9 Simple Travel Tips Malaysians Use That Are Perfect For First-Time Travellers
From getting past security faster to travelling smarter, travel newbies need not fret.
Published for CIMB, 21 Mar 2023, 11:23 AM
Everyone loves going on holiday, am I right? Especially if it's your first time catching a flight ever! :D
The sights, the sounds, the smells — ahh, just thinking of your first big overseas destination can ramp up the excitement before you even start packing your bags.
It can nonetheless be daunting for first-time travellers, since preparing for a trip abroad requires much more than just an overnight bag.Plus, travelling can come with its fair share of surprises — in the form of little (or big) annoyances that may pop up during the journey and dampen your high spirits, and throw off even seasoned travellers.
From forgetting an essential item to unpleasant airport experiences, the last thing first-time travellers need is getting into a bad or stressful mood while in vacay mode.
Rest assured, travel newbies! Here are some tips from Malaysians to help make your first trip a worry-free one:
1. "Whenever you line up for baggage check, try to line up behind a person who looks like they are travelling alone or for work, as the line usually moves quicker"
"This is one hack that I personally use whenever I need to catch a flight. Some of my friends and family also do this. This is because solo or business travellers are usually more aware of the do's and don'ts of air travel, which helps the line for clearance move faster."
— Eddy, 30
2. "Whenever I book a flight, I always purchase a meal together. Not only do I get to choose food that I actually like, but there's also usually more variety."
"Most of the time when you're onboard a flight, you don't get the food you want because of limited stock, so it's best if you purchase it online prior to your flight.
"Also, always remember to buy toiletries, skincare products, and perfume that are below 100ml! Bringing anything above 100ml will be taken away by airport security.
"It may sound common, but I'm a flight attendant, and people still seem to forget about this. You can always ask for liquids in smaller sizes in any pharmacy."
— Immy, 24
3. "I always save all travel documents in my cloud storage so that if I ever lose the physical copies or my phone, I still have them on backup"
"I also download all documents on my phone to access them quickly, especially if I'm in an area with a bad phone line or haven't purchased a roaming pass yet."
– Timothy, 25
4. "I got a credit card with free access to premium lounges, as well as cheaper rates for currency exchange"
"This means if I use my credit card overseas, the exchange rate is better than exchanging at counters. And it comes with more benefits for traveling, like free travel insurance and annual fee waived for life.
"Plus, the premium lounge provides a good place for me to rest before departing. There are buffet meals and drinks, all free!"
— Alex, 36
5. "Carrying a mist or facial spray is life-changing when you're on a plane and feeling dry like a raisin"
"Or, even a face mask for longer hauls or overnight flights too. I was told by an air stewardess to ALWAYS wipe down everything in a flight. She's seen it all. And it's nasty 'cause they usually don't have much time to clean up after each flight."
– Tammy, 28
6. "Always bring a small bag or pouch to store essential items like wallets, phones, and your passport — and keep them safe and hidden close to you"
"Avoid putting it in your pocket or jacket coat to keep your essentials safe from pickpockets."
— Hafiz, 25
7. "Every time I travel, I research places I want to go and places to eat beforehand, and make an itinerary according to which areas are near each other, so I can cover them all at once"
"I also plan ahead on what to wear and things to bring based on the places I'm going to, so packing is much easier."
— Imelda, 27
8. "Don't forget to pack a universal travel adapter!"
"It may slip your mind to check for the right plug and socket types of the country you're visiting before you travel. I always pack an international travel adapter with me, so I won't have to worry about not having the right charger for my devices and stuff like that. Another thing, if you hate taking off your belt at airport checkpoints, wear comfy sweatpants. :)"
– Idzmil, 37
9. "When I travel, I usually bring my first aid kit and any important medication"
"My first aid kit always has diarrhoea meds, because what better way to know the country that you are in than by its food?
"Did I ever get sick? YES! Did I ever regret it? NEVER."
– Allison, 40
Whether you discovered new helpful advice or are reminded of a solid old tip, we hope they serve you well on your next trip, hehe.
Looking for more ways to elevate your travel experience? You can check out CIMB's travel credit cards!
CIMB offers three different types of cards to choose from, each designed to fit every traveller's lifestyle and needs.
The credit cards — CIMB Travel World Elite Credit Card, CIMB Travel World Credit Card, and CIMB Travel Platinum Credit Card — are great options because you can redeem flights, hotels, as well as pay for various purchases with every bonus point you earn.
All you have to do to earn bonus points is spend on your usual everyday necessities.
Check out some of the perks you can enjoy with CIMB Travel Cards:
- Experience faster flight redemptions of up to RM1 = 1 Airline Mile/Point with every spend*
- Complimentary access to selected Plaza Premium First Lounges (a one-of-a-kind exclusive airport lounge) and Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide
- Enjoy attractive exchange rates with NO additional markup for overseas spend*
*Applicable to CIMB Travel World Elite Credit Card only
Wanna reap more rewards with CIMB Travel Cards? CIMB is waiving the annual fee, when you apply today!
The CIMB Travel Credit Card Annual Fee Waiver* campaign will go on until 31 December 2023, which means you'll get to experience even greater savings — and more money for your holidays, hehe.
You can find out which CIMB Travel Card suits you and your lifestyle best from CIMB Bank's website.
*Annual Fee Waiver Campaign is applicable to new-to-card applicants (customers who do not own a credit card issued by CIMB). Terms and conditions apply.
