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Here are some great tips for the holidays, and just in time (see tip #1). These are tips that will save you money - not a lot of money - after all, it’s holiday time, and the airlines are both cutting seats and charging peak travel holiday prices. But you will save some money, and you’ll save time and worries. And that’s not such a bad deal, right? Top Ten Holiday Airfare & Travel Tips - For Saving Money, Time And Trouble
There are 8 more great tips to go, so keep reading! |
- Try for Connecting Flights This Year: Airlines are charging a heavy premium for non-stop flights and even direct flights (direct means the same flight number and usually the same plane but it may have stops). NOTE: If you do take a connecting flight, try to avoid the mess at the busier airports (Newark, New York, Chicago and Atlanta).
- Label Your Luggage Clearly: Okay, so maybe this sounds a little Martha Stewart-ish, but during these busy travel times, you know someone is going to lose their luggage - don’t let it be yours. And be sure your cell phone number is on that label, too.
- Ship Your Gifts: Ship your packages ahead of time, and avoid hassles and bag fees - fees that can be as much as $130 roundtrip for two checked-bags (unless you fly Southwest). For more information on all fees, see our Airline Fee Chart.
- Know the Carry-On Size Limits: Don’t get caught by the carry-on police and be sent back (outside of security) to check your bag (and likely pay for the “privilege”) - see our Carry-On Size Chart for size and weight restrictions.
- Complete Flight Check-in Before You Head to Airport: Check-in as close to 24 hours before departure as you can; if you are on an airline that charges for seat selection at the time of purchase (and you elected not to pay), you’ll have a better shot at a window or aisle seat - and a better shot at having the family seated together. You also increase your odds of boarding sooner, which means better odds of getting some overhead bin space.
- Don’t Hold Up the TSA Line: Know all the rules (liquids are only one of dozens), and wear easy-on-easy-off shoes. Also, look into those new laptop bags that don’t require removing the laptop. And at airports with those so-called “skier-designation” security lanes, choose “expert” for the quickest processing.
- Pack Lunch and “Amusements”: It may be a combat zone at the airports, and if you’re delayed and the kids are bored, have plenty of snacks, games and extra batteries. And be sure to charge the phone, iPod and portable DVD the night before.
- Sign Up for Airline Flight Status Alerts: Sign up for yourself, and sign up for whoever is going to meet you at the airport; no sense having Grandpa waiting around at the airport when an alert sent to his cell or PDA could have prevented that.
Thanks for the tips Rick.
There are still holiday deals out there, and yes, now is the time to get them quickly.
This morning I found Dec 26 to Jan 02, LAX-HNL for $348 RT (albeit in limited availability). I posted it here: http://beatofhawaii.com/finally-lax-hnl-348-rt/
Aloha, Jeff
Comment by beatofhawaii.com — October 7, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
Hi Rick,
I know that Hawaii is a US state and that this is probably a dumb question but… should I bring my passport for ID purposes from NY to Hawaii?
Thanks
Comment by cg — October 10, 2008 @ 9:19 am
Rick,
I just bought a great bargain, thanks to your FareCompare alerts! Round-trip from Salt Lake to Philadelphia (with only one stop each way - and not a long layover at that) for $310 ($248 plus taxes)! That’s the lowest I’ve see it in a long time (cross-country flights have usually been $450+).
One layover tip that maybe you mentioned and I just missed it. If you’re doing flights with one stop, try to stop in a city where you have friends or relatives. If I’m able to do this (based on my schedule), I purposely choose a flight with a long layover so I’ll have time to meet up with my friends/family for a quick bite. It doesn’t always work out that way, but I try to do this when I can.
Thanks, Rick!
Michelle
Comment by Michelle — October 10, 2008 @ 11:33 am
Michelle, You’re Welcome, look for the alert system to get even bettern in the near future.
Cg, You don’t need your passport in Hawaii, but it certainly won’t hurt to drag it along. Several people I know use there passport instead of their drivers license for domestic U.S. travel security screening.
Comment by Rick Seaney — October 10, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
Rick,
With the price of oil and gasoline plummeting this week, any chance that airfares will also drop? I was on the verge of booking my Christmas flight today when I heard the price of oil was down again, and expected to go lower.
Thanks!
Comment by Cindy — October 10, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
Michelle,
Here’s another “1-Stop” tip for the future, especially for the holidays–try to make your layover stop as close to your final destination as you can. That way, if your connection is blown completely out of the water, you can rent a car for the final leg.
This Christmas, we’re flying to Philadelphia, via Newark–very easy to drive if absolutely necessary! (BTW–we bought our tix in JULY this year)
Cheers!
Jean
Comment by Jean — October 10, 2008 @ 9:20 pm
Hi Rick,
I had enough credit card miles for a free flight that I decided to take for Thanskgiving. The very nice woman at their call center tried to tell me there were not any flights at the time or price I wanted. I received one of your alerts and informed her that I was LOOKING at this availability. She was able to book me for what I wanted. Now, hopefully, the airlines won’t mess it up.
And yes, I booked this in August–under $300 to fly across the country.
–Michelle L.
Comment by Michelle — October 11, 2008 @ 12:23 pm