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Review Travel included on Buying Business Travel’s ’50 Top TMCs’ list 2019

9th May 2019

We’re honoured to have been included once again on Buying Business Travel’s ’50 Top TMCs’ list for 2019.

Our ranking is determined by a number of factors, including business growth, innovation and technology, and we are delighted that Buying Business Travel has recognised our team’s continued efforts to improve our client service offering.

We’d like to thank all of our customers, suppliers and partners who are instrumental in this success.

The full list can be viewed here:  https://content.yudu.com/web/1v9j3/0A1v9nj/MayJune2019/html/index.html?origin=reader

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Top 50 TMCs in the UK

Selective Travel Management Places at Number 21

We are delighted to announce that we have placed at number 21 in the Buying Business Travel ’s Top 50 TMCs in the UK , moving up 6 places from last year.

Having only entered the top 50 at number 32 for the first time 2 years ago, this is a great achievement and demonstrates our overall progression as a business.

Not only were we highly commended for ‘Fast Growth Business of the Year’ at the 2018 Business Eye Awards , but we were also shortlisted for ‘Business Growth’ at the 2019 Belfast Chamber Business Awards , exemplifying our continued growth and excellent customer service.

We look forward on climbing the ranks even further next year!

If you would like to have your  Business Travel Simplified , then speak with a member of our team on (028) 9038 9007 or email  [email protected]

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The Ultimate Guide to Small-Business Travel

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Small business owners can take advantage of the same strategies that individual award travelers use to save money on flights and hotels, but there are also a number of unique cards and loyalty programs designed specifically for business needs. Today we're going to explain how to maximize those benefits.

Best Business Credit Cards for Airfare

Business travelers sometimes have less scheduling flexibility than individuals planning a vacation. If a last-minute meeting requires you to book a specific flight, you may find that award space is unavailable. However, there are a few cards that give you exactly that option.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within your first three months of card membership.

Annual fee: $595 (see rates and fees)

Standout benefits: The Business Platinum Card from American Express has a hefty $595 annual fee (see rates and fees), but it comes with perks that offset the annual fee and that help businesses minimize their air travel costs.

• Up to $200 annual statement credit for airline incidental fees*
• 35% rebate when paying with points for airfare ( terms apply ) (up to 500,000 point per calendar year)
• 5x points on airfare and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
• Priority Pass Select membership, Amex Centurion Lounge access, Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta Plus and access to Airspace and Escape Lounges*
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit for application fees (up to $100)

*Enrollment required for select benefits.

You often get a better redemption value by transferring your Amex Membership Rewards points to airlines, but if you need to be on a specific flight, you can book through Amex Travel and pay with points to get a 35% rebate on all first- and business-class flights, as well as economy flights with your selected airline. You'll also earn miles on these flights, because they're booked as cash tickets.

Although the up to $200 credit on airline incidental fees has gotten harder to use, it's a great way to avoid fees for checked bags or fees for changing your ticket. The comprehensive lounge access makes your work travel more comfortable.

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

Annual fee: $95

Standout benefits: In addition to offering one of the most valuable welcome bonuses on the market right now, the Ink Preferred earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in the following categories:

• Travel, including airfare, hotels, rental cars, train tickets and taxis
• Shipping purchases
• Internet, cable and phone services
• Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines

It gives you access to Chase hotel and airline transfer partners and a 25% bonus when redeeming points through the Ultimate Rewards portal, with a minimum redemption value of 1.25 cents per point and the flexibility to book any seat on any flight.

Related: Best Small Business Credit Card

Cobranded Airline Credit Cards

Both cards mentioned above are the best options for businesses with flexible travel needs. However, you might want benefits specific to a single airline depending on where you're located. If your company frequently books employee travel, you can save hundreds of dollars annually in checked-bag fees if you have the right airline credit cards . For example, all three Delta business credit cards offer a first checked bag free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation, and two of the cards are offering limited-time elevated welcome offers .

Best Business Credit Cards for Hotels

Business travelers need hotels where they can conduct business away from home. Free nights, bonus points and elite status are all great ways to make work travel more enjoyable and less stressful. In fact, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express leads in this category and offers automatic Hilton and Marriott Gold elite status (enrollment required). Here are a few other cards to consider as well:

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Welcome bonus: Earn up to 180,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points. Earn 130,000 Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, you can earn an additional 50,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend a total of $10,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months.

Annual fee: $95 (see rates and fees)

Standout benefits: If you take advantage of the welcome bonus on the Hilton Honors business card, you'll enjoy automatic Hilton Gold elite status and the ability to upgrade to Diamond by spending $40,000 a year on the card. Along the way, you'll earn a free-weekend-night certificate after spending $15,000 and another after spending $60,000. The card comes with 10 free Priority Pass visits per year, and earns 12x points on Hilton purchases, 6x on the categories listed below and 3x on all other eligible purchases. The 6x categories are:

• US gas stations
• Wireless phone services purchased from US providers
• US shipping purchases
• US restaurants
• Flights booked directly through the Amex portal
• Car rentals booked directly through select car rental companies

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first three months. Plus, earn up to $150 back in statement credits on eligible purchases made on your new card within the first three months of card membership.

