A year ago this week I was on a flight to Hawaii to spend Christmas with my family. (We actually flew out on December 23rd.) I prepped, planned and packed like a pro, but the brutal reality of flying during one the busiest travel weeks of the year is that you are at the mercy of the airline… and the nation’s air-travel system.
If you are planning to take flight this week (or anytime between now and January 6th) you run a good chance of being delayed, missing a connection, or otherwise experiencing some type of travel inconvenience. While there is very little you can do to control what occurs with the airline, you can help lessen the blows of some travel disasters by following these tips:
Leave Early. I’m not just referring to your flight (though, government statistics show that flights scheduled to depart and arrive early in the day have the best on-time performance) I highly recommend you leave for the airport early. Roads leading to and from the nation’s airports are extremely congested this time of year. Add in inclement weather and you could be sitting in your car as your flight departs. Allow extra time to get to the airport. Also, consider taking a taxi to the airport–because trust me-—you don’t want to mess with having to search for a parking space at an in-airport or off-airport lot on December 23rd.
Pack Wisely. Most major carriers are cracking down on bags that exceed weight limits. Bags are allowed to weigh 50 pounds. Anything more and you’re looking at a $25 to $100 fee per bag. (Trust me on this one too—-I was off by 4 pounds and ended up forking over $50 for a single bag—-Merry Christmas!) You could consider shipping your belongings via U.P.S. or FedEx. Depending on how large your bag is this method could be a cost-effective option. They’ll pick up your bag at your home or office and ship it directly to your hotel or final destination. While you’re at it you might want to reduce your load further by sending your holiday presents by mail too. It will spare you from having to make room in your checked baggage for them. Remember: If you try to carry wrapped gifts on your flight they will be unwrapped and examined if their contents can’t be verified by the X-ray machines at security.
Prepare for Delays. No matter how hard you try to avoid them, delays are inevitable this time of year. However, they will be less aggravating if you’re prepared. Stock up on reading material, music and videos—-this is especially important if you are traveling with children. Make sure you have an ample supply of games, toys and snacks. Seriously, don’t skimp on the snacks. Pack sandwiches, fruit, nuts, and protein bars. Last year I packed extra snacks and still found myself spending $20 at the airport trying to placate my overtired tot during a 2-hour delay. One way I saved a few bucks was to pack empty water bottles (you can’t carry water through security) that I filled once I got to the area beyond the screening checkpoints.
Related Articles:
Traveling With Children-Learn From My Mistakes
Holiday Travel: Saving Money On The Way To Grandma’s House-Part 3
Holiday Travel: How To Save Money On The Way To Grandma’s House–Part 2
Holiday Travel: How To Save Money On The Way To Grandma’s House
Holiday Travel: 10 Ways To Stay Healthy On Vacation
Holiday Travel: 10 Ways To Save Time At The Airport
Holiday Travel: Tips To Consider Before You Hit The Highway
Holiday Travel: 10 Hotel Safety Tips
Holiday Travel—The Escape Plan
Holiday Travel: Dollars and Sense