Over the recent Fourth of July holiday, AAA estimated that 50.7 million Americans vacationed by air or auto, which is 2 million more people than the pre-pandemic record set in 2019. 

In the air alone, U.S. Travel Association notes an 11% travel increase from last year’s week of July Fourth. 

In another post-pandemic turn, data shows that more Americans are heading to international destinations this summer following the easing of most countries’ COVID-related travel restrictions. U.S. Travel Association also cites an 8% increase from 2019 in Americans’ travel abroad. 

On the other side of the coin, this year’s longer-range travel trend comes at the expense of national destinations. Despite drastic drops in domestic airfare and car rental rates, down 27% and 25% respectively from 2022 according to the travel app Hopper, many Americans are still choosing to visit global locales.  

Perhaps this change can be attributed to Americans taking to the highways in large numbers to explore state and national parks and regional mountains and beaches during the pandemic. Many of us are simply ready and more willing to venture farther from home again.  

As Americans’ travel patterns shift from local favorites in favor of sites overseas, national tourism remains relatively strong. While domestic road trips of more than 500 miles spiked at approximately 2.44 million in August 2020, long-distance national travel collapsed in October of the same year as the pandemic relapsed with fewer than 475,000 such trips, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Still, however, the number 500+ mile journeys by vehicle has gradually climbed since then and, as of April 2023, was nearly at 1.5 million. 

Whether you plan to join the international travel trend this summer or you’re looking forward to seeing more of what this great land of ours has to offer, choose your destination and research it well for the best vacation experience! To get you there in style and comfort – and, hopefully, with all your sanity intact – we’ve listed some simple travel tips of our own to make getting wherever you’re going much easier and far more enjoyable. 

Six Easy Tips to Make Your Travel Safer, Smoother, and More Relaxing 

1. Tag Your Bags
Label all your bags with your name, email address, and phone number whether you’re traveling by plane, bus, or in your own personal vehicle. You never know when you might get separated from your luggage. When you receive your luggage tag in an airport, take a picture of the tag with your phone. In 2021, the number of delayed, damaged, lost, or stolen bags increased by 24% reported by the aviation tech company SITA. Also, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advises you to tape your contact information on your electronic devices. It’s also a good idea to add a little “flair” to your bags, like a brightly-colored ribbon on the handle, to make them more recognizable as they ride the carousel in baggage claim.  

Recommended item(s):

Reflective Luggage Tag by Eagle Creek

2. Protect Your Personal Information
Securing all forms of your ID is as necessary as protecting your wallet or purse while traveling. Identity thieves can access a great deal of private records with only a few key pieces of personal information. Should your personal information get stolen, don’t panic because it’s still possible to continue your trip. The Transportation Security Administration accepts many alternate forms of ID to substitute for a lost or stolen passport. While you may be asked to sign a Certification of Identity form and your travel may be briefly delayed, TSA agents are trained to work with you to get you home safely. Another idea is to take a photo of your license, your passport, tickets, and other important papers and store them in the cloud for easy access via your phone or a computer should the need arise. 

Recommended item(s):

RecoverID Tag by Keysmart

3 Dial TSA Lock and Cable by Eagle Creek

3. Guard Your Cash and Cards
Should you lose or realize your debit or credit cards have been stolen while traveling, first and foremost, call your bank or credit card company to cancel the cards in question. Secondly, contact the local authorities to file a report. Next, as U.S. News & World Report advises, place a fraud alert on your credit report, which lasts for one year and can be extended to seven with additional documentation if necessary. This measure is less involved than a credit freeze or credit monitoring while still allowing you to catch possible instances of fraud. Take precautions to keep your money secure and as close to your body as possible while traveling. Make use of new technologies like Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) blockers, too, which prevent would-be thieves from stealing sensitive information by accessing your cards’ electronic chips with radio waves. Most of all, keep calm and follow the steps listed above if any undesirable situations arise. Remember to contact your bank/card issuer BEFORE you leave to avoid an embarrassing situation when your card is declined because your destination is outside of your normal purchasing pattern.  