Annual fee: $125 (see rates and fees)

Standout benefits: The perk that's going to help your bottom line the most is free hotel nights. The Marriott Bonvoy Business card offers one free night worth up to 35,000 points on your account anniversary and the ability to earn a second by spending $60,000 a year. The card also comes with automatic Silver elite status and the ability to upgrade to Gold by spending $35,000 a year. You'll earn 6x points at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 4x at US restaurants, US gas stations, wireless phone services purchased directly from US service providers and on US purchases for shipping, plus 2x on all other eligible purchases.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Standout benefits: This is the only card on the list that isn't strictly a business card, but a Venture card can be good for your business if you frequently stay in hotels and aren't loyal to a single chain. The card offers a simple yet rewarding 2x miles per dollar spent on purchases.

The Venture card also lets you pick between transferring your miles to one of 10+ airline partners or using them to erase eligible travel purchases from your billing statement at a fixed rate of one cent each.

Related: Best Hotel Credit Card

How to Save Even More Money as a Small Business

As a small business owner, you're eligible for the same frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs as individuals, but there are other unique options you can take advantage of to double- or triple-dip on your points earnings. The major US airlines offer business rewards programs — such as American Airlines Business Extra — that let you earn free flights, upgrade certificates, lounge access and more. Your employees will still earn miles in their individual AAdvantage accounts, but this additional program makes each flight you take with American that much more rewarding.

Many hotel chains give you special rates if you're booking a large room block or conference rooms. For example, Marriott lets you earn up to 60,000 points on eligible meeting expenses and gives you bonus elite-night credits for booking additional rooms. Note that you must book special rates with Marriott's events team to be eligible for this.

If your business is large enough, you may be able to negotiate corporate discount rates directly with the airline or hotel. Obviously, the more spending power you bring to the table, the better the results.

Bottom Line

In many ways small business owners are incredibly lucky. They enjoy the same perks and can use the same strategies that individual cardholders employ when it comes to award travel, but there are a number of credit cards, loyalty programs and unique benefits designed specifically for small business. By picking the right credit card combination and leveraging all the available programs, small businesses have many tools to minimize travel costs.

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Business Amex card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex card, click here.

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Written on 3 rd May 2018

TAG features on Buying Business Travel Top 50 TMCs list 2018

With a business travel gross sales of £170.6m in 2017, The Appointment Group(TAG) ranks number 16 in  Buying Business Travel's guide to the top travel management companies in the UK –   click here to see the full listings .

It’s that time of the year when Buying Business Travel (BBT) magazine compiles an annual list of the Top 50 Leading TMCs in the UK.

The Appointment Group also features in BBT’s New Business chart, coming in at 8 out of the 10 TMCs listed, demonstrating a momentous year in which we processed more than 343,000 transactions.

Increased competition, direct booking with suppliers and the effect of the introduction of IATA’s NDC are some of this year’s main concerns. The annual survey also quizzes TMCs on their outlook for the year ahead, last year, one in nine expected growth of 5 per cent or less; this year that figure has dropped to one in twelve.

Regarding the targets for the future, two-thirds of TMCs expect growth to come from new customers. Winning new business is a priority, especially in areas outside transient business travel, such as meetings & events and executive leisure.

10 th May 2018

SURF'S UP: British Airways launch direct flights to Durban

3 rd May 2018

Air New Zealand Airpoints™ expands with five new partners

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6 Ways to Maximize Benefits of Business Travel

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It’s a common misperception among inexperienced business travelers: “I can’t collect points or miles earned by business travel because those miles rightfully belong to my employer, who’s paying for my ticket.”

Au contraire.

When an airline awards points or miles for a trip taken, those go to the traveler — the person who occupied the seat — regardless of who bought the ticket. Same for hotel stays.

Experienced business travelers know this already, according to a recent survey by clothier Jos. A. Bank in which 48% of respondents said earning airline miles was one of the big perks of business travel and 53% said the same about earning hotel loyalty points.

» Learn more: Shake up business travel by taking some ‘bleisure’ time

The survey also showed that business travelers spend an average of 14 hours per day working when they travel for their employer. So it makes sense to see how you can maximize the personal benefits of business travel. Here are six tips for making those business trips work harder for you.

1. Sign up for the airline’s frequent flyer program, even if you don’t expect to fly frequently

Joining one of these programs takes five minutes, costs nothing and pays you miles that could have a real cash value you don’t anticipate. For example, you might be able to transfer those miles to a hotel rewards program you like.

2. Use a rewards-earning credit card for everything on your trip

It’s a no-brainer that, if you’re spending money, you might as well get rewarded for it. Make sure the card you use pays you something you want, be it hotel points, airline miles, other loyalty points or cash back.

3. Sign up for a dining program

Many airlines offer a dining program in which you register a credit card — any card, not only the airline card. A lot of frequent flyers don’t bother with these programs because once upon a time they skimmed a list of participating restaurants and didn’t see any they liked.

But if you’re traveling, you could easily find yourself in a miles- or points-earning restaurant without realizing it. If you pay with a credit card you’ve registered with a dining program , you could get a happy surprise in the form of miles that magically appear in your frequent flyer account.

4. Consider loyalty

If your employer lets you make your own travel arrangements, look first at airlines and hotels whose loyalty programs you use . That is, if you’re collecting United MileagePlus miles for a personal trip, consider United for your business travel. Obviously, don’t waste your employer’s money by choosing a more expensive flight, but if fares are the same, there’s no reason not to choose the flight that will earn you the most rewards.

