5 Holiday Travel Tips

Hey there! Today I wanted to talk about something that I’m seeing a lot right now, holiday travel. I work in the travel industry, so I know what to look for and what to do when it comes to holiday travel and what to do. The holidays can be a stressful time for travelers, especially because most holiday travelers only travel once or twice a year.

With most travelers only traveling once a year, they can become easily stressed. Snowy weather across the country doesn’t make it easier for travelers either. Many people are traveling to go spend quality time with family they don’t see often, and any little bump in the road can seem like they won’t get to where they need to go. Because of that, the airport can seem like a very stressful place. Here are some tips to make your holiday travel easier.

Get to the airport early

Busier travel time means the airport is going to be busy. Not just the area around the airport, but the airport itself. From check-in to TSA checkpoint screening to the gate area, there are going to be a lot of people at the airport and it’s important to get there early. If you’re checking bags, I would get to the airport 2+ hours prior to when your flight leaves. I know that seems extreme, but the ticket counter area can get very busy during the day.

Know the rules

Know the rules of the fair. Know what the weight limit is on your checked bags, the cost of checking bags, and any other costs around your ticket. Also, know if your ticket is refundable or nonrefundable, and know if your airline is doing any weather waivers if there are any adverse winter storms going on. Also, know what you can and can’t bring through the TSA checkpoint. You can go to TSA.gov and see what you can bring in your checked bags as well as your carry on bags.

Use the Self-Tagging Kiosks

If you’re going to be checking bags, I highly suggest using the self-tagging kiosks if they are offered at your airport. Just punch in your confirmation number, select how many bags to check, tag the bag, then drop off with a customer service agent with your ID and you’re all done. Now, if you want to change your flight, have to check in a lap infant, or something a little more intensive, then go to the full-service counter because the kiosks won’t be able to do that for you. But if you just need to check your bag, use the kiosk.

Pack your patience

It’s going to be busy, meaning things are going to be moving slower than normal. The weather may cause flight delays, even cancellations. The airline employees are doing all they can to get you where you need to go as soon as they possibly can. Give them a little grace as they try to help you. Now, that does not mean to let them treat you poorly, I just ask that you not jump down their throat at the first sight of a delay.

Enjoy the adventure

Look at the positive. You’re going to see family that you may or may not have seen in a while. Nothing always goes super smooth in life. My biggest advice for holiday travel is to just go with the flow and enjoy the ride. I know it doesn’t always seem enjoyable at the moment, but the airlines do as much as they can to get you to your destination. They don’t want you stuck either, they have a contract to fulfill. So, enjoy the adventure, then you’ll have a story to tell when you get to your family!

What are some of your holiday travel tips? Let me know in the comments!