Tips To Ease The Stress Of Holiday Travel
Arrive Early
How many of us have seen, or been one of the people scrambling at the airport? You don’t want to standing at the parking lot complaining about waiting for the shuttle because your flight is leaving in less than an hour. Arrive 3 hours early.
Check out our most popular vacations that include both Australia & New Zealand!
Australia & New Zealand in 19 days from $3,899
22 Day Australia & New Zealand from $5,399
Check in online
Checking in online will save you time at the airport. You can print out your boarding pass or upload it onto your phone and bypass the long lines at check-in. If you travel carryon only, you can go directly to security. If you do have luggage, many airlines now have a luggage drop-off desk for those travelers savvy enough to have already checked it.
Skip the security lane
There are many premium credit cards that allow you to use the fast lane. The regular holiday travelers will be standing in the long security lines filled with people. If you have the right travel credit card for your airport, you may be able to bypass the pubic line and join the frequent fliers. Check with your credit card company to see which premium card gives you travel perks, or ask a Travel Team Agent for advice.
You can also apply for Global Entry which grants access to the express security lane for frequent fliers.
Be prepared for security
Going through security is the biggest hassle of airport travel. Keep a tote bag handy before going through security with your computer and liquids already separated. That way you won’t have to rummage through your bags looking for things. All liquids are less than 100ml and already separated in a plastic bag.
Wear slip on shoes for quick security checks and just take them and put them in the bin; It’s just easier that way.
Use Tote bags for security lines. Once the bags go thru, put everything into your suitcase and conveniently roll it away.
Contact a Travel Team Agent for more information or to plan your trip at 1-800-788-0829
Enjoying the tranquility of the lounge
This is your holiday and time to invest a bit of cash to make your time at the airport enjoyable. Lounges aren’t just for airline membership status members anymore. Anyone can pay a fee to stay in a lounge. Look for lounges that are not associated with an airline. Lounge passes cost anywhere from $25-$40 and are worth it. Often times there’s even a shower to freshen up between flights.
Create a Care Package for the flight
Have everything you need at your fingertips. Before boarding the plane, fill a small tote filled with anything you may need during the flight.
Pay a extra for a Premium Seat
As a frequent flier I can attest that premium seats make all the difference. While it’s difficult for people who don’t have airline status (meaning you fly a lot) to get an upgrade, many flights offer premium economy seats that make your flight just a little more comfortable. The premium economy seats are located near the front of the plane, there’s extra legroom, and seats are usually wider. That extra space makes all the difference during the flight and being near the front of the plane lets you be one of the first off the plane, so you can beat the lines to immigration.
Contact a Travel Team Agent for more information or to plan your trip at 1-800-788-0829
Download your own Entertainment
Many airlines are now charging for entertainment and often times if they do offer inflight entertainment, it doesn’t work of the selection is awful. We never rely on others for entertainment; we download our favourite TV show or a few movies on our iPhone and have hours on stress free entertainment.
Stay over at the Airport Hotel
And finally, if you want to start your holidays a bit early, book a night at the airport hotel. Many hotels offer parking packages where you can book a night before your flight and leave your car for up to two weeks in their parking lot. You can then catch their free shuttle to the airport in the morning. It takes all the stress out of holiday travel and gives you an extra bonus night for your vacation. When we travel for short periods, we always use an airport hotel. Many times, the nights’ stay is the same as booking a parking space for a couple of weeks.
Ready to plan your dream vacation?
Contact a Travel Team Agent at 1-800-788-0829
Don’t forget to check out our website and Like us on Facebook for the latest travel deals, news & tips!
