Holiday Travel Survival Tips

According to airline reports, over 47 million people are expected to fly around the world this year on U.S. Airlines over the holidays with the busiest day of 3 million flying on Friday, December 20th alone. Holiday travel can be stressful.  As long time travel road warriors, we have prepared these Holiday Travel Survival Tips to help you get ready and relief stress for your holiday travels. Feel free to share and let us know your own tips. 

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Pre-Trip:

• --If no one will be at your home when gone turn off the water to your dwelling to avoid any flooding or water damage with a water pipe leaking or bursting when your gone.
• --Request a hold mail to the post office to save your mail until you return (can do this online)
• --If traveling internationally contact your bank and credit card companies to let them know your travel dates and destinations so they do not put your credit or debit cards on hold (can usually do this easy online with your financial institution)
• --Consider reserving airport parking in advance to avoid your preferred lot(s) being full when you arrive. 
• --Ship gifts or give gift cards or online vouchers.  TSA suggests you ship wrapped gifts or wait until you reach your destination to wrap them, as they might have to unwrap them to inspect it.
• --Travel early in the day.  Flight statistics show that flights leaving earlier in the day have a better on-time performance.  And if your flight is cancelled, you will have more options of taking a flight later in the day.

• --Plan for the unexpected. Download and update the specific airline(s) mobile app for your flights so can constantly monitor your flights' status. If you’re delayed and may miss a connection, you can quickly rebook an alternate flight if need be so don’t have to wait in long customer service lines.

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At Airport:

• --Arrive at the airport early. The roads and parking areas will be congested
• --Pack light.  If possible, carry on your luggage.  If you must check your luggage, make sure you have all your medications, important documents and a change of clothes in your carry-on just in case you experience a flight delay, or your luggage gets lost
• --Never pack valuables in your checked luggage and always lock your checked luggage with a TSA approved lock
• --Pack earplugs and better yet, noise reducing headphones if you have them, airports and airplanes can be very noisy with all the crowds and it will help relax you
• --Pack and use sanitizing wipes for seats, headrest, serving trays, bathrooms, etc., no need to get extra germs and get sick over the holidays
• --Don’t get “hangry’.  Be sure to pack some snacks or get some food before you board the plane
• --Bring your own water bottle and fill up or buy a water bottle at the airport to bring on plane so can stay hydrated
• --Travel on off-peak days and times if possible, for less crowds and slightly better deals including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve

• --Charge all your devices before you leave and bring a charged power pack and plug in cords with you in case need to wait on ground for some time

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Finally, Pack your patience, maintain a positive attitude and always smile as it is the holidays.  Remember, life is a journey and not a destination.

What are your travel tips? Let us know so we can share with others....Wishing you happy and safe travels.  

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