If you’re planning on traveling over the holidays, some questions may come to your mind: When is the best time to get a good deal on airfare? Are there any gifts that can’t be brought through the TSA? What to do if your flight is delayed or canceled?
There are many steps travelers can take this holiday season to enhance their travel experience and make their trip go as smoothly as possible (at least when it comes to things they can control).
Here are some ways to make your travels better when it comes to wallet, time, and anxiety issues, from NBC Senior Consumer and Investigative Correspondent Vicki Nguyen.
Apps and websites you can use for holiday travel deals
There are many tools you can use when booking your trip, especially for travelers who have flexibility in their travel dates.
Hopper, an app that offers discounts on airlines, hotels, homes and car rentals, says prices rise 5-10% every day from mid-October until Christmas, so the earlier you book for the holiday season, the better.
Kayak includes a best time to travel tool that allows users to determine the best time to travel based on origin and destination and duration (4-day trip, 7-day trip, or 14-day trip). there is. From there, Kayak will share the best months to fly and provide a cost breakdown.
Waiting in line at the airport is an all-too-familiar sight for travelers. Mario Tama/Getty Images
“The best months to travel are calculated based on four factors: average ticket price, popularity, average temperature, and average precipitation,” Kayak writes on its website.
Google’s Explore tool is a similar alternative, allowing you to enter your departure city and when you want to travel to find the cheapest flights. You can have a destination in mind, or choose “Anywhere” and decide where you want to go.
Point.me is an online travel tool that allows users to input all their credit card and airline miles to get the best flight options using points. There is a fee to use Point.me, but there is a free trial that allows you to try before you buy.
The perfect day for a Christmas flight
According to Hopper, the best time to leave for a holiday trip is Dec. 18 or Dec. 19. If you depart on Christmas Day, you can save around 25% off peak prices.
When it comes to returning home, Hopper advises returning mid-week after the holidays. December 28th is an especially cheap day to go home. However, it’s important to avoid booking too close to the weekend, as prices will jump as travelers return before New Year’s Eve.
When booking your flight, check whether additional support for older people or people with disabilities is available on the booking site, app or through the airline itself. Travelers who can reserve a free wheelchair through the airline should inform the gate agent of their need for early boarding.
Recommendation
Airlines typically check assistive devices such as canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, and electric scooters as carry-on baggage at no additional charge. If you need to store your battery-powered device, remove any loose or removable parts and attach a laminated paper with instructions on how to disassemble or fold it.
Be prepared to pass through TSA security checkpoints during your flight. Aaron M. Sprecher/AP
You can also request that your luggage be carried into the main cabin to ensure that your auxiliary equipment is protected. The Air Carrier Access Act states that items such as manual or collapsible wheelchairs, canes, walkers, and medications must be prioritized in the main cabin rather than in cargo boxes.
Major airlines offer concierge services to help you through the entire travel process, from baggage collection to getting into your car once you arrive at your destination. There are also private companies that provide these services.
What you can bring in through TSA
According to the TSA, most of the slowdowns in lines are due to prohibited items in carry-on luggage. Items that have the potential to spread, spill, or spray are not permitted unless they are less than 3.4 ounces.
Items you can bring to TSA include: Unwrapped gifts, baby products (including breast milk and formula in containers or bottles larger than 3.4 ounces), and food (including frozen items) are limited to ice. The packaged items will be completely frozen when going through security.
What to do if your flight is canceled
The thought of a flight being canceled makes everyone nervous, but it does happen. So what should you do if your flight is permanently cancelled? And are there any precautions that can be taken to reduce that possibility?
If possible, give yourself plenty of time and try to leave a day earlier than you need to. Be sure to download the MyTSA app and your airline’s app so you can book another flight in case your flight is cancelled. It can also be helpful to be flexible and consider flying through another airport or booking another mode of transportation, such as a train or car.
Drew Weisholtz