Recommended item(s):

RFID Blocker Hidden Pocket by Eagle Creek  

Silk Undercover Money Belt by Eagle Creek 

Silk Undercover Bra Stash Wallet by Eagle Creek

Modern Pocket Crossbody Bag with RFID Protection by Baggallini 

4. Pack with Purpose
Pack toiletries, shoes, and undergarments in small, separate bags inside your luggage. This makes for quick and easy unpacking once you reach your destination, and it gives you something to repack these items in once they’re used or worn. Foldable or collapsible carryalls and even large duffel bags help with organization, transportation, and easy, compact storage. Also, travel with several empty reusable bags because you never know how you might use them once you reach your destination. A small duffel bag that can be checked on your return trip to carry your souvenirs and purchases may also be a wise addition.  

Recommended item(s):

Pack-It System by Eagle Creek

Black Hole Duffel by Patagonia

FlatPak Toiletry Bottle Multicolor Three-Pack by Matador

Travel Kit by Nalgene

5. Carry Your Favorite Creature Comforts
There’s no need to be uncomfortable on the road or in the air. Getting there is half the fun, as they say, so traveling should be enjoyable! Consider your mode of transportation, the group you’re going with or crowds you might encounter along the way, and the duration of your trip. A book is always a good companion, so you might need a personal light, especially if you’re traveling at night. Speaking of traveling at night, if you’re a passenger, a neck pillow and an eyeshade will allow you to get some quality shuteye to ensure you’re rested and refreshed once you reach your destination. Don’t forget to pack versatile, multi-use chargers and cables, along with a power bank. Even if you’re trying to avoid screentime on the journey (which isn’t a bad idea at all), you'll still want your electronic devices to be fully charged and ready for plenty of vacation photo ops. 

Recommended item(s):

Statik 360 Universal Charge Cable by Keysmart

Forcepower 4.8A Dual USB Car Charger by Outdoor Gear:

Premium USB-C to USB-A 4-Foot Cable by Outdoor Gear 

Sandman Eyeshade by Eagle Creek 

Travel Ear Plugs by Eagle Creek

Aeros Premium Traveller Pillow by Sea to Summit     

Hooded Travel Neck Pillow by Grand Trunk

Travelight 135 by Biolite    

Power Bank by Goal Zero 

6. Choose Your Clothing Strategically
Nobody wants to have to set up an ironing board when unpacking a suitcase. And while taking everything, including the kitchen sink, can happen on road trips, you probably don’t want to do that for a plane trip. Think about the number of days you’ll be on the road and what activities you’ll be participating in. Then, pack in outfits. Choose clothing made from synthetic fibers – they tend to be more wrinkle-resistant and will dry more quickly. While you may not want to wear a top more than once, most pants, shorts, or skirts can easily be worn multiple times before being sent to the laundry. One way you can cut the bulk from your packing is to buy a couple of pairs of travel underwear. You can wash out one before going to bed – the next morning, it’ll be dry and ready to wear or to pack away.  

Recommended item(s):

¾-Sleeve Travel Dress by Lulu-B 

Travel Tunic by Lulu-B 

Tummy Control Leggings by Lulu-B  

Magnolia Spring Sleeveless Dress by Patagonia  

Desert Pucker Dry Short-Sleeve Shirt by Royal Robbins 

Renegade Pants by Kühl  

Silver Ridge Convertible Pants by Columbia 

Give-N-Go Underwear by ExOfficio

We hope this travel advice and the products featured here will make your next vacation a bit easier. Stop by your nearest Mast General Store or visit Mast Store Online from your home to find these and many more excellent travel items before you head out.  

Wherever you choose to go – be it near or far – we’d be honored if you include the Mast Store as a destination on your travel itinerary. As always, we’re happy to have you drop by and enjoy a different type of journey – one that takes you back in time – while you’re here. 

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Blue Ridge Tourist Court
Many thanks to our friends at the Blue Ridge Tourist Court! They provided a great place to snap a photo capturing the magic of travel across the years. The Blue Ridge Tourist Court is located on Old Highway 421 in Boone, NC. Built in the 1950s, it was recently restored and re-opened with retro-styling in every room. It's a great place to make your headquarters for a stay in the High Country. 

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