The ultimate guide to traveling with chronic pain

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INSIDER SECRET: Booking a seat in business or first class can go a long way in alleviating any pain or discomfort during your flight —  and you don’t have to spend a fortune if you redeem your miles and points. 

If you live with chronic pain, dausingily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and showering can be difficult and exhausting. And often that chronic pain — whether it be arthritis, fybromyalgia, Lyme disease, jo

int pain or other ailments — is invisible to those on the outside, and can flare without warning.

While that means traveling requires extra planning and precautions, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see more of the world.

To help you plan ahead, we’ve put together a guide on how to travel if you’re living with chronic pain. We’ll cover what to pack, questions to ask, and much more. That way you can take advantage of the best airline credit cards to earn miles and points, and take amazing trips for pennies on the dollar.

Table of Contents:

• Before the Trip: How to Pack for Travel When You Suffer from Chronic Pain
• Air Travel with Chronic Pain
• Ground Travel with Chronic Pain
• Traveling by Train with Chronic Pain
• Traveling on a Ship with Chronic Pain
• Finding Lodging When Traveling with Chronic Pain
• Other Tips

Before the trip: How to pack for travel when you suffer from chronic pain

Give yourself extra time to pack. This will help reduce stress, because you’ll know you have everything you need to manage your condition.

Fill your prescriptions well before your trip, and have enough with you for the duration of your time away. Pack them in your carry-on bag (never in your checked luggage) and put it within quick reach. Consider taking a small bag to carry with you throughout your entire journey, so they’ll always be close at hand.

Pack other helpful items like a heating pack, a neck pillow for long flights or train rides and a good pair of shoes if you plan to do a lot of walking or sightseeing on your trip. Bring along a note from your doctor explaining your condition and a list of the medications you’re taking, in case you need to show it for medical assistance or to get through the TSA checkpoint at the airport.

Another option is to ship your luggage to your destination so you don’t have to hassle with lugging your stuff as you travel. Keep a bag with your essentials, and let the rest be there waiting for your arrival.

Check out companies like Luggage Free, LugLess and Send My Bag to handle delivery directly to your hotel or other location. It’s one more thing to do before you travel, but can make your experience easier and more convenient.

Air travel with chronic pain

If you suffer from chronic pain, any flight can bring dread. Cramped seats with a limited recline and ever-shrinking lavatory spaces can present difficulties, whether your flight is a quick hop or several hours.

If the idea of sitting in coach is daunting, consider using the best airline credit cards to rack up miles and points you can use toward a bigger seat in business or first class.

For example, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The Chase Ultimate Rewards portal is an easy way to redeem your points for travel. Or you can transfer your points directly to airline partners at a 1:1 ratio, including British Airways, United Airlines, and Southwest.

The bonus points you earn can be worth $750 in travel if you follow our tricks to get the most from them. Here’s our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.  It’s the #1 card we recommend to those starting out with miles and points.

Try to book your airline travel as early as possible so you can select an aisle seat, which will make it easier for you to get up throughout the flight to stretch your legs and give you more breathing room when seated.

Avoid booking seats in the back of the plane. There are two reasons for this: First, the back row of seats on a plane usually do not give you room to recline. Second, you’ll feel turbulence more, which can be painful if you have chronic pain. If you feel an aisle or forward seat is a medical necessity, and you were not able to secure one ahead of time, get a note from your doctor and present it to the gate agent before you board. They can be your ally and help shuffle seats to make you more comfortable.

Arriving at the airport

Get to the airport early to give yourself plenty of time to check bags, go through security and find your gate — especially if you need to arrange wheelchair access.

Tips for going through security

Consider getting TSA PreCheck to make going through security less stressful. There are many travel rewards credit cards that come with a statement credit for TSA PreCheck.

TSA PreCheck can get you through security, and to your gate, much faster. (Photo by Harlan Vaughn/Million Mile Secrets)If you have chronic pain or nerve disorders, you may dread going through security because of the chance you’ll have a pat-down. Even a small touch can be painful for some chronic pain sufferers.

If you are selected for additional screening, let a TSA agent know they need to be gentle during the pat down. TSA has the option to take you to a private room with seats, if it makes you more comfortable.

Remember, normal liquid restrictions don’t apply to required medications. If you need liquid medicine during your trip, be sure to let an agent know so they can screen your other liquids separately.

Waiting for your flight

Once you’re through security, get to your gate early. If you’re able to do so, move around to keep your circulation up, because when you get on the plane, you may be sitting for a while.

If you have plenty of time, you might even consider a stop at an airport lounge, where you can have a beverage and snack before your flight. You may already have free lounge access with certain credit cards, like The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, which gives you entry to Delta Sky Club (if you’re flying Delta that day), Priority Pass, Airspace and American Express Centurion Lounges. Other cards to consider include Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Citi Prestige.

If you have a longer layover, another option is to take advantage of an airport spa, like XpresSpa, which has locations in over 20+ airports. A back massage will help ease the stress of traveling.

