© Presented by Mashable Vacation travel tips: how to travel smart and spend lessHoliday travel is important for many people who want to visit family and friends to celebrate the traditions they have built around winter holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years. And even for those who don't celebrate these holidays, they often have free travel time. on holiday and this is a great opportunity to take a well-deserved break.
With more and more people looking to get out of the city during the winter months, vacation travel can be a little more difficult than usual. Expensive tickets, crowds and winter storms are things travelers should keep in mind when traveling this season. We asked travel experts and travelers to share their favorite tips and tricks to make winter travel as easy and hassle-free as possible.
Download your airline's app
Use technology to simplify your experience. “Download and use your airline's app. It's the fastest way to find out about your gate, delays, connections and other interesting information," said Mashable, travel journalist Michelle Herman. You can print tickets or use screenshots, but your airline's app will store everything you need to know or ask someone to scan in one place.
Buy the first flights of the day
Early risers catch the worm and are less likely to cancel their vacation flight. Therefore, when buying plane tickets, it can be tempting to arrive later so as not to get up early, but it is safer to get up at 6 or 5am. “Planning the first flight of the day is a great way to avoid flight delays. Research shows that the first flights of the day are more likely to depart on time and arrive on time,” said Jeff Clay, CEO of CheapAir.com. . Processed.
If flights are cancelled, the chances of a refund are high, Klee said. But don't try to tie it to the door. “Airlines usually try to rebook passengers on flights operated by other airlines. In that case, we recommend calling the airline's customer service directly to review all options, rather than waiting in long lines for gate staff to help them," he said.
Invest in TSA pre-validation and erasure
TSA Pre-Check and CLEAR are expensive services ($78 for five-year TSA Pre-Check and $189 per year for CLEAR), but they really work for the money and allow you to get through the queues in record time and without hassles come. half of your clothes. If you're trying to decide between TSA Pre-Check or CLEAR, you should buy both. Devin Lowe, founder of the Black Trans Travel Fund, recommends both, "because some airports only have one or the other," Lowe continued, "and CLEAR puts you at the front of the line and TSA PreCheck lets you wear shoes and a seat belt." " . ..and your laptop in your pocket, CLEAR doesn't.” And if you fly frequently on airlines like United or Delta, you can get discounts on CLEAR.
If you live near the Canadian or Mexican border, consider a NEXUS or SENTRI card for fast border crossing and customs clearance. Especially useful as many domestic airports in Mexico and Canada do not have a CLEAR. Some have expressed dissatisfaction with CLEAR providing biometric information about their retinas and fingerprints, despite the company claiming your data is safe. However, if privacy is an issue and you don't want to buy CLEAR, try to get to the airport as early as possible so you don't get stuck in queues.
See flights for the best deal
There are many tips out there trying to point people to the best day or time to buy airline tickets. But the key to getting the best deal is to check often and start shopping early. The longer you wait and the fewer booking sites you visit, the more likely you are to pay. "Vacation travel in particular can be busier and more challenging, so check your plane seats in advance," says Clarissa Lasky, a freelance travel writer.
Send gifts in advance or put them in the closet
While you always fill your luggage bags with wrapped gifts before visiting family and friends for the holidays, this year is the time to send them out. This costs money, but can be justifiable depending on the weight of the items. But if your luggage is lost or damaged during the flight, it is very difficult to replace these items. You can also buy gifts when you arrive at your destination or keep them in an envelope so you always have them with you.
And try to bring only one container
If you can pack everything you need in your carry-on, you'll be thankful for the convenience of landing. Waiting for your luggage on a busy vacation is a hassle, and the more airports and flights you have, the more likely you are to lose your luggage. Within a year, "I never said that again," Andrews told Mashable. "I have so many nightmares about checking in my bag and zero nightmares about missing it. I've never found a carry-on that wasn't big enough for what I needed, even for a three-week trip," she continued. . .
Clay agrees. “The best way to ensure all baggage arrives safely at a traveler's destination is to not check baggage. Packing and carrying light is a great way to save money and ensure your luggage gets to your destination with you.”
Travel to a real vacation
When I first heard this trick, I was shocked. I never thought of traveling for Thanksgiving or Christmas. But it makes sense. Airports and roads are less busy on public holidays. If you don't celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas but still need to travel around that time, this is easier. This tip works best if you have flexibility in when to come to the festival and need to be prepared for delays and cancellations. There are still winter storms this year!
Or maybe not go on vacation
But not everyone agrees that vacation travel is the best way. Some, like journalist Woodan, like to avoid everything. “I find air travel very uncomfortable and I do my best to minimize unnecessary stress. So part of my mission is not to take vacation trips,” she says. She travels a lot for work, so she likes to plan her vacation flights at least two weeks before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.