While it won’t come as a surprise to many that have already traveled in 2022, this holiday season will be the busiest ever since the pandemic began. Therefore, many of the pre-pandemic holiday travel tips apply again, as planning ahead can prevent stress. Here are five tips to help make your travel as stress-free as possible.
A view of commuters looking at an information board at King’s Cross station, London, as travel chaos struck across large parts of the UK on Monday as ice, fog and snow caused disruption following the coldest night of the year so far. Picture date: Monday December 12, 2022. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images)
PA Images via Getty Images
1. Avoid the Busiest Christmas Travel Days
If your schedule is flexible and you haven’t booked a flight yet, you can try to avoid the season’s busiest days for flights which are December 22, 23, and 26. Flying out of alternate airports also helps you avoid crowds. Additionally, traveling on the actual holiday can help you experience lighter crowds, as most travelers are already home for the holidays.
Christmas Eve will likely be the busiest day to drive. However, Friday, December 23, can be busy too for people getting a head start on the holiday week by leaving work early. In addition to avoiding peak travel dates, you may also use these suggestions for the best time to book travel to save money and get the best travel itinerary.
2. Pre-Book Expedited Travel Options
Waiting to handle the initial travel check-ins when you’re at the airport can result in surprisingly long lines and unnecessary delays. Consider pre-booking your airport parking space and looking for other ways for advance check-ins to save time. For example, you can skip the counter at rental car agencies or load your flight boarding pass onto your phone.
Another option is using expedited airline security programs like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR to skip long airport wait times. Additionally, take these steps to avoid airport security mistakes.
3. Know Travel Cancellation Policies
Peak passenger volumes and the threat of winter weather can make flight delays and cancellations more likely. Sickness and travel restrictions are other possibilities that can throw a wrench into your travel plans.
Read through the carrier’s cancellation and travel delay policy before your travel dates arrive. Hopefully, everything runs smoothly, but if you need to reschedule, get a travel credit, or request a refund, you know your compensation options to avoid conflict.
Downloading the airline’s app can be the easiest way to keep tabs on your flight schedule and to request support.
If you buy travel insurance, you should have a copy of the coverage terms that are easily accessible. You should keep them with your essential travel documents, such as your driver’s license, passport or REAL ID.
4. Track Your Luggage with GPS
Whether you’re checking a bag or only packing a carry-on, adding an inexpensive tracking device provides peace of mind if your bag gets delayed. This practice can also help prevent luggage theft.
Many coin-sized portable tracking devices can easily be concealed in a storage pocket or a suitcase liner. If you have an iPhone, consider buying an Apple AirTag, which retails for approximately $29.99 but can cost less when you buy a multi-pack.
While we’re on the topic of luggage, snapping a picture of your suitcase contents before heading to the airport can be helpful if you need to file a lost luggage claim.
5. Be Wary of Travel Scams
‘Tis the season for travel scams whether you stay locally or go overseas to a European Christmas Market or a warm and sunny Caribbean beach. Safeguarding your valuables and using trusted travel platforms are an excellent start, but you should also be aware of your surroundings.
As a quick example, think twice about plugging into a community USB charging port that swipes the data from your device or installs malware instead of getting your battery life closer to 100%. Instead, bring your own charging devices or use a USB data blocker.
Summary
Most holiday trips will be successful by following these suggestions. In addition, consider building a little extra time into your schedule to account for heavier traffic and inclement weather. Finally, be kind and pass the holiday cheer on to others.
This article was written by Geoff Whitmore from Forbes and was legally licensed through the Industry Dive Content Marketplace. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com
