- My trip from Denver to Zanzibar, Tanzania took about 33 hours and involved four flights.
- It was one of my longest trips and I looked for ways to make it bearable.
- The best thing I did was get a credit card with lounge access.
When I landed in Tanzania, fellow travelers, lodge staff and safari guides were amazed that I had made it all the way to Colorado.
When I mentioned that the trip took over 30 hours, they were stunned.
After crossing oceans and continents to reach destinations like Japan and New Zealand, arriving in Tanzania didn’t seem so different.
When I booked my flights and realized I would have three stops and four flights in 33 hours, I set out to make the trip more bearable.
I bought a new travel pillow, downloaded podcasts and shows, and wore comfy clothes, but the best thing I did was get a travel credit card.
I got a credit card with airport lounge access
Before I left for Tanzania, I had visited an airport lounge once on my way to New Zealand. My seven hour layover was filled with the comforts of prosecco, ramen and comfy seating.
It felt like a luxury, but as someone who shows up at airports on time, prioritizes nonstop flights, and tries to travel as cheaply as possible, I wasn’t sure paying hundreds of dollars for a credit card would It was worth the airport lounge. access.
Then, I looked at the options and it became clear that the benefits outweighed any annual fees.
I settled on the Capital One Venture X card. It would give me access to Capital One lounges and a Priority Pass membership, which includes lounges worldwide.
The annual fee is $395, but benefits include a $300 travel credit. Since I travel often, it seemed like the card fee was close to $95. I thought I’d easily eat $100 worth of food in salons over the course of a year.
Other perks, like access to luxury hotels and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credit, helped me justify the credit card fee.
Etihad Lounge at Washington Dulles International Airport. Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I probably ate $100 worth of food on my round trip flight
I kicked things off with a five-hour layover at Washington Dulles International Airport. I pulled up my Priority Pass app and looked at the lounge options near my gate.
I had three to choose from and ended up in the Etihad lounge. Without the card, lounge access would have cost $75.
I had a breakfast of smoked salmon, bao buns, pastries and access to a full bar. It also had comfortable seats – much nicer than the leather benches in my doorway.
While guests are allowed to visit the hall for three hours, I was there early in the morning and no one seemed to mind that I was there for about four hours.
For the rest of my trip, I made shorter stops at lounges for quick bites and to use the restrooms.
For example, I realized that I needed drinking water and a bathroom when I landed in Ethiopia. I went to the airport public bathroom first, but a line stretched around the corner. So, I got my Priority pass and found a lounge nearby. I went in, used the bathroom, and grabbed a snack and a bottle of water. The 15-minute drive saved me time and money.
Some lounges, like Capital One lounges, had to-go food that I could eat during my flight. In others, the staff made sure I knew when my flight was boarding, so I was never afraid of missing the plane.
If I had a longer break, I would have taken advantage of the showers in some of the salons.
The perks were basic, but having a quiet place to rest between flights, people updating me on departures, and plenty of food and drink set me up for success on the long trip.