5. Charge meals and drinks to your room

Imagine you’re staying at a Sheraton, you’re a member of Marriott Rewards (remember, Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest were unified under one program in August 2018) and you’re paying with your Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express . That cheeseburger you order at the hotel bar and charge to your room will go on your hotel bill, where it will earn you 6 points per dollar.

Whichever card you use, though, note whether it pays bonus points for travel, dining, or both, then remember that food charged to your room is usually categorized as travel whereas restaurant charges on your card are categorized as dining.

6. If you make your company’s group travel arrangements, look for programs that reward you personally

For example, Marriott’s Rewarding Events program, which is offered through 26 of its brands, seeks to attract conference planners with bonus points paid to the personal account of the person doing the planning. Whichever hotel group you’re considering, check to see what they’re doing to win your business.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Planning a trip? Check out these articles for more inspiration and advice: Travel rewards bucket list: Showering on a plane How I flew for free: Round trip NYC to India using Chase Ultimate Rewards This strategy is how I started earning major travel rewards

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Business Travelers Want to See Major Changes From Airlines

By Jessica Puckett

As the decimated air travel industry looks to rebuild operations in 2021, one thing is certain: airlines will be competing to win back the all-too-valuable business traveler. 

Before the coronavirus outbreak , business travel accounted for 60 to 70 percent of airlines' fare sales, according to estimates from trade group Airlines for America. Global spending on business travel was projected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2022, according to pre-pandemic numbers from the Global Business Travel Association .

“Nobody wants to lose this coveted business traveler, and they’re going to do what it takes to address all these future concerns,” says Meagen Eisenberg, chief marketing officer at TripActions, a corporate travel management platform. 

Here are five ways experts see the business traveler’s flight experience changing next year.

Airlines might add fare classes with different perks

First, business travelers will likely see more perks from airlines—either included with their fares or sold together at a discount. 

“Bundles, which is what the airlines are calling this package they put together where you’re purchasing a seat and maybe additional baggage, Wi-Fi, or a meal ahead of time, are a growing trend in the industry as airlines look to differentiate their product," says Nina Herold, the chief product and operations officer at TripActions. “So you’re not just buying a seat on any old airplane, you’re buying an experience with them as a provider.” 

This trend, which was underway pre-COVID but is becoming more prevalent, according to Herold, could also pave the way for more segmented fare classes for the same seats—both in business class and in coach—similar to the way basic economy and main cabin tickets are sold. 

“And that actually comes with potential amenities associated with those more business-friendly fares,” says Evan Konwiser, executive vice president of product and strategy at AmEx Global Business Travel. “You might also get lounge passes or you may get other perks, Wi-Fi, that will be more attractive to the business traveler from a value standpoint, which will be great.” Also potentially included in the bundle? More flexible ticket changes and even COVID-19 tests upon departure and arrival.

Tickets and loyalty programs will remain flexible

One major reason why business fliers book with one particular airline over another is the carrier's loyalty program. And since the crisis hit, airlines have introduced new, more flexible frequent flier policies. Most have extended elite status, lowered requirements for achieving top tier perks for 2022, and have rolled over expiration dates for miles. But will these changes last? 

“Airline executives realize it’s going to take several years to get back to 2019 levels of demand,” says Jason Guggenheim, global head of travel at Boston Consulting Group. “And so as everyone is fighting for a smaller pie, what are the ways they can make themselves more attractive to travelers? And obviously flexibility in loyalty programs is one way, and business travelers value that.”

Konwiser agrees, noting that the flexible loyalty policies will stick around through at least 2021 and probably into 2022. But the idea of flexibility in business class goes beyond frequent flier miles. “Business travelers especially need to change, and cancel, and adjust, and research flights, on a regular basis,” Konwiser says. “We’ve seen airlines respond really strongly with the reduction of change fees . It seems there’s always some former sacred policy that now is up for review, and I think that’s signifying that desire for flexibility among business travelers is going to be paramount.” 

Airline and booking apps will have more functionality

Amid a patchwork of travel restrictions, quarantine rules, and personal risk factors, air travelers have never needed to digest more information when simply booking a trip.

“Suddenly, crossing a border feels like this existential personal threat, and that puts a huge damper on international travel,” Konwiser says. In order to get business fliers back in the air, international travel needs to be more predictable, he says. “Lack of predictability in travel is one of the most threatening things to global trade.” 

One good sign are so-called “health wallets” that standardize the requirements for both passengers and officials—the two most notable, according to Konwiser, being Common Pass , backed by the World Economic Forum and Travel Pass from the International Air Transport Association. Both are currently working on widespread rollouts.

Another problem for fliers will be accessing the right information at the right time. “There is no shortage of information out there about COVID, and depending on what your role in your company is, you need different information at different times.” says Herold, of TripActions, which has begun aggregating safety protocols and pandemic flight cancellation policies in its booking platform.

Airline apps, too, will enhance the amount of information available and help guide travelers through the new airport process, including testing and quarantine requirements. “If I look at United, the number of alerts and information and how they built out their app, it's amazing all the type of information you get," Eisenberg says. "So I think more and more airlines will be extending the information they provide.”

Service will be reduced, with fewer touch-points

Contactless travel was a well-established trend before the pandemic, but now it's only accelerating, especially for business travelers. Service reductions may include self-bag check at the check-in counter, boarding with facial recognition , and even changes on board the plane in premium cabins.

