Holiday Planning Tips
Overview
Traveling over the holidays can be notoriously busy, expensive and stressful, but the news isn’t all bad. There are still deals to be found, provided you shop carefully and plan ahead. Below are some holiday planning tips which will help you find some joy this holiday season.
Avoid peak travel dates -The bottom line: If you are looking for a deal, you won’t find one on the peak travel days. Travel off-peak whenever possible.You are likely to pay less and escape the commotion if you travel on days most people may not be traveling on.
Book early – If you haven’t booked your holiday travel yet,its time to stop waiting and start booking.Those who hold out in hopes of a late-breaking sale are likely to get left out in the cold or pay a very steep price for their procrastination. Book sooner rather than later, particularly if you require very specific travel dates or times. With the current state of the airline industry, it is never too early to book your holiday travel flights. Be prepared to be flexible with dates and flight times.
Shop around – Whether you are using booking sites or any other method, comparison shopping has never been easier than it is right now. During peak travel season, casting the net as wide as possible will help you understand all of your options. For many travelers, price isn’t the only or even the most important factor, especially during the holidays. Thoughtful, deliberate use of the “search adjacent days or airports” features found on many websites may also surrender greatly improved fares and travel times.
Know your airports – Checking alternate airports is a pretty standard tactic, but at this time of year it can really make a difference. At no time can the alternate airport gambit pay off better than during the holiday crush. You can score on almost every front — parking, rental cars, traffic to and from, nearby hotels — and save both time and money. Keep in mind that smaller airports see fewer flights and, typically, fewer delays — not a minor consideration during the busy holiday travel season.
Leave early – During peak travel times, much of the trouble you’ll face lies on this side of the security check-in, from traffic jams and full parking lots to absent shuttles and long lines. Rather than striving to “arrive at the airport early,” you may want to try to “leave for the airport early” to anticipate all the peripheral delays you may encounter.
Pack wisely – When packing, keep in mind that most airlines are now charging travelers a fee for checking any bags on domestic flights (and even some international ones). Trim your luggage load to avoid complications.
Travel early or late in the day – As a rule, airports are least congested at times when normal human beings would rather be at home or even asleep. Delays are far less likely for morning flights, and airports usually unclog as the afternoon and evening peak passes.
