The holiday season can be a very stressful time. Everything hits at once like finding the time to shop for gifts, attending parties with friends, and the trip to visit out of state family. Some simple steps can make the difference between Christmas dinner with family or the airport coffee shop. Here are some tips to keep in mind.
Watch out for delays on peak travel dates. Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Tuesdays this year, so the weekend of December 22 as well as the day after each holiday could be quite busy. Stay the extra day to avoid the possible delays. Keep a watch on weather as well, the 10 day forecast can prepare you for trip.
Pack wisely for your trip. Just because the holidays are here, it doesn’t make the TSA any easier on the rules. The rule for liquids is still 3 oz and must be in a clear plastic bag. Anything more must be put in your luggage. Also do not gift wrap any gifts. The TSA has the authority to unwrap a gift and when they do they don’t rewrap it for you. Think about having gifts shipped ahead of time or when you order them. The shipping cost could be less than extra baggage fees.
Prepare for travel. Print out your boarding pass from home. Some airlines and car rental agency’s even offer online check-in, consider the time savings standing in long lines. Bring diversions. Take along work, books, magazines, an MP3 player, and some healthy snacks. Airports sometimes don’t have the best selection and if you are flying late could even be closed. This goes double when traveling with kids.
The electronic devices we use daily require their bags to be packed as well. They are power hungry and the breakfast buffet is just not going to cut it. Packing power cords for both your accommodations and rental car are very important. Forgetting these can be expensive to replace while traveling. If you need something, check with the hotel front desk lost and found. They usually have a box full of cables and could just save you at 10:00 pm, be considerate to other travelers and return it upon check out.
Wi-Fi locations and hot spots are showing up everywhere. Most hotels are providing this for free. To aid in the hassle of finding the login info when you arrive at your room, ask the front desk clerk when checking in.
Renting a car at while traveling? The best add on you could get is the GPS service. E-Z Rent-A-Car offers this at most locations for a small fee. These units are recommended because they are pre-programed for the city you are in. Well worth the cost on a rainy night.
Have phone numbers for everything, your hotel, your car rental agency, your airline, friends at your destination. Keep a copy in your wallet as a backup. If you lose your phone or the battery dies, it could cause delays or even cancelations. Check your flight status repeatedly. Know your airline's 800 number as well as your flight numbers and exact times. With airlines continuing to cut back on service, it's more important than ever to confirm your flight several days before you leave -- that way you'll have a little leeway to make alternate plans if necessary.
Following a few simple guidelines can keep your travels a positive experience.