Business-class meal servic e could be much simpler even as the pandemic winds down, according to Guggenheim. “Airlines are potentially more cautious from a cost perspective, but also just trying to streamline the experience and contact,” Guggenheim says. “Health concerns are going to be more front and center for a while even as we emerge from the pandemic. So things like food service and some of the other touch-points between crews and passengers [will be] potentially simplified.”

There could even be new touch-free ways to signal a flight attendant that are built into business-class seat consoles and integrated with passengers' mobile devices, Konwiser predicts. 

Business-class seats will feel even more private

The focus on social distancing might have an upside for premium fares: more spacious seats designed with passenger privacy in mind.

“Business classes have been moving toward more space and privacy pre-COVID for sure—I don’t see that stopping,” Konwiser says. “COVID, if anything, has shown the value of that space is more than just personal comfort." Now, it's also about the feeling of safety.

"That trend of having business and premium economy cabins that demonstrate more privacy, we’ll probably see a lot of creativity around that in the next five to 10 years,” he says. So passengers can expect more suite-style seating , with doors that close for an added feeling of isolation.

According to Konwiser: “Comfort in the air—and comfort is both a perception and reality—we’ll see a lot more innovation in the air around comfort."

We're reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find all of our coronavirus coverage and travel resources here.

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According to Reuters, Qatar Airways has completed its 10 percent stake purchase of LATAM Airlines in a transaction worth $608.4 million USD. Buying Business Travel shares Etihad Airways has agreed to new codeshare deals with Montenegro Airlines and Tanzania’s Precision Air. According to USA TODAY, Delta has reached an agreement with Boeing to cancel an order…

In business travel news this week, the Chicago Tribune reported that Senator Charles Schumer wants to require the FAA to establish seat-size standards for commercial airlines to keep passengers from being packed in like sardines. Also according to the Chicago Tribune, the U.S. has banned all air travelers from using electronic cigarettes on domestic and foreign airlines…

With GBTA’s headquarters located in Alexandria, VA just outside of Washington, D.C., there has been much talk of the impending blizzard. USA Today writes about how the east coast blizzard is already a travel nightmare thanks to preemptive cancellations and notes that airlines are waiving changes fees ahead of the snowstorm. Let’s talk loyalty. Skift…

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More From Forbes

Business travel is back—jump in with these travel essentials.

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It’s time to leave your work-from-home set up and not just for a stint into the office. Business travel is once again trending and many of us have not restocked our travel bags in years. Now is the perfect time for a travel closet refresh and these items will help you look your best and be better prepared for that next official meeting.

Arrive in style with this suit

A terrific wrinkle-free suit from Bonobos

Bonobos is well known for offering key wardrobe pieces that can be easily styled and customized. An excellent choice for business travel is the Jetsetter stretch wool suit. The tailoring looks great and the material—97% wool, 3% stretch—prioritizes comfort. This all-season suit features modern notch lapels, double-button placket, double vent, non-functioning button cuffs, Bemberg lining and an interior passport pocket. You can choose between slim, regular and athletic fit and a host of colors. The wrinkle-resistant fabric guarantees you will look terrific upon arrival.

A stylish choice from Veilance

A multi functional work friendly dress from Arc’teryx

While you may shop Arc’teryx for its outstanding outdor gear, its Veilance line is geared towards fashionable urban dwellers. A perfect piece that can transition from day to night is the Icosta dress. This new wardrobe favorite offers comfort, performance and lots of extra style. The stretch polyester weave makes it easy to move around in and its moisture wicking quality will help you stay cool in stuffy meeting rooms. Small pockets are a nice, welcome touch and ultrasonic finishing throughout provides clean lines and seamless luxury.

The Surface Pro 9

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An ideal laptop from Microsoft

If it’s time to upgrade your laptop, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 is a great choice. The Surface Pro 9 provides terrific laptop performance and up to 19 hours of battery life for long workdays. It can also be used as a tablet and provides an ideal screen for a late-night movie in your hotel room. Another plus—it weighs less than two pounds. You can customize the device and keyboard with multiple colors and materials. And if AI is on your wish list, Microsoft’s Copilot is easily integrated into this newest Surface device.

A fashionable backpack

A sleek backpack from Thule

It is definitely time to update your backpack. The Thule Subterra 2 21L backpack is perfect for the modern traveler; it combines a streamlined look, numerous features and storage compartments for all your needs. Inside, you will find padded laptop and tablet sleeves to ensure that your tech stays safe. And an interior organization section keeps pens, chargers, keys and other essentials in place. A back “security” pocket allows you to keep your passport and wallet hidden, but easy to access. As an added bonus, the bag is bluesign® certified, meaning it is manufactured with the environment in mind.

Durable and stylish travel jewelry

Designer travel jewelry from D. Louise

If you want to look stylish, but don’t want to tote your authentic gold and diamond pieces with you when you travel, then consider a purchase form D. Louise. This British company makes incredibly fashionable pieces that are appropriate for business meetings and adventure treks. The pieces are gold-plated stainless steel and use a coating process that is 10 times stronger than standard gold plating and is environmentally friendly. This is jewelry that you can confidently swim and work out in. All pieces are guaranteed not to fade or tarnish. In addition, the packaging is sustainable and the company plants a tree for every order placed.

