Resources and Exclusive Discounts for Travel

These are all items and services that I personally use when I travel and to plan travel for our clients.

View over the pool to the beach at Hotel Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica.
Breakfast at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris

Click on the tabs to explore more resources

We independently select and evaluate our recommendations. If you purchase through some links below, we may receive compensation.

My Exclusive Promo Codes

Sometimes, there isn’t one clear way to buy. I’ll tell you where to crunch numbers.

The entrance to the San Diego Zoo.

Zoo/Safari Park

I have the lowest publicly available final price on San Diego Zoo and Safari Park tickets. We must keep the promo code unpublished, and the ways to get it are at the top of this post.

A family walks into the entrance of LEGOLAND California theme park.

LEGOLAND

The park uses dynamic pricing, so direct is usually but not always cheaper than what’s available at aRes Travel. Use promo code LEGO at aRes Travel.

SeaWorld San Diego Manta roller coaster

SeaWorld San Diego

Black Friday prices here also change all the time, so you’ll want to compare. Plus you can add all-day dining and quick Queue to your tickets. Use promo code CYBER at aRes Travel.

So Diego Tours

Our culinary and craft beer scene is booming and the best tours for foodies are with So Diego. Use promo code lajollamom for $5 off.

Go City San Diego & Los Angeles

Go City San Diego is the most robust and popular sightseeing pass we have. The LA version also has some SD theme parks on it. Use promo code GOSDO5LJM for 10% off SD and GOLA5LJM for 5% off LA (stacks on top of sale prices).

Old Town Trolley Tours

Get Black Friday prices with the promo code CYBER, aRes Travel is the cheapest place to get hop-on, hop-off tickets to our super popular sightseeing trolley.

Sesame Place

Prices change frequently at this seasonal SeaWorld water park/theme park. You’ll need to compare direct versus aRes Travel.

Seal Tours

Get Black Friday pricing with the promo code CYBER! aRes Travel is the cheapest place to get tickets for the crazy bus-boat tour on the bay. Departs from Seaport Village in downtown.

Everyday California

Use code LJMOM20 for a 20% discount on kay and snorkel tours, surf lessons, and gear rentals at Everyday California in La Jolla.

Helpful Logistics

Car Rentals

Uber works well in San Diego, but most visitors rent cars. These are the two Virtuoso-approved companies that I personally use. Book directly through them.

Virtuoso Hotels

Most of the Virtuoso hotels in San Diego, where we have extra benefits for you at no extra cost (daily breakfast for two, $100 resort credits, etc.), can be booked online. Others in our network can be requested through my form.

Vacation Packages

You can bundle hotels and theme park tickets into a package for extra savings. Look for price drop alerts on some hotels.

Luggage Free

While this sounds like a luxury, do you know what people use Luggage Free for here? Surfboards and golf clubs! This way, you don’t have to deal with oversized baggage on the plane. Or choose to go completely luggage-free by sending everything to your hotel beforehand.

Toddler’s Travels

You can rent baby beach gear, car seats, toys, cribs, strollers, bathtubs, and much more for your hotel, vacation rental, or out-of-town guests from this local, family-owned business. You can pick it up near the airport or have it delivered.

Viator San Diego

Whether it’s boat, bike, scooter, walking, and other tours, Viator has the largest list for you to browse if you’re not sure exactly how you want to see San Diego.

We independently select and evaluate our recommendations. If you purchase through some links below, we may receive compensation.

Luggage

After being let down by brand-name suitcases, I finally splurged on luggage that is both practical and gorgeous. And d you know it’s easy to ship it?

Rimowa luggage review

Rimowa

I love, love, love my luggage

We own multiple pieces. While I love the high-end look of the silver Original Line, my favorite piece is the less-expensive Essential Trunk Plus because it has a zipper and more flexible “skin.” Rimowa is an investment and does ding/scratch like other hard-shell luggage but we’re happy (and love the stickers/customization options).

Luggage Free

I’ve used it – SO EASY!

I’m a convert to shipping luggage. We went from a volleyball tournament in Chicago to the East Coast where we made multiple stops on the train. I shipped our luggage from our first train stop to our last stop (keeping only what I needed in between), which could not have been easier.

Travel Planning

These are my go-to travel planning resources when I need hotels, sightseeing passes, car service, lounge access, and sightseeing tips.

Breakfast at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris

Virtuoso Hotels

Book five star hotels and resorts with perks!

We own multiple pieces. While I love the high-end look of the silver Original Line, my favorite piece is the less-expensive Essential Trunk Plus because it has a zipper and more flexible “skin.” Rimowa is an investment and does ding/scratch like other hard-shell luggage but we’re happy (and love the stickers/customization options).

Go City

Save with sightseeing passes.

I use Go City sightseeing passes in major cities like New York City, Shanghai, San Francisco, and others where a la carte ticket purchases might add up. You can use the app as a ticket. A variety of options from All-Inclusive to Build-Your-Own suite various travel styles. I highly recommend this pass for people visiting San Diego (use my promo code GOSDO5LJM for 5% off).

Blacklane

For scheduled airport transfers.

This is the black car service that we use worldwide (Shanghai, London, Paris, Istanbul, San Diego, etc.) for airport transfers. I use the app or book online.

Context Travel

Private and small group tours I highly recommend.

Sightseeing becomes more meaningful when you have someone with you to share details you wouldn’t otherwise have. We’ve done scavenger hunts (their kids’ programming is excellent) in Venice, food tours in Hong Kong, and more. For what you get, pricing is reasonable, and you can move at your own pace.

