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I’m a flight attendant — here are 3 tips for saving time, money on travel

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Social Links for Tracy Swartz
Published April 23, 2024, 7:35 p.m. ET

Luckily for flyers, it’s gonna be May very soon.

“May and September are great months to travel, as they’re before and after peak summer here in the US,” flight attendant Bernice Padilla, 29, confided to SWNS.

“You have less crowds and more affordable prices, but the weather is still nice,” she continued. “Every country has their specific shoulder season, so I recommend doing some research before booking.”

Padilla, a flight attendant for six years who has visited 44 countries, is sharing tricks of the travel trade — from flights to book to countries to explore.

The Dallas-based flight attendant, who boasts 144,300 followers on TikTok, said that while Europe is a hot destination for American travelers, it’s best to book holidays in “overlooked” destinations.

Bernice Padilla, a flight attendant for six years who has visited 44 countries, is sharing tricks of the travel trade — from flights to book to countries to explore.
Bernice Padilla, a flight attendant for six years who has visited 44 countries, is sharing tricks of the travel trade — from flights to book to countries to explore. Bernice Padilla / SWNS
Here is Padilla in Antigua, Guatemala.
Here is Padilla in Antigua, Guatemala. Bernice Padilla / SWNS

“Everyone loves to go to London, Rome, Paris and Barcelona,” she explained. “I am going to Argentina in a few weeks, for example. I think it is good to book places that aren’t as popular with tourists.”

She added: “Even [if] people are still wanting to visit Europe, there are so many places that aren’t as popular, like Albania and countries on the coast.”

Padilla also revealed her preference for booking the earliest possible flight to avoid delays.

“If there are any delays, it ends up being a domino effect. Say there is a delay in California due to the weather — then my flight here can’t take off until that flight takes off,” she reasoned. “Everything trickles down, whereas if you fly early, your plane will be there from the night before.”

And in Guatapé, Colombia. She prefers "overlooked" destinations.
And in Guatapé, Colombia. She prefers “overlooked” destinations. Bernice Padilla / SWNS
Padilla, pictured here in Colombia, also revealed her preference for booking the earliest possible flight to avoid delays.
Padilla, pictured here in Colombia, also revealed her preference for booking the earliest possible flight to avoid delays. Bernice Padilla / SWNS

And when it comes to packing, Padilla recommends traveling with carry-on luggage, especially in the summer.

If that’s not possible, she relies on compression packing cubes.

“I still have a problem with overpacking, but I try not to overpack as much,” she confessed. “I always travel with compression cubes — that way you can fit more into your suitcase.”

Her travel must-haves include a reusable water bottle, a sweater or blanket, a pen to fill out any forms that might be needed at arrival, noise-canceling headphones, and a portable charger.