According to AAA, more people are flying this year for the holidays than ever. The travel services organization expects 7.85 million passengers to take to the skies. This means you should expect possible flight delays, long security lines (even if you have TSA PreCheck) and constant reminders from flight attendants that small bags belong at your feet, not in overhead bins.
Despite these challenges, stress-free travel is possible—if you approach it with the right mindset. Even if you’re making last-minute plans, the key isn’t crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, but anticipating what may go wrong.
Here are a few tips to make your holiday journey smoother.
Pack gifts in your carry-on bag
Losing a checked bag is frustrating enough, but imagine losing one filled with gifts for your loved ones. To avoid this, try to pack gifts in your carry-on whenever possible, as Travel + Leisure Magazine recommends.
Track your carry-on bags with Apple Airtag or a Bluetooth wireless tracker
Place an AirTag or a Bluetooth wireless tracker in your bag so that if it is lost, you can access its location in real-time. This will help you find it faster. The New York Times offers other alternatives if you are not an Apple user.
If you are traveling on Delta, the airline now allows you to integrate Apple’s Share Item Location feature with its Fly Delta app. If your luggage is lost but the AirTag is inside, you can share the real-time location information with customer service. Step-by-step directions to set this up can be found here.
Buying a last-minute ticket? Consider using points
If your flight plans are still uncertain, but you want to secure a ticket just in case, consider paying with miles. Even if you buy a non-refundable ticket, some airlines will refund the miles to your account if you need to cancel your flight, though it’s important to check with the airline first to ensure this is possible.
Fly into a different airport
If you usually fly into a smaller regional airport, consider flying into a larger hub instead. While it might mean a longer drive to your final destination, fares at major airports are often much lower, which could save you a significant amount of money.
Need a last-minute car rental? Go off airport
If you’re having trouble booking an affordable car rental, consider booking one outside the airport. While you will likely have to pay cab fares to get there, the price difference is significant enough to make the cab fare negligent.
You can also skip add-ons like GPS navigation. Most cars allow you to connect your phone to them and use an app like Waze or Google Maps.
Any problems? The new rules you should know
Earlier this year, the Biden administration implemented new rules to ensure you get refunded for canceled or delayed flights. You can learn more about the rules here.
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