This one isn't a travel card in the traditional sense, but I think it's good for beginners. There's no annual fee, so there's no pressure to "use it enough."

Here's what's good:

• 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel
  
• 3% back at restaurants and drugstores
• 1.5% back on literally everything else, no categories to track
• Decent welcome bonus for a no-fee card, plus a long 0% intro APR window if you need to finance a purchase

Potential Cons:

• On its own, it earns cash back, not premium travel points. The trick (and it's a good one) is pairing it with a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards, like a Sapphire or an Ink card. Once you have both, your Freedom Unlimited earnings convert into full-value, transferable Ultimate Rewards points automatically. 
• Charges 3% foreign transaction fees, so it's not the card to bring on an international trip

Also worth knowing:

• It does come with travel coverage, up to $1,500 per covered traveler and up to $6,000 per trip, which surprises a lot of people for a no-fee card
• Auto rental insurance up to $60,000, covering theft, damage, and valid loss of use charges, another perk people don't expect from a no-fee card
• It currently includes a complimentary DoorDash membership too, though that's a promotional perk that could go away, so don't count on it being permanent

Who it's best for: anyone who wants a simple, no-fee card to earn on everyday spending, especially paired with a points-earning Chase card. 

If United is your hometown airline or shows up in your itineraries more than once or twice a year, this card starts paying for itself fast, mostly through the free checked bag alone.

Here's what's good:

• First checked bag free for you (and it extends to companions on the same reservation)
• Two United Club one-time passes every year
• Priority boarding
• Earns bonus miles on United flights and other United purchases, plus dining and hotel bookings
• $0 intro annual fee the first year, so you get to test drive it before paying anything

Also worth knowing (current perks, so double check these are still active before you fly):

• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credit up to $120
• 25% savings on United inflight purchases
• Up to $100 in United Hotels credits
• $100 credit toward JSX private charter purchases
• $100 United Travel Bank cash back when you spend $10,000 or more in a year
• A 10,000-mile award flight discount when you spend $20,000 or more in a year
• No foreign transaction fees, so it travels well internationally too

Potential Cons:

• The annual fee jumps in year two, and if you're not flying United at least a couple times a year, the free bag and lounge passes won't offset it
• Miles are only really valuable if you're using them on United or its Star Alliance partners, not the most flexible currency out there
• Perks like the checked bag only apply on United-operated or United Express flights, so codeshares can get tricky

Who it's best for: occasional to semi-frequent United flyers who want perks (hello, free bag) without committing to a premium annual fee tier.

Southwest has changed a lot lately, assigned seating, checked bag fees for most fliers, so this card actually matters more now than it used to for people who fly Southwest regularly.

Here's what's good:

• Free seat selection at booking, including Preferred seats, even on the cheapest fare class
• First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation
• Unlimited complimentary upgrades to Extra Legroom seating within 48 hours of departure, when available
• A nice chunk of bonus points deposited automatically every year on your card anniversary
• Earns extra points toward Southwest's Companion Pass, which honestly might be the single best perk in all of loyalty travel if you can snag it
• No foreign transaction fees

Where it falls short:

• It carries the highest annual fee of Southwest's personal cards, and there's no longer a built-in annual travel credit to help offset it like there used to be
• If you don't fly Southwest more than a couple times a year, the lower-fee version of this card probably makes more sense

Who it's for: Southwest loyalists, especially anyone chasing (or maintaining) that Companion Pass, or who just really doesn't want to gamble on getting a decent seat.

This is the one I recommend most to clients who fly American Airlines regularly but don't want to jump straight to a premium annual fee card. It's a nice middle ground.

Here's what's good:

• Free first checked bag for you and up to four companions on the same reservation
• Preferred boarding on American flights
• Earns bonus miles at restaurants, gas stations, and on AA purchases, which covers a lot of everyday spending
• Annual fee is waived the first year, so you get a full year to decide if it earns its keep
• No foreign transaction fees

Potential Cons:

• Once that first free year ends, the fee kicks in, and if you're not a regular AA flyer, it's easy to let this one go unused
• The everyday earning rate outside bonus categories is pretty modest
• No lounge access or elite-status shortcuts, that's reserved for AA's pricier cards

Who it's for: American Airlines regulars who want free bags and better boarding without committing to a high annual fee, especially international travelers who'll appreciate no foreign transaction fees.

Honestly? It depends entirely on how and where you fly. If you're loyal to one airline, the co-branded card for that airline is almost always worth it once you're flying it a few times a year. If you're more of a "whatever gets me the best deal" traveler, the Freedom Unlimited paired with a points-earning card gives you way more flexibility.

