Flying for the holidays? These 9 tips will make your check-in & TSA swifter and easier:
1. DO NOT wrap you gifts until you get to your destination. If your wrapping either distorts or the item is showing up suspicious in the scanner, those gifts will get unwrapped so TSA or airport security can see them. I know it seems so nice to just pop those wrapped gifts under the tree when you arrive, but it could only cause delays and frustration in getting to that tree.
2. Check the weight of your checked luggage BEORE you leave home, as well as the size of your carry-on luggage. Go on the airline’s website where it will clearly state what size carry-on your airline allows and measure your bag. Airlines do differ in their size allowance of carry ons. There is also a difference in weight allowance for domestic and international checked luggage. You definitely need a luggage scale; it makes your travel life so much easier. Here’s a link to help you save time OR to gift to someone who will definitely need one on the return trip, after they open all their gifts.
3. Arrive early. This is not the season to do your rendition of a reindeer flying through the airport. Everybody, everywhere is shorthanded, so expect lines and wait times.
4. Many bags will get misplaced this holiday season. (Did I mention the airports and airlines are shorthanded?) Make sure your bag isn’t one of them. Many people will use Air Tags in their bags, but once the battery dies, the tag isn’t helpful. I recommend (and gift to every one of my clients every time they book a trip) the service Blue Ribbon Bags. They are a bag tracking service and you just sign up any time before you actually board the plane. I have actually sat at the gate and signed my own bags up. Here is a link to their page.
5. Make sure you keep all the receipts for any gifts just in case your luggage is misplaced. You will have to declare the value of your belongings, and receipts will help with an accurate valuation.
6. Do yourself a huge favor and download these apps: the your airline’s app you are flying on – this will give you flight updates, bathroom and lounge locations, and all kinds of important info. Plus, if your flight gets cancelled, this is the quickest way to get a seat on another flight. Weather app: always know the weather where you are arriving. Arriving in NYC in a snowstorm will require a coat, but traveling to San Diego in a heat wave may mean you don’t need to lug a coat. Traveling overseas: a money exchange app. Knowing the approximate exchange rate will help with holiday spending!
7. Plan your flight as early as possible. This allows you time to still get to your destination the same day, if your flight gets cancelled or delayed. If you are on a 1 PM flight out, and it gets cancelled, you have fewer flights to get squeezed into that day, plus there are more people later in the day trying to get on those fewer flights.
8. If you are traveling with children, DO NOT assume the computer will match up your seats. And if it doesn't and you wait until you get to the airport and board the plane, you may find you have an issue. Pay the additional cost of pre-selecting your seats so that you and your child(ren) are not upset with the seating arrangements or wasting time at the airport trying to get it settled.
9. Pack your patience; download a nice holiday song list you can listen to; and keep reminding yourself that flying is still better than driving. If you think the airport is bad, what must those roads look like???? If you are traveling with children, do I have to remind you to pack some small games and coloring books? I didn’t think so.
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