Don’t want to spend money at a spa? Some airports that have yoga and meditation rooms, including:

• Burlington International Airport (BTV)
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Helsinki Airport (HEL)
• Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
• London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
• London Heathrow (LHR)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• New York (JFK)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

When it’s close to boarding time, make sure you’re near the gate. If you feel you need assistance, like a different seat or more time to board, speak to the gate agent.

Wheelchair help at the airport

Wheelchair assistance is available if you need it. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACA) requires airlines to let you use your wheelchair, mobility scooter or walker as far as the aircraft boarding door, where they will then gate check it and return it to you upon arrival. The airline will arrange an aisle seat for you, too.

If you feel like you need it, call the airline in advance to arrange for a wheelchair to help you through the airport. Try to call for this accommodation at least 48 hours before departure.

Here’s wheelchair and accessibility information for the top 15 airports in the US:

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Ground travel with chronic pain

Lots of folks get back pain during long car rides. For those with chronic pain, that usual soreness can become extreme. Here’s what to watch for when traveling by ground if you have chronic pain.

Renting a car

If you need a rental car for your trip:

• Rent a vehicle that gives you enough room to be comfortable, whether you plan on driving or being a passenger
• Opt for a vehicle with automatic opening doors and a trunk/hatch, so you won’t have to strain

Save on a car rentals with points

Using search engines like Hotwire and Costco Travel can maximize your savings with a car rental. It helps to be flexible with your time, date or destination. If you have a Chase or Citi credit card, you also can use the Chase or Citi travel portal to look for a cheap rental.

Paying for your rental with the right credit card can save you even more money. Some of our favorite cards come with primary car rental coverage, which means you can decline the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) offered by the car rental agency. This covers physical damage and damage due to theft, loss-of-use charges and towing for the rental car if you get into an accident (up to the coverage limit), without requiring you to file a claim with your personal car insurance company.

That said, the primary car rental insurance will NOT cover damage to the other car, property damage or injuries to you or others. You will still be liable for those damages, and your personal car insurance policy may cover those claims.

Note that if you charge a car rental to a credit card that offers secondary car rental insurance and decline the CDW, you will be responsible for the deductible through your personal insurance if you get into an accident. It will not cover damage to the other car, any property damage, and injuries to you or others.

Once you’ve found your rental, plan your route and note rest areas where you can get out and stretch. If the drive is longer than five hours, consider breaking it up into a two-day trip. Make sure to rest before and during your trip, because exhaustion can exacerbate chronic pain.

Find a handicapped-accessible vehicle

If you need to rent a handicapped-accessible vehicle, there’s a bit more research to do. Most national rental companies do not offer handicap accessible vans. Accessible Vans of America has a network of wheelchair van dealers. Search their website for locations near you and give the closest one a call for pricing.

UberWAV

Soon you’ll be able to request a ride in a wheelchair-accessible vehicle through Uber. UberWAV drivers will be certified in safety driving and assisting people with disabilities. UberWAV is pilot testing now in Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia.

The Lyft app has a setting for passengers to request a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. Similar to requesting a regular Lyft, enter your destination to find a ride. The difference is you have to swipe left until you find the “More” tab where, if available, a wheelchair-accessible ride will show up.

Upon closing and re-entering the app, I was given a prompt to call a number to request a wheelchair-accessible ride.

You must book many accessible vehicle rides at least 24 hours in advance. Lyft has a list of wheelchair accessible dispatches on their website. Consider looking into this well before your trip, as some companies have an enrollment process that can take weeks to complete.

Taxis and cabs

Various taxi companies have wheelchair-accessible vehicles available. Click here for a list of local wheelchair-accessible taxis.

Traveling by train with chronic pain

Taking a train is the most comfortable option for those living with chronic pain. Not only do you have more space to sit (because most train seats are larger than airline seats), but you also can stand up and stretch in the cabin during the ride. Book a front-facing seat if you’re prone to motion sickness, and pack an inflatable seat cushion or lumbar support pillow for comfort while sitting.

Train discounts

Amtrak generally offers a 10% discount if you have a disability and can provide documentation to support the request, like a letter from your doctor. Children with a disability are eligible an additional 10% off the already-discounted child’s fare. People with disabilities on the Downeaster train from Boston to Portland are eligible for a 50% discount. Booking is simple, as it’s just like booking a regular ticket, except you’ll need to select the Passenger With Disability (PWD) open from the “Discounts” drop-down menu.

Assistance at various stations seems spotty. When purchasing my ticket from Boston to Portland, I got a message saying “in-station assistance is not available” at the stations I selected. The trains I chose were in the middle of the day on a Friday, so it seems odd to not have assistance available.

Use points for an Amtrak trip

Amtrak has a straightforward rewards program, with the cost of a ticket using points based on the cash price. There are no blackout dates or award fees.

One of the easiest ways to collect Amtrak points is with a Bank of America Amtrak credit card. The best option is the Bank of America Amtrak Guest Rewards® World Mastercard®, because for a limited time you can earn 40,000 bonus points after you make at least $2,500 in purchases within 90 days of account opening. You also get an annual complimentary companion coupon you can use for a ride.

