If we don't, they will check luggage from the people who are in further in the boarding process.


 

So if you're always in Group 1 to 5 or A or B, you know the airlines and how they mess it up and you're not in nine or C, you will have overhead bin space. Really? You will? Just trust me. I was like B54 and I got an exit row seat the other day. Okay, finally, let's talk about some comfort and efficiency and smart products and hacks so that you can stay zen, travel smart, dress sharp and pack these essentials to make your day in transit as effortless as possible. Tip number one under comfort and efficiency, dress comfortably and stylishly. Layer luxe athleisure separates with scarves or wraps double as blankets. I've talked about this before. You'll feel cozy but definitely not slumpy.


 

I often have to go from airplane right to conference registration and looking airplane sloppy. It just doesn't do the first impression look that I want to make. And the same can be said for those of you who go to custom systems or a hotel and you want that early check in or a free upgrade. Although we can't judge books by their cover, we all make quick judgments on a person's first impression we all do it. Come on. The saying is there for a reason. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Lately my favorite scoff worthy find is Athleisure from my Spin studio.


 

It's fancy enough to ditch the quote, I just sweat look. But it's cozy for hours on planes because I layered up with sweatshirts and scarves and all this stuff and it's instantly extra AF style for the win. We're still under comfort and efficiency. And this is tip number two. Use TSA pre check, global entry and lounge access. These parks are not just luxury, they are sanity savers for the holiday hustle. A friend and colleague, Liz, she tells me her massages are not lux. They are medical.


 

They calm her nervous system. They are an absolute necessity. That's really how I feel about a good lounge. If only they were adults only. But me, my noise canceling headphones, a diet Coke and some guacamole. That's holiday travel heaven for me right there. Mr. Jett sitting with me and I are very loyal to Marriott, so we have all our points in the Marriott egg basket, so to speak.


 

No airline allegiance whatsoever anywhere. None. No. No Elite. So we hustle. I should say I hustle. I get guest passes when I travel with my friends. I buy day passes if it's more than like a two two and a half hour layover.


 

And at least our credit card does come with priority pass. So anything I can do to hustle. Some good lounge access makes me feel the extra AF that I want to be. The life I was made to live. You know what I mean? Tip 3 In this section, be gadget ready and entertainment savvy. So portable chargers, preloaded entertainment. Oh my God. I always forget to download the entertainment that I want to watch in advance and you'll find me like in the airport departure gate like on the wi fi and it's not fast enough.


 

And then you get on the plane and it's too late. So portable chargers, preloaded entertainment, smart accessories. These really are lifesavers. When the wifi is weak, anytime you're traveling over water or it's just plain broken southwest, I'm looking at you. If you're wondering where I source my favorite travel gadgets. You know, the kind that keep me charged, comfortable and mostly entertained. Check out my curated Amazon storefront. It is packed with all the must haves gear that I swear by.


 

It's linked in the show notes and of course it's on my website too. And trust me, those little lifesavers really do make smooth travel look effortless. I dropped all my favorite ideas for you in episode 128 of pack like a Pro and and last week's episode on Black Friday deals and Travel Steals. So thank you so much for tuning in Jetsetters. I hope these tips arm you with the grace, patience and yes, some of my extra AF flair that I'm sharing so that you can breeze through that holiday travel without losing your coal or your joy. Just a quick heads up, there is no new episode next week. It is Thanksgiving. So Happy Thanksgiving everyone.


 

But don't miss my rewind of episode 59 live from New York. It's my trip highlights because when I think of Thanksgiving, I think of New York because of the Macy's Day Thanksgiving parade. So I wanted to share my love for New York and Thanksgiving and all things fall with you in that episode. It is truly perfect listening while you're in the car running those errands or going to Black Friday deals. Until next time, make every journey a memory worth savoring. If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you would follow, download and share jet setting with me with your fellow travelers.



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Michele Schwartz

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