The Cheap Seats' Melanie Bracewell reveals game-changing packing hacks
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Kiwi comedian and host of The Cheap Seats Melanie Bracewell travels for Pokémon and swears by packing cubes - and what's inside her carry-on may just inspire you to upgrade your travel gadgets, too.
I travel…
For work to places all around Australia. I'm on tour with my latest stand-up show A Little Treat and I love being able to check out different cities. Mostly I judge a city on how good the food is. I can't remember if I had an incredible show in Canberra or just a really great pad Thai. Being in TV show The Cheap Seats includes a little bit of travel. We love taking the show to different cities to give the fans an opportunity to catch a taping.
Inside my carry-on you'll find…
My boyfriend bought me a three-device travel charging set and it's the most thoughtful gift I've ever received. It means I can charge my watch, my phone and my headphones in one go. He saw my bag of various cables and plugs and gave me a solution. That's love.
My favourite holiday destination is...
Japan. I am a big pop-culture fiend. Some people want to travel to see things like the Eiffel Tower. I was excited to go to a Pokémon-themed café. Next trip, I'd love to go to South Korea for the League of Legends World Championships. Yes, I'm a nerdy gamer… next question!
Comedian and host of The Cheap Seats, Melanie Bracewell.
My travels are planned…
By me. I'm a bit particular. When I want a specific meal, I will go into Google Maps and search 'creamy mushrooms'. I also love leaving some of the organising to the last minute, it makes it more exciting. That being said, my sister is a travel agent so next trip I should probably text her.
As soon as I check in...
I try on all of the sunglasses in duty free. Then ultimately decide none of them suit my face, and, 'Oh, no, is that our boarding time? Oh, no, they're calling my name over the loudspeaker. Run, Melanie, run!'
My favourite travel companion is…
My best friend, Jodi. She is someone who must squeeze the most amount of fun in the shortest amount of time. She also is really good at making the trip cheap. Sometimes I'm like, 'Oh, no, we're sleeping in a campground on bunk beds, I'm going to hate this'. But then we're doing our dishes in the communal kitchen chatting to other groups of people and I realise that this is what a holiday should be.
I pack my suitcase…
With packing cells. I never used to be like this; I would shove it all in and hope for the best. The cells have changed me. It makes packing so fun, like I'm doing a little puzzle.
I'm a points person...
I once reached the top tier at Air New Zealand, but I lost it since moving to Australia. The issue now is that I travel with all different airlines all the time, so I have no loyalty. If we could just band together and put all the points in one system, I'd be rolling in it.
Melanie Bracewell on Monkey Beach at Pattaya, Thailand.
I always get travel insurance…
But I have never actually claimed anything with it. My phone exploded in Thailand, and I just bought another one because I needed it. My friend was like 'you could've got it back with travel insurance!', and I think I left it too late. I think the travel insurance industry keeps afloat because of lazy people like me.
My preferred plane meal is…
Vegetarian, because my boyfriend is vegetarian, and I don't want my salmon wafting in his face.
My tip for keeping valuables safe is…
Airtags on everything. I mean, the biggest risk to my property's safety is me. I will leave things on a train.
Melanie Bracewell at Brighton Beach Pier in the UK.
The plane seat I always choose in economy is…
Window seat. I have a strong bladder. I don't want people climbing over me. I'm 6'2'' (1.88m), it's not fun for anyone.
I save money when travelling by…
I love food, but I'll always buy a big bag of cereal to cover my breakfasts. It means I'm not eating out three meals a day.
The city I always use public transport in is...
London. One time I was doing a television appearance, so they ordered me a private car to drive me to my destination. It took 65 minutes. Would've been 15 on the train.
The Cheap Seats is on Tuesdays at 8.40pm on Channel 10 and on 10Play.com.au
Originally published as The Cheap Seats' Melanie Bracewell reveals game-changing packing hacks
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