If you’re excited about going to the sporting event of your dreams, you’re not alone. Literally. Thousands, sometimes millions, of other people had the same idea as you, making it vital to reserve your travel plans well in advance. That way, you’re sure to secure event tickets, as well as your first choice for flights and hotels. Every bit of savings helps with a big trip, so remember that Hilton Honors members can transfer points to partner airlines to partially, or even totally, cover flight costs. Members also get discounted room rates, free Wi-Fi and many other benefits to kick off a successful sporting event vacation.

With every major sporting event comes the possibility of scamming unsuspecting fans. To avoid the fake tickets trap, be sure to use reputable websites, read the fine print and be especially careful with resale tickets. Oftentimes your best bet is to buy tickets directly from the event website. Want another surefire way to get legitimate tickets and also enjoy some savings? Use your Hilton Honors account to transfer points to Ticketmaster and purchase your seats there. Hilton Honors members can also get access to exclusive event-related experiences, so be sure to look out for those unique opportunities.

No matter what sporting event you’re attending, it’s important to know the rules of the venue you’re headed to. In addition to securing transportation, dinner reservations and more, your hotel concierge can also answer questions about the rules and regulations at local venues, such as what kind of bag can you bring to a stadium — especially since some allow for small handbags, while others only permit clear, transparent bags or nothing at all. Some venues have restrictions on pre-game tailgating or bringing your own food and drinks. Be sure to find out the rules ahead of time so you don’t face the heartbreak of being turned away by security and missing the live event.

When it comes to major sporting events, especially those that are considered the world’s biggest stage for that sport, you’ll want to arrive at the stadium at least two hours early. This gives you time to soak up the festive atmosphere, patiently wait in line to enter the venue and purchase any souvenirs, food or drinks you may want. Arriving early also means you’ll get to enjoy any pre-game ceremonies and avoid the stress of feeling like you might miss the beginning of the event — or worse, actually miss it.

Finding parking during a major sporting event can be a pain, not to mention the huge dent it can put in your vacation budget. Instead of renting a car or using your own, consider using a rideshare. If you’re a Hilton Honors Member, you can link your account to your Lyft profile to earn three Points per $1 spent on rides. Those Points can then be used toward a future vacation or other Hilton Honors perks. In fact, if you already have a large collection of Points, you can even use them to pay for your rides.

You may be in town for a sporting event, but you might as well treat this trip like any other vacation. Picking a centrally located hotel is more convenient for exploring, while opting for one on the outskirts of town saves a few bucks that can be used toward dining and fun activities. No matter where you choose to stay, tap into the expert knowledge of the hotel concierge to plan out the details of your trip. These local experts are happy to secure restaurant reservations, book tours and make sightseeing suggestions, giving you one less thing to worry about.