Cozy wool slippers

Get cozy with these wool slippers from Glerups

This Danish company has been making environmentally friendly wool footwear for decades. Wool is naturally temperature regulating, odor-resistant and breathable and these Glerups come in multiple styles and colors. Stay comfortable during long flights or in your hotel room with these extremely lightweight wool slippers. They can be ordered with leather or rubber soles and are also ideal for a quick trip to breakfast buffet. The company uses wool that is carefully sourced from Danish Gotland sheep and sheep from New Zealand on farms committed to regenerative agriculture.

Multi-purpose sunglasses

Versatile sunglasses from ROKA

You can look terrific and obtain outstanding features with the newest sunglasses from Roka. The Oslo 2.0 includes upgraded hinges, temples, and GEKO™ grip placement. These features help to create a better fit during all activities. You can gain sun protection while navigating any city and also use these during an outdoor run or a trip to the beach, so there is no need to pack multiple pairs of sunglasses. ROKA glasses come in multiple colors and lens options and are customizable. Try them on virtually to see which you prefer.

A favorite travel pillow

A favorite neck pillow from Turtl

If you struggle to get comfortable on those longer flights, consider the Turtl. This innovative neck pillow might just allow you to get a bit of a rest before your arrival. The Turtl comes in four colors and offer multiple benefits. There is complete support for your head, so you won’t bump into your seatmate and it has been demonstrated to relieve stress on your spine and muscles. The soft fleece fabric will help you feel comfy as you nod off.

Protect your phone in style

Magsafe phone case from Otterbox

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I've been to all 50 states. Here are the 10 I think everyone should visit at least once.

• Over the past decade, I've traveled solo to all 50 US states and most major US national parks.
• Although I've found beauty in every state, there are some that I want to visit over and over again.
• I love traveling to places like New Mexico, Montana, New Hampshire, and Arizona.

Over the past decade, I've successfully visited all 50 US states solo. I've even made it to most of the major US national parks along the way. Because of this journey, I'm often asked which states I'd recommend to travelers.

Although most international travelers gravitate toward states like Florida and New York , I've found fantastic beauty and history in every state.

However, these are the 10 states I always return to.

New Mexico boasts a surprising variety of stunning landscapes.

New Mexico is always at the top of my list when recommending US states. Nicknamed " the land of enchantment ," it lives up to its moniker — and then some.

Those who haven't visited New Mexico may think of the state as a mostly barren desert, but it's actually the diverse landscapes that keep me coming back.

From the otherworldly dunes of White Sands National Park to the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains, there's beauty to be found around every corner.

Outside the natural beauty, the state is chock full of history, art, food, wine, and culture.

Montana is a must-visit state for any outdoor enthusiast.

With its vast open spaces, majestic mountains, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, Montana is a must-visit state for any outdoor enthusiast.

The state is home to the breathtaking Glacier National Park and parts of Yellowstone National Park . The sky is vast and open, the mountains are towering, and the lack of development makes me feel like I'm entering another world entirely.

California is full of diverse landscapes and experiences.

Every time I visit California , I feel like I'm entering a completely different reality.

The sheer size and diversity of the state are impressive, and it has gorgeous beaches, cities, forests, deserts, mountains, and even volcanoes.

I love road-tripping up the coast, visiting Yosemite National Park, taking a boat to the Channel Islands, and wine tasting in places like Napa and Sonoma.

There's no place quite like the Maine coast.

There's so much to love about Maine, but my favorite part of the state is the coast. With jagged and dramatic cliffs, lighthouses, and lobster shacks, visiting the Maine coast is an unforgettable experience.

It's easy to find peace in the state that sees the first sunrise of the year and is home to Acadia National Park, which is one of the country's most popular national parks.

I love to road trip up the coast, stopping in beautiful towns like Kennebunkport, Bar Harbour, and Lubec.

I've returned to West Virginia multiple times.

While it may not get as much attention as some of the other states on this list, I've returned to West Virginia multiple times since my first visit.

The state's natural beauty is stunning, from New River Gorge National Park to ample lush forests, underground caverns, historic small towns, and over 200 waterfalls .

Wisconsin is home to beautiful scenery and great dining options.

Wisconsin has so much more than first meets the eye, from the natural beauty of the Apostle Islands and the 15,000 lakes in the state to the classic cheese curds, breweries, and wineries that dot the landscape.

I love spending time along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, dining at one of the state's famous supper clubs, and exploring the many Wisconsin state parks.

As my home state, Colorado will always hold a special place in my heart.

I couldn't write a list like this without including my home state of Colorado. The state has so much to offer, from beautiful views to fun activities.

On the Front Range, I enjoy hiking in Boulder and exploring Cheyenne Cañon. I like to spend the night at the The Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs before heading over to Great Sand Dunes National Park.

In the Rockies, I love driving Independence Pass to Aspen, as well as exploring the underrated Grand Mesa, which is the biggest flat-top mountain in the world . I also enjoy taking road trips to the charming mountain towns of Telluride, Buena Vista, and Steamboat Springs.

No matter where you find yourself in Colorado, there's no shortage of incredible natural beauty and outdoor adventure.

Utah is home to five major national parks.

Utah is a state that you have to see to believe. With five major national parks, 46 state parks, 15 ski resorts, and hidden gems at every turn — you'll never get bored here.

I love visiting Moab to hike in Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park before heading south to Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Zion National Park .

I also love making stops in Park City and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.

New Hampshire boasts some of the best skiing and hiking in the Northeast.

The Northeast is famous for fall foliage, but I can't help but think that New Hampshire is sometimes overshadowed by its neighbors, Maine and Vermont.

