🎤 Fangirl Travel Starter Checklist: How to Prep for Your Dream Concert Trip Abroad

✅ 1. Get a Travel Credit Card
This is step one if you're serious about traveling for less. The right card can cover:

• ✈️ Flights
• 🏨 Hotels
• 🥢 Airport lounge snacks so you don’t cry hungry

Start with a beginner-friendly card like:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred (great all-rounder)
• Capital One Venture (easy to use)
• American Express DeltaMiles (foodie + travel points)

👉 [Check out my full credit card guide here] 

 
✅ 2. Start Your Travel Savings Bento Box
Even with points, you'll need some cash for:

• Concert tickets
• Food
• Lightsticks (duh)
• Cute cafés + shopping

📱 Tip: Set up a “Bias Fund” in a high-yield savings account. Automate a small amount weekly — even $10 adds up.

 
✅ 3. Get Your Passport (or Check the Expiry)
If you don’t have a passport yet: apply ASAP — they take time.

If you do have one: make sure it doesn’t expire within 6 months of your travel dates.

 
✅ 4. Choose Your Dream Stop(s)
Will you just hit Seoul? Or maybe add a detour to Osaka, Busan, or Tokyo Disneyland?

🗺️ Create a basic itinerary:

• Concert day(s)
• Fan cafes to visit
• Free time to explore

Bonus: This helps you know how many points/cash you’ll need.

 
✅ 5. Track Concert Announcements Like a Pro
K-pop tours move FAST. I recommend:

• Turning on Twitter/X alerts for tour news accounts
• Joining fan Discords 
• Setting calendar reminders for ticket sales

👀 Tools like Songkick, Bandsintown, and Weverse often list international shows first.

 
✅ 6. Learn the Basics (Language + Apps)
No need to be fluent, but knowing these helps:

• How to say "Thank you" and "Excuse me" in Korean/Japanese
• How to ask for directions
• Using apps like Papago, Naver Map, and KakaoTaxi
   
  ✅ 7. Watch for Flight Deals
  If you're not booking with points, sign up for:
• Google Flights alerts
• Hopper price tracking
• Thrifty Traveler or Going (for flight deals)

🛫 Pro tip: Flying from major hubs like NYC or LA can save $$$ — even if you take a budget flight to those cities first.

 
✅ 8. Stay in Fangirl-Friendly Spots
Look for:

• Hotels near concert venues
• Hostels or Airbnbs close to public transport
• Accommodations with luggage storage (for early arrivals)

🏨 Bonus if they’re near K-beauty or album shops 👀

 
✅ 9. Prep a Concert Survival Kit
Pack:

• Portable charger
• Tissues (for tears and hygiene)
• Battery fan (those arenas get HOT)
• ID + ticket screenshot + backup email
• Lightstick + photo cards 💎
   
  ✅ 10. Have Fun + Don’t Compare
  Whether you're front row or in the nosebleeds, you made it. You chased your dream across the world.
  That’s iconic behavior.

Take selfies, eat your heart out, and cheer like your bias just looked at you (because maybe they did 👀).