Some people don’t like taking trains because of how long it takes. But taking a train can have advantages. It can be cheaper than flying, you don’t have to worry about going through security and the seating is more comfortable than most airlines or cars.

Traveling on a ship with chronic pain

Taking a cruise is a great experience for all ages, plus most ships are friendly and accommodating for those with disabilities. Other than the excursions off the boat, you won’t have to do much traveling once you’re on board, so you get to kick back and enjoy your vacation.

Before your trip:

• Make sure all the ports of departure are ADA compliant. All U.S. ports are required to be ADA compliant, but that isn’t guaranteed if your cruise makes stops in other countries
• Check with the cruise ship company to see if they need information ahead of time such as prescriptions and doctor’s notes. This would be a good time to make special arrangements for your arrival and departure, if needed
• If you have a wheelchair, make sure your cabin is wheelchair-accessible. Try to book a cabin close to an elevator to make it easier to get around. Look up excursions ahead of time to make special accommodations if necessary – many cruise ship lines have a ratings system for level of accessibility and difficulty

Many cruise ships have handicapped-accessible rooms available with roll-in showers, grab bars and other customization. While some activities can be physically straining, there’s always plenty to do even if you get exhausted, like a drink by the pool.

Booking a cruise with points

You can use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points or Citi ThankYou points to pay for a cruise. You can see your options on the Chase or Citi travel website, but you can’t book it online. Choose the cruise you want and call 855-234-2542 to book with Chase Ultimate Rewards points, or 800-842-6596 to book with Citi ThankYou points. Calling also gives you a chance to verify any room details, like proximity to activities and elevators and accessibility features, and to discuss other concerns.

Each Chase Ultimate Rewards point is worth 1.25 cents for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders, and 1.5 cents for folks with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Those with a Citi Premier® Card get 1.25 cents in value toward travel from each point.

Finding lodging when traveling with chronic pain

Choosing the right lodging when you live with chronic pain is important, because this will be your sanctuary after a long day of activities.

What to look for in a hotel

When booking your accommodations:

• Make a list of hotels in your price range that have rooms available for your needs. Once you’ve nailed down one or two potential hotels, call to confirm accommodations for disabilities
• Book a room with chairs or a couch, in case you can’t sleep well in the bed
• Request a room close to an elevator or on the first floor close to the lobby or an exit
• Ask about the room’s features, especially if you need one that is wheelchair-accessible and ADA compliant
• Find a hotel with a gym so you can stretch or walk on the treadmill before going out for the day. A sauna or hot tub would be a huge plus, because heat helps relieve pain

If you have medications that are supposed to be kept cold, make sure there’s a fridge in the room to store them.

Booking a wheelchair-accessible Airbnb

There’s an accessibility feature on Airbnb to help you find travel accommodations. To use it, open the Airbnb website or app and search your destination, dates and number of guests. When search results appear, click on filters and scroll down to “Accessibility.”

From there, you have ~20 filters you can select to accommodate your specific travel needs.

To be on the safe side, read the comments and try to book an Airbnb home where a previous guest requested the same accommodations you need. Many hosts will claim they are wheelchair-accessible without regard for specific needs, like grab-bars in the bathroom or a roll-in shower.

If you have any doubts about the amenities, go with a reputable hotel instead.

Other tips

If your pain renders you unable to move at times, consider getting travel insurance to protect your investment. In exchange for an up-front fee, you can cancel the trip in the event of illness and avoid financial loss. Usually, you can add this when you book your travel, or add it separately through a company of your choice.

Other ways to make yourself more comfortable:

• Book an extra day or two for resting, especially if you plan to travel a long distance
• Double-check you have the essentials, like medication, braces, muscle support, pain creams, and anything else you often turn to for relief
• Pack light – save your energy for exploring a new location, not lugging around heavy bags
• Write your doctor’s name and phone number, and your required medications, on a piece of sturdy paper and keep it in your pocket
• Consider a Medical Alert bracelet with this information so it’s always on your person
• Set an emergency contact on your phone so emergency responders can call if anything happens

I’ve always believed an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Taking precautions early can save you major headaches later.

And last but not least, a good attitude, while difficult to maintain when you’re in chronic pain, is the best way to keep your spirits up.

Bottom Line

Traveling with chronic pain can be challenging, but shouldn’t stop you from seeing the world. Taking time to prepare ahead of your trip will help you experience less pain and have more fun.

Whether you travel by plane, car, train or ship, reach out to confirm pertinent details with your travel provider. Look for discounts, ways to save time like TSA PreCheck, and places to make your journey more comfortable, like airport lounges, roomy Business Class seats and accessible lodging.

Finally, check out the best airline credit cards to earn miles and points for your next journey. Not only is it an easy way to save, but many perks can actually help make your travel smoother and more comfortable.

Do you have tips to share about traveling with chronic pain? Let us know in the comments.