I was stunned by its natural beauty during my first trip to the state. From the White Mountains to Franconia Notch State Park, the state boasts some of the best skiing and hiking in the Northeast.

Arizona is the perfect escape for adventure and relaxation.

Arizona is well known for the Grand Canyon, but the state has much more to offer. From Flagstaff's high-altitude forests to Sedona's iconic red rocks, Arizona's diversity is surprising and worth a trip.

I love hiking among the cacti in Sedona or Scottsdale before heading to one of the many resorts to jump in a pool or hit the spa — the perfect escape for adventure and relaxation.

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Travel Insurance

Cheapest travel insurance of April 2024

Mandy Sleight

Heidi Gollub

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 9:52 a.m. UTC April 11, 2024

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WorldTrips is the best cheap travel insurance company of 2024 based on our in-depth analysis of the cheapest travel insurance plans. Its Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier plans offer affordable travel insurance with high limits for emergency medical and evacuation benefits bundled with good coverage for trip delays, travel inconvenience and missed connections.

Cheapest travel insurance of 2024

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our team of travel insurance experts analyzes hundreds of insurance products and thousands of data points to help you find the best travel insurance for your next trip. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content . You can read more about our methodology below.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

Best cheap travel insurance

Top-scoring plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, medical evacuation limit per person, why it’s the best.

WorldTrips tops our rating of the cheapest travel insurance with two plans:

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheaper travel insurance plan of the two, with $100,000 per person in emergency medical benefits as secondary coverage and an optional upgrade to primary coverage. It’s also our pick for the best travel insurance for cruises .
• Atlas Journey Premier costs a little more but gives you $150,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage . This is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority.

Pros and cons

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheapest of our 5-star travel insurance plans.
• Atlas Journey Premier offers $150,000 in primary medical coverage.
• Both plans have top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Each plan offers travel inconvenience coverage of $750 per person.
• 12 optional upgrades, including destination wedding and rental car damage and theft.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Cheap travel insurance for cruises

Travel insured.

Top-scoring plan

Travel Insured offers cheap travel insurance for cruises and its Worldwide Trip Protector plan gets 4 stars in our rating of the best cruise travel insurance .

• Worldwide Trip Protector offers $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and a rare $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits, which means you won’t have to file medical claims with your health insurance first.
• Cheap trip insurance for cruises.
• Offers a rare $150,000 for non-medical evacuation.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person only available for cruises and tours.

Best cheap travel insurance for families

Travelex has the best cheap travel insurance for families because kids age 17 are covered by your policy for free when they’re traveling with you.

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• $2,000 travel delay coverage per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Only $50,000 per person emergency medical coverage.
• Baggage delay coverage is only $200 and requires a 12-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for seniors

Evacuation limit per person

Nationwide has the best cheap travel insurance for seniors — its Prime plan gets 4 stars in our best senior travel insurance rating. However, Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan ranks higher in our best cheap travel insurance rating.

• Cruise Choice has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion. It also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay, for cruises or tours. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.
• Coverage for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) upgrade available.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person is only for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for add-on options

AIG offers the best cheap travel insurance for add-on options because the Travel Guard Preferred plan allows you to customize your policy with a host of optional upgrades.

• Travel Guard Preferred upgrades include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings. There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million.
• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your affordable travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Best cheap travel insurance for missed connections

TravelSafe has the best cheap travel insurance for missed connections because coverage is not limited to cruises and tours, as it is with many policies.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of the best cheap travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage available.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

Cheapest travel insurance comparison

How much does the cheapest travel insurance cost?

The cheapest travel insurance in our rating is $334. This is for a WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred travel insurance plan, based on the average of seven quotes for travelers of various ages to international destinations with a range of trip values.  

Factors that determine travel insurance cost

There are several factors that determine the cost of travel insurance, including:

• Age and number of travelers being insured.
• Trip length.
• Total trip cost.
• The travel insurance plan you choose.
• The travel insurance company.
• Any add-ons, features or upgraded benefits you include in the travel insurance plan.

Expert tip: “In general, travelers can expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 10% of their total prepaid, non-refundable trip costs,” said Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip.

Is buying the cheapest travel insurance a good idea?

Choosing cheaper travel insurance without paying attention to what a plan covers and excludes could leave you underinsured for your trip. Comparing travel insurance plans side-by-side can help ensure you get enough coverage to protect yourself financially in an emergency for the best price. 

For example, compare these two Travelex travel insurance plans:

• Travel Basic is cheaper but it only provides up to $15,000 for emergency medical expense coverage. You’ll also have to pay extra for coverage for children.
• Travel Select will cost you a bit more but it covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses and includes coverage for kids aged 17 and younger traveling with you. It also offers upgrades such additional medical coverage, “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage and an adventure sports rider that may be a good fit for your trip.

Reasons to consider paying more for travel insurance 

Make sure you understand what you’re giving up if you buy the cheapest travel insurance. Here are a few reasons you may consider paying a little extra for better coverage. 

