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The (oh, so) fabulous adventures of traveling during the holidays are upon us. But fear not, as this year you’ll be armed with Farecompare.com’s must-have list of holiday travel Dos and Don’ts; our experts have compiled this list from years of air travel experience in the exciting (and sometimes agonizing) holiday travel season: |
by Lisa Steinkamp
Most of these items are good rules to follow any time of the year; and all the rules on this list are mandatory for the holidays.
But First, a Few of Our Favorite Holiday Travel Tips:
WATCH FOR THIEVES: Its holiday time, and thefts are on the rise; be alert. If you’re sitting in a gate area reading a book, here are some precautions:
- Put your arm through purse, bag and laptop straps.
- Make sure shopping bags and other items rest securely between your feet
CHECK FOOD-GIFT ITEMS: That super-hot salsa and pure-maple syrup wont get past security; make sure its in a zip-loc bag, in checked-in luggage
LET THEM TAKE TAXIS: Don’t add to the airport madness at holiday time; take a taxi to your final location if at all possible (Grandma excepted)
Holiday Travel DOs
- SHOP EARLY: At least 4-months in advance; recently, airlines have been decreasing their flights during holiday periods, which means fewer discounts and fewer available seats. Check with Farecompare.com for the best deals
- FLY OFF-PEAK DAYS: Save money, and probably a headache, by traveling on a slow day (note: the busiest travel days of the year are the Wed. before and Sun. after Thanksgiving). Flights on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are typically cheaper, but (dang it) youll miss out on all the work in the kitchen, and have to settle for simply eating the feast!
- FLY DIRECT: It might be more expensive, but worth it (and no lost luggage)
- LABEL YOUR LUGGAGE CLEARLY: Sounds a little Martha Stewart, but during these busy travel times, you know SOMEONES luggage will get lost
- SHIP GIFTS AHEAD: Lighten your load; let UPS ship any gifts; but if you do take gifts, make sure they are unwrapped (or security will unwrap them for you).
- TAKE CARRY-ON LUGGAGE: Pack lightly and carry it on to save the hassle of the baggage-check line, or worse, losing your luggage
- PRINT YOUR BOARDING PASS AT HOME: Huge time-saver
- READ THE TSA’S NO-NO LIST: Check here for acceptable carry on items; remember, nothing over 3-ounces, and that includes items like Snow-Globes
- PACK A LUNCH: Save money and eat food you like (but buy your water at the airport, after you pass through security)
- HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN: Research other flights on your travel day in case of cancellations/delays, and here are some useful links when youre really stuck:
- Day-of-travel flight schedules
- Short quick list of hotel chain phone numbers
- Short quick list of rental car agency phone numbers
Holiday Travel DON’Ts
- WAIT ‘TIL THE LAST MINUTE TO GET TICKETS: You know who you are. And if you’re flying peak-holiday periods, shop year-round
- FORGET YOUR ID: Sounds obvious, but please, dont leave home without it!
- OVER PACK: Airlines are getting serious about charging for over-weight bags (50 lb. limit for most carriers). Do you really need all that stuff?
- FORGET TO CHECK YOUR FLIGHT STATUS: Check online or call the airline before you leave the house. It could save you a hassle. But the system isn’t perfect; there are times when the airline may say a flight will be 3-hours late, and then suddenly, its only a 2-hour delay, What you MUST DO is, check-in online and get your boarding pass as though the plane was leaving on time, so you wont lose your seat
- IGNORE THE 2-HOURS EARLY RULE: Yes, you might sit around. But isn’t that better than missing your flight? (Note to international travelers: get there 3-hours early)
- WEAR METAL: Don’t wear the belt-buckle or the watch that always sets off
the X-ray machine; save yourself (and the people in line behind you) some time - FORGET TO CHARGE BATTERIES: For cellphones, DVD players, laptops
- EXCEED THE CARRY-ON LIMIT: Another time-waster
- BE A SPACE-HOG: Everyone will be traveling with lots of extra bags and coats and gifts; use the space under the seat in front of you. Some airlines may offer roomier seats for purchase (if available); if thats what you need, buy it
- GO CRAZY: A little holiday spirit goes a long way; remember, everyone, even the pilot, is anxious to get home for the holidays
Thanks for the reminders, the do’s and especially the don’ts.
Comment by Renee — November 24, 2007 @ 5:56 pm
ANother DON’T
Dont wear heavy perfume. It’s hot it’s close and it can make your seat mate sick. Asthma. allergies and worst of all, they may throw up all over your holiday sneakers.
Comment by Jacki — November 28, 2007 @ 8:43 pm
On a recent trip my bag was lost for 3 days. Upon arrival at the claim desk they asked me what my luggage looked like. They showed me a page of pictures of luggage. My bag type wasn’t there. Something I will do from now on is take a photo of my bag and describe it on the back of the photo. I will carry the photo with me in my bag. Load the bag with ID, inside and out. My bag also arrived damp, so protect your belongings from the weather.
Comment by terry — November 29, 2007 @ 12:09 am
I found out about the snowglobes last year when I was traveling. The TSA agents were great though, when I started crying they gave me a kleenex, found a box and taped it up so I could fed ex it. $40 and a couple of days later the snow globe arrived safe and sound.
Comment by shannon — November 29, 2007 @ 1:03 am
No need to buy water - if you take an empty water bottle you can fill it at the water fountain after you pass through security. Water can be expensive - I’ve seen it cost $2 and since water is not regulated - the bottled water you paid $2 for could be coming from the same source as the water out of the water fountain you can get for free.
Comment by Sharon Yopp — November 29, 2007 @ 9:04 am
DON’T recline during meal service in coach…
if you’re in front of me you might find a foot where you don’t want it!
Comment by diane — November 30, 2007 @ 8:13 am
And another DON’T…
Please DON’T recline your seat all the way down when the plane is full and folks are behind you.
Just because the capability is there, doesn’t mean it’s polite to do so! Seats are so close together now that reclining your seat all the way down essentially has you laying in the lap of the person behind you.
Not only is it uncomfortable for the person behind you, it makes it impossible for them to use their tray for a computer or even for children to play with toys.
Some people, myself included, may have physical issues that are made SO much worse when the person in front of them takes up even more of the precious little space we all have in coach. Basically, you are stealing part of the space of the person behind you and there’s little they can do about it.
On my last flight, I sat as long as I could with my legs crossed and right up against the back of the person in front of me while they continued to try to force their seat back over and over and over. I told them that I had pain issues and asked that they please not recline their seat. I was told that it is their seat and they’ll do what they **** well please. So much for holiday spirit!!
The people in front of my family were also one family and apparently, they ALL thought it was perfectly fine to recline as far as possible. The mother even reclined the seat of her small child sitting next to her. My husband wasn’t quick enough with his legs and was therefore unable to get work done on his computer that he had planned on doing. My son was unable to use his tray to play with a tall toy that wouldn’t fit between the tray and the seat.
I sat as long as I physically could in one position but when I had to move I overheard the mother of the girl in front of me tell her to “go go, put it down now!!”. And down came the seat in front of me. I was able to stop her halfway down but it was a fight that shouldn’t happen.
One tip my mother uses is to direct the airflow of the air nozzle up by the light so that it directly hits the person laying in her lap. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.
Please people, have some consideration for other people on the plane and don’t lay in their lap. It might be your seat but it’s MY space.
Comment by Susan — November 30, 2007 @ 11:17 pm