Luxe City Guides

Power check your itinerary in major cities.

I’ve been buying these pithy pocket-sized guides for years, but you can download the app and buy city guides through it. Contrary to the name, they are not all expensive recs. They are curated by people in the know and feature locals-only spots, chic shops, restaurants, and things to do.

Must-Have Packed

Everyone travels with their own gear that makes life easier but these are a few of my favorite things.

Or read more about my carry-on packing list

Travel Insurance

Please, please make sure that you are covered.

In most cases, your home medical insurance and credit card protection aren’t enough, especially if you’re traveling overseas. Read all terms and conditions to make sure you understand coverage. I’ve listed coverage I use personally and popular coverage options for clients of our travel agency.

Geoblue

Annual medical policy for overseas travel.

Thankfully, we have an annual GeoBlue policy that we haven’t had to use. I chose it because it is compatible with our California health insurance policy. It’s up to you to find the gaps in what you have and make sure that whatever you buy covers them.

MedJet

Medical evacuation coverage.

We also have an annual MedJet membership which is less-restrictive medical evacuation. It covers overseas travel (now with some pandemic restrictions) but also within 150 miles of your home, making it something to consider for parents of college students or kids who travel for sports.

Compare Multiple Policies with Squaremouth

Browse America’s largest insurance marketplace.

This is a robust platform where you can shop for single trip,annual, cruise, flight, adventure and medical travel insurance.

Allianz Travel Insurance

Another big name for single trip and annual coverage.

Allianz is also a Virtuoso member and widely respected in the travel community. Our travel agency, Cadence, has access to an exclusive policy there called Journey. This is the only option of the four listed here where I will be notified and your travel advisor on record.

We independently select and evaluate our recommendations. If you purchase through some links below, we may receive compensation.

Find a Hotel in Asia

Most of my favorite hotels in the entire world are located in Asia, including my former home (Four Seasons Hong Kong). Luxury hotels are glamorous and sleek with impeccable service and I have access to benefits at most of them.

Virtuoso

Get access to extra benefits, like this Four Seasons breakfast.

Through me, you have access to VIP amenities at thousands of hotels worldwide, including many in Asia. Common benefits can include room upgrades, daily breakfast for two, resort credits, and much more. In Asia, participating hotel brands include Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, The Ritz-Carlton, Shangri-La, and many others.

Agoda

Use to save on hotels that don’t have VIP programs.

Agoda is a major online travel agency that is basically the Expedia of Asia. You can reliably find good deals on hotels and resorts throughout the region, from budget to luxury.

Sightseeing Passes

I am a fan of using sightseeing passes to save money off of gate pricing at major attractions. You’ll need to crunch the numbers to decide if these passes make sense based on what you plan to see. I use Go City passes worldwide, including in Asia.

Go City Singapore

This pass has Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, and lots of must-see attractions. Use the app and go straight to the gate. Choose an All-Inclusive or the number of attractions.

Go City Hong Kong

This is the only sightseeing pass that I know of in Shanghai and I have used it. Choose All-Inclusive or Build Your Own. It includes a river cruise, popular observation towers, and more.

Tickets and Tours

Asia trip planning definitely involves saving money on attractions tickets and tours. However, take a look at my favorite private tour company for a more meaningful dive into food, sightseeing, and culture.

Klook

I start here when buying attraction tickets in Asia.

Singaporean-based Klook is a major seller of discounted attractions and tours in Asia. They have a very large presence in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Tokyo, and even in some smaller cities. I like their app and the ease of using tickets.

Context Travel

Private guided and small group tours that are worth every penny.

See what you want, at your own pace, with your own guide. Or, opt for a small group. I highly, highly recommend Context Travel. I’ve used them worldwide but most recently on a Hong Kong food tour. They operate in major cities like Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Bangkok, and more.

Voyagin

The best choice for tickets in Japan.

Voyagin is expanding worldwide but they seem to have cornered the market in Japan. You can buy JR Rail passes Tokyo Disneyland tickets and more through them.

Comfort and Connectivity

My VPN of choice (you’ll need it in China) and paid airport lounge access.

Express VPN

Stay online and protected.

Install a VPN before arriving overseas on your laptop, tablets, and phones to safely connect to Gmail, news, and social media while on public WiFi. I use ExpressVPN.

Priority Pass

Get airport lounge access.

These lounges can sometimes get busy but if you’re not flying business or first or if your airline doesn’t have a lounge in the airport, Priority Pass comes in handy (it is free with some premium travel credit cards).

Plaza Premium Lounge

One-off lounge access at major airports.

A handful of major airports offer one-off lounge access via Plaza Premium dedicated or affiliated lounges. I’ve used one in Hong Kong and it’s a quieter place to relax, have a few drinks, eat from a small buffer and even get a massage.

Getting Around

When I need an airport transfer or help getting around town, I turn to these rideshare apps and my favorite black car service. (In Hong Kong, I use taxis outside of airport transfers when I have a lot of luggage.)

Didi (China)

Didi is a rideshare app that I use in China. It has English translation, all types of cars, and you can link a foreign credit card to your account. It is incredibly helpful and easier than hailing a taxi.

Blacklane (Worldwide)

Blacklane is our car service of choice worldwide. I have used them in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and elsewhere when I need a scheduled airport transfer.

Grab (Singapore)

Grab is rideshare app that I use in Singapore. There are even Grab stands at places like Singapore Zoo so there is no question as to where you’ll meet your car.