Traveling during the Holidays can be stressful. It seems like everyone and their dog now adays is at the airport flying home and to visit loved ones. With crowded security lines and threatening weather conditions piling on to the holiday stress, traveling during the festivities can seem like an insufferable chore. These tips can help make your trip go easier and allow you to focus on what really matters.
Airport Tips and Tricks:
Allow extra time between connections and for making your way through the airport. This reduces the risk that deicing a plane will cause you to miss your connection.
More families traveling means more time in security lines. Pick the lines with less kids.
Bring an empty water bottle. Water is so expensive at the airport and most airports these days offer water bottle filling stations. Bring your own and save the money. Even if it’s a plastic water bottle you can fill it up before take-off and recycle it on your way out.
Screenshot your boarding pass or print out a physical ticket.
Pack your jewelry separately and keep it off until you get thru security.
Empty your pockets while in line.
Go through security with your printed ticket in hand. Some lines will allow you to skip the full body scan and go through the metal detector but you need to have a physical ticket.
Wear socks or bring a pair to avoid having to walk in the airport with your bare feet.
Bring your own snacks! Just a friendly reminder that while there are rules on liquids there aren’t on food.
Take a picture of your parking spot.
Hacks That May Work:
Free Wi-Fi on a timer? Roll the time back on your computer to keep the internet going.
Sit near an airport lounge to mooch off the Wi-Fi.
Lines to the left are less used than lines to the right.
Packing:
Ship your gifts ahead of time! You won’t have to give up the room in your suitcase or worry about the weight or fragility of your presents in your luggage.
Mark your luggage to stand out. Use a ribbon or bold luggage tag to make spotting your bag on the baggage claim belt easier.
Wear your bulkiest clothes and boots to the airport. The scarves, sweaters, and jackets can act as blankets or pillows during flight.
Weigh your luggage ahead of time.
Pack your liquids and electronics last. Keep them on top for easy access when in the security line.
If you are bringing both checked luggage and a carry on, make sure to pack the heavier items in your carry-on.
Planning:
Keep track of the weather! Flying in winter can be extra stressful with snow and ice cancelling and delaying flights. Make sure to keep an eye on storms, so you can be ready to anticipate potential problems.
If something seems to be at risk of causing a travel delay or cancelling, be prepared! Do your research for other flight options and have them on hand. If a cancellation does come up use the airline’s 800 number because the representative on the phone can do the same rescheduling as the person at the desk. Better yet, get in line while you’re on the phone.
Black Friday to Travel Tuesday is the best time to book your trips for next year!
Flash sales occur for the Holidays typically between October and early November. However, these sales are not heavily advertised so be vigilant!
Use Google Flights! Google Flight’s calendar feature is great for figuring out the most economic flight days. And they have a neighboring airports option that can you show you potentially cheaper options nearby.
Give your flight number to your car rental reservation to alert them if your flight is late and to hold your car.
Download your in-flight content before getting to the airport. There is no guarantee you can download the TV show episodes and movies you want to watch on the spotty airport Wi-Fi.
Check in for your flight 24 hours before departure and secure your seat!
XXBDGT
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