• Emergency medical. The best travel medical insurance offers primary coverage for emergency medical benefits. Travel insurance with primary coverage can cost more than secondary coverage but will save you from having to file a claim with your health insurance company before filing a travel insurance claim.
• Emergency evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote location or planning a boat excursion on your trip, look at travel insurance with a high medical evacuation insurance limit. If you are injured while traveling, transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility could cost in the tens to hundreds of thousands. It may make sense to pay more for travel insurance with robust emergency evacuation coverage. 
• Flexibility. To maximize your trip flexibility, you might consider upgrading your travel insurance to “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage . This will increase the cost of your travel insurance but allow you to cancel your trip for any reason — not just those listed in your policy. The catch is that you’ll need to cancel at least 48 hours before your trip and will only be reimbursed 50% or 75% of your trip expenses, depending on the plan. 
• Upgrades. Many travel insurance plans have optional extras like car rental collision and adventure sports (which may otherwise be excluded from coverage). These will cost you extra but may give you the coverage you need. 

How to find the cheapest travel insurance

The best way to find the cheapest travel insurance is to determine what you’re looking for in a travel insurance policy and compare plans that meet your needs.

 “Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every trip is different, and every traveler has different needs, wants and concerns. This is why comparison is key,” said Morrow.

Consider the following factors when comparing cheap travel insurance plans.

• How often you’re traveling. A single-trip policy may be the most cost-effective if you’re only going on a single trip this year. But a multi-trip travel insurance plan may be cheaper if you’re going on multiple international trips throughout the year. Annual travel insurance policies cover you for a whole year as long as each trip doesn’t exceed a certain number of days, usually 30 to 90 days. 
• Credit card has travel insurance benefits. The best credit cards offer perks and benefits, and many offer travel insurance-specific benefits. The coverage types and benefit limits can vary, and you must put the entire trip cost on the credit card to use the coverage. If your trip costs more than the coverage limit on your card, you can supplement the rest with a cheaper travel insurance plan.
• The coverage you need. When looking for the best travel insurance option at the most affordable price, only buy extras and upgrades you really need. A basic plan may only provide up to $500 in baggage insurance, but if you only plan to take $300 worth of clothes and accessories, you don’t need to pay more for higher coverage limits.

Is cheap travel insurance worth it?

Cheap travel insurance can be worth it, as long as you understand the plan limitations and exclusions. Taking the time to read your policy, especially the fine print, well before your trip can ensure there won’t be any surprises about what’s covered once your journey begins.

“If a traveler is looking for coverage for travel delays, cancellations, interruptions, medical and baggage — a comprehensive travel insurance policy will provide the most bang for their buck,” said Morrow. But if you’re on a tight budget and are only worried about emergency medical care and evacuation coverage while traveling abroad, stand-alone options are cheaper.

Before buying travel insurance, you should also consider what your health insurance will cover. 

“Most domestic health insurance plans, including Medicare, will not cover medical bills abroad,” said Morrow. Even if you’re staying stateside, you may find value in an affordable travel insurance plan with medical coverage if you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). 

A cheap travel insurance plan is better than none at all if you end up in a situation that would have covered some or all of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance . From those top-scoring travel insurance plans, we chose the most affordable for our rating of the cheapest travel insurance.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• Cost: 40 points. We scored the average cost of each travel insurance policy for a variety of trips and traveler profiles.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

Cheapest travel insurance FAQs

When buying travel insurance, cheapest is not always the best. The most affordable travel insurance plans typically offer fewer coverages with lower policy limits and few or no optional upgrades. Add up your total nonrefundable trip costs and compare travel insurance plans and available features that cover your travel expenses. This strategy can help you find the cheapest travel insurance policy that best protects you from financial loss if an unforeseen circumstance arises.

Get the coverage you need: Best travel insurance of 2024

According to our analysis, WorldTrips , Travel Insured International and Travelex offer the best cheap travel insurance. Policy coverage types and limits can vary by each travel insurance provider, so the best way to get the cheapest travel insurance plan is to compare several policies and companies to find the right fit for your budget.

A good rate for travel insurance depends on your budget and coverage needs. The most comprehensive travel insurance plan is usually not the cheapest. But cheap trip insurance may not have enough coverage or the types of coverage you want. Comparing different levels of coverage and how much they cost can help you find the best cheap insurance for travel. 

The average cost of travel insurance is between 5% to 6% of your total travel expenses for one trip, according to our analysis of rates. However, you may find cheaper travel insurance if you opt for a plan with fewer benefits or lower coverage limits. How much you pay for travel insurance will also depend on the number of travelers covered, their ages, the length of the trip and any upgrades you add to your plan.

Travel insurance covers nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs — up to the policy coverage limits — when your trip is interrupted or canceled for a covered reason outlined in your plan documents. Even the cheapest travel insurance policies usually provide coverage for:

• Medical emergencies.
• Trip delays.
• Trip interruption.
• Trip cancellation.
• Lost, stolen or damaged luggage.

However, if you’re looking to save on travel insurance, you can shop for a policy that only has travel medical insurance and does not include benefits for trip cancellation .

Even when you buy cheap travel insurance, you can often use upgrade options to customize your policy to meet your specific needs. 

Some common travel insurance add-ons you may want to consider include:

• Rental car damage coverage. 
• Medical bundle.
• Security bundle.
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Adventure sports bundle.
• Pet bundle.
• Wedding bundle.
• “Cancel for work reasons” coverage.
• “Interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage.
• “Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage .

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam

A mexican drug cartel is targeting seniors and their timeshares..

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Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence.

A massive scam targeting older Americans who own timeshare properties has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars sent to Mexico.

Maria Abi-Habib, an investigative correspondent for The Times, tells the story of a victim who lost everything, and of the criminal group making the scam calls — Jalisco New Generation, one of Mexico’s most violent cartels.

