Cincinnati /
Northern KentuckyInternational Airport

Let’s see more of the world… for less! Obernai, France.In a previous Jet with Jay, we shared some of the best travel hacks for traveling with kids and Tri-State parents had some [excellent advice](https://www.cvgairport.com/blogs/item/the-14-things-youve-gotta-pack-when-traveling-with-kids/).But what about the rest of the family, especially the person putting the whole trip together?So we’re back with ten more of my favorite ways to travel better.1. Google Flights is Your FriendYou’ve probably seen [Google Flights](https://www.google.com/travel/flights) mentioned at least a dozen times over the past five years on Jet with Jay and there’s a good reason: it’s one of the best ways to score great deals on flights! You can search by specific dates you need to travel or for the best deals, use the “Anywhere” option and choose “1-week Trip in the next 6 months” as your date and use the map tool. Using this tool, we often pay around $450 - $550 for flights to Europe and recently enjoyed $386 roundtrip flights to Paris! I also frequently find roundtrip flights under $150 around the US.Heading toward the Eiffel Tower to enjoy a sunset.2. Airline Reward Miles are ValuableA great way to earn free flights for future trips is by utilizing credit cards offered by each airline or travel cards from major credit card companies. The biggest boost to your airline rewards account comes from the sign-up bonuses, some can be as high as 70,000 - 80,000 miles for personal cards and 100,000+ miles for business accounts. I’ve been able to enjoy hundreds of thousands of free airline miles just from signing up for credit cards and paying large purchases I was going to spend money on anyway like insurance, car repairs, home improvements, etc. When redeeming miles, be on the lookout for flight sales and discounts by being a card user (United and Delta both offer reduced miles for certain flights for card holders.)Greetings from Strasbourg, France!3. AARP is A-OK… Even if You Aren’t RetiredThere are benefits to joining AARP, and you can still be gainfully employed! Anyone over the age of 50 is eligible for full membership while anyone over 18 can purchase a limited membership. A few of the current [travel deals](https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/travel/) available:- $65-$200 Off roundtrip flights on British Airways through January 2026.- An extra 5%-10% off many major hotel chains- Discounts on rental cars- Travel planning assistance(Deals subject to change)London is always a lovely choice4. Being Nice = Being (Sometimes) UpgradedTraveling can be stressful, but packing patience, kindness, and the occasional cash tip can go a long way in making your trip memorable. Being nice to the person behind a check-in desk at a hotel or rental car facility is not just the right thing to do, it has resulted in some nice upgrades on trips we’ve taken. A few examples:- During a conversation with a flight attendant while grabbing a snack, I mentioned we were on our honeymoon. A little while later she popped back to our seats with a big smile and a bottle of champagne. - While renting a car in San Francisco, the vehicle we were given wasn’t properly cleaned. I kindly asked to swap to another vehicle without making a big deal. The manager appreciated my friendly approach and we wer upgraded to a BMW SUV from a regular sedan. - During a mid-week visit to a casino hotel in Arizona, we mentioned it was our first time visiting. A $20 tip and a casual mention of “are there any upgrades available tonight?” found us enjoying the penthouse suite complete with floor to ceiling windows, a jacuzzi, and a TV that popped out of the foot of the bed. Any closer on this flight to Belize City and we’d be in the co-pilot seat.5. Volunteering For a New Flight Means Free Travel AheadEver heard one of those announcements in the gate area asking for volunteers to take a later flight in exchange for cash or flight vouchers? They can be a great way to enjoy free travel in the future if your flight plans are flexible. Airlines have become more proactive in their approach, sending notifications and emails to travelers well ahead of boarding asking them how much they’d accept in free flights in exchange for switching their flights. Some airlines will even offer travelers cash in addition to new flights in some circumstances. Rescheduling can have benefits6. Book a Week Instead of Six Nights to SaveWhen booking vacation rentals like Airbnb and VRBO (as well as some private listings and even a few hotels), you can often save money by staying just a bit longer. For example, booking for seven nights on Airbnb often automatically triggers a weekly discount. Sometimes this discount can be substantial and result in being cheaper than staying for six nights. The same goes for longer term travel, booking for 28 or more nights may trigger a monthly rate that would be less expensive than a shorter stay.Go on, stay an extra day!7. Ask a FriendIt’s a bit of an old-school approach, but putting the word out amongst friends, neighbors, and colleagues during the planning stage of your trip could help find you a new or unique destination or place to stay. Making a social media post about your travel planning is a great way to get recommendations