If you want to talk through which combination actually makes sense for your travel habits (not just whatever influencer told you to get), that's a conversation I love having. Reach out and let's figure out your setup together.

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ETA: Electronic Travel Authorization

If you're a U.S. citizen traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism, visiting family, business meetings, conferences, or short-term study (up to six months), you'll need to secure an ETA before you arrive. The application currently costs £20, and while approval is often quick, it can take a few days — so it's best to apply well before your trip.

EES: Entry/Exit System

Traveling to a country in the Schengen Area, like France, Greece, or Italy? You'll go through the EES process when you arrive. This system records your passport information along with biometric data, like your fingerprints and a facial image. There's nothing to apply for ahead of time — just know that your first border crossing may take a little longer than you're used to. As of this year, EES is up and running at Schengen borders, so this is officially part of the entry routine now, not a "someday" thing.

ETIAS: European Travel Information & Authorisation System

This one's been making headlines for what feels like forever, mostly because it keeps getting pushed back. Once it launches, travelers from visa-exempt countries — including the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K. — will need to apply for authorization before visiting many European destinations.

Here's the current state of play: ETIAS had been targeting the last quarter of 2026, but that date was recently pulled from the official EU site, and a 2027 launch now looks like the most realistic outcome. Nothing is confirmed yet, and the EU has said it will announce a firm date several months before the system actually goes live.

The upshot? You don't need to do anything about ETIAS today. But if you've got European travel on the calendar, it's worth keeping an eye on — and it's exactly the kind of detail we track for our clients so you don't have to.

Have a trip coming up and want someone to handle the fine print? That's what I'm here for. Let's start planning! 

I just got back from my first Alaska cruise on Virgin Voyage's Brilliant Lady that sailed out of Seattle to Ketchikan, Sitka, and Prince Rupert. It was also Virgin's very first season sailing Alaska, which meant I was able to get a front-row seat to something new in a destination that's usually associated with the same handful of legacy cruise lines.

It got me thinking: most people assume "alaska cruise" means big ship, buffet, and bingo. But 2026 is actually one of the most interesting years Alaska cruising has seen in a while, with several lines sailing the region for the first time ever. 

If you want adults-only, romance, and a genuine reset: Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady is sailing Alaska for the first time this year from Seattle. I'm happy to report that the ship still felt like Virgin with excellent food, real nightlife if you want it, no kids' clubs or crowds. and then you step outside and it's Tongass National Forest, Tracy Arm fjord, glaciers.

Worth knowing: Virgin still runs Tracy Arm fjord on its itineraries, while several other major lines have swapped it out this year (more on that below).

Best for: couples, honeymooners, solo travelers, LGBTQ travelers

If you want the most immersive, naturalist-guided experience: Holland America Line

Holland America holds more glacier bay permits than any other cruise line, and their onboard programming leans hard into education with wildlife experts, cultural workshops, and a real emphasis on understanding the place you're sailing through, not just looking at it.

Best for: travelers who want depth, nature lovers

If you want the biggest selection of ships and itineraries: Princess Cruises

Princess is deploying eight ships to Alaska in 2026 which is their largest-ever program in the region. That means more departure dates, more itinerary lengths, and more flexibility if you're trying to build a trip around specific dates or a land-tour extension into Denali.

Best for: multi-generational trips, families wanting flexibility, or travelers who want lots of options to compare.

If you want a family-first experience: Disney Cruise Line

Disney Magic is making its Alaska debut this year which is the first time Disney has sailed a ship other than the Disney wonder to the region. You get the full Disney experience (character encounters, kids' clubs, disney-level service) layered onto glacier scenery.

Best for: families with young kids who want the disney experience without giving it up for a "bucket list" destination.

If you want a smaller ship and off-the-beaten-path ports: Ritz-carlton Yacht Collection

Luminara is sailing her first-ever Alaska season this year too. As a small yacht-style ship, she can access secluded inlets and smaller ports that larger ships simply can't reach.

Best for: travelers who want true luxury, privacy, and access.

if you want a slower, deeper itinerary with extended port time: azamara

Azamara is returning to Alaska after a hiatus, with 10- to 13-day cruises and extended stays in ports like Juneau, Wrangell, Skagway, and Ketchikan which means you're not rushed through each stop.

Best for: travelers who'd rather see fewer ports deeply than more ports quickly.