On today’s episode

Maria Abi-Habib , an investigative correspondent for The New York Times based in Mexico City.

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How a brutal Mexican drug cartel came to target seniors and their timeshares .

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Want to buy a $1 home in Italy? The best advice from 3 people who did it

For years now, people around the world have been captivated by Sicilian towns selling off abandoned homes starting at 1 euro , or roughly $1.08.

Several hundred homes have been sold to curious and ambitious renovators, including Meredith Tabbone, 44, of Chicago. She learned in 2019 that a town called Sambuca di Sicilia was auctioning off homes starting with 1-euro bids.

"A lot of people warned me that it could be a scam [and that] I could end up losing a lot of money," she tells CNBC Make It.

Still, she took up the idea when she realized her great-grandfather was actually from Sambuca. She placed her bid on a home for 5,555 euros sight unseen and won, thus starting her on a four-year journey of renovations.

"From the moment that I sent in the bid and checked my email every day and found out that I won, all the way through this process, there have been 4 million moments of frustration, exhaustion, contemplation of how to move forward," she says.

Tabbone and other 1-euro homebuyers share their biggest pieces of advice to other aspiring renovators around the world.

Prepare for additional costs

Sicily's homes may start at 1 euro, but the cost is largely symbolic and just the start of more expenses down the line.

In Mussomeli, one of the most famous 1-euro towns, buyers must also pay a realtors fee of 500 euros and pay for the deed, which costs 2,800 euros. That adds up to a total of 3,301 euros, or nearly $3,600.

Rubia Daniels, 50, of Berkeley, Calif., bought three 1-euro homes in Mussomeli in 2019. So far, she's focused her efforts on renovating her main vacation home. She originally thought it would cost her $20,000 but has already spent $35,000 between materials, labor and furniture. She hopes to stay under $40,000.

Tabbone paid 5,555 euros for her home, plus some taxes and fees, bringing the home sale up to 5,900 euros, or roughly $6,400. She then bought the building next door through a private sale with the owner for 22,000 euros, or nearly $24,000. 

Over the next four years, Tabbone spent about 425,000 euros on renovations, or roughly $463,000. Altogether, that adds up to 430,900 euros, or $469,500 for her dream home in Sicily.

Be present for renovations

Speaking of renovations, though communicating with local construction workers can kick off plans, buyers say it's crucial to be on the ground while work is being done.

Danny McCubbin, an Australian native who bought a 1-euro house in Mussomeli, says he's seen "quite a few" foreigners try to manage their project from their home country.

McCubbin bought his cheap Sicilian home in 2019 with hopes to turn it into a food-rescue charity. He ended up selling his house back to the real estate agency after it experienced extensive, and costly, water damage. But he managed to open his charity, The Good Kitchen, elsewhere in town.

"It's best to actually be here with the builder, choosing the tiles, choosing whatever you need," he says. For the times you can't be there in-person, he also recommends finding a local project manager who can speak English and Italian to communicate plans with the local crew.

Have patience

Daniels works in construction and learned quickly that things in Sicily take much longer than they do in the U.S.

"Working with contractors in Sicily, I had to learn how to set my expectations, but not my American expectations," she says.

Have patience to understand the culture and how business is done so you don't get frustrated, she adds. She's been renovating her main home in Mussomeli on and off since 2020 and is still several months from finishing.

"Overall, there's plenty capable people to do the work," Daniels says, but "the work here, it flows in a different way. You have to remember this is an island and they are in an island time. So [things] just move a little bit slower than what you expect."

Visit in the winter

If you're planning to buy real estate in another country, it's best to spend a good amount of time there. And don't only go when it's peak travel season.

"I always say come for longer than one or two weeks," McCubbin says. "And most importantly, come in winter. In summertime it's beautiful. It's sunny, the houses, there's no mold in them. You discover in winter that a lot of these houses do have mold. They do have moisture, and it's a very different feel here than in summer."

Learn the language

Tabbone, Daniels and McCubbin agree that it's crucial to learn Italian in order to really get around Sicily, especially if you plan to spend part of your year there.

Language-learning apps and courses are a good place to start, but immersing yourself among locals is another great way to practice.

Tabbone says she enjoys spending time with Sicilians when she visits. Her first friends in Sambuca included members of the construction crew on her project, who then introduced her to their friends and family members. She also has a close relationship with the town's mayor — she practices her Italian with him and he practices his English with her.

"I think I would be extremely fluent in Italian if Google Translate did not exist," she jokes, "but I'm very, very proficient at Google Translate."

Don't be lured just by cheap houses

Newcomers to Sicily may be attracted by inexpensive houses, but many say their biggest reason for staying is the people they meet along the way.

"I always say, don't be allured by the fact that the houses are cheap," McCubbin says. "Think about where you want to be and where you want to spend your time. Having said that, people here are kind. People here are very friendly. It's a great place to live." McCubbin now lives in Mussomeli full-time and owns another house there.

Tabbone says one of her favorite things about Sambuca is how she can connect with fellow foreigners as well as long-time residents.

"One of the things that I love the most about Sambuca is that the community is not just expats who are moving here. It's really well intertwined with the locals and the community. Any dinner party that you go to, even if you just go to a cafe on the street, you will always see a very nice mixture of expats and of locals, and I love that."

Conversions from euros to USD were done using the OANDA conversion rate of 1 euro to 1.08 USD on March 22, 2024. All amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar.

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