from trusted friends who have visited local eateries and attractions. Who knows, you might even find someone with a cabin or vacation property that you could rent directly and save.Traveling with Good Friends is More Fun!8. Shop Around and Stack Rental Car Codes for More SavingsThere’s no “right way” to book a rental car for the best deal. Sites like [Hotwire](https://www.hotwire.com/) and [Priceline](https://www.priceline.com/) are a good place to start as they offer an aggregation of all rental car companies and filters for car type and whether or not the car is on-site or requires a shuttle to the rental lot. I sometimes go a step further by using a coupon code site like [RetailMeNot](https://www.retailmenot.com/) to find additional deals for specific rental brands. On top of a coupon code, some companies allow you to use more than one discount, known as stacking. For example, you could use an AARP or AAA discount rate along with a coupon.Tough to beat this parking lot view in Pebble Beach, CA9. Use Delivery and Pickup Services to Save Time on VacationI love visiting local grocery stores when on vacation but if you’d rather spend more time on the beach, a great way to save time is to use grocery pickup or delivery services. You can even connect to in-flight wifi and do your shopping while on the way to your destination. Then just pick up your groceries and head to your vacation rental. If you already pay for a grocery delivery membership, check to see if it’s offered where you’re headed to save even more time. You can also do some grocery shopping on the flight home so your fridge is ready to be stocked when you return.Curbside pickup is a great way to plan meals during your trip10. Rent Kids Items (Or Buy When You Arrive)A number of baby and toddler equipment rental companies have popped up in recent years offering cribs, pack-and-plays, strollers, high chairs, and everything else you need to take your little one on a trip. These are a convenient way to pack light while enjoying the comforts of home. Another option is to buy what you need at your destination and then donate it to a local charity or shelter on the last day of your trip. It can sometimes be the same price or cheaper than paying to check extra luggage each way.Consider NOT packing the pack-and-play!Got a great travel hack or tip to add to the list? You can reach me at @JayKruzOfficial on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JayKruzOfficial), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jaykruzofficial/), and [X](https://twitter.com/jaykruzofficial).-Jay

Updated: August 11, 2025Concourse ADunkin' (Gate A3)Dunkin’® fuels CVG Airport travelers with coffee, breakfast sandwiches and donuts freshly prepared at the airport. The kiosk makes it easy to order for families and individual travelers on the go.Graeter’s Ice Cream (Gate A13)Graeter’s Ice Cream may not be the first place you think of for a warm, comforting drink; however, the Cincinnati-based ice cream parlor has fresh-brewed coffee and hot chocolate that pairs nicely with locally made donuts and Danish rolls. CVG’s Graeter’s location has an expanded espresso and coffee menu that includes an affogato, a traditional Italian shot of espresso paired with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.Braxton Brewing Company (Gate A14)This local brewery teamed up with a local coffee shop, Deeper Roots Coffee, to offer passengers high-quality and ethically-sourced coffee that can be mixed with a shot of alcohol if desired. Braxton customers can purchase hot or iced coffee. To further support local businesses, you can also purchase a bag of coffee grounds to go.More Concourse A coffee options include the following.- Subway- Blaze Pizza- Illy Coffee (in the vending area, near the escalators)- Frisch’s Big Boy- Christian Moerlein Tap HouseConcourse BDunkin' (Gate B12)Dunkin’® fuels CVG Airport travelers with coffee, breakfast sandwiches and donuts freshly prepared at the airport. The kiosk makes it easy to order for families and individual travelers on the go.Skyline Chili (Concourse B Food Court)CVG was the [first Skyline Chili location to offer breakfast](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1TwMQGDmLg/), and nothing goes better with a Breakfast Chilito than Skyline’s diner-style drip coffee. The famous Cincinnati chili chain also boasts the Breakfast Way, Breakfast Coney, Breakfast Burrito, and more on its unique CVG menu.SAMBAZON® Açaí Bowls (Gate B19)This fresh, fast, and nutritious [açaí bowl shop](https://www.cvgairport.com/blogs/item/new-healthy-food-option-at-cvg-is-berry-delicious/) provides an expansive menu for health-conscious travelers, and organic, Fair-Trade certified coffee is on that list. If you’re looking for a powerful energy punch, you can pair the coffee with a nutrient-packed açaí bowl or a warm oatmeal bowl.More Concourse B coffee options include the following.- Bruegger’s Bagels- Chick-fil-A- Wendy’s- Tap & Pour Gastropub- Illy Coffee (near Gate B15)- Regina’s Italian KitchenThe next time you’re at CVG, we encourage you to try something new. In addition to a wide variety of coffee options, the airport [has many choices for of your dining needs](https://www.cvgairport.com/shop-dine-relax/), with more locations to come in 2025 and 2026.