If you want value and familiarity: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, Carnival, and MSC

All five of these mainstream lines sail Alaska in 2026, each with their own onboard personality. Celebrity leans upscale-casual with standout viewing spaces, Norwegian offers flexible "freestyle" cruising across four ships, and MSC is entering Alaska for the first time this year with MSC Poesia. Carnival and Royal Caribbean bring their familiar, high-energy, family-friendly approach to the region.

Best for: travelers who already have a favorite mainstream line and want to bring that same experience to alaska.

the bottom line

Alaska isn't a one-size-fits-all trip anymore. Whether you want quiet naturalist immersion, adults-only romance, family magic, or ultra-luxury access to hidden coves, there's a line built for it. The hard part is just knowing which one actually fits you.

If you're not sure where to start, that's genuinely what I'm here for. Book a consultation, and let's figure out which version of Alaska is yours.

The biggest mistake most people with ADHD make when planning a vacation is starting too broad. “I want to travel somewhere” is not a useful starting point for a brain that already struggles with narrowing down options. 

Instead, start with how you want to feel. Do you want to feel restored and calm? Adventurous and energized? Connected and social? Completely alone and unbothered?

That feeling is your filter. Every decision you make after that like the destination, resort type, trip length, activities can be run through it. Does this fit the feeling I’m going for? Yes or no. It’s a much easier question for an ADHD brain to answer than “where in the world should I go?”

One of the cruelest things about the modern travel planning experience is the sheer volume of options. Hundreds of resorts. Dozens of destinations. 

Set a rule for yourself before you start researching: you will consider a maximum of three options for any given decision. Three destinations. Three resorts. Three flight choices. Pick your favorite and move on. Done.

If you’re working with a travel advisor (more on that in a minute), this is one of the most valuable things they can do for you. You get the three best choices, pre-vetted, and you just pick.

“Plan vacation” is not a task. It’s a project with seventeen sub-tasks, and putting it on your to-do list as one item is a great way to ensure it never gets done.

Break it down into the smallest possible steps, and assign each one a specific time limit. For example:

•  Day 1 — Decide on the general vibe/feeling (15 minutes, then stop)

•  Day 2 — Pick a destination region (20 minutes, then stop)

•  Day 3 — Look at 3 resort options only (30 minutes, then stop)

•  Day 4 — Decide on dates and rough budget (20 minutes, then stop)

The time limits are important. ADHD brains are notoriously bad at knowing when to stop which is how a 20-minute planning session turns into a four-hour hyperfocus spiral that ends with you knowing everything about a resort you’ve already decided not to book. Set a timer. When it goes off, close the tabs.

Packed itineraries are a recipe for ADHD misery. When every hour is accounted for, one disruption like a late checkout, a mood shift, a nap that ran long throws the whole thing off.

Plan loose. Build in buffer time between activities. Give yourself permission to skip things that no longer sound appealing once you’re actually there. The best ADHD-friendly itinerary has a handful of anchors and plenty of unstructured time around them.

Adults-only resorts are particularly good for this. The whole point is that there’s no agenda. You can do everything or nothing, and both are completely fine.

Not all resorts are created equal when it comes to ADHD-friendliness. Here’s what to look for:

•  All-inclusive properties eliminate the daily decision fatigue of where to eat, what to do, and how much things cost. Everything is already handled.

•  Adults-only environments tend to be quieter, calmer, and more predictable (less sensory overwhelm, fewer unexpected disruptions)

•  Smaller, boutique properties are often easier to navigate than sprawling mega-resorts. Fewer choices, less walking, less chance of getting overstimulated by sheer scale.

•  Properties with flexible dining let you eat when you’re hungry rather than at a set reservation time  

Travel days are hard for ADHD brains. The sensory chaos of airports, the unpredictability of delays, the mental load of tracking documents and bags and gates can be a lot. Many people arrive at their destination already depleted, which makes it hard to enjoy the first day or two.

A few things that help:

•  Build in a buffer day on either end of your trip if your budget allows. Arrive a day early, leave a day late. Don’t schedule anything on arrival day.

•  Use a packing list app or a detailed checklist you can check off as you go. The satisfaction of checking things off is genuinely helpful.

•  Have your documents in one place, already organized, before the day of travel. Don’t leave this for the morning of.

•  Give yourself permission to decompress on the first day. A slow arrival day is not wasted time.

Sometimes the most thoughtful thing you can do is say, hey, this whole day is yours. The tub, the robe, the silence. All of it.

Because she spends so much of her life taking care of everyone else. One day, all of this? That's hers.

Happy Mother's Day to all the strong and beautiful mommas out there!